German Riverscapes from Trier to Passau

Located along the beautiful Moselle wine valley, the harmonious triad of unique Moselle landscape, millennia-old wine culture and history makes Cochem a popular destination. Discover the town with its narrow, winding streets during a city tour. Next visit the Reichsburg castle with its imposing complex which dominates the area landscape due to its size and its location on a rugged rock high above the town.

Enjoy the impressive view from the castle of the Moselle valley with its dreamy mixed forests and vineyards, as well as the old town. Inside the castle you will find a collection of Renaissance and Baroque furniture, as well as other treasures, carefully collected by the Ravené family who owned the castle until 1978, when it was turned over to the town of Cochem, for all to enjoy.

Visit one of the wineries located directly in the town of Cochem and learn more about viticulture and wine cellar management. The Moselle region is famous for its top wines with the most traditional grape variety being the Riesling, which is also called "the queen of white wines" and is grown directly on the sunny slopes of Cochem. During the excursion you can taste different Moselle wines and learn more about the wine making process.

This diverse tour begins right at the river dock with a short walk through the charming old town of Koblenz, before taking the cable car up to the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. There, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view over the “Deutsches Eck” and explore the fortress’s historic grounds on an engaging guided tour.

After the return ride by cable car, immerse yourself in the world of sparkling wine at the traditional Koblenz Sparkling Wine Museum. A lively and informative tour with a tasting of three selected sparkling wines provides a stylish and enjoyable conclusion to this excursion.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant history and romance of Wertheim and explore the city with its medieval streets and numerous half-timbered houses. The Angel’s Fountain and the collegiate church are especially worth seeing, as well as the local glass museum. During a tour of the museum you will learn interesting facts about glass and you can observe glassblowers at work. (Note: Visits to the glass museum are subject to availability.)

Finally, the tour takes you to Miltenberg. A guided tour through the town will show you that Miltenberg offers a charming trio of river, medieval town and wooded hillsides. The historic market square, the high, gabled, half-timbered houses, the old town hall and the towering Miltenberg Castle form the backdrop for this wonderful tour.

Start your tour with a visit to the Würzburg Residence, a masterpiece of southern German Baroque architecture, built in the early 18th century by Balthasar Neumann. Highlights include the grand staircase, adorned with breathtaking frescoes by the Venetian artist Tiepolo, and the opulent Imperial Hall. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through Würzburg’s historic old town and discover its many landmarks. Visit the market square with the picturesque St. Mary's Chapel, then continue to the Old Main Bridge, a striking stone arch bridge spanning the River Main. There, we invite you to savor a glass of exquisite Franconian wine while enjoying the stunning panoramic view of the Marienberg Fortress and the surrounding vineyards.

Rothenburg is referred to as Germany’s well-preserved “Jewel of the Middle Ages” with its ramparts, city gates, town hall and the St. Jakob parish church. Renaissance and Gothic influences shaped the town. Towers, city gates, walls, half-timbered gables – all these have remained unchanged since the Thirty Years’ War. The Middle Ages come alive in Rothenburg.

Upon your arrival, join the town walk with a local guide who will point out major points of interest, such as the St. Jakob Parish Church, where art lovers can admire the “Heiligblutaltar” (Holy Blood Altar) by Tilman Riemenschneider, one of the greatest German sculptors of the Middle Ages. After the guided tour, enjoy some free time and buy souvenirs or visit the famous Christmas Museum of Käthe Wohlfahrt.

A comfortable coach will take you into the center of Bamberg, which is affectionately known as the “Frankish Rome”. The walking tour will enable you to immerse yourself in the magic and history of this town. With its historic old quarter, its churches and monasteries, bridges, narrow streets and squares, its half-timbered houses and baroque facades, it has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. During the walk, you’ll see magnificent sights such as the imperial cathedral, the old imperial residence, the new residence palace and rose garden, the old town hall and the former fishing village that is now Bamberg’s “Little Venice” area.

Discover Bamberg in a different way - active, relaxed and up close! On this guided bike tour, you will not only experience the famous sights of the UNESCO World Heritage city, but also green oases, historic districts and hidden gems off the beaten path. From the picturesque riverside to the traditional gardeners' district and the vibrant ERBA Park, new perspectives on the “German dream city” open up. Along the way, you’ll hear fascinating stories about architecture, beer culture, and notable figures – with plenty of time for photo stops and soaking in the most scenic views.

Distance: ±16 km

^{E-bike rental is available at an additional cost.}

After a coach ride from the vessel, the city walking tour winds its way through the major sites and highlights. A walking tour leads you to the major sites and highlights of the city, from its medieval beginnings to the present. Once a free imperial city of economic influence, Nuremberg is the second largest city in Bavaria. During the reconstruction work following the devastation of the Second World War, the style of the old town was maintained. Ringed walls, towers and the castle provide a vivid image of the town as it may have looked in the Middle Ages. 

Your tour includes a visit to a Gingerbread Specialties shop for a taste of this famous treat Lebkuchen which was invented by monks in the 13th century in Franconia, Germany and recorded as early as 1395 in Nuremberg. Today, Nuremberg is the most famous exporter of the product know as Nuremberg Lebkuchen – gingerbread decorated with almonds.

Regensburg is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany and its historic buildings are very impressive. Among these architectural treasures are churches, monasteries, the town hall and one of Europe’s oldest bridges that has spanned the Danube since the 12th century. During this walk you will feel the former power and wealth of this city, which once controlled the trade route to the Orient.

During a short visit to the Regensburg Cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter, you can admire this masterpiece of Gothic architecture in southern Germany (Visits depend on the opening hours of the Cathedral and/or if a mass is celebrated, etc.).

Explore the beautiful historic Thurn & Taxis Palace in Regensburg. The Palace, which has roots in German nobility, was built in the 18th century. During the guided tour, view the beautiful marble staircase in the south wing of the palace, which leads to the magnificent rooms of the princely residence. The entire neo-Renaissance style interior is modeled after Roman antiquity. Afterwards, visit the traditional brewery at the castle, for a short guided tour followed by a beer sampling and typical Bavarian pretzel.

Weltenburg Monastery is a Benedictine abbey in Lower Bavaria, which is located on the banks in the Danube loop at the mouth of the romantic Danube Gorge. The monastery was founded in the year 600 by missionary monks and is the oldest monastic settlement in Bavaria. The beautiful baroque abbey church was built and embellished by the Asam brothers, between 1716 and 1739.  During the visit, immerse yourself in the history of the monastery and learn more about the way of life of the monks, the Benedictine life and the construction of the monastery in this magical setting.