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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours Worldwide
Representing Local Bike Tour Companies
More than 400 Tours in 70 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Self-guided |
| Level: | Easy |
| Duration: | 6 Nights |
| Distance: | 26 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Self-guided: Daily: Apr 12- Oct 19, 2013 |
| Tour price: | €452 |
| Start city: | Trier, Germany |
| End city: | Koblenz, Germany |
Spend your bicycle vacation in the most well-known wine growing region of Germany along one of the most beautiful rivers. Admire the "Kaiserthermen" (Emperor‘s hot springs) and the Porta Nigra, among the historical buildings of first rank in the Roman city of Trier.
By bike you will reach famous towns such as Bernkastel Kues, Traben Tarbach, Cochem, Neumagen Dhron (the oldest German wine town) and Enkirch, a jewel of the regional medieval "Fachwerk" (Tudor style) architecture. Visit Castle Eltz and enjoy romantic stretches on your ride. In the evening cozy and comfortable hotels will spoil you with regional specialties. And don‘t miss sampling the art of the local winegrowers!
Tours along the Mosel can be easily customized based on personal preferences for daily distances and number of days. You can choose to travel point to point with hotel changes each day or to spend several nights in the same location and use your hotel as a "base of operations."
Learn more about self-guided tours
Spend your bicycle vacation in the most well-known wine growing region of Germany along one of the most beautiful rivers. Admire the "Kaiserthermen" (Emperor‘s hot springs) and the Porta Nigra, among the historical buildings of first rank in the Roman city of Trier.
By bike you will reach famous towns such as Bernkastel Kues, Traben Tarbach, Cochem, Neumagen Dhron (the oldest German wine town) and Enkirch, a jewel of the regional medieval "Fachwerk" (Tudor style) architecture. Visit Castle Eltz and enjoy romantic stretches on your ride. In the evening cozy and comfortable hotels will spoil you with regional specialties. And don‘t miss sampling the art of the local winegrowers!
Tours along the Mosel can be easily customized based on personal preferences for daily distances and number of days. You can choose to travel point to point with hotel changes each day or to spend several nights in the same location and use your hotel as a "base of operations."
Learn more about self-guided tours
Day 1: Trier
Individual arrival. You should take your time for the visit of the historical center, the 'Kaiserthermen' (imperial thermal baths) and the Porta Nigra.
Overnight in Trier.
Day 2: Trier - Trittenheim (26 miles/42 km)
You cycle on the Moselle bike way to Trittenheim, where a wine nature trail provides you with general information about wine. Today we recommend a tasting (8 wines) with cellar visitation and vintager snack.
Overnight in Trittenheim.
Day 3: Trittenheim - Zeltingen (22 miles/35 km)
In the morning you reach Neumagen-Drohn, the oldest wine village in Germany. You will enjoy the noon rages on the market place of Bernkastel-Kues before you will reach your destination of today, Zeltingen.
Overnight in Zeltingen.
Day 4: Zeltingen - Zell (22 miles/36 km)
You cycle through the wine growing area 'Kröver Nacktarsch' to Traben-Trarbach. Complete you program today with a boat tour on the Moselle. After a break in Enkirch, the role model of framework architecture, you reach Zell.
Overnight in Zell.
Day 5: Zell - Treis-Karden (29 miles/47 km)
Today you cycle via Beilstein, the Rothenburg at the Moselle, to Cochem. There you can visit the picturesque city center as well as the old Reichsburg Castle, dating to the 11th century.
Overnight in Zell.
Day 6: Treis-Karden - Koblenz (27 miles/42 km)
After a possible visit of the medieval Castle Eltz, you cycle the last miles through the Moselle Valley to Koblenz.
Many clients stay extra nights in Koblenz and use it as a "base of operations" to explore the Rhine.
Day 7: Koblenz
Individual departure. After breakfast your nice cycle holiday ends in Koblenz.
Self-guided tours available from 4-11 days. Please inquire about other options.
Daily: Apr 12- Oct 19, 2013
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These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Category A: 3- and 4-star comfortable, middle-class hotels
Day 1: Hotel Arcadia, Trier
www.arcadia-hotel.de
The Arcadia Hotel is located quite and central, near to the Roman Kaiserthermen in Trier.
Day 2: Gutshotel Galerie Riesling, Trittenheim
www.gutshotel-galerie-riesling.de
At the wine hotel in the beautiful Moselle Trittenheim, you will enjoy a quaint and charming hotel with 11 rooms.
Day 3: Hotel Deutschherrenhof, Zeltingen-Rachtig
www.deutschherrenhof.de
Hotel Deutschherrenhof is a family- run hotel offering guests excellent hospitality in Zeltingen-Rachtig.
Day 4: Hotel Weinhaus Nalbach, Reil
www.hotel-weinhaus-nalbach.de
Hotel Weinhaus Nalbach has two guest houses situated in a sheltered hillside in the old wine town of Reil in the heart of the Middle Mosel.
Day 5: Schloss Hotel Petry, Treis Karden
www.schlosshotel-petry.de
Schloss Hotel Petry offers guests a lounge with open fireplace, sophisticated restaurants, courtyard garden, spa and large comfortable rooms.
Day 6: Hotel Brenner, Koblenz
www.hotel-brenner.de
Hotel Brenner is a comfortable and charming hotel in Koblenz.
Category B: family-owned guesthouses and hotels, generally smaller and often on outskirts of towns
Day 1: Hotel Zur Post, Trier
www.hotel-zur-post-trier.de
Hotel Zur Post is a family-run hotel that offers guests a cozy atmosphere and good starting point for an adventurous holiday.
Day 2: Hotel Krone Riesling, Triettenheim
www.krone-riesling.de
The Hotel Krone Riesling lies directly on the Mosel, in the beautiful wine-growing Trittenheim.
Day 3: Hotel Deutschherrenhof, Zeltingen-Rachtig
www.deutschherrenhof.de
Hotel Deutschherrenhof is a family- run hotel offering guests excellent hospitality in Zeltingen-Rachtig.
Day 4: Hotel Haus Notenau, Zell
www.haus-notenau.de
Hotel Haus Notenau is located a 15-minute walk to the center city of Zell and is surrounded by forests, vineyards and charming footpaths.
Day 5: Scholoss Hotel Petry, Tries Karden
www.schlosshotel-petry.de
Schloss Hotel Petry offers guests a lounge with open fireplace, sophisticated restaurants, courtyard garden, spa and large comfortable rooms.
Day 6: Hotel Mercure Koblenz, Koblenz
www.accorhotels.com
The Mercure Hotel in Koblenz is located on the banks of the Rhine, recently renovated in 2008.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Category A: 3- and 4-star comfortable, middle-class hotels
Day 1: Hotel Arcadia, Trier
www.arcadia-hotel.de
The Arcadia Hotel is located quite and central, near to the Roman Kaiserthermen in Trier.
Day 2: Gutshotel Galerie Riesling, Trittenheim
www.gutshotel-galerie-riesling.de
At the wine hotel in the beautiful Moselle Trittenheim, you will enjoy a quaint and charming hotel with 11 rooms.
Day 3: Hotel Deutschherrenhof, Zeltingen-Rachtig
www.deutschherrenhof.de
Hotel Deutschherrenhof is a family- run hotel offering guests excellent hospitality in Zeltingen-Rachtig.
Day 4: Hotel Weinhaus Nalbach, Reil
www.hotel-weinhaus-nalbach.de
Hotel Weinhaus Nalbach has two guest houses situated in a sheltered hillside in the old wine town of Reil in the heart of the Middle Mosel.
