Rhine Cruises

Cologne’s an ancient city situated on the Rhine River. It’s dominated by the Cologne Cathedral, offering Gothic architecture and sweeping views for those who brave climbing its soaring towers! In addition to a quaint Old Town, Cologne’s famed for its chocolate museum, a true must for chocoholics. Nearby you’ll find the Museum Ludwig with its impressive modern art collection, as well as the Phantasialand theme park.

The Rhine and Moselle rivers meet in the ancient city of Koblenz. This romantic destination is a top draw for wine tasting and recreation with its ruined castles and enchanting parks. It’s located in the Middle Rhine district known for its terraced vineyards. View medieval castles like Marksburg or take the cable car up to the Ehrenbreitsetein Fortress, where you can get a birds-eye view of the valleys below.

Although it’s famous for being the seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg boasts many charms for you to discover. Wander its cobbled streets and you’ll see medieval half-timbred houses alongside Europe’s tallest medieval building, the Cathedral of Notre Dame. This is where you’ll find the famous astronomical clock with its daily shows. After exploring, settle down in Place Kleber to watch the world go by.

Soak in the quintessentially German charm of Mainz. It’s famed for its imposing Cathedral of St Martin, a fine example of the Romanesque style. Mainz is home to the Gutenberg Museum dedicated to the inventor of the printing press, a medieval old town, and a church with stained glass detailing from Marc Chagall. It sits in the beautiful Rheinsteig region, where you can go wine tasting, hiking and castle-spotting.

Positioned in northwest Switzerland near the French and German borders, Basel gives you a little taste of all three cultures in one! The local cuisine is like a best-of compilation of European delicacies, and architecture features wooden half-timbred homes and red sandstone buildings alike. Don’t miss a visit to key sites like the Gothic cathedral, Basel Zoo, and charming marketplace with its unique craft shops.

Düsseldorf is a tale of two cities on the Rhine, with Altstadt Old Town positioned on the east bank and its modern finance district to the west. A centre for the banking, advertising and fashion industries, bustling Düsseldorf also offers plenty of places for leisure. Head to the Altstadt to enjoy hip bars and trendy coffee shops, or venture up the Rhine Tower to enjoy dinner with a view in its revolving restaurant.

The birthplace of Beethoven, Bonn is a top destination for any classical music fan to tick off their to-do list! You can see where the brooding composer was born at Beethoven House, now a museum. Once the capital of West Germany, Bonn retains a rather stately feel with its old city hall and Bonn Minster cathedral. Relax in a riverside café, stroll through the old government quarter, and enjoy the bevy of museums.

Tucked in the heart of the Rhine Valley, Rüdesheim is well-known for its winemaking tradition, which you can learn about in the Rheingau Wine Museum. After sampling the local Riesling, don’t miss the chance to try a Rüdesheimer coffee with its lashings of whipped cream and local brandy. In addition to its tasty tipple, Rüdesheim’s attractions include the Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet and Bromserburg Castle.

Visit this financial German powerhouse to see one of Europe’s largest stock exchanges and the European Central Bank headquarters. Though it’s a top spot for conferences, Frankfurt’s not all business! Visit the Goethe Museum to learn more about its literary history, or the Palmengarten to view a greener side. The central Romerberg town square is lined with pretty wood-framed houses, and outdoor cafes dot its plazas.

Laid-back, freewheeling Amsterdam is a great place to get lost. You’ll find quirky markets dotting its plazas with fresh flowers and second-hand books, while world-famous works of art fill museums.