Breisach, Germany is a small little town on the banks of the Rhine just a short distance from Basel, Switzerland and across the river from France. Surrounding this little town are rolling vineyards and the Black Forest. Inside the town you will find an old-world charm in the pastel-hued buildings and cobbled streets. You would never know that this town was almost totally destroyed in WWII. Even though it is small, Breisach, Germany will be a delightful stop on your river cruise if you decide to go out and explore or just stick around the town.
Your river cruise will have an included excursion that might take you out of Breisach to explore other fascinating nearby towns. You might have the opportunity to take a bus further into the Black Forest to Hofgut Sternen (a Black Forest resort village) for a chance to taste their famous Black Forest Cake, Ham or enjoy the Cuckoo clocks. Or, if you want to be a little more active you might opt for a bike ride or hike into the Black Forest. But, what if you want to stay and explore the town of Breisach. What is there to do?
In Breisach
Tourist Office
The tourist office is a wealth of information for touring the town. They will be able to provide you with walking tour maps to see the sights. Plus they will have great suggestions of where to eat and shop.
Breisach Cathedral–St. Stephen’s Church
This beautiful church (built in the 1200s) overlooking the town is one of the main attractions. It is a bit of an invigorating walk to get up to the church but the views will be well worth the effort. Along the path, boards are posted that will give you even more information about Breisach’s history, interesting facts, and historical places. Once at the top you will love the Romanesque-Gothic architecture outside and in as well as the impressive art.
Rheintor–Rhine Gate
The Rheintor was built in 1678 and is one of the most beautiful preserved fortress gates in Europe. Inside you will find the home of the Museum of City History. Exhibits start way back in the Stone Age in which Breisach was inhabited by the Romans. During your tour of the museum you will experience Breisach from the 1st century through all of history up until the destruction of the town in 1945. You will love seeing all the actual artifacts from the different time periods and how they have worked to bring the history of their town alive.
Wine Tasting and Celler Tours
Breisach is surrounded by vineyards which produce many delicious wines as well as the further areas of the Rhine Valley. You will fine upwards of 600 different wines in this area. So, time experiencing this part of German culture will be time well spent. While in Breisach, you might want to take a tour of the underground cellars of the Geldermann Private Winery (Geldermann Privatsektkelleri) or the Badonian Winery (Badischen Winzerkeller) and then taste some of their wonderful wines. (Make sure to check the website to verify tours have resumed.) Badischen Winzerkeller is right next to the Tourist office.
I hope that you are inspired by this little town of Breisach, Germany. It will be a fun place to spend a few hours exploring during your river cruise adventure.
If you would like to learn more about a river cruise that visits Breisach, Germany and the Black Forest, please contact me. I would love to help you get on the perfect river cruise!
One of the reasons to sail down the Rhine or Danube rivers on a Christmas Market cruise is to visit the Christmas Markets in each town along the way. Each city and town has at least one market for visitors some have many more. They all have their own style, and character. They also all have delicious food to eat and drink.
Since the Christmas Market season is in the winter, as you can assume, walking through the markets can be slightly chilly. You might want a hot drink in your hands to warm you from the inside out. Mulled Wine just might hit the spot. In Germany, this wonderfully warm concoction is called Gluhwein. In Germany, Gluhwein is one of the tastes of Christmas!
What is Gluhwein?
Gluhwein is made up of simmering red wine with spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamon, etc.), fruit (orange or lemon) and sugar. There are many, many different recipes for Gluhwein and you will get a taste of those differences in each town.
Gluhwein also makes a fantastic souvenir. When you purchase a mug of warm Gluhwein you will pay a deposit for the mug. After you finish your drink you can return the mug and get your deposit or keep the mug as a souvenir. Each market will have a different style of mug. When you are back home you can make a batch of Gluhwein and you will be transported back to the market drinking from the mugs. You can also purchase bottles to bring home with you. Definitely a fun and delicious to remember Germany and Gluhwein, the taste of Christmas!
Have you tried Gluhwein in Germany. Did it taste like Christmas to you? If you haven’t tried it before will you be hunting for the Gluhwein booth when you visit the Christmas markets? Let me know what you think of this drink in the comments below.
Rüdesheim, Germany draws many visitors with its charm, history, and architecture. Even though this town gets pretty busy during their tourist season (April-October) you will still have a wonderful visit. Amazingly, there is room for everyone.
