Storybook Rivers: Rhine & Main

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!

A historic city in the eastern Netherlands, Arnhem is known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and scenic location along the Rhine River. Must-see sites for WWII enthusiasts include the John Frost Bridge, Eusebius Church, and the Museum Arnhem. The city is also home to the Netherlands Open Air Museum, a showcase of regional cultural history, and an assortment of wonderful hiking and biking trails through the nearby forests and hills.

The electric atmosphere of 2,000-year-old Cologne is undeniable. Its strategic location on the Rhine quickly elevated the city as a vital trade center that grew into a hub of industry by the 19th century. Even plagues and wars couldn't damper Cologne's tenacious spirit. During WWII, nearly 90% of the city center was destroyed, but a massive rebuilding effort restored much of its cultural heritage, including its famous Gothic cathedral. Highlights include the four preserved gates in the city wall, and Kölsch—the beer that’s been brewed here since the 17th century!

A highlight passage through the enchanting Rhine Valley features a tapestry of charming villages and lush hillside vineyards bearing fruit for some of Germany’s most popular wines. Here, medieval castles and fortresses (more than three dozen in total) appear around nearly every bend—sometimes, right in the middle of the river—and fantastical lore from eons past takes shape in unusual rock formations, like the mythical Lorelei with its tragic tale.

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.

Miltenberg boasts some of Germany’s finest half-timbered architecture. Enter through Schwertfeger Gate to a lively market square framed by pink sandstone façades. Overlooking the town is Mildenburg Castle, while Hotel zum Riesen, one of Germany’s oldest inns, recalls both historic witch trials and centuries of hospitality. The town is also known for its Bavarian wines, beers, hearty game, sausage, and breads.

Bavarian Würzburg has layers of history. Magnificent Marienberg Fortress, for example, stands on a Roman fort and a 3,000-year-old Bronze Age castle. The first church where Würzburg Cathedral now stands was built as early as 788. During WWII, nearly 90% of the city was destroyed in a British air raid, but efforts later transformed the rubble into accurate restorations. Highlights include the Würzburg Residenz, one of Europe's most magnificent palaces; Marienberg Fortress; the statue-lined Old Main Bridge; and the Käppele pilgrimage site on Marienberg hill.

One of Germany's true masterpieces, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bamberg dates back to the 9th century, extending over seven church-capped hills. A lovely medieval Old Town features a grand, four-towered cathedral, founded in 1004; fishermen's huts lining the canal in the Little Venice district; and the unusual Old Town Hall, built in the middle of the river by residents in 1386 when the bishop refused to grant land for its construction! Bamberg is also famous for its signature smoked beer, brewed locally for centuries and part of the town's cultural heritage!

Nuremberg combines Old World beauty with a complex past. Surrounded by 14th-century walls, its Old Town is filled with landmarks such as the fortified Königstor gate, Nuremberg Castle, and the 12th-century Church of St. Sebald. Yet the city is equally known for its 20th-century history: once a major center of Nazi power, it later became the stage for the Nuremberg Trials, where leading war criminals were brought to justice. Today, the Beautiful Fountain still draws attention at the city’s heart, its brass rings said to bring good fortune to those who spin them.