Avalon Waterways' Mosel River cruises in Germany start in Amsterdam for embarkation and a canal cruise through Amsterdam's stately homes of its "Golden Age" era. Cruise on to Schoonhoven, home to the International School of Silver; Rotterdam, busiest port; Dordrecht, known for famous painters; and Kinderdijk; picturesque windmills. Fifth day of the 15-day itinerary begins at Cologne, one of Germany's largest cities, and where you can order a Kolsch, the local beer. Mosel River cruise sails to Koblenz where the Rhine River and the 312-mile Mosel River meet. You can visit a local wine cellar in the quaint village of Bernkastel and taste the local wine growers' varietals.
Trier is Germany's oldest city as noted on an inscription, "Trier was standing 1,300 years before Rome," at a house in the marketplace. Cruising is enjoyable on the peaceful Mosel River with views of the town of Cochem and the backdrop of Reichsburg Castle. The most beautiful scenery of the Mosel River cruise is the Rhine Gorge where you will pass through Rudesheim and Mainz, Germany on Day 11. On Day 12, the ship docks in Mainz for a visit to the Gutenberg Museum and an excursion to Heidelberg, an old university town. Following is Strasbourg, France on the border of France and Germany with an excursion to the Black Forest region. Finally, the cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland for disembarkation. The Rhine & Moselle 15-day cruise pricing is from $3,679 to $3,729, as of March 2010.
Avalon Waterways
5301 South Federal Circle
Littleton, CO 80123
877-797-8791
avalonwaterways.com/Product.aspx?trip=0WAT&source=AW_Cruises_Moselle
Wine and food aficionados, history buffs, museum goers, and lovers of nature will delight in the Uniworld cruises in Germany. Ports of call include to Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Luxembourg, Bernkastel, Rudesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, and Basel for 14 days. A 14-day trip from Basel to Amsterdam is also a cruise option. Scenery includes views of historic sites such as castles and picturesque towns. Natural scenes of the Riesling vineyards, the Vosges Mountains and verdant hills can be enjoyed. Uniworld cruises include 12 shore excursions, use of audio headset system, complimentary bicycles rental, and a complimentary lecture, "The Roman Empire along the Rhine and Moselle." The Legendary Rhine & Moselle 14-day cruise pricing is from $3,299 to $4,199, as of March 2010.
Uniworld
17323 Ventura Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 91316
818-382-7820
uniworld.com/cruise.asp?ID=225
The Mosel River cruise in Germany includes ports of call including Koblenz, Cochem, Bernkastel, and Trier. A favorite experience of cruisers is wine sampling. If the timing is right, passengers may be able to enjoy wine festivals at the villages along the river. Some of the vineyards along the cruise were founded in the Middle Ages by monks and aristocrats and are still in existence today. Viking River Cruises offers three cruises that include the Mosel River in Germany. The Treasures of the Rhine Cruise is a 15-day cruise making stops in Cologne and Rudesheim. The Vineyards & Vistas' 8-day cruise includes Rudesheim and the Cities of Light 12-day cruise includes Trier, Cologne, Rudesheim, Bernkastel, Koblenz and Cochem. Viking River Cruises has been awarded the 2010 Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List, ranked by readers. The Treasures of the Rhine 15-day cruise pricing is from $2,262 to $5,162, the Vineyard & Vistas 8-day cruise pricing is from $1,756 to $3,856, and the Cities of Light 12-day cruise pricing is from $2,756 to $4,856, as of March 2010.
Viking River Cruises
5700 Canoga Avenue
Suite 200
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
877-668-4546
vikingrivercruises.com/regions/europe/rivers/moselle/index.aspx
