Are you able to embark on a river cruising voyage full of new adventures and exploration? With Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery cruise alongside the Moselle you might have loads of choices for locating hidden gems and taking within the breathtaking views (trace: there’s a number of castles!) whereas indulging in enjoyable actions for no matter exercise health degree you’re feeling that day.
From strolling via vineyards to visiting historic landmarks to bicycling alongside the boat to the following port, each second is an opportunity to discover a brand new vacation spot and all of the alternatives that river cruising presents.
I took the Active & Discovery on the Moselle river cruise, beginning in Remich, Luxembourg and ending in Frankfurt, Germany. Here’s a rundown of my expertise and what you possibly can anticipate:
What to Expect on Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery on the Moselle Cruise
Day 1 & 2: Remich, Luxembourg
We began our Moselle River Cruise within the city of Remich, referred to as the Pearl of the Moselle. Its picturesque location on the Moselle River captivates guests (and me!) with its vineyard-dotted attraction and colourful homes.
Visiting these vineyards is a well-liked day journey from Luxembourg City, which is underneath an hour by public transport, but in addition a enjoyable factor to do previous to embarkation. Two widespread ones are Caves St Martin SA and Benoit & Claude Viticulteurs, each will provide you with a style of the city’s wine-making historical past and tradition.
For historical past fans, the Parish Church, relationship again to the early nineteenth century, is a must-see, boasting a exceptional Twelfth-century tower. And to seize mesmerizing views of the meandering Moselle River, cross via the historic Porte Saint-Nicolas gate and uncover Esplanade Remich Park, house to a fountain devoted to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.
PORT EXCURSIONS
- Schengen: History-Making in Luxembourg
Our first tour of the river cruise was to Schengen, which was a novel alternative to delve into the historic significance of the Schengen settlement and be taught the influence it has had on European integration and borderless journey of 37 nations concerned.
- Highlights of Ancient Trier
We received to squeeze in yet one more included tour on today, and it was a superb one— an evening tour of the traditional metropolis of Trier. Located in southwestern Germany close to the borders of Luxembourg and France, Trier has a wealthy historical past that spans over two millennia (16 BC), making it one of many nation’s oldest cities.
The group of us started on the spectacular Porta Nigra, a permanent Roman metropolis gate. Next was an opportunity to admire the architectural mix of Trier Cathedral and its revered Holy Robe. There had been a handful of stops in between, however the finale was marveling on the grandeur of the Konstantin-Basilika (Roman Imperial Throne Room) with its intricate mosaics.
Day 3: Bernkastel, Germany
Bernkastel, Germany, is an enthralling city within the Moselle Valley that transports guests to a bygone period. Its medieval market buzzes with exercise, that includes cute retailers, conventional half-timbered homes, and native culinary treats.
The St. Nikolaus-Hospital (Cusanusstift), a Fifteenth-century Gothic masterpiece, homes a formidable library (which accommodates the one identified copy of Proverbia Grecorum, a group of historical Latin proverbs) and a wine museum. As a testomony to its fortified previous, the Graach Gate stands tall, exuding medieval grandeur and serving as a reminder of Bernkastel’s wealthy historic heritage.
PORT EXCURSIONS
- Walking and Wines in Bernkastel
This enjoyable tour mixed a leisurely stroll via the historic city of Bernkastel and tasting some scrumptious wines from the area. We strolled via the medieval streets adorned with half-timbered homes, and took within the picturesque great thing about the Moselle River.
A spotlight of this tour was a go to to the famend Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler vineyard, the place we sampled some advantageous wines (largely Rieslings!) whereas studying concerning the area’s winemaking heritage in one among their ‘tasting rooms’ resembling their underground cellar, chapel, and baroque saloon.
Day 4: Cochem, Germany
The small port city of Cochem is located within the western area of Germany and is house to simply underneath 5,000 individuals. Though it’s small in measurement, it’s massive in historical past, outdated world attraction and issues to do, like visiting it’s attractive hilltop fort—Reichsburg.
Besides the fort, a go to to the Pinnerkreuz lookout level is a must-do. Reachable by chairlift, it presents panoramic views of Cochem and its environment. You can delve into Cochem’s intriguing historical past by exploring the Bundesbank Bunker, an underground facility as soon as utilized by the German Federal Bank. And don’t miss the Senfmuehle, the historic Mustard Mill, the place you possibly can indulge within the flavors of conventional mustard and find out about its manufacturing.