Day 5: Schloss Hotel Petry, Treis Karden
www.schlosshotel-petry.de
Schloss Hotel Petry offers guests a lounge with open fireplace, sophisticated restaurants, courtyard garden, spa and large comfortable rooms.
Day 6: Hotel Brenner, Koblenz
www.hotel-brenner.de
Hotel Brenner is a comfortable and charming hotel in Koblenz.
Category B: family-owned guesthouses and hotels, generally smaller and often on outskirts of towns
Day 1: Hotel Zur Post, Trier
www.hotel-zur-post-trier.de
Hotel Zur Post is a family-run hotel that offers guests a cozy atmosphere and good starting point for an adventurous holiday.
Day 2: Hotel Krone Riesling, Triettenheim
www.krone-riesling.de
The Hotel Krone Riesling lies directly on the Mosel, in the beautiful wine-growing Trittenheim.
Day 3: Hotel Deutschherrenhof, Zeltingen-Rachtig
www.deutschherrenhof.de
Hotel Deutschherrenhof is a family- run hotel offering guests excellent hospitality in Zeltingen-Rachtig.
Day 4: Hotel Haus Notenau, Zell
www.haus-notenau.de
Hotel Haus Notenau is located a 15-minute walk to the center city of Zell and is surrounded by forests, vineyards and charming footpaths.
Day 5: Scholoss Hotel Petry, Tries Karden
www.schlosshotel-petry.de
Schloss Hotel Petry offers guests a lounge with open fireplace, sophisticated restaurants, courtyard garden, spa and large comfortable rooms.
Day 6: Hotel Mercure Koblenz, Koblenz
www.accorhotels.com
The Mercure Hotel in Koblenz is located on the banks of the Rhine, recently renovated in 2008.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options
Available bikes include a 7-speed hybrid bike with wide and comfortable gel saddles. The gear shift is fully encapsulated Shimano hub shifter with integrated back pedalling brake. Gears are changed by means of a snapping rotary handle that is very easy to operate.
Alternate option is a 21-speed hybrid bikes with a robust modern aluminum frame with moulded lower tube. The gear shift is Modern Shimano dérailleur (Nexave 300) without back pedal, with one speed grading deriving from the mountainbike.
All bikes come with lights, mudguards, reflectors, saddle bag, lateral kickstands and lock.
Available bikes include a 7-speed hybrid bike with wide and comfortable gel saddles. The gear shift is fully encapsulated Shimano hub shifter with integrated back pedalling brake. Gears are changed by means of a snapping rotary handle that is very easy to operate.
Alternate option is a 21-speed hybrid bikes with a robust modern aluminum frame with moulded lower tube. The gear shift is Modern Shimano dérailleur (Nexave 300) without back pedal, with one speed grading deriving from the mountainbike.
All bikes come with lights, mudguards, reflectors, saddle bag, lateral kickstands and lock.
This tour is very relaxed cycling in mostly flat terrain. The quality of the bike trail is very good. There is hardly any unpaved or poorly developed parts of the path. The route runs almost exclusively on paved roads and is very well marked.
The volume of traffic varies, but between Trier and Cochem there is almost always a seperate bike trail on the right or left shore side, off the main road. Only during the last day, you have to cycle on a portion of a wide bicycle lane next to the main road. Detailed information about which side is best to cycle on, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure.
This tour is rated Easy and is for cyclists of all ages and physical conditions.
This tour is very relaxed cycling in mostly flat terrain. The quality of the bike trail is very good. There is hardly any unpaved or poorly developed parts of the path. The route runs almost exclusively on paved roads and is very well marked.
The volume of traffic varies, but between Trier and Cochem there is almost always a seperate bike trail on the right or left shore side, off the main road. Only during the last day, you have to cycle on a portion of a wide bicycle lane next to the main road. Detailed information about which side is best to cycle on, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure.
This tour is rated Easy and is for cyclists of all ages and physical conditions.
"We really enjoyed this trip. It was our first time doing a bike trip this kind and we aggred that we'd do it again in a flash. The connections were all on time (baggage), the route was just what it was represented as and we totally enjoyed the hotels and inns. The Mosell is a charming and interesting valley to do this. We don't have any criticism - we'd do it again just like it is."
- Dave H.
2012
"Our recent bike tour of the Mosel was fantastic. The hotels were all very nice, and the people were great. I'm really glad we opted for the wine tastings, as we met some more great people and learned a ton about Riesling. The maps and guidebooks were very helpful, and although we had a few route-finding glitches in Trier and Koblenz, that almost added to the "adventure."
"Velociped was great - we never actually saw or spoke to anyone from there, but the bikes were waiting upon our arrival, and they were in very good (like new) condition. The baggage transfers all went without a hitch, and the hotel proprietors were obviously used to dealing with Velociped.
"Finally, the weather was super as well. I can't give you guys any credit for that, but it certainly added to the enjoyment of the trip.
"All in all, it was a great vacation and I'm glad we chose to book through your firm; I have already given recommendations to several other people who are looking for something different to do on vacation."
- Jim H.
2011
"We really enjoyed this trip. It was our first time doing a bike trip this kind and we aggred that we'd do it again in a flash. The connections were all on time (baggage), the route was just what it was represented as and we totally enjoyed the hotels and inns. The Mosell is a charming and interesting valley to do this. We don't have any criticism - we'd do it again just like it is."
- Dave H.
2012
"Our recent bike tour of the Mosel was fantastic. The hotels were all very nice, and the people were great. I'm really glad we opted for the wine tastings, as we met some more great people and learned a ton about Riesling. The maps and guidebooks were very helpful, and although we had a few route-finding glitches in Trier and Koblenz, that almost added to the "adventure."
"Velociped was great - we never actually saw or spoke to anyone from there, but the bikes were waiting upon our arrival, and they were in very good (like new) condition. The baggage transfers all went without a hitch, and the hotel proprietors were obviously used to dealing with Velociped.
"Finally, the weather was super as well. I can't give you guys any credit for that, but it certainly added to the enjoyment of the trip.
"All in all, it was a great vacation and I'm glad we chose to book through your firm; I have already given recommendations to several other people who are looking for something different to do on vacation."
- Jim H.
2011
Tour Start
Nearest airport: Luxembourg Airport (less than an hour away from Trier)
Nearest train station: Trier, Germany
Tour End
Nearest airport: Frankfurt, Germany (about 1 and 25 minutes from Koblenz)
Nearest train station: Koblenz, Germany
Some fares may be lower flying in and out of Frankfurt, and it's about 3 hours from the Frankfurt Airport station to Trier.
A transfer is available back to Trier, departing daily at 9 am (enough room for luggage and bikes). It costs 40 Euros per person.
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Tour Start
Nearest airport: Luxembourg Airport (less than an hour away from Trier)
Nearest train station: Trier, Germany
Tour End
Nearest airport: Frankfurt, Germany (about 1 and 25 minutes from Koblenz)
Nearest train station: Koblenz, Germany
Some fares may be lower flying in and out of Frankfurt, and it's about 3 hours from the Frankfurt Airport station to Trier.
A transfer is available back to Trier, departing daily at 9 am (enough room for luggage and bikes). It costs 40 Euros per person.
Tips on getting to and from your tour
The following article about the Mosel Bike Path was written by BikeToursDirect president Jim Johnson and published in 1998, shortly after his first bicycle tour in the region. Much of the information--other than prices--remain true today.
The question often comes up: “Rhine or Mosel?” Whether the question regards wine or travel, the answer is the same: “It’s a matter of taste.”
