Grand Cruise of the Moselle, Rhine, Luxembourg & Switzerland

Basel, which lies in the northwest region of Switzerland, near its French and German borders, is a delightful city with a rich history, intriguing medieval quarter, fabulous art galleries and stunning architecture. It also boasts a lively social scene, much of which focuses on the city's most important asset, the meandering Rhine River. The mighty river first becomes navigable at Basel, which makes the city the nearest thing landlocked Switzerland has to a seaport, and residents really make the most of it. The river banks are lined with restaurants and hotels (which charge extra for a river-view room). Many residents use little tow-lined ferries rather than bridges to travel between Grossbasel (Big Basel, home to the medieval Old Town) on the south bank and Kleinbasel (Little Basel, centre of the city's lively social scene) on the north bank. Basel is an important turnaround port for Rhine riverboats, many of which run between there and Amsterdam on weekly rotations. Because it's an embarkation and debarkation port, many river cruise passengers spend at least a day in Basel , which is no hardship, considering it's not only a fascinating city but also a gateway to Alsace and Germany's Black Forest region.

One of the oldest towns in Germany, the former Roman settlement on the Rhine is famous for its mighty landmark Speyer Cathedral, an UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the largest Romanesque church in Europe. Speyer is also noted for its Jewish heritage and the mikveh, the traditional bathhouse, which was built in 1128; it's included in most guided walking tours. Other attractions include the Old City Gate dating to the 13th century, Sea Life centre with more than 3,000 marine creatures housed in 40 displays and a wide pedestrian-only shopping street -- directly opposite the cathedral -- with restaurants, cafes and shops selling souvenirs and authentic German clothing. From the docking point for river ships, it's a pleasant 10- to 15-minute walk through a leafy park to the cathedral and town centre. The large Alter Hammer beer garden, overlooking the river, is a lovely spot to stop for a drink on the way back to the ship; just watch the time as stops in Speyer are generally only a few hours.

One of the oldest towns in Germany, the former Roman settlement on the Rhine is famous for its mighty landmark Speyer Cathedral, an UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the largest Romanesque church in Europe. Speyer is also noted for its Jewish heritage and the mikveh, the traditional bathhouse, which was built in 1128; it's included in most guided walking tours. Other attractions include the Old City Gate dating to the 13th century, Sea Life centre with more than 3,000 marine creatures housed in 40 displays and a wide pedestrian-only shopping street -- directly opposite the cathedral -- with restaurants, cafes and shops selling souvenirs and authentic German clothing. From the docking point for river ships, it's a pleasant 10- to 15-minute walk through a leafy park to the cathedral and town centre. The large Alter Hammer beer garden, overlooking the river, is a lovely spot to stop for a drink on the way back to the ship; just watch the time as stops in Speyer are generally only a few hours.

Rüdesheim (pronounced roo-des-hyme) is a town built for tourism. Its omnipresent oompah bands and sprawling hillside vineyards tickle all the right notes of "quaintness" for the river cruise traveller who's looking for a picturesque German village. But the town and its environs -- particularly through the craftsmanship evident in the region's food and wine -- offer more than just a simple stereotype for those who want to peer behind the old-fashioned façade.

It is easy (and worthwhile) to allow yourself to be swept along in the festive currents of music, tempting aromas of grilled meat, free-flowing Rheingau wines and crowds of travellers who seem to find their way to the town's narrow Drosselgasse ("choke alley") year-round. The nice thing about Rüdesheim size and setting is that you can also make a quick exit from the melee. Within minutes, you can find yourself wandering through row upon row of ripening grapes to an uncrowded vista over the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- or relaxing in a beer garden (biergarten).

Rüdesheim is little, but it has a little bit of everything in an easily accessible package. So, indulge yourself. Take a gondola ride, taste some Rhenish wine and enjoy the summer sunshine on the Rhine Valley. Or meander through a winter evening's Christmas market in the warmly lit confines of ancient cobbled streets... and if you fancy a nightcap, top off your coffee with local brandy and set it alight.

Cologne, the Rhineland's largest city and Germany's fourth-largest, dates back to 38 B.C., when the Romans first started to settle in the area. By 50 A.D., "Colonia" was a major city, which would later become one of the most important trade and production centres in the Roman Empire. Significant Roman ruins can still be found in Cologne today, especially near the city's wharf area, in addition to 12 Romanesque churches.

Cologne's location on the river Rhine placed it at the intersection of the major trade routes between east and west, which was the basis for its continued growth through the Middle Ages. Construction of the famous Kölner Dom, the city's Gothic cathedral, started in 1248, consolidating its position as a place of great religious significance, as well as a trade hub (despite the fact that work stopped on the cathedral in 1473, leaving it unfinished until the 19th century).

