The Top 6 Best European River Cruises
Jan 26, 2022 · By Vacations By Rail
Six all-inclusive expeditions artfully combine travel on local rail lines with small boat cruising experiences to create a vacation to remember.
Read moreAn air of romance, a dose of history and over 340 miles of exquisite scenery radiate from the lovely Moselle River. Originating from the Vosges Mountains in France, this winding tributary of the Rhine meanders through Luxembourg and Germany on its course through Western Europe. Each mile of the river offers a new perspective, unraveling layer upon layer of culture in each stop along the way. One of the best ways to soak it all in is with all-inclusive river cruises.
Moselle River cruises from Trier, Germany, begin in the heart of the action within the breathtaking Moselle wine region. Terraced vineyards hug the shoreline as the boat follows its serpentine course. Home to numerous wineries, this region has been involved in the wine-making industry for centuries since the time of the Romans. Today, the Moselle Valley is beloved for its white varietals, including Rieslings. Because of the steep gradients of the terraces, many of the grapes must be harvested by hand. This ensures each cluster is picked at the peak of perfection and only adds to the overall quality of the craft. Moselle River cruise tours often include off-board excursions that allow travelers to experience the wineries and their products firsthand.
As travel continues along the beautiful blue Moselle, forested hills lead up from the riverbanks to charming medieval cities. Cobbled streets lead to historic buildings, boutique shops and restaurants with traditional menus and fantastic views. Stunning stone castles dot the hilltops, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the majestic scenery. Moselle River cruises proceed to places like Cochem and Koblenz and often continue onto the Rhine River to destinations like Rüdesheim, Speyer and Strasbourg, with each port of call somehow more impressive than the last. The scenic Moselle, where luxury and sheer beauty collide.