For travelers, there are certainly differences. The Mosel is much narrower and curvier than the Rhine, meandering nearly 200 kilometers (125 miles) to cover the 100-kilometer (62-mile) distance between Trier and Koblenz. It’s slower and calmer than the Rhine. Its micro-climate is almost Mediterranean with cold-weather days often 8-10 degrees warmer than in towns off the river. There’s almost a softer feel to it, as if viewing the landscape through thin gauze. It’s probably no coincidence that the German language uses the masculine “der” for the Rhine and the feminine “die” for the Mosel.
Main roads have been diverted. Even the trains cut through hills rather than parallel the entire river, dropping the decibels a few notches. The towns and villages—Cochem aside—are commonly uncrowded, even more so with the closure of nearby French and American military bases.
Between Trier and Koblenz, there’s scarcely any industry to be found except for winemaking and, in the number two spot, tourism. That ranking is important for visitors, since it often means a more “authentic” experience than in more tourism-dependent areas.
Villages feel like villages, where everyone knows everyone. In the hamlet of Longuich, Mayor Josef Schmitt officiated at a street festival—and appeared a short time later at an outdoor café—wearing a green apron and taking lunch orders. There’s no pretense.
“We don’t think of ourselves as a tourist attraction,” said one vintner in Bremm, a charming village about mid-way between Trier and Koblenz. “We just do what we do, in some ways no differently today than 200 years ago. People don’t sightsee here; they visit.”
Most of “what they do” relates to winemaking, and vineyards indeed stretch as far as the eye can see—or at least until the next curve in the river. Many of the region’s guests come to visit specific vintners year after year—to re-stock their Rieslings and swap family stories. And many cozy guesthouses are run by vintners to augment their incomes (and hedge against bad years).
Which isn’t to say the region lacks a tourism infrastructure; there are charming inns and elegant hotels, and chefs take full advantage of local produce—and abundant wine. Across the board, travelers will find prices—whether for lodging or meals—generally lower than along the Rhine and more touristy areas.
Our friendly vintner notwithstanding, visitors have ample sights to see beyond the vineyards, including Roman ruins, stunning castles and half-timber towns.
In Longuich and across the river in Mehring, travelers can visit two Roman villas, rebuilt in part but with much of their ancient old foundations intact. In Neumagen-Dhron, there’s a replica of a giant stone carving of a Roman wine ship (the original, discovered in the village, is in the Municipal Museum in Trier).
At the other end of the architectural spectrum, Traben-Trarbach has the unique appeal of having a complete district with Jugendstil (art nouveau) as the primary architectural style. Much of the town burned to the ground in a series of fires during the late 19th century. After a design competition to rebuild the popular Hotel Bellevue, Jugendstil was all the rage.
Bernkastel-Kues is perhaps the postcard-perfect Mosel town, complete with castle ruins, half-timber houses, medieval marketplace and architectural styles spanning nearly two millennia. There’s another compelling reason to visit this delightful town: the Vinothek, where 9 EUR ($10) open the door to an unlimited sampling of 130 wines from the Mosel region. Sampler bottles stand in front of the 130 racks, with descriptive cards giving prices and backgrounds on the vintner. There are spit buckets and water pitchers for serious samplers. (Weinkulturelles Zentrum, Cusannusstrasse 2, D-54470 Bernkastel-Kues, tel: +49/6531/4141, fax: 4155, web: www.bernkastel-vinothek.de (in German), email: info@bernkastel-vinothek.de.)
Affiliated with the Vinotek is the adjacent Wine Museum, with old tools and equipment that show how the industry has changed over the centuries.
One thing that hasn’t changed is how vines are tended and grapes are picked. It’s as manual today as ever. Travelers who want a first-hand experience should visit the Weingut Schauf, a popular winery in the village of Ediger-Eller.
Schauf’s vineyards are on the Bremmer Calmont, at 65 degrees (90 would be vertical) the steepest vineyard in Europe. Hiking up is an option, but Karl Schauf offers an easier way: a two-person funicular wagon, powered by a lawnmower engine that climbs about two-thirds of the way up the 376-meter (1,233-foot) slope. The passenger faces to the rear and gains a stunning perspective: straight across to the ruins of 12th-century Cloister Stuben, soft light drenching its ancient walls and streaming through its Romanesque arches.
Perhaps to distract his passenger from fear, Herr Schauf explains the challenges that vineyards present, like maintaining centuries-old drywalls. Twenty-three times each year, he cuts and ties each vine to wooden stakes.
At the end of the line, a trail splits left to a series of ladders farther up the slope or—thankfully—right to a storm shelter that doubles as a picnic area when Herr Schauf gives tours. His son has brought up wine, bread, sausage and cheese. Life is good.
Each time of day is different, as the sun strikes the valley from different angles. On the return trip, the clouds cast Rorschach shadows on the vineyards.
Back below on terra firma, Herr Schauf drives his guest a few minutes to the village. As in many towns, nearly every house belongs to a vintner or someone involved in wine production, and visitors are likely to be invited into ancient wine cellars—sometimes hidden below modern houses—to view room after room of prized wines. Maybe a tasting will follow. And maybe a multi-bottle purchase will follow that, although there’s no pressure. (Weingut Schauf, St. Jackob Strasse 18, D-56814 Eller/Mosel, tel +49/2675/288)
Castle-lovers will not leave the Mosel region disappointed—unless they don’t devote enough time to explore. Among the most popular are the Landshut ruins in Bernkastel-Kues, the Imperial Castle in Cochem and the Ehrenburg in Brodenbach. Some, like Treis Castle, are little more than tumbled walls and sturdy keep. Others are visited for their views, like the Grevenburg ruins in Traben-Trarbach, which looks west across the river for perfect sunsets behind the ruins of Mont Royal fortress.
The Mosel can also claim one of Germany’s most beautiful and best-preserved castles. Burg Eltz is both true romance and an architectural gem, its construction spanning (and surviving) more than 500 years. It’s about an hour’s brisk walk from the river, or a scenic 15 minutes by car. Although it’s in its ninth century of ownership by the von Eltz family, the castle is open to the public with guided tours.
Along with Cochem, Burg Eltz is one of the Mosel’s most popular attractions. However, visitor counts in any town will climb sharply during the many wine and harvest festivals. Visitors should also be aware of any Rhine in Flames weekend celebrations, since Mosel towns—especially those close to Koblenz—often get overflow from booked-solid hotels along the Rhine. The opening of Frankfurt/Hahn Airport, although far closer to Trier than to Frankfurt, has had minimal impact on tourism.
This article orginally appeared in Gemutlichkeit Travel Newsletter about travel to Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
The following article about the Mosel Bike Path was written by BikeToursDirect president Jim Johnson and published in 1998, shortly after his first bicycle tour in the region. Much of the information--other than prices--remain true today.
The question often comes up: “Rhine or Mosel?” Whether the question regards wine or travel, the answer is the same: “It’s a matter of taste.”
For travelers, there are certainly differences. The Mosel is much narrower and curvier than the Rhine, meandering nearly 200 kilometers (125 miles) to cover the 100-kilometer (62-mile) distance between Trier and Koblenz. It’s slower and calmer than the Rhine. Its micro-climate is almost Mediterranean with cold-weather days often 8-10 degrees warmer than in towns off the river. There’s almost a softer feel to it, as if viewing the landscape through thin gauze. It’s probably no coincidence that the German language uses the masculine “der” for the Rhine and the feminine “die” for the Mosel.
Main roads have been diverted. Even the trains cut through hills rather than parallel the entire river, dropping the decibels a few notches. The towns and villages—Cochem aside—are commonly uncrowded, even more so with the closure of nearby French and American military bases.