Today, Cologne is the cultural heart of the Rhineland, with a vibrant arts scene, celebrated opera house, more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. The city has spread to both sides of the Rhine River, with the cathedral and Altstadt (Old Town) both located on the left bank. The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and became a poignant symbol of the city's survival of the Allied aerial bombing during World War II. While some 95 percent of the city centre was destroyed during the war, much of its medieval heart and churches were rebuilt according to original plans. Because of this, Cologne retains an authentic feel, with attractive open squares, pretty beer gardens and cosy wine taverns lining narrow, cobbled streets and the attractive riverfront.

Cologne is celebrated for its locally brewed beer, called Kölsch, with about 30 traditional brewing houses creating their own versions and selling them on-site in lively beer gardens and cellars. (Kölsch is also the name for the local dialect, resulting in the joke that Kölsch is the only language one can drink.) Considerable quantities of Kölsch are consumed each November, when carnival season transforms the city into one of Europe's biggest street festivals, with the numerous bars and pubs on Neumarkt Square, Heumarkt and Zülpicher Strasse packed with people in costumes, dancing and drinking.

Whether you visit Cologne during the summer to make the most of the beer gardens and pretty landscaped riverbanks or during winter for the raucous Carnival or magical Christmas markets, you'll discover an intriguing, cosmopolitan city with bags of character. Furthermore, Cologne has a compact heart, which is easily navigated on foot, making it the perfect destination to explore from a cruise ship.

Cologne, the Rhineland's largest city and Germany's fourth-largest, dates back to 38 B.C., when the Romans first started to settle in the area. By 50 A.D., "Colonia" was a major city, which would later become one of the most important trade and production centres in the Roman Empire. Significant Roman ruins can still be found in Cologne today, especially near the city's wharf area, in addition to 12 Romanesque churches.

Cologne's location on the river Rhine placed it at the intersection of the major trade routes between east and west, which was the basis for its continued growth through the Middle Ages. Construction of the famous Kölner Dom, the city's Gothic cathedral, started in 1248, consolidating its position as a place of great religious significance, as well as a trade hub (despite the fact that work stopped on the cathedral in 1473, leaving it unfinished until the 19th century).

Today, Cologne is the cultural heart of the Rhineland, with a vibrant arts scene, celebrated opera house, more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. The city has spread to both sides of the Rhine River, with the cathedral and Altstadt (Old Town) both located on the left bank. The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and became a poignant symbol of the city's survival of the Allied aerial bombing during World War II. While some 95 percent of the city centre was destroyed during the war, much of its medieval heart and churches were rebuilt according to original plans. Because of this, Cologne retains an authentic feel, with attractive open squares, pretty beer gardens and cosy wine taverns lining narrow, cobbled streets and the attractive riverfront.

Cologne is celebrated for its locally brewed beer, called Kölsch, with about 30 traditional brewing houses creating their own versions and selling them on-site in lively beer gardens and cellars. (Kölsch is also the name for the local dialect, resulting in the joke that Kölsch is the only language one can drink.) Considerable quantities of Kölsch are consumed each November, when carnival season transforms the city into one of Europe's biggest street festivals, with the numerous bars and pubs on Neumarkt Square, Heumarkt and Zülpicher Strasse packed with people in costumes, dancing and drinking.

Whether you visit Cologne during the summer to make the most of the beer gardens and pretty landscaped riverbanks or during winter for the raucous Carnival or magical Christmas markets, you'll discover an intriguing, cosmopolitan city with bags of character. Furthermore, Cologne has a compact heart, which is easily navigated on foot, making it the perfect destination to explore from a cruise ship.

The 2000-year-old Roman city of Andernach with its imposing monuments is located on one of the most beautiful parts of the Middle Rhine. It has well-preserved fortifications with gates and the Round Tower dating from 1440, one of the highest medieval military towers in Germany. Next to the Tower is 11th century St Mary's Cathedral with its four towers and the gallery basilica with three naves. Other sights include the mainly 14th century City Castle, the old 16th-century port crane, the historic City Hall and the late Gothic Christchurch. There are also two interesting museums. Outside the city wall, there are parks spread along the riverside with views to the opposite shore with its rugged hillsides and the vineyards of Leutesdorf. You can also visit the famous Namedy Castle or Volcano Park where there are archaeological exhibits and themed walking tours to old volcanoes and the Roman mine. For motor racing fanatics there is always the world-famous Nürburgring.

