This is the city of classical music. It’s Mozart and Strauss. It's street art on a sandy beach and fun in the countryside. It’s bohemia and bourgeoisie and the finest baroque. And of course Art Nouveau. It’s bad-tempered waiters in great coffee houses. It’s Sigmund Freud and Gustav Klimt and Adolf Loos and Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Sisi and many others. It is the Spanish Riding School, an event for horse lovers. And of course it is the city of Schmäh (jokes anyone?) and scandals, on which the Viennese feast like cows on fresh grass on the alpine pasture. Last but not least: Vienna is the city on the Danube. Although it was not always so. The Viennese Danube river front is an artificial structure which was only created in the 19th century. Before that, the Danube flowed past Vienna in many arms through floodplains and uninhabited areas. Today, the Riverside Mozart can also dock right in front of the city. And then it starts. Marvel, wonder and rejoice. Vienna is a dream.

What were the robber barons doing in the little rose garden? What makes Dürnstein unique? And anyway, what do you do as a river cruiser in the Wachau? Quite simple: enjoy, enjoy and enjoy again. The Wachau Valley is pastoral perfection. A synthesis of nature's arts: rugged mountains almost 3,000 feet / 900 meters high, terraces for winegrowing, and again, churches and castles from the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque eras. No wonder unesco has placed its protective hands over this world heritage site. More than 18 miles / 30 kilometers you will sail, yet a single foot you won’t want to miss. The steep slopes keep out cold winds and radiate the heat of the sun again in the evening. Wine and fruit grow here as in the biblical stories of Adam and Eve. The best apricots come from this region. They find their way into chocolates, delicious dumplings, jam and noble brandy. Is your mouth watering? Good! Come aboard. We will spoil you with these delicacies.

In order to understand Krems and, above all, to admire it, one must look at its history: The city was a trading center in ancient times. It’s well-known weekly markets sold cloth, wool, skins, wrought iron, copper, tin, swords, millstones, poppies, pepper, saffron, nuts as well as spices. Above all, salt was also sold from here as far as Burgenland and Bohemia. In the tobacco factory in Krems, 75,000 Virginia cigars were still being produced annually in 1920. The town is considered one of the most ornate in Austria, and one of its special places is the Körnermarkt. Parts of the tobacco factory are now used for the university and the charming Kunsthalle, featuring modern and contemporary Austrian art.

It is no coincidence that many filmmakers have chosen Budapest as a backdrop. Take EVITA (1996), for example – most of the scenes were shot not in Buenos Aires, but in Budapest. Anyone walking through the city, in the shadow of the State Opera House or across elegant Szabadság tér (Freedom Square) in the V. district, sees and feels it immediately. Budapest impresses. It is a metropolis and a spa city. It is Paris, Florence and Vienna in one. Many buildings were copied here. In fact, the Palais Batthyány, is an exact copy of the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. A must: the castle district. Pastel-colored houses, built by their owners to be close to the Royal Palace. Or the National Gallery. Or the Labyrinth: it also served as a prison. Its most famous inmate: Vlad Tepes from Transylvania, who went down in history and stories as Count Dracula. And another suggestion. It is best to simply drift through Budapest. Then you will always come across enchanting stores like the Madison Perfumery. It is housed in the rooms of a 19th-century pharmacy. Not only the fragrances are enchanting, but also the furniture and accessories in the back room, all of which are original.

Passau is first and foremost a university town. That is why it is young, vibrant and full of life. Then there are the three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, which flow together in the city and give it a special character. Speaking of character, Passau has quite the amount of character thanks to the prevalence of Baroque and Gothic architecture including many beautiful churchs and cathedrals as well as the Veste Oberhaus, a fortress since the Middle Ages.

Little known, but well-worth a visit: Novi Sad was founded in the 17th century and quickly became known for trade and production. In addition, the city developed into a centre of Serbian culture – earning it the nickname “Serbian Athens”. Dunavska Street, with its pretty two- and three-storey buildings, is named after the Danube. Also worth seeing is “Freedom Square” with the town hall and St. Mary’s Church.

Trappists are an order of the Roman Catholic Church, officially known as the “Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance”. Anyone who holds such a title must achieve extraordinary things. Something the monks do well: they brew excellent beer. Their only monastery in Austria (with a stylish Rococo church) is in Engelhartszell. And not only that: Another must-see is the late antique Burgus Oberranna. Here’s to a beer!

The Basilica of Esztergom is the largest church in the country, and the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church. Its treasury was opened in 1886 with the aim of preserving and exhibiting liturgical instruments and houses outstanding masterpieces of artistic and historical value. One such piece is the gold cross from France known as Calvary of King Matthias, weighing over five kilograms. Special features of this region include the fortress ruins of Visegrád and the excellent wineries.

