Rhine River Valley

Nuremberg, located 110 miles north of Munich, is the second-largest city in Bavaria, boasting a population of 500,000. Save for its significance during World War II, it doesn't always get the spotlight it deserves. Yet, once you set foot in the walled medieval Old Town, you'll realize what a treasure the city is, especially if you can snag one of its famous Lebkuchen, Christmas gingerbread cookies dating to the 13th century. Even better: If you're there during the holidays, you can visit Christkindlemarkt, the city's world-famous Christmas market.

When an entire town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you know it must be something special. Bamberg, in the Franconia section of Bavarian Germany, has held its UNESCO designation since 1993 due to the beautifully preserved structures dating from the 11th to 19th centuries. It serves as a port stop on any river cruise that sails the Main River. Laid out over seven hills and located at the confluence of the Regnitz and Main rivers, Bamberg is divided in half with old and new sections. To reach old Bamberg, visitors must walk through the Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall), built on a small man-made island in the middle of the river because the prince bishop who ruled the city in the mid-14th century would not give the residents permission to build a city hall on any of the land he owned (which, at that time, included the entire city). In Bamberg, visitors will find shops, taverns (all offering the city's trademark smoked beer), a handful of museums and lots of great photo opportunities.

Located on the Main River between Nuremberg and Frankfurt, Wurzburg was devastated by bombs and firestorms during World War II. Its major historic monuments have been restored, but since 90 percent of it was destroyed during the war, much of the city is distinctly modern, with a bit less charm than other Bavarian towns. Wurzburg is home to Germany's second-oldest university, and about a quarter of its 130,000 residents are students. That academic atmosphere has produced 13 Nobel Prize winners. The city was once ruled by prince-bishops, who held both religious and political power. The main attraction is their Residenz palace, built in the late 18th century. Some river cruise lines offer an included or optional excursion to the nearby town of Rothenberg from the port.

Located on the Main River about 40 miles southeast of Frankfurt, little Miltenberg is a lovely, non-touristy town chock-full of historic half-timbered houses. It wasn't damaged in World War II, so the old houses are the real deal. No, you didn't drink too much schnapps -- many are leaning and off-kilter. Miltenberg was first documented in 1237, and its castle dates from around that era. The town has one main street and, as the population grew, the city gates kept getting moved further east. The oldest sector is known as the Schwarzviertel (Black Quarter) because the street is so narrow that little sun penetrates between the houses. As you wander through town, you'll notice a few impressive structures built of pink sandstone (as is the town fountain), which was a major factor in Miltenberg's economy. Ships dock in the heart of town, and in five minutes you can be on Hauptstrasse, the main street, which bustles with locals popping in and out of the shops and cafes.

Germany's Mainz -- a 2,000-year-old city of leafy squares, timbered medieval buildings, intriguing cobbled alleys, charming restaurants and offbeat shops -- is a highlight of any cruise along the Rhine River, not least because it's so easily explored. Just a short stroll from the riverside, you'll find two of the city's highlights: the Gutenberg Museum (which celebrates Mainz's role as the home of the world's first printing press and its first product, the world-famous Gutenberg Bible), and the wonderfully atmospheric St. Martin's Cathedral, also known as The Dom. There are also Roman ruins, magnificent Baroque churches and Rococo houses to discover, as well as spectacular stained-glass windows designed by the famous artist Marc Chagall. But if you've had your fill of sightseeing and museums, just take a stroll around Mainz's charming Old Town, where you can browse antique and art shops, and tuck into delicious German coffee and cake at one of its many street cafes. No doubt you'll consider your day there well spent.

The capital of Alsace, France's smallest region, is also known as the principal city of Europe because it's the official seat of European Parliament and home to important institutions like the European Court of Human Rights, but there's much more to Strasbourg than politics and officials in gray suits. While the city reigns as a political powerhouse, it also represents a perfect blend of cultures.

Built along the Rhine and located close to trading routes, Strasbourg borders Germany and Switzerland in the northeast of France and possesses a unique cultural and architectural heritage. Even dedicated Francophiles are often surprised how different the city is from the rest of the France. Once part of Germany, it offers the "best of both worlds," a combination that's most deliciously illustrated in its cuisine, which reflects a happy marriage of French flair and German heartiness.

With a history stretching back over 2,000 years, an obvious first stop for cruisers is Grande-Ile, the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town centre. Visitors can admire Strasbourg's landmark lopsided cathedral, the beautiful Petite France neighbourhood and the gateway to river cruises and streets chock-a-block with half-timbered Renaissance buildings. Many churches also went up in the Middle Ages, including Saint-Etienne, dating to the 12th century, and Saint-Thomas, which was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and ranks as the largest in size after the Strasbourg Cathedral.

Strasbourg is a town made for walking, but energetic visitors can also turn to pedal power and hop on a bike like the locals. Even the most haphazard stroll will take you past a wealth of well-preserved buildings, luxury shops and designer boutiques. More affordable buys can be found in Rue des Grandes Arcades, which is Strasbourg's main shopping area and features a variety of clothing stores.

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.