Between Trier and Koblenz, there’s scarcely any industry to be found except for winemaking and, in the number two spot, tourism. That ranking is important for visitors, since it often means a more “authentic” experience than in more tourism-dependent areas.
Villages feel like villages, where everyone knows everyone. In the hamlet of Longuich, Mayor Josef Schmitt officiated at a street festival—and appeared a short time later at an outdoor café—wearing a green apron and taking lunch orders. There’s no pretense.
“We don’t think of ourselves as a tourist attraction,” said one vintner in Bremm, a charming village about mid-way between Trier and Koblenz. “We just do what we do, in some ways no differently today than 200 years ago. People don’t sightsee here; they visit.”
Most of “what they do” relates to winemaking, and vineyards indeed stretch as far as the eye can see—or at least until the next curve in the river. Many of the region’s guests come to visit specific vintners year after year—to re-stock their Rieslings and swap family stories. And many cozy guesthouses are run by vintners to augment their incomes (and hedge against bad years).
Which isn’t to say the region lacks a tourism infrastructure; there are charming inns and elegant hotels, and chefs take full advantage of local produce—and abundant wine. Across the board, travelers will find prices—whether for lodging or meals—generally lower than along the Rhine and more touristy areas.
Our friendly vintner notwithstanding, visitors have ample sights to see beyond the vineyards, including Roman ruins, stunning castles and half-timber towns.
In Longuich and across the river in Mehring, travelers can visit two Roman villas, rebuilt in part but with much of their ancient old foundations intact. In Neumagen-Dhron, there’s a replica of a giant stone carving of a Roman wine ship (the original, discovered in the village, is in the Municipal Museum in Trier).
At the other end of the architectural spectrum, Traben-Trarbach has the unique appeal of having a complete district with Jugendstil (art nouveau) as the primary architectural style. Much of the town burned to the ground in a series of fires during the late 19th century. After a design competition to rebuild the popular Hotel Bellevue, Jugendstil was all the rage.
Bernkastel-Kues is perhaps the postcard-perfect Mosel town, complete with castle ruins, half-timber houses, medieval marketplace and architectural styles spanning nearly two millennia. There’s another compelling reason to visit this delightful town: the Vinothek, where 9 EUR ($10) open the door to an unlimited sampling of 130 wines from the Mosel region. Sampler bottles stand in front of the 130 racks, with descriptive cards giving prices and backgrounds on the vintner. There are spit buckets and water pitchers for serious samplers. (Weinkulturelles Zentrum, Cusannusstrasse 2, D-54470 Bernkastel-Kues, tel: +49/6531/4141, fax: 4155, web: www.bernkastel-vinothek.de (in German), email: info@bernkastel-vinothek.de.)
Affiliated with the Vinotek is the adjacent Wine Museum, with old tools and equipment that show how the industry has changed over the centuries.
One thing that hasn’t changed is how vines are tended and grapes are picked. It’s as manual today as ever. Travelers who want a first-hand experience should visit the Weingut Schauf, a popular winery in the village of Ediger-Eller.
Schauf’s vineyards are on the Bremmer Calmont, at 65 degrees (90 would be vertical) the steepest vineyard in Europe. Hiking up is an option, but Karl Schauf offers an easier way: a two-person funicular wagon, powered by a lawnmower engine that climbs about two-thirds of the way up the 376-meter (1,233-foot) slope. The passenger faces to the rear and gains a stunning perspective: straight across to the ruins of 12th-century Cloister Stuben, soft light drenching its ancient walls and streaming through its Romanesque arches.
Perhaps to distract his passenger from fear, Herr Schauf explains the challenges that vineyards present, like maintaining centuries-old drywalls. Twenty-three times each year, he cuts and ties each vine to wooden stakes.
At the end of the line, a trail splits left to a series of ladders farther up the slope or—thankfully—right to a storm shelter that doubles as a picnic area when Herr Schauf gives tours. His son has brought up wine, bread, sausage and cheese. Life is good.
Each time of day is different, as the sun strikes the valley from different angles. On the return trip, the clouds cast Rorschach shadows on the vineyards.
Back below on terra firma, Herr Schauf drives his guest a few minutes to the village. As in many towns, nearly every house belongs to a vintner or someone involved in wine production, and visitors are likely to be invited into ancient wine cellars—sometimes hidden below modern houses—to view room after room of prized wines. Maybe a tasting will follow. And maybe a multi-bottle purchase will follow that, although there’s no pressure. (Weingut Schauf, St. Jackob Strasse 18, D-56814 Eller/Mosel, tel +49/2675/288)
Castle-lovers will not leave the Mosel region disappointed—unless they don’t devote enough time to explore. Among the most popular are the Landshut ruins in Bernkastel-Kues, the Imperial Castle in Cochem and the Ehrenburg in Brodenbach. Some, like Treis Castle, are little more than tumbled walls and sturdy keep. Others are visited for their views, like the Grevenburg ruins in Traben-Trarbach, which looks west across the river for perfect sunsets behind the ruins of Mont Royal fortress.
The Mosel can also claim one of Germany’s most beautiful and best-preserved castles. Burg Eltz is both true romance and an architectural gem, its construction spanning (and surviving) more than 500 years. It’s about an hour’s brisk walk from the river, or a scenic 15 minutes by car. Although it’s in its ninth century of ownership by the von Eltz family, the castle is open to the public with guided tours.
Along with Cochem, Burg Eltz is one of the Mosel’s most popular attractions. However, visitor counts in any town will climb sharply during the many wine and harvest festivals. Visitors should also be aware of any Rhine in Flames weekend celebrations, since Mosel towns—especially those close to Koblenz—often get overflow from booked-solid hotels along the Rhine. The opening of Frankfurt/Hahn Airport, although far closer to Trier than to Frankfurt, has had minimal impact on tourism.
This article orginally appeared in Gemutlichkeit Travel Newsletter about travel to Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
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Germany's fairytale castles, romantic villages and bustling cities are surrounded by a wealth of pristine natural landscapes. Only a unified nation since 1990, Germany now boasts Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation. Within its unified boundaries, Germany remains a nation of diversity. Northern Germany’s coastal terrain along the Baltic Sea includes Hamburg, a harbor city of canals and waterways. Southern Germany's Bavaria region, known as "the green roof of Germany," features snow-tipped Alps, the Black Forest, Neuschwanstein Castle and the historic, picturesque city of Munich. Cruise the Rhine River through the western regions and visit Cologne's famous Gothic Cathedral built in 1248. Experience the arts, fashion and music in the capital, Berlin, and see the revitalized city of Dresden destroyed during World War II.
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Germany's fairytale castles, romantic villages and bustling cities are surrounded by a wealth of pristine natural landscapes. Only a unified nation since 1990, Germany now boasts Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation. Within its unified boundaries, Germany remains a nation of diversity. Northern Germany’s coastal terrain along the Baltic Sea includes Hamburg, a harbor city of canals and waterways. Southern Germany's Bavaria region, known as "the green roof of Germany," features snow-tipped Alps, the Black Forest, Neuschwanstein Castle and the historic, picturesque city of Munich. Cruise the Rhine River through the western regions and visit Cologne's famous Gothic Cathedral built in 1248. Experience the arts, fashion and music in the capital, Berlin, and see the revitalized city of Dresden destroyed during World War II.
More on bicycling in Germany >
Velociped has been organizing bicycle trips since 1988. Full of passion and pioneering spirit, Velociped finds the nicest places all over Germany and worldwide for their bicycle tours. Velociped wants every client to relax during their holiday, and be free from organizing. Your luggage is transported separately on each cycling stage. Their services will guarantee a smooth and perfectly organized cycling holiday.
