German Riverscapes from Passau to Trier

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.

The city tour leads you to the major sites and highlights of the city, from its medieval beginnings to the present. The historic town of Nuremberg, once a free imperial city, is the second largest city in Bavaria and the capital of Franconia. 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 during medieval times.

After passing the Palace of Justice, the venue of the Nuremberg trials, the coach will take you to the old town at the heart of Nuremberg. The walk through the narrow medieval alleyways starts at the foot of the castle. The final stop of this tour is the main market, where you can stroll through the shops, or enjoy coffee before the coach takes you back to the ship.

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.

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.

Experience many beautiful sights in the old town of Würzburg, such as the marketplace, the Maria Chapel and the old main bridge, with its unique panorama of the Marienberg Fortress and the surrounding vineyards. Afterwards, you will visit the Würzburg Residence, which is one of the most important Baroque castles and a masterpiece of the southern German Baroque style. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century by Balthasar Neumann. The magnificent staircase with frescos by the Venetian Tiepolo and the Imperial Hall are particularly impressive. Thereafter, you will join a guided tour of the ancient wine cellar of a local vineyard. At the end of the tour you will have the chance to taste a glass of wine.

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.

Welcome to the “City of Towers”, Oberwesel. From far away you can see the silhouette of Schönburg, the Church of Our Lady and its defensive wall with many towers. The medieval influence still visible in Oberwesel makes it a town like no other in the Middle Rhine Valley. Explore the monument area and learn more about the history of Oberwesel on a guided tour. You will visit the sights of Oberwesel, including the town walls, and catch a glimpse of the beautiful surrounding gardens and the former Franciscan Minorite Monastery.

Discover one of the most pedestrian-friendly and oldest towns in Germany, with over 2,000 years of history. On our guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady) you will discover the most important sights of Koblenz and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the town hall. This tour would not be complete without a visit to the Memorial of Emperor Wilhelm at the famous German Corner where the rivers Rhine and Moselle meet. See the cable car that hovers over the Rhine, built as an attraction and ecologically friendly traffic facility for the Federal Horticultural Show in 2011. This is Germany’s first 3-rope cable car with a transport capacity of 7600 people per hour.

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.