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Immerse yourself in the wonderful wine world of Germany on a river cruise on the Moselle or the Main. Or enjoy charming Hanseatic cities and magnificent seaside resorts on a cruise along the Baltic Sea coast. No matter what your interests are or what you like to see, a river cruise in Germany has something for everyone. Our trips are the best way to discover Germany at leisure and with all the luxuries. Frankfurt marks the start of many Main river cruises and it’s a place where old and new sit side by side, a fact which is best evidenced by scaling Main Tower to take it all in. Wurzburg and Rothenburg both offer a taste of northern Bavaria, the former being home to the Baroque Bishop’s Residence and the latter offering a rich mediaeval heritage and some splendid architecture.
From cosy Passau to modern Frankfurt: the Main-Danube Canal
However, there are also other lesser-known cruise lines to choose from that are contenders for the best river cruise line in Europe, depending on your travel style. To help you out, we've taken a look at 10 lines, from the familiar to the lesser-known, so you can decide the best river cruise line in Europe for you. Picking the best line for a European river cruise can be a challenge as more and more lines compete for attention on European waterways. Many American travelers have heard of river cruise lines like Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways -- and you can find more about them below. It is one of the most fascinating destinations on the continent, owing to its famous cities, majestic mountains, and authentic culture. The Rhine starts its journey in Switzerland's Alps and passes through iconic cities in France (including Strasbourg), Germany (Dusseldorf and Cologne) and the Netherlands.
Grand European Tour
For wallet-conscious cruisers used to deals on ocean-going lines, the price of a Rhine River cruise can come as a shock. For about $1,000 less than the closet competitor, Gate 1 Travel manages to be one of the best Rhine River cruises for those watching there budget. With its fairy-tale castles and picture-perfect scenery, the Rhine is arguably Europe's most romantic river. You can harness that dreamy atmosphere on Uniworld's one-of-a-kind boutique vessels, like the River Queen. The Disney name is synonymous with family fun, so it's not a surprise that Adventures by Disney is easily the best Rhine River cruise line for families. Adventures by Disney charters AmaWaterways ships that carry only 140 passengers, and brings their own spin to the sailings through Adventure Guides who are trained in all things kids.
MAIN NAVIGATION
This 7-day All-inclusive River Cruise Stops at Iconic Christmas Markets in Germany — But You Have to Act Fast - Travel + Leisure
This 7-day All-inclusive River Cruise Stops at Iconic Christmas Markets in Germany — But You Have to Act Fast.
Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
After a day shopping, head to one of the many Brewery pubs for some popular German beer. Bamberg is famous for its beer and is where its name originated from, with the town being populated by nine traditional breweries. Kehl is a town located in southwest Germany on the River Rhine, across from the French City of Strasbourg. The town is not known as a tourist destination, however it benefits from idyllic landscape and a water-rich environment. Walk or cycle along the Reinpromenade or the garden of the Zweubüchter and enjoy a picnic at one of Kehl’s numerous excavation lakes. Nature lovers will enjoy spotting animals hiding along the rivers, lakes and bushes.
Here, you can get a close-up view of 19 windmills, including the chance to look inside some of them, watch a movie and learn how the Dutch manage to live on land that sits below sea level. The gift shop at the entrance is a great place to buy another famous Dutch symbol -- a pair of wooden clogs. Rhine River cruise destinations frequently include Strasbourg, the intriguing capital of France's Alsace region, which borders Germany and Switzerland and has been shaped by different cultures over time. Although it's the smallest region in France, Strasbourg has been called the principal city of Europe, as the European Parliament and other important E.U. You can't get lost in the city, as the UNESCO-listed cathedral's 515-foot spires dominate the skyline (and are visible from all cruise docking spots). The Cologne Cathedral took more than 600 years to build and the panoramic views from the top of the south spire make the climb up 509 steps worth the effort.
Situated on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, the 19th-century Ehrenbreitstein fortress -- one of Europe's largest castles -- towers over Koblenz. Ships dock near the impressive equestrian statue of Emperor William I and from here it’s a short stroll to several fountains that form the centerpiece of the town’s squares. The Anne Frank House is the city's most popular attraction, where poignant exhibits include the Jewish schoolgirl's wartime diary. You'd also do well to stop by the Van Gogh Museum or to view Dutch masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum, including Rembrandt's "The Night Watch." European Waterways has 17 barges sailing along the less-visited waterways in the U.K., France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy.
NEW! Treasures of the Rhine
The local cuisine is seasonal and is closely intertwined with the wine growing traditions together with soups such as Zwiebelkuchen, Handkäs mit Musik and Spundekäs. Nordic Walking is popular around town, with five adventure trails around the vicinity, as well as many popular cycling routes. Great views of the town can be found from the water, the cable car to Niederwald Monument and the Monument itself. Old Town has the best examples of the town’s architecture with Eagle Tower, Oberstrasse and Rheinstein Castle some key sites to visit. Warnemünde, officially a suburb of Rostock, is a quaint seaside resort town with the best hotels and restaurants in the area, as well as 20 km (12 miles) of beautiful white-sand beach.