Velociped has been organizing bicycle trips since 1988. Full of passion and pioneering spirit, Velociped finds the nicest places all over Germany and worldwide for their bicycle tours. Velociped wants every client to relax during their holiday, and be free from organizing. Your luggage is transported separately on each cycling stage. Their services will guarantee a smooth and perfectly organized cycling holiday.
Dear Traveler,
Clear contractual provisions, which are agreed with you as set out below, contribute to an optimal performance of a travel too. The following travel conditions shall amend the stipulations of §§ 651 lit. a) through m) BGB (German Civil Code) on package tours (Pauschalreisen) and on the tour operator's information obligations and shall implement the aforementioned stipulations. They form, as far as they are bindingly agreed, an integral part of the travel agreement concluded between you (the "Traveler") and Velociped Fahrradreisen ("Velociped").
1. Conclusion of the travel agreement
1.1 Velociped is tour operator of all tours signed with the "green velociped pennant" in this catalogue and in case of booking such tour your partner of contract. In all other cases Velociped merely acts as a travel agent as far as the principle of § 651 lit. a) section 2 BGB does not require something different.
1.2 By reservation of a travel (the "Reservation"), which can be made verbally, in written form, by fax or e-mail, the Traveler makes a binding offer to Velociped to conclude a travel agreement (the "Travel Agreement") which is based on the travel offer as set out in the Velociped catalogue valid at the time of travel (the "Catalogue") and on these General Terms and Conditions.
1.3 The Travel Agreement takes effect upon confirmation of the Reservation by Velociped to the Traveler or travel agent. The travel confirmation is not required to have a special form. Upon or immediately after taking effect of the Travel Agreement, Velociped will issue a written travel confirmation form to the Traveler.
1.4 If the Reservation includes booking for further Travelers, the Traveler making the Reservation is - to the extent, the Traveler explicitly accepts such obligations by separate written declaration - liable for all contractual obligations of these further Travelers resulting from the Travel Agreement.
1.5 If the contents of Velociped's confirmation of Reservation differ from the contents of the Reservation, the Travel Agreement does not become effective. The confirmation of Reservation is considered to represent a new offer by Velociped to the Traveler. A Travel Agreement based on the content of the new offer is established, if the Traveler accepts the new offer by explicit declaration or pre-payment or final payment or commencement of travel.
2. Velociped's obligation to perform
2.1 The obligations to perform of Velociped are exclusively determined by the content of the confirmation of Reservation in conjunction with the terms and conditions set out in the Catalogue, including but not limited to all instructions, advices and comments provided therein.
2.2 Third party service providers (e.g. hotels, airlines) and travel agencies have not been authorized by Velociped, to enter into any commitments or agreements which would exeed or contradict to Velociped's travel description or confirmation of Reservation or would modify the confirmed content of the Travel Agreement.
3. Pre-Payment and Final Payment
3.1 A pre-payment (the "Pre-Payment") which will be deducted from the total travel fee (the "Travel Fee") is to be made upon taking effect of the Travel Agreement and after handing over of the "Sicherungsschein" (a guarantee certificate, required by law, ensuring protection for Travelers in the event of a travel organizer's insolvency) in accordance with § 651 lit. k) paragraph 3 BGB. The Pre-Payment amounts to 10% of the Travel Fee, max. € 250,- per person, unless otherwise agreed.
3.2 The remainder of the Travel Fee is due and payable no later than three weeks before the travel begins, if the "Sicherungsschein" has been handed over and if it is certain, the travel cannot be cancelled any more for any reason stipulated in section 7.2 hereto.
3.3 Travel materials will be sent or handed out to the Traveler either directly or via the arranging travel agency after full payment of the Travel Fee is received.
3.4 If the travel is booked less than four weeks before the travel begins, the Travel Fee becomes due in full immediately after hand out of the "Sicherungsschein".
3.5 If Velociped is willing and capable of fulfilling its obligations to perform and if the "Sicherungsschein" has been handed out, the Traveler is not entitled to demand any performance of Velociped's contractual obligations, unless the full Travel Fee is received by Velociped.
4. Modification of Obligations
4.1 Modifications of Velociped's individual contractual obligations to perform, becoming necessary after taking effect of the Travel Agreement and being not induced by Velociped in breach of good faith, are only permitted to the extent, such modifications are not substantial and do not impair the total set up of the travel. Potential warranty claims remain unaffected as far as any performance of a modified obligation is defective.
4.2 Velociped is obliged to immediately inform the Traveler about any modifications of the performance of obligations. As the case may be Velociped will offer a free of charge rebooking or rescission.
4.3 In case of a substantial modification of a material obligation to perform, the Traveler is entitled to cancel the Travel Agreement at no fees to him.
4.4 In case of any changes regarding travel date, destination, accommodation, carriage, departure- or destination airport, made upon the Traveler's request (rebooking) until 30 days before begin of travel, a rebooking fee of € 50,- per each modification becomes due. Rebookings to be made upon Traveler's requests made after expiry of this period are, if at all feasible, possible only after rescission by the Traveler and in accordance with the aforementioned conditions and simultaneous new reservation. This does not apply if the rebooking causes only minor costs.
4.5 In case of a change in the person of the Traveler, to which Velociped may disagree if the Traveler does not meet the requirements of the travel or if the Travelers participation in the travel contradicts any legal or administrative requirements, Velociped is entitled to charge a flat rate/ lump-sum of € 50,- for the effort.
5. Modification of Fee
In case of an increase of transportation costs or an increase of charges for certain services such as port or airport duties or in case of variation of exchange rates, applicable to the respective travel, Velociped reserves the right to modify the Travel Fee agreed in the Travel Agreement as set out below:
5.1 If costs of transportation, and in particular costs of fuel, valid at the time of conclusion of the travel Agreement, increase, Velociped is entitled to increase the Travel fee in accordance with the following stipulations:
- In case of an increase attributable to a single seat Velociped can charge the amount of increase.
- In any other case the additional costs charged by the transport provider for the respective means of transportation are divided by the amount of seats of the agreed means of transportation. Velociped can charge to the Traveler the resulting amount of increase per seat.
5.2 In case of an increase of charges, such as port or airport duties, valid at the time of conclusion of the Travel Agreement, Velociped can increase the Travel Fee on a pro-rata basis.
5.3 In case of variation of exchange rates after conclusion of the Travel Agreement the Travel Fee can be increased in proportion to the resulting increase of costs of the respective travel for Velociped.
5.4 An increase is only permissible if the period between conclusion of the Travel Agreement and the agreed time of travel exceeds four weeks and if, at the time of conclusion of the Travel Agreement, the circumstances resulting in the increase neither have been existing nor could have been foreseen by Velociped.
5.5 In case of an increase of the Travel Fee after the time of conclusion of the Travel Agreement Velociped has to inform the Traveler without undue delay. Increases after the 20th day before travel are null and void. In case of increases of the Travel Fee exceeding 5 % the Traveler is entitled to withdraw from Travel Agreement at no cost to him or to demand the participation in a travel of the equivalent value, if Velociped is able to offer such travel from its travel portfolio without any additional fees to the Traveler.
6. Services not made use of
If the Traveler does not make use of certain travel services for reasons of premature return the travel, illness or for other reasons, not in the responsibility of Velociped, no claim for proportionate refund [of the Travel Fee] can be made.
