Christmas Cruise on the Rhine

Mainz has many attractions: the Roman Castrum Moguntiacum, the Jewish Magenza, the residence and capital of the Prince Electors, an archbishopric, a university town and a fortified city of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the Mainz Republic. These are all epochs of “Golden Mainz”, as the city has been known since its heyday in the Middle Ages. A tour through the city will lead you from the tremendous St. Martin’s Cathedral to the Gutenberg museum, where you can experience 4000 years of the history of writing. The museum is a tribute to the inventor of the printing press with moveable letters. His world renowned 42-line bible is one of the prime exhibits.

Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach ride through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster – the symbol of the city (not possible on Sundays and public holidays, sometimes with security check). Some of the charming, half-timbered houses are up to 500 years old. From here you will walk through the historic and festively decorated district ”Petite France”.

Along the way, you will see a variety of Christmas markets, where you can spend some free time before you head back to the ship.

Speyer, the time-honored imperial city on the Rhine, looks back on a rich and eventful past. Historic testimonies of ecclesiastical architecture, façades of different building epochs, winding alleys and romantic squares characterize the face of the city today. On today’s walking tour, pass by the Romanesque Imperial cathedral with its striking twin-towered portal, the Old Gate of Speyer and passy by the revered baroque Church of the Holy Spirit. Continue with a visit to the medieval Judenhof, one of the most important Jewish medieval sites in Germany. The Jewish community had a storied history in Speyer reaching back over 1,000 years. View the remains of the Jewish courtyard, which was the central area of the Jewish quarter and consisted of the synagogues, and a ritual bath (Mikveh). Speyer calls itself the “Brezelstadt” or “Pretzel Town”, at the end of your walk make a stop at a local shop for a pretzel to snack on as you explore the town on your own before returning to the vessel.

Begin your journey with an outside visit to Mannheim Palace, one of Europe's largest Baroque palaces. Explore its impressive architecture, historic collections, and the former residence of the Electoral Court, which today is also home to the University of Mannheim. Continue with a guided tour through the city’s unique grid layout, the famous “Mannheim Squares,” and discover highlights such as the historic Market Square and the magnificent Water Tower on Friedrichsplatz, surrounded by elegant Art Nouveau gardens. This tour offers a fascinating insight into Mannheim’s Baroque heritage, cultural traditions, and vibrant city life.

A comfortable coach will take you to Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall.

Enjoy a short ride on the Winzerexpress before beginning your walking tour through the picturesque town of Rüdesheim. In the historic heart of the old town, the world-famous Drosselgasse awaits, charming visitors with its traditional wine taverns and distinctive atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the town’s rich history as you discover the Adlerturm tower and impressive sections of the medieval town walls and fortifications dating back to the 15th century.

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.