In this post, you read about some of the interesting things to see and do in this little town. And, I mentioned that a future post would focus on what the region is so famous for–wine and coffee with a kick. Today is that day! Without further adieu, let’s learn more about Rüdesheim, Germany, a region famous for its wine and coffee with a kick!
Types of Wine Produced in Rüdesheim, Germany
Rüdesheim sits along the Rhine River in a region called the Rheingau. The perfect climate, consistent sunlight, assortment of soils, and the situation of the hills all work together to produce delicious wine varieties. Astonishingly, due to these factors, the taste of the wines vary from winery to winery. There are more than 350 different wine-growing business in the Rheingau region. This is truly a fantastic opportunity for wine tasting.
Riesling
Riesling is the most common variety of wine that comes from this region. This type of wine make for around 80% of what is produced. The climate allows for a very long ripening time for the grapes. They really get a chance to soak up all the good flavors from the sun and soil. This results in exceptional fruit and body in these wines.
If you want to visit this region during harvest season you will want to be there after October 15th and even into November. This is technically the off season for this area. But, if you are wanting to visit via a river cruise, this is the perfect time for a Wine Cruise!
Spätburgunder or Pinot Noir
The black Spätburgunder grapes grow mostly just around the river bend from Rüdesheim in Assmannshausen. The first mention of these grapes comes from 1318 but the production of the wind really seems to have begun in 1507. What an amazing history!
The red wines coming from this region are definitely some of the best from Germany. They are thought to be a bit lighter and smoother than the richer and fuller-bodied varieties from France. You will enjoy the Spätburgunder’s restrained, delicate flavor, with a lovely level of acidity that can be stored for future enjoyment. Sometimes these grapes are used to create a delicious, rich, and refreshing Weißherbst (rosé).
Wine Festivals in Rüdesheim, Germany
Summer of Riesling
During this festival, held the third week of August, Rüdesheim’s town square transforms into a festive tasting atmosphere with tables all over ready for guests. Wine vendors are spread throughout the square with a selection of wines to sample. You will also find plenty of food vendors to accompany your glass of wine.
This is a relaxed festival during the day. It is not a “wild and crazy” event but it does get a little more vivacious toward the evening.
Make sure you bring plenty of Euros. When you purchase a glass of wine you will also have to give a deposit for the glass and the wooden tray. You will get your deposit back when you bring back the glass and tray but you will have to initially have enough for all.
Assmannshausen in Red
This one day festival in either May or June celebrates the red wine that this region knows and loves. Assmannshausen is just around the bend from Rüdesheim. There is a Cable Car in Rüdesheim that goes up the hillside and connects to a chairlift running to Assmannshausen. Join the local residents to enjoy the historic taverns throughout the village. During the festival, you will find local foods, live music, and the creative wine songs of the Rhine.
Festival of New Wine
Held in the fall, the Festival of New Wine–“Tage des Federweissen,” is the final festival of the wine-growing season. This festival gives the winemakers a chance to showcase their young, slightly fermented wines. Federweißer is a sparkling wine that is fresh, slightly sweet, and reminiscent of grape-flavored lemonade. Drink this in moderation! The sweetness masks the alcohol content and you will feel the effects a little bit later. Along with the wine you will enjoy local foods (especially the traditional onion pie called Zwibbelkuche) and live music.
Wine Museum in Rüdesheim, Germany
As you can imagine, this region is very proud of their vineyards, grapes and wines. The rich history has been preserved and displayed in many different museums in the area. In Rüdesheim one of the popular museums is found in the Brömserburg Castle.
Rheingau Wine Museum
Brömserburg Castle date back approximately 1000 years and is one of the oldest in the Middle Rhine region. Originally it was built for the archbishops of Mainz but since 1941 it has been a Rheingau Wine Museum. In this museum, visitors will learn about wine production in the Rheingau region through more than 2000 exhibits.
The exhibits will educate guests about the history of winemaking and then bring them forward into modern production methods.
Rüdesheimer Coffee: Coffee with a Kick
Enough about wine! Let’s move on to the other famous beverage from Rüdesheim–Rüdesheimer Coffee.