7. Rescission and Cancellation by Velociped
7.1 Velociped may terminate the Travel Agreement after commencement of travel if the Traveler materially disturbs the carrying-out of the Travel Agreement irrespective of an admonition or if the Traveler acts in contradiction to the Travel Agreement to an extent, justifying the immediate cancellation of the Travel Agreement. In case of termination Velociped remains entitled to the entire Travel Fee; however, Velociped has to accept a set off of any cost saved as well as any advantages obtained from making other use of travel services, including amounts credited to Velociped by service providers. In this case the local representatives of Velociped (travel agency, travel guide) are authorized to execute Velociped's rights.
7.2 Velociped may, if the publicized minimum number of participants is not attained, withdraw from the Travel Agreement in accordance with the following stipulations:
a) Velociped must notify the Traveler without undue delay once the condition requiring cancellation of the travel has arisen.
b) A withdrawal of Velociped may not be declared later than three weeks before begin of the travel.
c) In case of withdrawal the Traveler can demand the participation in another travel of at least equivalent value, if Velociped is able to offer such travel from its travel portfolio without any additional fees to the Traveler. The Traveler has to make such claim to Velociped immediately after notification of the withdrawal.
d) Accomplished payments shall be refunded without undue delay. Further claims, including but not limited to refund of withdrawal costs for already booked flights, train tickets, temporary accommodation, do not exist. Velociped therefore recommends refraining from such bookings until it is certain the travel will be executed.
8. Rescission by Traveler, Rebooking
8.1 The Traveler may withdraw from the Travel Agreement at any time before the travel begins by written notification of withdrawal to Velociped. The time of receipt of the notification by Velociped is decisive.
8.2 In any case of withdrawal by the Traveler, Velociped, after taking into account expenses saved usually and usually feasible other use of travel services, is entitled to charge lump-sum rescission fees per person which amount to the following:
a) Up to the 29th day before the beginning of the journey: 10%, at least € 50,-
b) From the 28th to the 8th day before the beginning of the journey: 50% of the Travel Fee
c) From the 7th to the 1st day before beginning of the journey: 80% of the Travel Fee
d) On the arrival day and non-participation: 90% of the Travel Fee
8.3 The Traveler may prove to Velociped that no or significantly less costs than the lump-sums have occurred. In such case the Traveler is only obliged to pay the actual costs.
8.4 Velociped reserves the right to charge a higher rescission fee in individual cases, in which higher costs, to be specified and proved to the Traveler, have occurred.
9. Obligations of and Termination by the Traveler
9.1 The obligation to notify defaults as stipulated in § 651 lit. d) paragraph 2 BGB is specified in case of Velociped travels to the effect that the Traveler is obliged to immediately notify any default of the travel to the local travel guide or agency and to demand cure of the default.
9.2 If no local travel guide has been assigned and additionally Velociped is not obliged to do so (check travel description in this respect!), the Traveler shall, under the address, telephone number and facsimile number mentioned below, directly notify Velociped about the default and demand cure.
9.3 Travel guides of Velociped are not entitled or authorized to acknowledge in the name or on behalf of Velociped any complaints or claims for payment of the Traveler prior to, during or after the travel.
9.4 Claims of the Traveler only remain valid, if the failure to notify a default does not result from any responsibility of the Traveler.
9.5 The Traveler has to notify loss and damage of luggage, in particular but not limited to the loss of airline luggage, to the transport provider immediately. The transport provider is obliged to issue a written acknowledgement. Without notification the risk of loss of claim is given.
9.6 If the travel is considerably affected by a defective performance, the Traveler may terminate the Travel Agreement. The same is applicable, if the travel is unacceptable to the Traveler for reasons recognizable to Velociped. In any case the Travel Agreement becomes only terminable, if an adequate period of time, to be determined by the Traveler, has elapsed without Velociped or its representatives curing the defect. Determination of a time limit is not necessary, if the curing is impossible or if Velociped or its representatives refuse to cure the defect or if the immediate termination of the Travel Agreement is justified by a particular interest of the Traveler.
9.7 With respect to the Travel Agreement the Traveler's obligation, as stipulated in § 651 lit. g) section 1 BGB, to enforce claims against the travel agent within one month after the contractually agreed end of the travel, is specified as follows:
a) Irrespective of its legal basis any claim in connection with the Travel Agreement or with the performance of Velociped respectively has to be enforced by the Traveler exclusively against Velociped within one month after the contractually agreed date of return from the travel.
b) The timely enforcement can be made against Velociped only to the address mentioned below. An enforcement in writing is highly recommended.
c) The aforementioned clauses leave any legal stipulations regarding delays arising from no responsibility of the Traveler or regarding the suspension of the statutes of limitation unaffected.
10. Passport-, Visa- and Health regulations
10.1 The Traveler is informed by Velociped about passport-, visa- and health regulations applicable to the respective country of destination in the travel description and travel material. This information relates to German citizens, irrespective on any special circumstances given. Such personal circumstances (e.g. having two citizenships, being stateless, certain registrations in the passport or refugee's admission) can not be taken into consideration if not explicitly notified to Velociped by the Traveler.
10.2 Velociped shall inform the Traveler about any material amendments to these common regulations prior to begin of the travel.
10.3 To the extent Velociped complies with its obligation to inform the Traveler in accordance with the stipulations above, the Traveler is obliged himself to observe these regulations.
11. Liability
11.1 Velociped's liability to the Traveler for any damages (including liability for the infringement of secondary obligations arising prior, after or during the Travel Agreement) which are not body damage is limited to the triple Travel Fee, as far as:
a) a damage of the Traveler is caused neither by willful misconduct or gross negligence of Velociped or
b) Velociped's responsibility for a Clint's damage solely results from the default of a third party service provider.
11.2 Velociped is not liable for default of performance or damages in relation to performance of third parties only arranged by Velociped as intermediary at the travel destination (e.g. sport events, theatre, trips, exhibitions etc.) or expressly marked in the travel description as third party services.
11.3 If Velociped acts as contractual airfreight carrier, liability is regulated by the Act on Air Traffic in connection with the international treaties of Warsaw, The Hague, Guadalajara and Montreal. The Warsaw treaty as a rule limits the liability of an airfreight carrier for loss of life or body damages as well as for loss of or damage of luggage.
12. Period of Limitation, Exclusion of Assignement
12.1 Any claims of the Traveler against Velociped, irrespective of their legal basis - with the exemption of claims of the Traveler based on tort ? come under the statute of limitations one year after the contractually envisaged time of return travel. Are negotiations on claims or their factual basis pending between the Traveler and Velociped the statutes of limitation are suspended until the Traveler or Velociped refuse to continue the negotiations? The aforementioned statutes of limitation of one year come into force three months after the end of the suspension at the earliest.
13. Jurisdiction, Miscellaneous
13.1 The Traveler can sue Velociped only at its principal place of business.
13.2 The entire legal- and contractual relationship between the Traveler and Velociped shall exclusively be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany if the Traveler's place of residence or business is not Germany.
13.3 For Claims of Velociped against the Traveler the Traveler's place of residence is decisive, unless the claim is directed against a Merchant (as defined by HGB, German Commercial Code), legal entities of public or private law or persons having their place of residence or common whereabouts abroad or having an unknown place of residence or unknown common whereabouts at the time of bringing up the claim.
© These General Terms and Conditions are protected by copyright laws.
Attorney at Law Noll, Stuttgart, 2003, 2004.
