Rhine or Mosel? Whether that question regards wine or travel, the answer is the same: It's a matter of taste

Slow and steady

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) direct-line distance between Trier and Koblenz. It's slower and calmer than the Rhine and it's microclimate is almost Mediterranean with cold-weather days often 8-10 degrees warmer than in towns off the river. There's a softer look 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.

The river is not as accessible as the Rhine. Trains cut through hills rather than follow the winding river and many towns are not served by rail. So except for the handful of popular ones, most villages are usually uncrowded, especially with the recent closure of nearby military bases.

Between Trier and Koblenz, winemaking is by far the leading industry and the fact that tourism isn't the region's economic engine, means a more authentic experience than in more visitor-dependent areas.