Asbach Brandy
The secret ingredient in Rüdesheimer Coffee is Asbach brandy. This brandy is specially made in Rüdesheim. To make the brandy they start by carefully selecting base wines. These special wines go through a secret maturing and refining process to produce the quality Asbach is known for. Brandy lovers should definitely not miss the Asbach visitors’ center or taking a tour (reservations required).
Coffee and Liqueur Unite
The addition of Asbach Brandy makes Rüdesheimer Coffee what it is: coffee with a kick! But don’t think that you can just pour a little brandy into your coffee and produce the same results. No, of course not! Rüdesheimer Coffee takes special care and ingredients to get just the right flavor.
Check out this recipe here if you would like to re-savor your trip to Rüdesheim or just up your coffee game. Although, true Rüdesheimer Coffee must come in one of the specially crafted mugs. Guess you will have to visit Germany in order to make a true cup at home.
Have you tried any of the wine or Rüdesheimer Coffee from this Rüdesheim, Germany? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
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Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany is an idyllic German town set on the banks of the Rhine River. This city has so much to offer with its beautiful vineyards, rich culture, and history. Even though Rüdesheim is fairly touristy there are so many sights to see and it is a lot of fun. Let’s get to know Rüdesheim, Germany.
Rüdesheim sits on the Upper Middle Rhine Vally as a kind of gateway. This part of the Rhine river is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical significance and beauty.
As you walk through Rüdesheim, you will enjoy the authentic German feel of the old town with the half-timbered houses and castles. The busyness of the town certainly doesn’t detract from this charming town and is definitely worth a visit!
The best time to visit Rudesheim is between April and October so that as many places as possible are open. The other popular time is for the Christmas Markets in November and December.
Now, on to the best sights in Rüdesheim, Germany!
The Sites of Rüdesheim, Germany
An excellen way to visit Rüdesheim is on a river cruise. As a part of a river cruise you will have a few tour options to introduce you to the town. Some of the sites below will probably be included in the tours offered. But, if you have visited before or want to take your time, you might want to head out on your own to explore the sights of Rüdesheim, Germany!
Note to Wine Lovers–Wine is a huge focus of this region and home to some fabulous wines. But, this will be covered in another post. So, stay tuned!
In the 15th century Drosselgasse was the home for sailors due to its close proximity to the Rhine. Boat-owners would easily be able to haul up their equipment and goods home. Nowdays, this skinny, 2m wide alley is known for its quaintness and a heart of the old town. Along the Drosselgasse’s cobbled streets you will find historic, half timber houses, historic buildings, restaurants, bars, and shops. This area is the perfect place to enjoy regional dishes and, of course, the wine. This street is also where you would head when in search of night life as this is where some of the city’s best entertainment is.
If you are searching for charming German streets, don’t limit yourself to just the Drosselgasse. There are quite a few adjoining streets that would also be very interesting and charming.
Siegfried’s Mechanisches Musikkabinett
Truly a unique experience! Sigfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet houses one of the largest collections of self-playing instruments in the world. Enjoy the sights and sounds of all things musical and mechanical from the fragile music boxes to the gigantic piano-orchestrion. The collection of automated dolls in a band and the violins will surely amaze you.
This quirky museum is sure to delight guests of all ages. But, plan ahead because you must have a guided tour in order to see the music come to life.
Rüdesheim Cable Car
The Cable Car up the hill will provide one of the most breathtaking views of the Rhine Valley. At the top, you can not only overlook the valley, Rüdesheim, and the Rhine but you can also visit the Niederwald Monument. Also from here, you can visit the Neiderwaldtempel, a classic 7-column temple with a rotunda. And you can walk to the chairlift that will take you all the way to the neighboring village of Assmannshausen. You could even visit Neiderwald castle.
The enormous Neiderwald (or Germania) Monument was erected in the 19th century to remember the unification of Germany into a single nation.
When you head back to Rudesheim you can either take the Cable Car back down or you can walk the 2 Kilometers through the vinyards.
This is definitely one of the best sights in Rüdesheim, Germany!
Abbey of St. Hildegard
The Benedictine Abbey of St Hildegard sits on the hill above Rüdesheim. As you can imagine, this is another location with stunning views of the Middle Rhine Valley. The monastery was built in the early 20th century but the nuns are part of an order that originated during the 1100s. The building has a Romanesque style along with beautiful frescoes and architectural details.
