Highlights of a River Cruise on the Beautiful Moselle River

A much smaller waterway than the nearby Rhine or Danube Rivers, the Moselle River makes up for what it lacks in size with its incredible beauty. This tributary of the Rhine River flows from the Vosges Mountains in France, north-east into Luxembourg and Germany. Although the French portion of the Moselle is navigable, most river cruises start in Luxembourg and then sail west through the stretch in Germany between Trier and Koblenz. This is a pristine portion of river, dotted with charming cities and incredible vineyards. On either end of this passage, it is possible to extend your journey down one of the other rivers in the region. This makes the Moselle a great option for those looking to do a longer river cruise.

One of the things that makes the Moselle such a wonderful river cruise is the quieter nature of this river. Here you will find sleepier towns with few other tourists, but there will still be plenty for you to do. On the top of the list of places to visit on the Moselle is Trier, the oldest city in Germany, where you will find a plethora of monuments from Ancient Rome and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Despite its age, Trier has a lively spirit and a delicious culinary tradition influenced by nearby France.

Much smaller in size, the tiny town of Cochem is another must stop location along the Moselle. This town is known for its beautifully colorful homes that line the river bank as well as Reichsburg Castle, which looks down on the town from atop a nearby hill. Originally built in the 11th century, this fortress was rebuilt in the 1800s. Although much of it was remodeled during the rebuild, the daunting Witches Tower was kept. It is fabled that women accused of witchcraft were hurled from this tower, which now stands in testament to this dark past.

Cochem is just one example of the fairytale feel of the Moselle. Throughout this trip you will have views of half-timbered homes with the backdrop of lush, rolling hills covered in vineyards. This area has been home to a wine tradition for two millennia, which can be experienced firsthand by tasting some of the wines from this region. In particular, the Rieslings from along the Moselle are an incredible vintage.

Although a trip on the Moselle is beautiful during spring and summer, it is particularly stunning during the fall, when the leaves are changing color. Whenever you choose to go, you can be sure that a sail on this little river will be a wonderful trip filled with pristine views, unique culture, and delicious food and libations.

If you are now curious about river cruising on the Moselle, and interested in finding out more about it, let me know. I will help you find the perfect itinerary!