Today’s capital of Serbia always aroused great covetousness because of its strategic location. The symbol of many conflicts and the current landmark of the city is the fortress over the Danube and the Sava. There is so much to see and experience here. Among other things, the only preserved Turkish bath from the early 19th century. And, speaking of Turkish. The cuisine of Serbia is so interesting because the meat dishes are Turkish and Hungarian and the pastries are Austrian-Bohemian. It exudes its scent especially in Knez Mihailo Street with its numerous cafés and restaurants.

It is one of the oldest Hungarian cities and its approximately 17,000 inhabitants are proud of their history and traditions. You can see, for example, the 200-year-old “House of Folk Art” with its colourful floral murals by local artisans. These motifs can also be found on plates, furniture, and other household objects. Kalosca is famous for the paprika that is hung and dried everywhere. Paprika is the emblem of Hungary and the main business of the Kalosca region.

Lyon is the destination for fine food fans. 2000 years of rich history. Musée des Beaux-Arts. The old town with cobblestone streets. The Basilica Notre-Dame and a magnificent view over the city and the countryside. Silk painting in the smart working-class district of La Croix-Rousse. The gourmet temple of Les Halles de Lyon de Paul Bocuse. The finest cuisine in the region’s typical “Bouchon” style. So much sensuality. So much pleasure.

Marc Seguin’s most beautiful suspension bridge spans the Rhône between Tournon and the neighbouring village of Tain-l’Hermitage. Tournon is France “in miniature”: With a castle, a stunning museum dedicated to the history of the Counts of Tournon, maritime navigation and the works of Seguin. And a botanical garden, all very secluded! Don’t miss the exhibition at the historic chocolate factory in Tain-l’Hermitage, very delicious!

This city is a jewel for people interested in both yesterday and today. Vienne is a small town, but already boasted 30,000 inhabitants in the 2nd century. Trade and steam navigation brought an upswing in the 19th century. And what can you expect to see? Definitely the Archaeological Museum, the St-Romain-en-Gal museum complex with the “House of the Ocean Gods” and the remains of the former thermal baths. And afterwards, it’s best to sit down in a café and enjoy the present.

No other city between Constance and Rotterdam has integrated the Rhine into its city life as grandly as Basel. Pretty art nouveau baths have been installed in the river, there are small restaurants and pubs and bars on its banks, pop concerts are held here, and the residents are all too happy to plunge into the waters for a swim. Another detail not to be missed in Basel is probably the most beautiful museum in Switzerland, perhaps even in the whole of Europe: The Fondation Beyeler, whose transparent building was designed by Renzo Piano. The best thing to do in the old town is just to drift along, and then at some point you will automatically come across the red cantonal town hall or the stately guild houses on Barfüsserplatz, which got its name from the “Barfüssler” monks.

Not too many towns have such a lofty landmark as Breisach: the enormous cathedral with Romanesque and Gothic elements is enthroned on the 70-metre-high Münsterberg. A magical work of art can truly be marvelled at there: The high altar from 1525, hand-carved and positioned right at the centre, depicts the coronation of Mary. Just around the corner from the cathedral is a large black marble bull – the work of the artist Helmut Lotz. From the cathedral, the view all around is also worth taking in: to the west into Alsace, to the north-east to the Kaiserstuhl, to the south to the Eckartsberg with the remains of a fortress, to the east to the southern Black Forest. It is only a stone’s throw from Breisach to Furtwangen. There, the German Watch Museum boasts 8,000 exhibits from all over the world. 1,000 are on show. Super exciting stuff.

Can office buildings dance? In Düsseldorf, the answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. The architect Frank O. Gehry designed it – its model must have been the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They are located in the city’s famous “Medienhafen” quarter, where other international architects have also immortalised themselves in style between quay walls and railway tracks. Definitely worth a visit. Just like the house where Heinrich Heine was born in the old town, the Hofgarten and right next to it the K20 art collection: Klee, Picasso, Matisse and Andy Warhol, all there! And if you want to let the art reverberate a little longer, take a stroll through one of Düsseldorf’s many green parks.

Is this place still haunted? At the very least, it is downright mysterious. Footsteps echo in the dark walls, and creepy torture instruments lie resting in the “Executioner’s Cabinet”. Welcome to the “Grafenburg” or the “Count’s Castle”, built in 1180 by Count Philip of Alsace in Ghent. It is located in the middle of the city – and anyone who sets out on the journey with the audio guide will be amazed – and will laugh at the same time. The story is told by a Flemish comedian. And that is just one experience of many in Ghent, with its hundreds of medieval buildings, a city that is also highly modern. Young top chefs surprise visitors with unusual creations, young artists exhibit in galleries. And if you like antiques, Ghent is also the place to be. A sophisticated lighting concept transforms the city at night into a fairytale setting beyond compare.

