A round trip from Düsseldorf that takes us further inland than most river cruises. We sail up the Rhine to Koblenz and on through the Moselle Valley with its vineyards and small wine towns. From here we continue along the lesser-known Saar river to Mettlach, where the ship stays overnight at the Saar Loop, the great bend in the river surrounded by wooded slopes. On the way back we visit Saarburg with its waterfall in the middle of town, Riol close to the Roman city of Trier, and Cochem below the Reichsburg. A relaxed cruise with short distances, many locks and scenery that changes from broad river valleys to narrow, green valleys.
Highlights
- Koblenz and the Deutsches Eck
- The Saar Loop at Mettlach with an overnight stay
- Saarburg with its waterfall in the middle of town
- Trier, Germany's oldest city
- Traben-Trarbach and Cochem in the Moselle Valley
- 8-day river cruise on MS Leonora with all meals on board
Itinerary
Day 1Embarkation, Düsseldorf
After you arrive on MS Leonora, the ship's cruise manager welcomes you in the lounge and goes through safety procedures and practical information. At 22:00 we sail up the Rhine.
Day 2Koblenz
We arrive in Koblenz at 12:00 and stay until 21:30. The city lies where the Moselle joins the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck. The old town has pleasant squares, and across the Rhine stands Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Day 3Traben-Trarbach
In the morning we sail into the Moselle Valley. We arrive in Traben-Trarbach at 13:00 and stay until 20:30. The wine town is known for its Art Nouveau buildings from the time when it was one of Europe's major wine-trading centres. Above the town are the ruins of Grevenburg castle.
Day 4Mettlach
We sail from the Moselle onto the Saar and arrive in Mettlach at 12:30, where we stay overnight. The town lies at the Saar Loop, where the river makes an almost complete bend through the forest. The Cloef viewpoint and the treetop walk above the forest offer views over the loop. In the town, Villeroy & Boch has its headquarters in the old baroque abbey building.
Day 5Mettlach and Saarburg
At 08:00 we leave Mettlach and arrive in Saarburg at 12:00, where we stay until 22:00. The small town is known for the waterfall that drops almost 20 metres in the middle of the old town, and for its bell foundry. Above the town are the ruins of Saarburg castle.
Day 6Riol/Trier
We arrive in Riol early in the morning and stay until 13:30. From here it is a short distance to Trier, Germany's oldest city, founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Its Roman monuments, including the Porta Nigra city gate, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the old town has a cathedral, a market square and the house where Karl Marx was born. A transfer to Trier can be purchased on board.
Day 7Cochem
We arrive in Cochem at 07:00 and stay until 14:30. The town is dominated by the Reichsburg, high above the Moselle, and the old town has narrow streets and half-timbered houses. In the afternoon and evening we sail back towards the Rhine and Düsseldorf.
Day 8Düsseldorf
We arrive in Düsseldorf early in the morning. Disembarkation at around 09:00. Our river cruise on the Rhine, Moselle and Saar comes to an end.
Please note: Sailing times are approximate and may change due to water levels, weather, locks or other conditions.
What is included?
Included
- 8 days / 7 nights on MS Leonora
- English-speaking staff on board
- All meals and selected drinks
- Entertainment on board
- All cabins are outside cabins with window, shower/toilet, hairdryer and air conditioning
- Port and passenger fees
Not included
- Most drinks on board
- Drinks package – available to purchase
- Excursions
- Transport to and from the ship
- Service charge, €8 per person per day
Prices and dates come straight from our booking system and are always up to date. We are happy to help with transfers, excursions and flights – just ask in your enquiry.