PORT EXCURSION
- Cochem with Reichsburg Castle Visit
The banks of the Moselle River are lined with picturesque castles (cruising alongside it with Avalon Waterways confirmed this!), however probably none extra spectacular than Reichburg Castle which is perched on a hilltop in Cochem.
With Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery river cruises there are excursions for all ranges of adventurers at each port. And although I may have biked or hiked in Cochem, there was no means I used to be gonna miss their basic tour of the fort (which is an included choice once you e-book this cruise).
It began with a fast tour of the town winding via the cobbled streets and seeing the cool half-timbered homes. Then we took shuttles to this fairytale-like fortress that gives breathtaking panoramas of the Moselle Valley.
Though the valley views are superb, the inside of Reichsburg isn’t too shabby both! The hour or so lengthy tour took us contained in the grand halls and well-preserved chambers.
There was loads of port time after the tour to benefit from the metropolis. I like to recommend going to this wine bar and German restaurant:
- Alte Gutsschänke Wine Bar: It’s a tiny underground wine bar with nice German wine. Plus, we solely paid 7 euros for 2 glasses of purple (that’s onerous to do in California!).
- Zom Stüffje: A brilliant busy and conventional German restaurant. Order the Flammkuchen (it’s like a thin-crust pizza) and a few of their well-known Wiener Schnitzel. Both had been scrumptious.
Day 5: Koblenz, Germany
Koblenz is an enthralling metropolis nestled the place the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet in Germany, and holds a big place within the UNESCO World Heritage web site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. With its picturesque landscapes and interesting historical past, it presents an excellent mixture of actions for each traveler—even with out an tour, there’s lots to do within the metropolis!
You can discover the historic coronary heart on the Deutsches Eck, and take within the breathtaking views from the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, accessible by a scenic cable automobile experience. Or wander via the cobbled streets of the Old Town, adorned with charming squares and colourful buildings, and immerse your self within the wealthy heritage of the town.
History buffs will likely be thrilled to go to the spectacular Stolzenfels Castle, a shocking instance of Romantic Rhine structure. The Electoral Palace, one other architectural gem, showcases the town’s royal previous and is a deal with for the eyes.
PORT EXCURSION
I really like overview excursions of a metropolis, particularly if I’m solely there for a short while—it’s an effective way to see quite a bit and decide if you wish to return sooner or later. That’s why I signed up for the Highlights of Koblenz tour when Avalon Waterways ported for just a few hours within the German metropolis on the Rhine river. It was brief, however candy and lined A LOT of floor.
Here are just a few of my favourite stops:
- The Cable Car: This aerial tramway seamlessly connects the banks of the Rhine River to the elevated hill plateau the place the historic Ehrenbreitstein Fortress stands. To start your cable automobile journey, you should purchase tickets on the valley station situated close to the riverside, simply accessible from the center of Koblenz. We advocate the mixture ticket as it would additionally offer you entry to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress when you get to the highest.
- Kaiser Wilhelm Monument: Sitting alongside the German Corner (Deutsches Eck), this commanding equestrian statue (it’s over 46 ft tall!) commemorates Kaiser Wilhelm I, the inaugural German Emperor who performed a pivotal function within the unification of Germany.
- Berlin Wall: After the autumn of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, completely different establishments world wide (one among which is Koblenz) obtained sections of the wall. You can see three items of it on everlasting show subsequent to the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument as a memorial to Germany’s division.
- Thumb Sculpture: The 6-foot Thumb on the Ludwig Museum is a selfie should. Seemingly poised in an ‘okay’ place in direction of the sky, this artfully enlarged mould from its late creator’s thumb (Cesar Baldaccini) embodies human willpower, innovation, and a visible ode to limitless potentialities.
- Basilica of St. Castor: The Basilica of St. Castor, with its origins relationship again to the ninth century, proudly holds the excellence of being the oldest church in Koblenz. Its venerable historical past is interwoven with the annals of the town, because it stands on the positioning of an earlier Roman fort.
- Schangel Fountain: The fountain statue is a prankster who spits at vacationers each couple minutes.
Day 6: Rüdesheim–Eltville, Germany
Rüdesheim am Rhein is an enthralling city famend for its winemaking heritage, notably its scrumptious Riesling wines. The coronary heart of the city, Drosselgasse, is the cutest lane adorned with an array of retailers, taverns, and eating places. Just a stone’s throw away, the Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet homes an enchanting assortment of automated musical devices, whereas the medieval Brömserburg Castle proudly hosts the Rheingau Wine Museum, showcasing a various array of wine-related artifacts spanning from historical occasions to the current.
