Inspiring Rhine & Moselle

Capital of the Netherlands, the magical Venice of the North is famous for its dazzling Golden Age of power and wealth during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, it is a bustling wonderland of things to see and do. No visit is complete without a cruise along the intricate network of more than 62 miles (100 km) of canals and time with the Dutch masters at the renowned Rijksmuseum. Other highlights include the Royal Palace, Anne Frank House, lavish 17th-century canal homes, Heineken Beer Experience, and the infamous red-light district!

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

Located in the Valley of Dawn is Traben-Trarbach, the Jewel of the beautiful Moselle! Known for its tranquil beauty and golden-glow sunrises, Traben-Trarbach was once Europe's second-largest marketplace for wine trading. Today, its vineyards and underground wine cellars give a glimpse into that past, offering exceptional opportunities for tastings and tours. Other highlights include a wealth of Old World architectural treasures, like Grevenburg Castle; the iconic Brückentor; the Mittelmosel Museum; and Mont Royal, a large Louix XIV-era fort.

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