The nuns run the vineyard and produce delicious wines. You can sample some of their wines in and other products in the abbey’s shop.
Services are held during the week that visitors are welcome to attend. They also provide opportunities to learn more about St. Hildegard. You can also hear them sing vespers in the evening and concerts at the Rheingau Music festival in the summer.
Have you visited Rüdesheim, Germany? Are there sights in Rüdesheim, Germany that you think are must-see sights?
If you haven’t had the opportunity to see Rüdesheim is it a place on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!
Nuremberg, Germany has a long, robust, 950-year history. It is a marvelous city to visit on a river cruise or for a few days. There are so many things that you can choose to do and see in Nuremberg you could become a little overwhelmed. Since the stories of history are so important to remember, this first post about Nuremberg will focus on the monumental WWII historic places you can visit during your day. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get started learning about the places that you can visit to remember WWII history in Nuremberg, Germany.
The links below have some great historical information and are very interesting to read if you enjoy that sort of thing. ( I sure do!)
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds
Congress Hall–Houses the Documentation Center of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds
In 1933, Adolf Hitler declared that Nuremberg, Germany should be the “City of the Nazi Party Rallies,” so plans were made and construction was begun. Even though these buildings were not ever finished this area stands as a remembrance to this dark time in German history that is not to be forgotten.
The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände) is one of the most important museums in Germany dedicated to remembering the Nazi regime. The rally grounds is an absolutely enormous area. The parade grounds alone were designed to hold 200,000. Now, in one wing of the unfinished Congress Hall (designed to seat 50,000), you will find the main exhibit called “Fascination and Terror.” This exhibit chronicles the rise of the Nazi Party, Nazi rallies, racism, anti-Semitism, the German resistance, and the Nuremberg Trials.
Guided tours are available in English if reserved ahead of time. Self-guided tours are also available in English to help you explore this piece of WWII history in Nuremberg, Germany.
Before you visit you might want to watch “The Triumph of the Will,” a propaganda film produced in 1934. The film shows a Nazi Party Rally at the Rally Grounds with over 700,000 attendees, soldiers marching, clips from speeches of prominent Nazi leaders and Adolf Hitler. It isn’t the most exciting film, but it is still very fascinating.
Memorium Nuremberg Trials
Another interesting place to visit for WWII history in Nuremberg, Germany is the Memorium Nuremberg Trials. This exhibit focuses on the war trials conducted by the Allies between 1945 and 1949 that tried Nazi officials for crimes against peace, the rules of war, and humanity. You will find this memorial in Nuremberg’s Place of Justice directly above the courtroom where the trials took place.
If you are lucky you might even get to see the actual courtroom, room 600. Access is limited during the weekdays since it is an active courtroom used today. If you happen to visit the Palace of Justice on a Saturday you can experience an audio tour of the room (in English) bringing this sobering piece of history back to life.
River Cruise Tours
Most river cruise lines will include tours in each city and town you visit. These are generally overview tours that help you get a better understanding of the town. So, while in Nuremberg you most likely have the option of a city tour. Your tour will probably include a visit to the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds and possibly even the Palace of Justice. For some, this quick visit might be enough. But, if you are a history buff (and especially WWII) you will want to plan to come back to this area later in the day to fully take in all the exhibits.
Have you visited this part of Nuremberg, Germany? If not, is it on your list of must-visit places? Let me know in the comments below!
The 1200-year old town of Vilshofen an der Donau is a little-known delight. Vilshofen is situated just 14 miles upriver (just before the Lower Bavarian-Upper Austrian Danube Gorge) from the much more well-known port of Passau. But, even though it is smaller and less touristy, that doesn’t mean that Vilshofen is any less remarkable. In fact, this town is a fantastic place to get to see the real culture of Bavaria. Bavaria without all the touristy hype and fluff. You have the opportunity to shop where the locals shop, eat where the locals eat, and drink where the locals drink. Vilshofen is the perfect port to begin or end your Danube River Cruise!
Vilshofen, wonderful beginning or ending to your Danube River cruise!
Just a couple of cruise lines either begin or end their Danube River cruises at the port in Vilshofen. Due to the relaxed nature of this quaint port, it is a great place for this. If you are beginning your trip it is a nice place to get your sightseeing feet wet. You can spend day or half day wandering around seeing many of the sights and soaking up the flavor of the town. It is also a nice endpoint. Just coming off the ship your brain might be full of all of the breathtaking experiences and sites you have seen. The relaxed atmosphere of Vilshofen will be a restful end.