Tour Operator:
Company: Velociped GmbH & Co. KG
Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Marburg HRA 3943
General Partner (Komplementärin): Velociped Verwaltungs-GmbH
Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Marburg HRB 4593
Executive Board: Claudia Möllers, Christian Rhode
Address: Alte Kasseler Straße 43, D-35039 Marburg
Telephone: +49 (0) 6421 / 88689-0
Facsimile: +49 (0) 6421 / 88689-11
E-Mail: info@velociped.de
Unofficial and non binding partial translation of Velociped's General Terms and Conditions
Dear Traveler,
Clear contractual provisions, which are agreed with you as set out below, contribute to an optimal performance of a travel too. The following travel conditions shall amend the stipulations of §§ 651 lit. a) through m) BGB (German Civil Code) on package tours (Pauschalreisen) and on the tour operator's information obligations and shall implement the aforementioned stipulations. They form, as far as they are bindingly agreed, an integral part of the travel agreement concluded between you (the "Traveler") and Velociped Fahrradreisen ("Velociped").
1. Conclusion of the travel agreement
1.1 Velociped is tour operator of all tours signed with the "green velociped pennant" in this catalogue and in case of booking such tour your partner of contract. In all other cases Velociped merely acts as a travel agent as far as the principle of § 651 lit. a) section 2 BGB does not require something different.
1.2 By reservation of a travel (the "Reservation"), which can be made verbally, in written form, by fax or e-mail, the Traveler makes a binding offer to Velociped to conclude a travel agreement (the "Travel Agreement") which is based on the travel offer as set out in the Velociped catalogue valid at the time of travel (the "Catalogue") and on these General Terms and Conditions.
1.3 The Travel Agreement takes effect upon confirmation of the Reservation by Velociped to the Traveler or travel agent. The travel confirmation is not required to have a special form. Upon or immediately after taking effect of the Travel Agreement, Velociped will issue a written travel confirmation form to the Traveler.
1.4 If the Reservation includes booking for further Travelers, the Traveler making the Reservation is - to the extent, the Traveler explicitly accepts such obligations by separate written declaration - liable for all contractual obligations of these further Travelers resulting from the Travel Agreement.
1.5 If the contents of Velociped's confirmation of Reservation differ from the contents of the Reservation, the Travel Agreement does not become effective. The confirmation of Reservation is considered to represent a new offer by Velociped to the Traveler. A Travel Agreement based on the content of the new offer is established, if the Traveler accepts the new offer by explicit declaration or pre-payment or final payment or commencement of travel.
2. Velociped's obligation to perform
2.1 The obligations to perform of Velociped are exclusively determined by the content of the confirmation of Reservation in conjunction with the terms and conditions set out in the Catalogue, including but not limited to all instructions, advices and comments provided therein.
2.2 Third party service providers (e.g. hotels, airlines) and travel agencies have not been authorized by Velociped, to enter into any commitments or agreements which would exeed or contradict to Velociped's travel description or confirmation of Reservation or would modify the confirmed content of the Travel Agreement.
3. Pre-Payment and Final Payment
3.1 A pre-payment (the "Pre-Payment") which will be deducted from the total travel fee (the "Travel Fee") is to be made upon taking effect of the Travel Agreement and after handing over of the "Sicherungsschein" (a guarantee certificate, required by law, ensuring protection for Travelers in the event of a travel organizer's insolvency) in accordance with § 651 lit. k) paragraph 3 BGB. The Pre-Payment amounts to 10% of the Travel Fee, max. € 250,- per person, unless otherwise agreed.
3.2 The remainder of the Travel Fee is due and payable no later than three weeks before the travel begins, if the "Sicherungsschein" has been handed over and if it is certain, the travel cannot be cancelled any more for any reason stipulated in section 7.2 hereto.
3.3 Travel materials will be sent or handed out to the Traveler either directly or via the arranging travel agency after full payment of the Travel Fee is received.
3.4 If the travel is booked less than four weeks before the travel begins, the Travel Fee becomes due in full immediately after hand out of the "Sicherungsschein".
3.5 If Velociped is willing and capable of fulfilling its obligations to perform and if the "Sicherungsschein" has been handed out, the Traveler is not entitled to demand any performance of Velociped's contractual obligations, unless the full Travel Fee is received by Velociped.
4. Modification of Obligations
4.1 Modifications of Velociped's individual contractual obligations to perform, becoming necessary after taking effect of the Travel Agreement and being not induced by Velociped in breach of good faith, are only permitted to the extent, such modifications are not substantial and do not impair the total set up of the travel. Potential warranty claims remain unaffected as far as any performance of a modified obligation is defective.
4.2 Velociped is obliged to immediately inform the Traveler about any modifications of the performance of obligations. As the case may be Velociped will offer a free of charge rebooking or rescission.
4.3 In case of a substantial modification of a material obligation to perform, the Traveler is entitled to cancel the Travel Agreement at no fees to him.
4.4 In case of any changes regarding travel date, destination, accommodation, carriage, departure- or destination airport, made upon the Traveler's request (rebooking) until 30 days before begin of travel, a rebooking fee of € 50,- per each modification becomes due. Rebookings to be made upon Traveler's requests made after expiry of this period are, if at all feasible, possible only after rescission by the Traveler and in accordance with the aforementioned conditions and simultaneous new reservation. This does not apply if the rebooking causes only minor costs.
4.5 In case of a change in the person of the Traveler, to which Velociped may disagree if the Traveler does not meet the requirements of the travel or if the Travelers participation in the travel contradicts any legal or administrative requirements, Velociped is entitled to charge a flat rate/ lump-sum of € 50,- for the effort.
5. Modification of Fee
In case of an increase of transportation costs or an increase of charges for certain services such as port or airport duties or in case of variation of exchange rates, applicable to the respective travel, Velociped reserves the right to modify the Travel Fee agreed in the Travel Agreement as set out below:
5.1 If costs of transportation, and in particular costs of fuel, valid at the time of conclusion of the travel Agreement, increase, Velociped is entitled to increase the Travel fee in accordance with the following stipulations:
- In case of an increase attributable to a single seat Velociped can charge the amount of increase.
- In any other case the additional costs charged by the transport provider for the respective means of transportation are divided by the amount of seats of the agreed means of transportation. Velociped can charge to the Traveler the resulting amount of increase per seat.
5.2 In case of an increase of charges, such as port or airport duties, valid at the time of conclusion of the Travel Agreement, Velociped can increase the Travel Fee on a pro-rata basis.
5.3 In case of variation of exchange rates after conclusion of the Travel Agreement the Travel Fee can be increased in proportion to the resulting increase of costs of the respective travel for Velociped.
5.4 An increase is only permissible if the period between conclusion of the Travel Agreement and the agreed time of travel exceeds four weeks and if, at the time of conclusion of the Travel Agreement, the circumstances resulting in the increase neither have been existing nor could have been foreseen by Velociped.
5.5 In case of an increase of the Travel Fee after the time of conclusion of the Travel Agreement Velociped has to inform the Traveler without undue delay. Increases after the 20th day before travel are null and void. In case of increases of the Travel Fee exceeding 5 % the Traveler is entitled to withdraw from Travel Agreement at no cost to him or to demand the participation in a travel of the equivalent value, if Velociped is able to offer such travel from its travel portfolio without any additional fees to the Traveler.
6. Services not made use of
If the Traveler does not make use of certain travel services for reasons of premature return the travel, illness or for other reasons, not in the responsibility of Velociped, no claim for proportionate refund [of the Travel Fee] can be made.
7. Rescission and Cancellation by Velociped
7.1 Velociped may terminate the Travel Agreement after commencement of travel if the Traveler materially disturbs the carrying-out of the Travel Agreement irrespective of an admonition or if the Traveler acts in contradiction to the Travel Agreement to an extent, justifying the immediate cancellation of the Travel Agreement. In case of termination Velociped remains entitled to the entire Travel Fee; however, Velociped has to accept a set off of any cost saved as well as any advantages obtained from making other use of travel services, including amounts credited to Velociped by service providers. In this case the local representatives of Velociped (travel agency, travel guide) are authorized to execute Velociped's rights.
