Cruising the Rhine Valley, Germany
Once the country’s principal trade and transport routes, Germany’s rivers and canal-ways are a long-established network traversing the length and breadth of the country — and there’s no more atmospheric way to discover the German countryside than sailing through its heart. From UNESCO-listed cities to cliff-top medieval castles and riverside Christmas markets twinkling with fairy lights, Germany’s best river cruises will take you to some of the country’s most breathtaking destinations. Not sure where to go first? Read on…
Rhine River
Arguably the most famous of Germany’s rivers, the romantic Rhine is a top choice for a river cruise, flowing all the way from the Swiss Alps to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The main highlight of the Rhine region is the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Valley between Bonn and Mainz, an undeniably picturesque region with medieval towns like Rudesheim and Koblenz flanked by mountaintop castles and rolling vineyards. Start your cruise with a tour of historic Cologne and its world-famous cathedral; pass sights like the landmark Lorelei Rock, Burg Katz and Marksburg castle; discover the wineries of the Moselle valley on a side-trip from Koblenz; then continue to the university town of Heidelberg with its legendary castle.
There are a number of options for cruising along the Rhine, with most tours starting out in Cologne, Mainz or nearby Frankfurt. As well as week-long cruises to Amsterdam or Basel in Switzerland, it’s also possible to explore the top sights of the Rhine Valley on a day tour or purchase a KD Rhine Pass, allowing access to hop-on hop-off ferries along the Rhine Valley.
The busiest time to cruise the Rhine is during the summer, and for a truly unforgettable experience, join the dazzling boat processions held as part of the spectacular Rhine in Flames festival, when the entire Rhine valley is lit up with lightshows and firework displays. Equally magical is Christmastime on the Rhine, with destinations like Mainz, Koblenz, Düsseldorf and Cologne hosting traditional Christmas markets, a kaleidoscope of colourful lights brightening up the waterfront and special Christmas cruises featuring festive menus and on-board Christmas carols.
Cruising through Cochem on the Moselle River. Photo courtesy of Random_fotos via Flickr.
Moselle River
Running through France, Luxembourg and Germany, the Moselle river meets with the Rhine at Koblenz and combining a Rhine River and Moselle River tour is a popular option for those taking in the sights of the UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley. At the heart of one of Germany’s most important wine regions, cruising through the Mosel Valley is a paradise for wine lovers, with ample opportunities to explore the local wineries and sample the region’s famed Riesling wines. Additional highlights of the Mosel Valley include the medieval Burg Eltz castle and Cochem Castle overlooking the lively town of Cochem; the ancient town of Trier, famous for its grand Roman gateway and grand market square; and the riverside Moselle Cycle Route.
The best time to cruise along the Moselle river is between May and September, when the vineyards are all open to visitors and a number of wine harvest festivals are held along the valley, like the August Weinfest der Mittelmosel in Bernkastel-Kues and Germany’s oldest wine festival in Winningen.
Christmas cruise through Cologne
Danube River
Originating in Germany’s idyllic Black Forest region, the mighty Danube River runs for an incredible 2,872 kilometers, passing through 10 countries and four capital cities, before reaching the Black Sea on the eastern coast of Romania. Most travelers opt for a Danube River Cruise from Budapest, Hungary, from where it takes an average of eight days to reach Nuremberg, Germany, passing through the Austrian capital of Vienna and the wine-growing region of Wachau Valley, before crossing the German border at Passau.
Top attractions along the Danube’s German shores include Passau, where the merging of three rivers – the Ilz, the Danube and the Inn – is a striking sight, and the Old Town is crammed with Gothic and Baroque architecture. Next up, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Regensburg is a charming example of a medieval town located on Bavaria’s famous Romantic Road and boasts landmark buildings like the Roman Porta Praetoria Palace, the Herzogshof palace and the Dome St Peter cathedral, as well as Germany’s oldest sausage restaurant, Alte Wurstküche. From here, the Danube splits into two, with one branch heading to Nuremberg and joining the Main-Danube canal, and the other heading to Ulm, Donauwörth and the Black Forest region.
The best time for a Danube river cruise is during the summer months, when you can make the most of the scenery with a hiking expedition in the Black Forest or a side-trip from Nuremburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or during the holiday season, when Christmas markets are held in many of the towns and cities en route.
Cruising through Dresden on the Elbe River
Elbe River
Despite flowing the width of the country from Hamburg to Dresden, and continuing over the Czech border into Prague, the Elbe River still remains one of Germany’s less-traveled water ways, making it an ideal choice to escape the crowds of the south.
A week-long cruise from Hamburg to Dresden starts off at Germany’s biggest and most important port city, where you’ll cruise through the famous Hamburg Harbor City and Altes Land, Europe’s largest fruit-growing region, before stopping off to admire the impressive defensive towers of Tangermünde. Further downstream is the historic town of Magdeburg, once home to Roman Emperor Otto I, from where it’s possible to take a detour to Potsdam or Berlin, and nearby Wittenburg, renowned for its UNESCO-listed town square. Before you get to Dresden, take a side trip to the infamous Colditz Castle or the palatial Schwerin Castle, and discover the celebrated porcelain factory of Meissen. Finally, arrive in Dresden, one of Eastern Germany’s most thriving cultural centers, where you can admire the timeless buildings of Dresden’s Baroque Quarter or time your visit for the festive season, when the city hosts Germany’s oldest Christmas market.