What to see in Vilshofen before or after your Danube River cruise
Marvel at theflood level measurements since 1826. See this fascinating sign down by the dock.
Stroll down the Stadtplats (Main Street) visiting the local shops, bakery, and gelato serving pizzeria. You know you are on the right street if the Baroque town tower is looming over one end of the street.
Snap a picture with Josef Groll’s statue partway down the Stadtplatz. Originally from Vilshofen, his claim to fame is creating the first golden Pilsner Beer. In 1842, Groll worked as a brewmaster in Czechoslovakia and brewed this world-famous beer still made today.
Savor a pint of Pilsner at the street beer garden. You simply must get a taste of the culture!
Pose with the ‘Knight Alain’ in front of the town hall. During the 13th Century, he was one of the wealthiest noblemen in Vilshofen and Passau.
Visit Schweiklberg Benedictine Abbey. Built-in 1909, this Art Nouveau inspired Abbey, towers above the town like a medieval fortress church. Inside you will find a library with over 40,000 volumes. The abbey promotes mission work in Africa, South America, and Korea and as a result, has an Africa museum on site.
Oktoberfest with AmaWaterways
Only AmaWaterways brings the festivities of Oktoberfest to their guest all year round in Vilshofen. So what if it isn’t actually October. Anytime deserves a celebration with beer and pretzels! Guests enjoy a entertaining evening with quintessential German food, music and dancing. What fun!
How to get to Vilshofen
Purchase transfers from your river cruise line from Munich airport.
Transfers are often included if you purchase air through your river cruise line.
Rent a car (this isn’t really recommended as the train system is so easy).
Do you have a favorite memory of Vilshofen? Would seeing the character and charm of this local Bavarian village be on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!
If you would like more information about river cruises in or out of Vilshofen please contact me! Feel free to use the button above and I will get right back to you.
I know it is only May but if you are considering taking a vacation during the Christmas holidays now is definitely the time to begin planning for Christmas 2020 or 2021. Even though you cannot travel now you definitely can start planning and booking future vacations. Plus, AmaWaterways has a very nice promotion for vacations booked before June 30, 2020.
But first, let’s learn more about the beautiful cities and towns on the Danube River that are part of AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Markets cruise!
Sail the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Markets Cruise
There are a few fantastic Christmas Market Cruise itineraries of AmaWaterways that I could have chosen to share with you today. But I loved the classicness (I just made up a new word 🙂 ) of this one. I guess the “Iconic” in the name says it all! Come with me and learn all about AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market tour on the Danube River as we travel through Hungary, Austria, and Germany.
Map of the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market Cruise
Christmas Traditions to Experience
Part of the treasure of the touring the Christmas markets in Europe is learning about holiday traditions that are so different from the United States. Different fascets of Christmas are important in Europe than they are here.
How Santa differs in Europe
Let’s take Santa Claus for instance. Countries in Europe don’t have the same Santa Claus tradition that we do. They have something similar but yet, very different. There are no chimneys, trips around the world with flying reindeer, or the North Pole. In the Czech Republic and Austria, you will find a similar character to Santa Clause. Austrians call him St. Nicholas and the people of the Czech Republic call him Mikulas. Each country has differing traditions on how he arrives bringing small gifts to children on December 6th with his companion Krampus (who gives coal, onions, or potatoes to the naughty children). Traditionally, the real gift-giver, Baby Jesus, (Christkindl in Austria and Jezisek in the Czech Republic) comes on the 24th.
Christmas Markets
As you travel down the Danube River from town to town you are delighted by the different traditions you come across, the food, decorations, music, and of course, the Christmas Markets! During the holidays, from early/mid-November to late December, these wonderful outdoor markets come alive. Some cities even have quite a few options. As you wander throughout, from booth to booth, enjoy the smells, sounds, and sights of the season.
Special Traditions Onboard
Of the boat is not the only place you will get to experience some holiday traditions. The AmaWaterways staff wants to create the most magical holiday possible. A couple of activities you might get to participate in are:
If you choose to join the included “Queen of the Danube” tour you will be treated to the best of what Budapest has to offer. You will visit Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square, and the Great Market Hall. You will see what makes gives Budapest its name by visiting the Buda (hilly) side and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. And since this is a Christmas Market cruise you will be given some time to wander through the oldest and most spectacular market in Budapest, Vörösmarty Square. This tour will give you a great overview of the city. It might even spark some desire to head back someday for a longer stay.