While there you can too do issues like dive into the darkish and intriguing previous at Rudesheim’s Mittelalterliches Foltermuseum, the “Medieval Torture Museum,” the place guests can discover the unsettling practices of the previous via a group of over 120 historic torture artifacts. On a a lot lighter be aware, a stroll via Eltville’s Burgstrasse is a pleasant expertise, with its enchanting timber-frame homes that line the slender streets.
PORT EXCURSION
- Holy Wines in Rüdesheim: Visit to Hildegard Abbey
This Rüdesheim tour provided an ideal mix of spirituality and wine tradition, leaving you with an appreciation for Rüdesheim’s holy wines and the traditions they embody. During this tour we had been immersed within the serene environment of this historic Hildegard Abbey, named after the famend mystic Hildegard of Bingen.
This is the second abbey based by St. Hildegard through the early Twelfth century, and all through its existence, it has endured durations of adversity, together with the Thirty Years War and World War II. Today, it’s a part of the Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site.
We discovered concerning the fascinating custom of winemaking and the religious significance of the vineyards surrounding the abbey. Year-round, guided by the grasp winemaker, the nuns and volunteers on the Abbey of St. Hildegard nurture grapevines with devotion. From planting to delicate pruning, they have an inclination to every vine, harvest at peak ripeness, and create beautiful wines utilizing each custom and fashionable experience within the historical cellars, reflecting the abbey’s deep connection to nature and craftsmanship.
We had been fortunate sufficient to have the ability to style a few of this wine on the small wine part behind the abbey’s retail store—and it was really poured by a resident nun!
Afterwards, we walked again into city via the vineyards and tasted three completely different Adolf Storzel wines alongside the way in which.
Day 7: Frankfurt, Germany
Last however not least on this Avalon River Cruise was Frankfurt, a bustling metropolis within the coronary heart of Europe that seamlessly blends wealthy historical past with modernity.
Of course, you possibly can spend days exploring the town, however don’t miss the long-lasting Romer, a group of 9 homes forming the Frankfurt metropolis corridor (Rathaus). It stands as a logo of the town’s medieval heritage. The Old Opera House (Alte Oper) is a Frankfurt spotlight with its grand structure and world-class performances, resembling a charming orchestral rendition of basic items by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. For a glimpse into the town’s latest previous, the New Frankfurt Old Town presents a meticulously reconstructed quarter, capturing the essence of pre-war Frankfurt.
PORT EXCURSIONS
- Elvis Tour in Bad Nauheim
The most surprising tour on our journey was the Elvis Tour in Bad Nauheim, a metropolis about 45-minutes from Frankfurt. While the city’s famend therapeutic salt springs stay its spotlight, it gained further fame as the situation the place Elvis Presley resided all through his two-year navy service (though he was stationed at Ray Barracks close to the neighboring city of Friedberg.)
We explored a large number of iconic places related to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, like Villa Grunewald, the place Elvis rented your complete second flooring throughout a household go to, together with the famend Elvis Room No. 10.
Right subsequent to the villa, you’ll uncover the placing Elvis Stele, a monument paying tribute to the music legend. Stroll alongside the charming streets to the Castle Gate, a a lot sought-after picture spot that served because the backdrop for the file cowl of “A Big Hunk O’ Love.” As you proceed your tour, you’ll encounter many extra important websites, resembling Goethestrasse 14, the place Elvis resided till the tip of his service.
One of my favourite issues was the Elvis stoplight, the place the purple mild had him in a dance transfer and the inexperienced one was holding a guitar.
About Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways is a number one river cruise firm that gives unparalleled journey experiences alongside the world’s most scenic waterways. Some of those embody the Danube River, which winds via the center of Europe, and the huge Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The latest addition to their river portfolio, the Douro in Portugal, presents a contemporary alternative to discover this vacation spot in Avalon model.
With a give attention to luxurious, consolation, and immersive exploration, Avalon’s cruises present vacationers with unforgettable journeys full of cultural discoveries and breathtaking landscapes.
Active & Discovery River Cruises
Setting themselves other than conventional cruises, Avalon’s Active & Discovery river cruises supply a extra partaking and personalised European journey. Whether you’re in search of one thing adventurous like visiting the Lava Domes of Mendig to a quiet cruise alongside the picturesque Moselle River, these cruises transcend the standard vacationer locations, permitting friends to actively take part in varied actions and excursions that showcase the genuine essence of every location.
