Bike & Barge Touring

River Cruising meets bicycle touring for a memorable European vacation

by Stephanie Scott

Getting to know the other cyclists during a rest stop

Looking for a unique way to vacation this summer? Why not consider a bike & barge tour? Think river cruising meets bicycle touring: cozy lodging, guided tours, fine food, and just enough exercise to ensure your clothes still fit when you return home, all at a price that won’t break the bank.

Riding through cobblestone streets of Germany. Motorists are bike-friendly and the ride pace is relaxed.

Stephanie Ventures, LLC is a boutique tour operator and travel agency that specializes in this fun and affordable way to travel. Their itinerary, Meander Through the Magical Mosel Valley, offers an eight day journey, in a picturesque corner of Europe where Germany, Luxembourg and France meet. This tour runs from August 17-24, 2019.

When you arrive at the dock in Cochem, Germany, you’ll find the Quo Vadis, a hotel-barge that sleeps 24 passengers. Her crew will greet you and show you to your home for the week, an air-conditioned cabin with private bath. Unpack, settle in, and meet your fellow travelers at an afternoon bike fitting, followed by a welcome dinner. Begin each morning with a hearty breakfast before joining your regional guides on a 20-35 mile ride. Throughout the tour you’ll enjoy panoramic scenery, sightseeing stops, tastings, and picnic lunches. At each day’s end, you’ll return to the barge, usually in a new city, to freshen up and relax until it’s time for a three-course dinner prepared by your onboard chef. On most evenings, your guides will escort you on an entertaining post-dinner stroll in town.

Cochem, Germany – Arrive by train and take a short taxi ride to the Quo Vadis. Check in and check out the imposing Reichsburg Castle, or the kitschy museum dedicated to their fave condiment: mustard!

Bernkastel Kues, Germany – Enjoy an exhilarating bike ride through Eifel Valley on a rail trail that travels through forests, over bridges, past volcanoes, into illuminated tunnels, and eventually back to the ship.

Trier, Germany – Prepare to be schooled in Germany’s oldest city that boasts nine UNESCO sites, ancient Roman ruins, magnificent cathedrals, and the birthplace of Karl Marx, the father of communism.

Our guide sets the pace on this ride through the forest. Most rides are on car-free paths and dedicated bike lanes.

Saarburg, Germany – When was the last time you visited a city with its own man-made waterfall? This is the one night you’ll be on your own for dinner. Your guides will recommend some great spots for waterside dining.

Nennig, Germany – Check out the remarkable Gladiator Mosaic, the ornate floor of a once grand Roman villa.

Bike paths cruise past castle ruins and through cliffside vineyards along the Mosel River.

Remich, Luxembourg – Sip local wine made from the Elbling grape, an ancient variety that thrives in this region – and makes a fabulous sparkling white wine.

Because barge tours run on canals close to town centers, you can enjoy stops like this one in Thionville France.

Thionville and Metz, France – Ride through the scenic French countryside, along quiet river banks, past quaint villages, wheat fields and pastures where the prized white cows graze. Board the Quo Vadis for a cruise into Metz.

View the full itinerary: https://stephanieventures.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/2019-meander-through-the-magical-mosel-valley-itinerary.pdf

Mention BIKE TOUR FINDER for a $100 discount per person.

Save more with our special CRUISE FARES when you book your tour and airfare together!