On your own in Budapest
If you would like to venture out on your own don’t miss some of these iconic sights:
Vörösmarty Christmas Market in Vörösmarty Square.
Chain Bridge near Buda Castle. It is gorgeous lit up at night. The current bridge is an exact replica of the bridge from 1849 that was destroyed during WWII.
Castle Hill–Home to Buda Castle, Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, and National Széchényi Library. This historic quarter is also home to Sandor Palace (official residence of President of Hungary), Hungarian National Archives, and the beautiful Gothic Matthias Church. Tunnels and caves underneath are for the adventurous. You could spend a whole day just on Castle Hill!
Buda Castle Funicular–A tram ride up the hill. You must have tickets before you go and they can only be purchased at select Budapestinfo Offices.
Hungarian Parliament--The third largest in the world and modeled after the Parliament in London
St. Stephens Basilica–One of the most important ecclesiastical buildings in Hungary and a major attraction. It can seat up to 8000 people.
Dohany Street Synagogue–Tied with Amsterdam Synagogue as the largest in the world
Andrassy Avenue ending in Heroes’ Square, the gateway to City Park.
Sczechenyi Thermal Bath and Swimming Pools–It is one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe with 21 pools. Wow!
Margaret Island–Otherwise know as “Budapest’s Central Park”
Oh my goodness! There is so much to see and do in Budapest. Way more than a day so it is a wonderful thing you are staying overnight in Budapest. The nice thing about a river cruise is you will get a chance to spend a little time in Budapest and see what you might like to come back later and do. If you are traveling on your own, even for just the day, you might be interested in a Budapest Card. Pay one price and have free admission and discounts for many Budapest attractions.
The next stop on the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market cruise is the breathtaking city of Vienna! What could be more magical than strolling through stall after stall laden with traditionally handcrafted treasures, magnificent aromas of gingerbread, piping hot waffles, and mulled wine and listening to open-air concerts or Mozart as you shop. Start the day with the choice between two different excursions.
Guided Options in Vienna
The “Imperial Vienna” tour–Revel in the beauty of the Vienna Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Hapsburgs and end up in the gorgeous historic city center. Then, off to take in the sights, sounds, and traditions of the Austrian holiday at the Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas market.
A bicycle ride through the city of Vienna taking in the sights at a little slower pace.
During the afternoon you may choose to join the visit to Schonbrunn Palace (former Imperial summer residence) and the magnificent Christmas market. Don’t miss the giant, sparkling Christmas tree.
End the day with Vienna all lit up and shining at the Maria Theresaplatz Christmas market in the heart of the Ringstrasse. Also, visit the illuminated Rathahus, Vienna’s Largest Christmas market.
On your own in Vienna
The day they have planned for you gives you a wonderful taste of Vienna as well as the Christmas markets, the focus of your cruise experience. But, if you want to go out on your own and focus on just a couple of places, here are some suggestions:
Hofburg Palace Complex–And I do mean complex! It is 2.5 million square feet with 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms. Phew! Don’t miss the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum (dedicated to Empress Elizabeth of the late 1800s), and the Silver Collection.
Schonbrunn Palace–The summer residence of the Imperial Hapsburgs. If you are touring both palaces purchase a Sisi ticket to save some money.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral–A gorgeous mishmash of architectural styles. The tile pattern on the roof is astounding!
Museumsquartier–Even though this area looks baroque on the outside, inside the more than 70 museums, galleries, theaters, cafes and restaurants you will discover Vienna’s vibrant contemporary art scene.
City Hall (Wiener Rathaus)–Built in the 1800s in Neo-Gothic style. Located nearby is a fabulous Christmas market.
Melk, Austria is a small, picturesque little town watching over the Danube right where it enter the Wachau Valley. This little town is best know for the impressive Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. The magnificent Baroque monastery is one of the most revered in Europe. The inside is as magnificent as the outside and also houses a famous library with more than 90,000 volumes and rare manuscripts. Touring this beautiful monastery is one tour option for this stop. The other option is a guided bike ride through the Old Town, many building date back to the 1700s.
