Budapest
Hungary
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, the wonders of Budapest rise up along both banks of the Danube in a truly impressive way. Along with Heroes' Square with its Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, awe-inspiring Hungarian Parliament Building, and the lavish Castle District with photogenic Fishermen's Bastion, the city is home to a captivating Jewish district and the second-largest synaguge in the world, an intricate underground cave system, and some of Europe's most famous thermal baths.
Vienna
Austria
Vienna is a city that defies simple description. Over the centuries, it has been an imperial city, seat of the Holy Roman Empire, capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and capital of sovereign Austria. Today, Vienna retains the grand Baroque architecture, historic style, and Lebenskunst (art of living) that attracted famous composers like Mozart and Strauss. It's a wonderland of lavish palaces and cathedrals, world-class museums and music venues, atmospheric coffee houses, and romantic fiakers (horse-drawn carriages) clip-clopping past it all.
Bratislava
Slovakia
With neighboring capitals like Vienna and Budapest, it might be easy for the Slovakian capital to get overshadowed. Remarkably, it doesn't. Bratislava is perfect for those who want to be transported to another time. Even fom a distance, its 9th-century clifftop castle strikes an impressive pose. Down below, the bustling pedestrian-only Old Town is a charming collection of Old World architecture, like Michael's Gate, St. Martin's Cathedral, the Old Opera House, and the Neoclassical Primate's Palace. There's even a surprise or two, with Napoleon's cannonballs lodged in historic walls and an unexpected statue of Cumil the Sewer Worker peering up from below street level!
Passau
Germany
Situated along the Route of Emperors and Kings where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers meet, Passau was settled as early as the Neolithic Age. During the Renaissance, this City of Three Rivers was a major manufacturing center of swords, crafting bladed weapons stamped with the Passau wolf, which legend claimed would grant invulnerability. Today, the most famous sights lining the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town are the artistic Town Hall and the Baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral with its green-domed towers and one of the largest organs in the world.
Nuremberg
Germany
Fine wooden toys, jumping frogs and tin music boxes, colourful tableware and stationery – all handmade in local manufactories. The Handwerkerhof in Nuremberg is perfect for small and original souvenirs from the trip. Because your loved ones back home will definitely ask of such a special river cruise: Did you bring me something? Those who have been to Nuremberg also bring back stories. For example, from a visit to the Albrecht Dürer House, from a stroll through the Old Town with the Kaiserburg and the churches and the medieval fortress walls, from the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, where the National Socialists held their party congresses and where the Nuremberg Trials were later held. From the “Marriage Carousel”, a fountain with larger-than-life bronze figures thematising the “bittersweet way of conjugal life”. And from the hangman’s house. There is a lot to tell.
Bamberg
Germany
Bamberg is the dream of a city that has become northern Bavaria. With charm from the Middle Ages and with listed buildings, yes, with baroque splendour architecture, to be more precise. In addition to numerous museums and historical sights, beer connoisseurs and aficionados will get their money’s worth in Bamberg in much the same way as wine lovers do with a top vintner. Beer is something like the lifeblood in the city. There are numerous breweries and plenty of pubs. But you’d better visit them after a tour of the city. This is because here you should not miss the following first: the Alte Hofhaltung (once the bishops’ residence), the cathedral (dating from 1002) and the Neue Residenz (what splendid halls!) with the rose garden designed by Balthasar Neumann (what a view over the old town). And as a little extra, after all you are on a river cruise: in Bamberg there is lock 100. It is the last lock of the Ludwig Main Danube Canal built under King Ludwig I. It is still operated by hand. The lock-keeper’s cottage is simply magical.
Würzburg
Germany
Bavaria and Baroque. In Würzburg, it’s like nowhere else. One of the main works is the city’s Residenz, one of the most important castles in Europe, designed by Balthasar Neumann, built between 1720 and 1740 and protected by UNESCO. In the stairwell, every visitor is left feeling amazed: What a fresco! The largest continuous fresco in the world. Any questions? Then it’s on to the city, a baroque dream come true. And finally, we cross the oldest bridge over the Main (don’t worry, it has been lavishly restored time and again) to Marienburg Fortress, which was the residence of the Würzburg prince-bishops for over 400 years. From up here you look down on the old university with its domes and towers. What a view! Perhaps a visit to the art ship ARTE NOAH? It is one of the few floating galleries in Germany.
Cologne
Germany
Cologne, that’s the city’s “Tünnes and Schäl”, that’s gabled houses on the Rhine front, that’s the Old Market with cafés and streets through which the carnival passes in spring and the gay community moves in summer at Christopher Street Day. These are residents of the city who are known for their casual, humorous and friendly yet direct manner. These are temples of art like the MAKK or the Museum Ludwig with the most extensive Pop Art collection in Europe. And, of course, there’s the cathedral, the Gothic masterpiece, 157 metres high, with the world-famous altar of the Three Kings and the treasury and viewing platform, which you can reach via 509 steps. And Cologne, that’s “Kölsch”, a wonderfully drinkable beer that you drink out of small glasses, and which you can enjoy two, three or four at a time. Well then, cheers!
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Alleys, canals, and Van Gogh around every corner. Amsterdam is one of the most exciting cities in Europe. The historic center was built on five million spruce trunks. The experiences this city has to offer are limitless. Paintings by famous artists can be admired in the newly designed Museum Square. Rembrandt and Vermeer in the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh has his own museum dedicated to him – the audio tour is a real experience: a touching journey into the life of the artist, who cut off his ear in Arles in southern France after an argument with Gauguin. The Anne Frank House tells a different but equally touching story. And if you stroll through Amsterdam’s Old Town, you will experience real contrasts – Chinatown with the first Buddhist temple built in Europe and the infamous red-light district.
Strasbourg
France
It’s quite possible that you will find yourself saying “WOW” every now and then as you stroll and wander through Strasbourg. What you get to see here is impressive and touching, and quite simply beautiful. For example, the cathedral is surrounded by half-timbered buildings with colorful decorative glass from the 12th century and features one of the highest church towers in the world at 465 feet (142 meters). Or the lock bridge (17th century) can be described without exaggeration as a grandiose work of art by engineer Barrage Vauban. And that is by no means all. Be sure to stroll through the “Quartier des Tanneurs”. Half-timbering at its finest. Lanes with cobblestones. Covered bridges. In the Middle Ages, fishermen, tanners, and millers lived and worked here. The architecture from this period is almost perfectly preserved. If you need a little break afterward to really take in the beauty, there are cozy bistros in the former Gerber quarter.