If you're looking for European quaintness, it's hard to do better than the pretty German town of Bernkastel. Located in the heart of Moselle wine country, Bernkastel specializes in dry white whites made from the Riesling grape; if you think all German wines are sweet, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality in this area. Even if you don't like wine, Bernkastel provides a pleasant stop. The old town is full of half-timbered buildings from the Middle Ages, including the Town Hall, which dates back to 1608. There are also cafes and restaurants for people watching or a late lunch, as well as shops for souvenirs. Those seeking a nice walk can go up the hill to the ruins of Castle Landshut, which offers nice views of the valley; there's also a shuttle bus from the village. If your riverboat has bikes onboard, there's a path along the river for riding. Finally, Bernkastel is occasionally used as a jumping-off point for day trips to Trier or Luxembourg.

Surrounded by steep vineyards, overlooked by an imposing castle and with a charming old town filled with half-timbered houses, Cochem is the archetypal German town and one of the prettiest places on the Moselle. River ships moor in the heart of the town, which is divided by the river. A nearby bridge leads to the waterfront and narrow cobbled streets of the old town, which can easily be explored on foot. The main attraction is Reichsburg Castle, also called Cochem Imperial Castle. It dates back to the 11th century and is the largest hill castle on the Moselle. Most river cruises offer a tour of the castle as an included shore excursion. Cochem is also in the heart of Moselle's wine-producing region, known for crisp dry Rieslings. The town has many wine stores and your cruise may also include a tasting.

Worms, Germany, is a historic city located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. With a rich heritage dating back over 2,000 years, Worms is renowned for its cultural significance and architectural marvels. The city boasts impressive landmarks, such as the stunning Romanesque Worms Cathedral, which dominates the skyline, and the ancient Nibelungen Bridge spanning the Rhine River. Worms also holds a special place in history as the site of the famous Imperial Diet of Worms in 1521, where Martin Luther defended his beliefs. Today, visitors can explore charming old town streets, visit museums, and immerse themselves in the city's fascinating past.

Worms, Germany, is a historic city located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. With a rich heritage dating back over 2,000 years, Worms is renowned for its cultural significance and architectural marvels. The city boasts impressive landmarks, such as the stunning Romanesque Worms Cathedral, which dominates the skyline, and the ancient Nibelungen Bridge spanning the Rhine River. Worms also holds a special place in history as the site of the famous Imperial Diet of Worms in 1521, where Martin Luther defended his beliefs. Today, visitors can explore charming old town streets, visit museums, and immerse themselves in the city's fascinating past.

"The town lay, stretched along the river, its intricate cobweb of streets jewelled with twinkling lights. Behind the castle swells a dome-shaped hill, forest-clad, and beyond that a nobler and loftier one. The Castle looks down upon the compact brown-roofed town, and from the town, two picturesque old bridges span the river. I have never enjoyed a view which had such a satisfying charm about it as this one gives." --Mark Twain

With a population of 150,000, Heidelberg remains a small, charming city in a beautiful setting nearly 150 years after Mark Twain penned a glowing review in his 1879 travelogue "A Tramp Abroad." And Heidelberg's most charming aspects are, just as they were in Twain's day, focused on the quaint Altstadt (Old Town) and its surroundings. Below the ramparts of Heidelberg Castle nearly 300 feet above, the Old Town and its narrow, cobbled Hauptstrasse (main street) are nestled in snug, picturesque fashion between the Neckar River and the castle hill.

Heidelberg has truly ancient roots. Evidence of human habitation dates back thousands of years -- 500,000-year-old fossilized remains of a likely human ancestor were found nearby and named after Heidelberg -- and the city is also rich with a more tangible history, in its mishmash of ancient, medieval and modern architecture. And this is, perhaps, what makes Heidelberg such a pleasing place to visit. Amid its beautiful natural surroundings, the city's cultural landscape creates a kind of continuous historical narrative that visitors can follow back through the centuries. From the "Old Bridge" -- originally built of wood in the 13th century and most recently rebuilt after much of it was destroyed in the final days of World War II -- to the 2,500-year-old Celtic ruins of the Heiligenberg, you can hardly turn a corner without being confronted by some enduring edifice and its fascinating stories.

Whilst often overlooked for its nearby (and larger) neighbour, Cologne, Bonn has many charms. Famous as the birthplace of Beethoven - and of Haribo! - as well as the former capital of West Germany before reunification in 1990.

Whilst often overlooked for its nearby (and larger) neighbour, Cologne, Bonn has many charms. Famous as the birthplace of Beethoven - and of Haribo! - as well as the former capital of West Germany before reunification in 1990.

Whilst often overlooked for its nearby (and larger) neighbour, Cologne, Bonn has many charms. Famous as the birthplace of Beethoven - and of Haribo! - as well as the former capital of West Germany before reunification in 1990.