Cologne, Germany: Stunning Cathedral and Iconic Local Beer
Alongside its industrial brilliance, Ludwigshafen blends cultural attractions and rich history as home to the iconic Wilhelm-Hack-Museum, the Fredrich-Ebert-Park. In 1827 the decision was taken to make this small fishing town a huge deep-sea port, and today Bremerhaven, along with Bremen, forms the smallest of Germany’s federal states. This busy port is still part of the municipality of Bremen, and half of Germany’s fishing fleet deposit their catch here. Bremerhaven’s lighthouse, a famous landmark, dates back to 1853 and is the oldest working lighthouse on Germany's mainland North Sea coast. Another attraction is the German Migration Museum, which tells the stories of Germans who migrated to the New World and of foreigners who have made their homes in Germany.
Rhine Mini Cruise Main & Lorelei 2024 (5 destinations)
Beginning in Frankfurt, Germany, you will head northbound to Cologne before two days along one of Europe’s best canal cruises in Amsterdam. Thus, giving you prime access to the city’s bridges, historical attractions, and greenery all in one. The importance of rivers in Germany cannot be understated, leading to developed inland navigation systems and hydroelectric generation. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.
Speyer has been producing wine since its Roman beginnings and wine tasting, festivals and events are popular all year round. The town is popular for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling as well as guided walking tours of the town. The town is situated in the Rhine Valley on the banks of the river Rhine and dates back over four thousand years. Breisach and its history can be experienced through the City History Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition taking you from Stone Age through the Celtic, to the Romans and Middle Ages, right up to modern day. St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the city’s famous art treasures, the wheel wells, which are housed in the neighbouring Radbrunnenturm with the forty one metre deep water well.
Perhaps among the most picturesque European river cruises is a cruise along the River Seine in Paris or the Venetian Lagoon in Venice. Germany is an incredible nation, split by many rivers including the famous Rhine, and populated by historic towns and cities. If you are thinking of visiting and still have some outstanding questions, we have compiled for your some of the most frequently asked questions to us and online about this topic. You will also venture into Germany’s highest mountain range, the Harz Mountains.
What's more, Trier boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Roman amphitheater and the Imperial Baths. Besides its captivating past, Trier also offers a unique blend of contemporary and traditional elements, with an enchanting old town, lively market squares and a vivid cultural scene. With festivals and events celebrating its wine culture, Kitzingen's vibrant atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, as well as those seeking a taste of regional Bavarian hospitality. To get to know the highlights of the Rhine, VIVA Cruises offers you two different river cruises at once. CroisiEurope is the largest company based in Europe and operates a fleet of riverboats and hotel barges.
It begins its journey high in the Swiss Alps on a Switzerland river cruise and continues across Germany before ending up in the Netherlands, which you can explore on a Holland river cruise. Discovering the capital from the deck of a ship is perfect, because you can easily catch a glimpse of many famous sights as you sail past. It soon becomes more peaceful, nature takes over and we sail along meandering rivers, through perfectly straight canals, discovering tiny bays and picturesque landscapes. The grapes for delicious German wines grow on the slopes of the Rhine and Moselle.
For a wonderful afternoon on the water, we highly recommend taking the Palaces and Gardens of Berlin and Potsdam river cruise. The country is also partitioned by some of the largest European rivers, such as the Danube River, which also passes through nine other countries, the Rhine River, and the Elbe. AmaWaterways offers themed wine itineraries on the Rhine with enhanced epicurean experiences included in the fare. These sailings are accompanied by a professional wine host who leads onboard tastings and discussions and accompanies trips to local wineries and vineyards. But it's Tauck's fully-inclusive rates that really help make this line a great choice for luxury seekers.
Viking includes one excursion in each port with your fare, and offers a wider variety of river cruises in Europe than others. That gives new-to-river-cruise passengers plenty of options to try their hand at a cruise length that fits their style and a wide array destinations from which to choose. Another from Berlin on our list of the best German river cruises, this striking tour offers breathtaking views of UNESCO-listed Prussian buildings, parts of Potsdam, and the likes of Kladow and Peacock Island. Under £800, this is undoubtedly one of the best German river cruises to explore. Christmas abroad might be an option this year, as this cruise heads towards the country’s traditional Christmas markets.
This jam-packed cruise is the perfect trip and is among the best European river cruises. On this cruise, you will visit the medieval town of Bamberg, as well as Rothenberg and Nuremberg, and on to historic cities, including the likes of Mainz and Wurzburg in Bavaria. While not all in Germany, this magnificent tour with Viking River Cruises is a must on our list of the best German river cruises. One of the best ways to take in the surrounding beauty of Germany’s flowing waters would be one of a range of river cruises, which can be taken through all major rivers and more. On an Adventures by Disney river cruise, families are the only passengers onboard. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, with a focus on stories rather than history, and activities designed to burn off energy and keep children engaged, such as tobogganing in the Black Forest.
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