The Mosel River snakes its way through eastern Germany, carving out a deep valley through forests and vineyards. For barge enthusiasts aboard La Nouvelle Etoile, this cruise gives the opportunity to explore two of the region’s most famous attractions: its castles and its wines.
The “Queen of German Castles”
One of the highlights of a visit to the Mosel Valley is the chance to see Burg Eltz, a medieval castle straight out of a fairytale. Amazingly it is still owned by the same family who lived there in the twelfth century, unscathed by any of the wars that troubled the region over the past 850 years. Guests on our cruise benefit from a guided tour of the castle, with the opportunity to see the original Treasury, Armoury and numerous halls constructed in different centuries.
A Wonderful Wine Region
The steep slopes of the Mosel Valley make it a perfect place for growing grapes. As you travel the length of the river on our cruise you will notice that the terroir changes significantly depending on the location of the vineyard. Generally speaking, south-facing vineyards benefit from ten times more sunlight than those that are north-facing, and those on the slopes are better off than those planted on flat land.
Over 60% of the wine produced in the region is Riesling. You will have ample opportunity to taste the iconic tipple of the region on our cruise, as the itinerary includes a number of vineyard visits and tastings at famous wine villages along the river, including Winningen, Zell and Bernkastel.
If you’re looking for a cruise that combines incredible scenery with wine, gastronomy, culture and history, our Classic Cruise of Germany and Luxembourg will tick all of your boxes.
View La Nouvelle Etoile’s online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