The Food/Dining Options
Avalon takes pleasure in providing distinctive eating experiences onboard, with a give attention to contemporary, locally-sourced substances and regional dishes that replicate the locations visited alongside the river route.
Breakfast was buffet-style with a wide range of choices, together with cold and warm dishes, contemporary fruits, pastries, and drinks. Plus, a handful of menu gadgets you can order from the kitchen. My go-to was Greek yogurt with granola, marinated apricots, granola and chia. Though for a few days I splurged on a strawberry waffle and yummy charcuterie.
Lunch usually options a mixture of buffet and à la carte picks, with mild and satisfying choices obtainable. A favourite of mine was the day they featured the meals of Germany. With issues like Kartoffelstampf (German crushed potatoes) and Apfelstrudel (German apple strudel) it was onerous to regulate myself, and I put one among every thing on my plate!
Dinnertime is a spotlight of the day, and Avalon Waterways goals to supply a advantageous eating expertise. It began with a cheerful hour (the place there’s a menu of included wines, beer and cocktails), adopted by the port discuss. Afterwards, friends can get pleasure from multi-course meals ready by expert cooks, providing a mix of worldwide and regional delicacies. The menus could also be influenced by the native specialties of the areas the cruise passes via, or simply specialities of the chef.
One of my favourite dinner dishes was the Pan-fried filet of trout with cherry tomato salsa, sauteed cucumbers and steamed parsley-potatoes. But, there have been so many different yummy issues.
It’s price mentioning {that a} 24-hour espresso machine caters to caffeine fans, and my husband took full benefit of the cappuccinos it made. I used to be extra impressed with the BeWell water machine that made me flavored glowing water on the drop of a hat.
The Onboard Activities
Even once you’re not on an tour, there’s by no means a uninteresting second aboard Avalon Waterways as they provide a various vary of actions to maintain everybody engaged and entertained. Whether you’re up for pleasant large chess matches on the skydeck, rejuvenating morning yoga periods, fun-filled corn gap video games, or thrilling board and card video games, there’s one thing for each curiosity.
If you like a quieter expertise, you possibly can go for actions like getting misplaced in a e-book at their Club Lounge Library or indulging in a comfortable film evening together with your important different. The ship caters to completely different preferences, offering the right steadiness between thrilling social interactions and peaceable moments of rest.
The Suites/Cabins
Avalon Waterways presents a variety of luxurious lodging to swimsuit varied preferences. The Avalon Deluxe Stateroom offers a snug and stylish retreat with fashionable facilities, making certain a calming keep onboard.
The Panorama Suites are a spotlight of Avalon’s choices, that includes beds dealing with floor-to-ceiling home windows for panoramic views. The open-air balcony provides an additional contact of luxurious and permits friends to immerse themselves within the pure magnificence outdoors.
For these searching for the final word indulgence, the Royal Suites present an expansive and opulent residing house with a separate seating space and enhanced facilities, promising an unforgettable journey in utmost consolation.
Panorama Suite (My Cabin)
My cabin, the Panorama Suite, was an expensive retreat with a dreamy mattress completely positioned to benefit from the ever-changing landscapes outdoors the wall-to-wall window. The open-air balcony was a private haven for quiet reflection, and the adjustable desk was versatile, serving as a breakfast nook and a snug workspace through the journey. Plus, it may very well be lowered for these occasions the place I simply wished to absorb the view!
The suite itself is sort of spacious, with loads of storage cupboards for my issues, and geared up with fashionable conveniences like a flat-screen TV and WiFi. There’s additionally a mini bar stocked with a number of refreshing drinks, permitting you to quench your thirst at any time of the day or evening. And did I point out the non-public ensuite lavatory with a spacious bathe, premium tub merchandise, and all the required facilities for a refreshing and rejuvenating expertise?
Embarking on the Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery River Cruise on the Moselle River is an adventure-packed voyage that can go away you with unforgettable reminiscences. From enjoyable excursions that take you biking via charming cities to savoring the best native wines throughout a winery tour, there’s by no means a uninteresting second.
Life onboard is an absolute blast, with luxurious lodging, tasty delicacies, and interesting actions that cater to all pursuits. Get able to discover hidden gems, meet new mates and see some killer landscapes! So, seize your hat, your sense of wanderlust, and your dancing sneakers – it’s time to set sail and create the bucket listing journey of a lifetime!