Vines, Wines & Castles of the Rhine, Moselle & Main

Proud international hub of business and finance, Düsseldorf is ranked the sixth-most-livable city in the world, but it wasn't always this way. It started as the marshland home of Germanic tribes before small farming and fishing settlements began cropping up in the 7th century. Today's highlights include the harbor, Gothic St. Lambertus Church with its twisted tower, the palace tower, and Germany's oldest inland navigation museum. Meanwhile, the 200-year Altbier tradition makes a taste of the copper-colored brew feel like sipping a piece of history.

Koblenz, founded by the Romans as Confluentes (‘confluence of two rivers’), lies at the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle. Its strategic position made it both a thriving trade hub and the site of frequent battles, prompting the construction of strong medieval fortifications that can still be seen today. Visitors are drawn to its river scenery, the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the Deutsches Eck monument, and the charming Old Town with its half-timbered houses

With just 5,000 residents, Cochem could easily be mistaken for a sleepy village, but this Moselle gem is full of surprises! From the ancient gate and old watchtower to the market square lined with half-timber houses, there's something to see in every direction! There's plenty of scenic beauty during riverbank strolls and vineyard hikes. Highlights include the hilltop castle dating back to 1000 AD and the chance to sample the red Moselle vineyard peach, the juicy "Persian apple" the Romans brought to the area in ancient times!

Lying on the east bank of the Moselle River, Bernkastel charms with its striking half-timbered homes lining the medieval Market Square. Here, the narrow Spitzhäuschen (Pointed House) commands attention, as well as St. Michael's Fountain, which flows with wine during the annual fall wine fest; and Graach Gate, the only town gate still standing. For oenophiles, there is no shortage of local wineries—including the extremely steep vineyards of the Bernkasteler Doktor. The legend of just how the historic vineyard earned its doctor's degree is truly fascinating!

Wine or the Romans—which shaped Trier more? The answer is both. The Romans introduced viticulture to the Moselle Valley around 30 BC and left enduring landmarks like the Porta Nigra, a massive sandstone gate and the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, along with the amphitheater, baths, and Germany’s oldest bridge. Later centuries added the grand cathedral and baroque Electoral Palace, giving Trier a rich blend of Roman heritage, medieval power, and wine culture that still defines the city today

Deep in the heart of the Rhine Gorge is the romantic wine village of Rüdesheim, one of the river's most popular ports. Home to some of Germany's finest vineyards, Rüdesheim is particularly famous for its Riesling, as well as its signature coffee made with German brandy, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings. Highlight attractions include the cable car up to the Niederwald Monument, which commemorates the unification of Germany in 1871, and the atmospheric Drosselgasse, lined with gorgeous Old World architecture, boutiques, and countless cozy wine taverns.

Mainhattan—it's a nickname that Frankfurt am Main has earned as home to more than 300 international credit institutions, the European Central Bank, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. But today's bustling city has humble roots reaching back over 2,000 years, and a turbulent fate during WWII that saw bombing of much of its historic architecture. Post-war, Frankfurt rebuilt and is now a blend of modern skyscrapers and rebuilt treasures.