Rhine River Cruise: Castles & Mosel Wine Tasting

There's something magical about drawing back your curtains to reveal a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. As we sailed aboard Viking Bragi on the renowned Grand European Tour, that's precisely the experience that greeted us—a Rhine Valley morning view that postcards can barely do justice.

👉 DIY Tour Tip: If you’re visiting on your own and want a similar experience, this excursion from Koblenz includes a river cruise, wine tasting, and a meal with a local winegrower in Trier. Book ahead to secure your spot.

Morning: Cruising the Upper Middle Rhine Valley

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley truly deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status—it's widely considered one of Europe's most spectacular river cruising experiences. While Viking Bragi's floor-to-ceiling dining room windows offered splendid views, most passengers (ourselves included) headed to the Sun Deck for Program Director Dewi's captivating commentary.

History unfolded before our eyes as we sailed past terraced vineyards dating back to Roman times. These ancient slopes have made use of nearly every inch of arable land, proof of the region's centuries-old winemaking heritage.

For 64 idyllic kilometers (40 miles), our Rhine River cruise route carried us past

• Quaint riverside churches with distinctive spires
• Meticulously maintained terraced vineyards
• Charming German villages with half-timbered houses
• Narrow settlements squeezed between the river and steep hillsides

Some riverside towns were so compressed by geography that they consisted of little more than a single row of houses, a road, and railway tracks hugging the riverbank!

The Legendary Rhine Castles

The true highlights of any Middle Rhine cruise are the magnificent castles—more than 40 of them—perched dramatically on the hillsides overlooking the river. Each fortress tells its own unique story of medieval Rhine Valley history.

Most stand in various states of romantic decay, though Dewi surprised us by mentioning that several have been transformed into Rhine castle hotels. What an extraordinary overnight experience that would be!

One particularly enterprising baron constructed his fortress midstream, stretching chains across the river to ensure no vessel could pass without paying a toll—an early example of Rhine River commerce control.

At the narrowest section of the Rhine River gorge, we passed the famous Lorelei Rock. According to German legend, a beautiful siren named Lorelei would sing enchanting songs, distracting sailors who then crashed upon the treacherous rocks. The dangerous currents and hidden obstacles at this Rhine River narrow point likely inspired this enduring Rhine Valley folklore.

Afternoon Options in Koblenz

After lunch, Viking Bragi docked in Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Mosel (or Moselle) River. While many passengers opted to explore the picturesque German city, Viking offered several afternoon activities:

1. Marksburg Castle tour—one of the few fully preserved Rhine castles
2. Koblenz guided tour—along with free time to explore on your own
3. Mosel wine tasting experience (optional tour)

Marksburg Castle certainly deserves a visit for its authentic medieval interiors and spectacular Rhine Valley vistas. However, there are many rough pathways and numerous staircases to maneuver, which can make it challenging for those with mobility concerns.

Mosel Wine Tasting

Having visited Marksburg on a previous Rhine cruise itinerary, we opted for the Mosel wine tasting tour this time. A small group of fellow passengers joined us as we traveled along the Mosel River, surrounded by some of Germany's most dramatic vineyard landscapes.

While Germany rightfully boasts about its beer culture, the country also features 13 distinct wine regions, including the prestigious Mosel Valley (Moselle in French). Mosel wines develop their distinctive character from

• The region's cool climate conditions
• Extremely steep vineyard slopes facing the river
• Slate-rich soil imparting unique mineral qualities
• Traditional winemaking techniques passed through generations

Our excursion included a panoramic viewpoint stop overlooking the Mosel Valley wine region before we continued to a traditional family-owned Mosel winery. Here, we toured the production facilities and learned about the unique challenges of cultivating grapes on the Mosel's precipitous terraced vineyards.

The highlight came in the winery's cellar, surrounded by dusty bottles, where we sampled their exceptional Rieslings and other Mosel Valley wine varieties.

The Mosel Rieslings were a revelation—crisp and light with subtle floral notes, completely different from the sweeter Rieslings we were accustomed to. Both my husband, Dan, and I immediately regretted not bringing larger suitcases—we would have loved to bring several bottles home to enjoy with family, and this particular winery doesn't ship to the United States.

Leisure time in Koblenz

German summer evenings offer extended twilight hours, perfect for after-dinner exploration. During our previous Koblenz visit, we'd been so captivated by a horticultural exhibition that we missed experiencing the historic city center. This time, we took advantage of our docked location for an evening stroll.

The Rhine-Moselle confluence city of Koblenz reveals its charm most fully in the gentle evening light. We wandered through the atmospheric old town (Altstadt), admiring its well-preserved medieval architecture and the illuminated Ehrenbreitstein Fortress across the Rhine. There were also lovely market squares, outdoor cafés, and intriguing boutique shop windows displaying local crafts.

As night fell completely, Koblenz transformed into a glittering riverside gem. The illuminated fortress created a dramatic backdrop across the water, while the historic Deutsches Eck (German Corner) monument marked the precise point where the Rhine and Mosel rivers meet.

An Unexpected Evening with the Crew

As we made our way back toward Viking Bragi, we encountered a group of the ship's wait staff, many of whom we'd befriended during our cruise. They had finished their duties and were heading to a favorite local restaurant for a late dinner. When they enthusiastically invited us to join them, we couldn't resist.

Apologizing to our sore feet, we couldn't resist accepting the invitation; it gave us a chance to get the real scoop on what it's like to work on a river cruise ship. We were impressed to learn about Viking's comprehensive employee benefits, including insurance, retirement plans, and extended breaks between contracts that allow crew members to visit their families.

Several staff members mentioned they had previously worked on ocean cruises but much preferred the river cruise environment, which they described as more employee-friendly. Their genuine enthusiasm for working with Viking reinforced our positive impression of the company and strengthened our preference for river cruising over ocean voyages.

Our day cruising the Middle Rhine Valley and exploring the Mosel wine region exemplified why European river cruises offer such a distinctive travel experience:

• The intimacy of sailing through historic landscapes
• The convenience of docking directly in town centers
• The balance of structured excursions and independent exploration
• The opportunity to sample authentic regional specialties
• The chance to experience multiple destinations without constant packing and unpacking

As we drifted off to sleep that night, the gentle movement of Viking Bragi on the Rhine lulled us into dreams of medieval castles and sun-drenched vineyards—with perhaps one or two more glasses of crisp Mosel Riesling.

• Next Stop: Join us in Cologne for Cathedral Tours and Chocolate Tastings!

Click here to see more photos from the Middle Rhine Valley.

Note: As is common in the travel industry, Dan and Linda were provided with a complimentary cruise package for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced coverage, AWSI believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see the Disclosure page.