7.2 Velociped may, if the publicized minimum number of participants is not attained, withdraw from the Travel Agreement in accordance with the following stipulations:
a) Velociped must notify the Traveler without undue delay once the condition requiring cancellation of the travel has arisen.
b) A withdrawal of Velociped may not be declared later than three weeks before begin of the travel.
c) In case of withdrawal the Traveler can demand the participation in another travel of at least equivalent value, if Velociped is able to offer such travel from its travel portfolio without any additional fees to the Traveler. The Traveler has to make such claim to Velociped immediately after notification of the withdrawal.
d) Accomplished payments shall be refunded without undue delay. Further claims, including but not limited to refund of withdrawal costs for already booked flights, train tickets, temporary accommodation, do not exist. Velociped therefore recommends refraining from such bookings until it is certain the travel will be executed.
8. Rescission by Traveler, Rebooking
8.1 The Traveler may withdraw from the Travel Agreement at any time before the travel begins by written notification of withdrawal to Velociped. The time of receipt of the notification by Velociped is decisive.
8.2 In any case of withdrawal by the Traveler, Velociped, after taking into account expenses saved usually and usually feasible other use of travel services, is entitled to charge lump-sum rescission fees per person which amount to the following:
a) Up to the 29th day before the beginning of the journey: 10%, at least € 50,-
b) From the 28th to the 8th day before the beginning of the journey: 50% of the Travel Fee
c) From the 7th to the 1st day before beginning of the journey: 80% of the Travel Fee
d) On the arrival day and non-participation: 90% of the Travel Fee
8.3 The Traveler may prove to Velociped that no or significantly less costs than the lump-sums have occurred. In such case the Traveler is only obliged to pay the actual costs.
8.4 Velociped reserves the right to charge a higher rescission fee in individual cases, in which higher costs, to be specified and proved to the Traveler, have occurred.
9. Obligations of and Termination by the Traveler
9.1 The obligation to notify defaults as stipulated in § 651 lit. d) paragraph 2 BGB is specified in case of Velociped travels to the effect that the Traveler is obliged to immediately notify any default of the travel to the local travel guide or agency and to demand cure of the default.
9.2 If no local travel guide has been assigned and additionally Velociped is not obliged to do so (check travel description in this respect!), the Traveler shall, under the address, telephone number and facsimile number mentioned below, directly notify Velociped about the default and demand cure.
9.3 Travel guides of Velociped are not entitled or authorized to acknowledge in the name or on behalf of Velociped any complaints or claims for payment of the Traveler prior to, during or after the travel.
9.4 Claims of the Traveler only remain valid, if the failure to notify a default does not result from any responsibility of the Traveler.
9.5 The Traveler has to notify loss and damage of luggage, in particular but not limited to the loss of airline luggage, to the transport provider immediately. The transport provider is obliged to issue a written acknowledgement. Without notification the risk of loss of claim is given.
9.6 If the travel is considerably affected by a defective performance, the Traveler may terminate the Travel Agreement. The same is applicable, if the travel is unacceptable to the Traveler for reasons recognizable to Velociped. In any case the Travel Agreement becomes only terminable, if an adequate period of time, to be determined by the Traveler, has elapsed without Velociped or its representatives curing the defect. Determination of a time limit is not necessary, if the curing is impossible or if Velociped or its representatives refuse to cure the defect or if the immediate termination of the Travel Agreement is justified by a particular interest of the Traveler.
9.7 With respect to the Travel Agreement the Traveler's obligation, as stipulated in § 651 lit. g) section 1 BGB, to enforce claims against the travel agent within one month after the contractually agreed end of the travel, is specified as follows:
a) Irrespective of its legal basis any claim in connection with the Travel Agreement or with the performance of Velociped respectively has to be enforced by the Traveler exclusively against Velociped within one month after the contractually agreed date of return from the travel.
b) The timely enforcement can be made against Velociped only to the address mentioned below. An enforcement in writing is highly recommended.
c) The aforementioned clauses leave any legal stipulations regarding delays arising from no responsibility of the Traveler or regarding the suspension of the statutes of limitation unaffected.
10. Passport-, Visa- and Health regulations
10.1 The Traveler is informed by Velociped about passport-, visa- and health regulations applicable to the respective country of destination in the travel description and travel material. This information relates to German citizens, irrespective on any special circumstances given. Such personal circumstances (e.g. having two citizenships, being stateless, certain registrations in the passport or refugee's admission) can not be taken into consideration if not explicitly notified to Velociped by the Traveler.
10.2 Velociped shall inform the Traveler about any material amendments to these common regulations prior to begin of the travel.
10.3 To the extent Velociped complies with its obligation to inform the Traveler in accordance with the stipulations above, the Traveler is obliged himself to observe these regulations.
11. Liability
11.1 Velociped's liability to the Traveler for any damages (including liability for the infringement of secondary obligations arising prior, after or during the Travel Agreement) which are not body damage is limited to the triple Travel Fee, as far as:
a) a damage of the Traveler is caused neither by willful misconduct or gross negligence of Velociped or
b) Velociped's responsibility for a Clint's damage solely results from the default of a third party service provider.
11.2 Velociped is not liable for default of performance or damages in relation to performance of third parties only arranged by Velociped as intermediary at the travel destination (e.g. sport events, theatre, trips, exhibitions etc.) or expressly marked in the travel description as third party services.
11.3 If Velociped acts as contractual airfreight carrier, liability is regulated by the Act on Air Traffic in connection with the international treaties of Warsaw, The Hague, Guadalajara and Montreal. The Warsaw treaty as a rule limits the liability of an airfreight carrier for loss of life or body damages as well as for loss of or damage of luggage.
12. Period of Limitation, Exclusion of Assignement
12.1 Any claims of the Traveler against Velociped, irrespective of their legal basis - with the exemption of claims of the Traveler based on tort ? come under the statute of limitations one year after the contractually envisaged time of return travel. Are negotiations on claims or their factual basis pending between the Traveler and Velociped the statutes of limitation are suspended until the Traveler or Velociped refuse to continue the negotiations? The aforementioned statutes of limitation of one year come into force three months after the end of the suspension at the earliest.
13. Jurisdiction, Miscellaneous
13.1 The Traveler can sue Velociped only at its principal place of business.
13.2 The entire legal- and contractual relationship between the Traveler and Velociped shall exclusively be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany if the Traveler's place of residence or business is not Germany.
13.3 For Claims of Velociped against the Traveler the Traveler's place of residence is decisive, unless the claim is directed against a Merchant (as defined by HGB, German Commercial Code), legal entities of public or private law or persons having their place of residence or common whereabouts abroad or having an unknown place of residence or unknown common whereabouts at the time of bringing up the claim.
© These General Terms and Conditions are protected by copyright laws.
Attorney at Law Noll, Stuttgart, 2003, 2004.
Tour Operator:
Company: Velociped GmbH & Co. KG
Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Marburg HRA 3943
General Partner (Komplementärin): Velociped Verwaltungs-GmbH
Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Marburg HRB 4593
Executive Board: Claudia Möllers, Christian Rhode
Address: Alte Kasseler Straße 43, D-35039 Marburg
Telephone: +49 (0) 6421 / 88689-0
Facsimile: +49 (0) 6421 / 88689-11
E-Mail: info@velociped.de
Unofficial and non binding partial translation of Velociped's General Terms and Conditions