This village in South Holland is so Instagrammable. And it is because of its numerous mills. To be precise, there are 19 of them – they make every photo an eye-catcher, but they were built to pump the water out of the polders and make the soil usable for agriculture. UNESCO has placed it on the World Heritage List. Entire books are filled with legends about the origin of the word “Kinderdijk”, which means children’s dike. One says that a child survived the devastating flood of 1421 and was washed up in a cradle on the dike. The small village of Kinderdijk has about 600 inhabitants.

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!

Rotterdam, yes, is a cool port city, trendy and hip and known for its art scene, a chic shopping city and, above all, it is famous for its modern architecture. And the contrasts: There are the historic buildings like the Witte Huis (from 1898) in Art Nouveau style, there are cube houses built on stilts (from 1984) and there are also the imposing skyscrapers. Architects like Renzo Piano and Norman Foster have designed the spectacular (and renovated the historic) in a modern way.

How it sings and laughs. Ah yes, the carnival. But Mainz also has its pleasantly sober sides. The imposing town hall made of natural stone is a statement. Large louvres keep the sun – and the sweat – off the officers. It was built in the 1970s by the world-famous architect Arne Jacobsen. And another exciting detail for architecture fans and those interested in the city’s history is also the new synagogue. Playful shapes, straight lines, green glazed ceramics on the façade. Highly modern – a visible sign of a Jewish community that looks back on a 1000-year history in Mainz. A highlight for river cruisers is also the Museum of Ancient Navigation. It is located in a listed locomotive hall and shows exciting models and constructions – from canoes to battleships. Now a stroll through the large weekly market, a chat with vintners who also sell there – and there it is again: the cheerfulness so prevalent in Mainz.

If the dream of a Dutch town were built in America, cute and charming and with historic facades, a small fine peaceful world, it would look like Middelburg. And it’s real. And really full of character. Here you stroll through the alleys, marvelling at the incredible number and beauty of the national monuments – there are said to be over 1000 of them – and hopefully not missing the information boards with the 3D code: Suddenly, the images of the village appear as they did centuries ago. You should enjoy a snack at the markets that can be found regularly in Middelburg. And enjoy the hours in this Dutch idyll.

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.

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 surrounded by half-timbered buildings with colourful decorative glass from the 12th century and one of the highest church towers in the world (142 metres). Or the lock bridge (17th century) can be described without exaggeration as a grandiose work of art by the 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 afterwards to really take in the beauty: There are cosy bistros in the former Gerber quarter.

Quelle surprise! The beauty of Chalon-sur-Saône begins right at Quai Gambetta, where the boat docks. Walk upstream and discover this pretty town, where Julius Caesar left his mark, and whose museum focuses on the invention of photography. In Chalon-sur-Saône, you can see pretty half-timbered houses and façades in an Art Nouveau style. The Théâtre Piccolo was modelled on the royal opera in Versailles.

With colourful old town houses and the old church of St. Vincent, with vineyards and meadows, Mâcon is a charming little town. If you walk through the city and come to Place aux Herbes, you should stop in front of the Maison de Bois wooden house. While looking at the façade, you will discover magical grotesques and mythical creatures. Incidentally, the French international footballer Antoine Griezmann was born in Mâcon.

Should you visit a city that is not so exciting or worth seeing? Certainly not. But a stop in Arnhem is still worthwhile. That’s because there are two exceptional museums very close by. One is the Holland Experience Museum. In a 44-hectare park, there are around 100 historic buildings from different eras. Their history is truly tangible. You’ll find yourself surrounded by various gardens with cultivated plants, medicinal plants, forgotten vegetables and much more. A place to marvel. And to relax at the same time. And you will be no less amazed by the collection of modern art in the Kröller-Müller Museum: Van Gogh, Renoir, Manet, Gris, Mondrian – simply world class. The museum is in the Hoge Veluwe National Park, through which you can cycle on (free) white bicycles.

So beautiful. So tranquil. Yes, the town of Tournus is almost idyllic. The old town is cosy, and you should definitely see the former abbey with the façade of the massive Saint Philibert church – the oldest preserved large Romanesque building in France. A variety of vault shapes makes it particularly exciting. Another exciting detail is also the Hôtel-Dieu – a former hospital with fully preserved historical furnishings and a hospital pharmacy from the 17th century.