This lovely laid-back little town surrounded by gorgeous landscapes and countryside will be a wonderful respite from the busyness of Vienna and Budapest.
Day 5–Passau, Germany
Passau, Germany is situated at the confluence of three rivers–the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. This city, which is considered by some to be the most spectacular city on the Danube, has been around for 2000 years. The combination of the gothic and baroque architecture creates a enchanting atmosphere as you walk the cobbled streets.
Guided options in Passau
Your day in Passau will begin with a possibly difficult choice. All of the included tour options are fantastic. Here are your options for your day:
Join the “City of Three Rivers” walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city renowned for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. A stunning centerpiece of the city is St. Stephen’s Cathedral which houses one of the largest organs in the world. After the tour, the rest of the day is for you to explore on your own.
Option two is a full-day excursion to Salzburg, in the Austrian Alps and the birthplace of Mozart, for a walking tour of UNESCO-designated Old Town, spectacular cathedral, and of course, Christmas market. The Hellbrunn Palace inner courtyard is the romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria.
The third option is a guided bicycle adventure along the Danube.
On your own in Passau
If you would like to sightsee on your own you might like:
Veste Oberhaus–A fortress atop the hill built-in 1219 meant to display the power of the Roman Empire. Overlook the city from this high vantage point and also enjoy a bit of history and art in a small museum.
Weihnachtsmarkt–A Christmas Market in the Old Town with the glorious St. Stephens Cathedral in the background.
St Stephens Cathedral–A gorgeous baroque-style cathedral with one of the world’s largest organs. If you are there on a Wednesday or Saturday you can attend an organ concert from Noon-12:30 PM.
Passau Glass Museum–Holds the world’s largest collection of European glass with over 30,000 exhibits spanning many centuries.
New Episcopal Residence (Bishop’s Palace)–Behold the display of riches of Passau when it was the capital of the largest dioceses of the Roman Empire. The Rocco stairway and the frescoes of the gods of Olympus are two special exhibits in the Museum of the Treasure of the Cathedral.
Wander down to the outside wall of City Hall and look back at the levels and years of past floods that have covered the lower parts of the city.
Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities awaits. And it marks another day that begins with a difficult choice of how to spend your day. You will have three excursion options to choose from or go out on your own. Your choices include:
You might want to take a nice overview tour of the city on foot. You will see the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. To cap off the tour you will be able to explore the Old Town Christmas Market.
Today might be a good chance to sample some of Bavaria’s specialties. You don’t want to leave Germany without trying some of the local beer, sausages, or pretzels.
For active travelers, an option for you might be bicycling to the base of Walhalla, a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens that houses the German Hall of Fame.
Later in the afternoon, you will be able to visit one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn und Taxis Palace, a former monastary converted into an opulent palace for a family who earned their fortune in the postal business. This Christmas market is a fascinating place to watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts.
On your own in Regensburg
But, maybe you just want to strike out on your own. Some things that could interest you might be:
Old Stone Bridge–A marvel of engineering built in the 12th century and spanning over 300 meters. This pedestrian bridge was the only bridge across the river until the 1930s. There is an interesting statue to see at the hump of the bridge.
Regensburg Museum of History–Track the cultural history of Regensburg from the Stone Age to the 1800s.
Patrician Towers–In medieval times, to show wealthy families built their home up and not out. Many houses were erected from the competition to show off wealth. The attention-grabbing Goliathhaus has a mural of David and Goliath painted in 1573 on the side (this building has the restaurant David on its upper floor overlooking Regensburg). Fortress-like patrician house, Goldenes Kreuz, lines Haidplatz, the triangular “square” in the middle of Old Town that hosted medieval jousting tournaments. The tallest building at 50m is Goldener Turm and now houses university students.
Porter Praetoria–A 2nd-century rough-hewn stone gate for the northern wall that was absorbed into later buildings.
Altes Rathaus–Regensburg bright yellow 13th century Old Town Hall that has been incorporated into the later baroque new town hall. Much has been left, unchanged from the 14th and 16th centuries.
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the scenic sailing down the Main-Danube canal as you cross the Continental Divide and Nuremberg comes into view. Nuremberg is a lovely town that has weathered many momentous events from the time of the Holy Roman Empire to the 20th century and is the last stop on AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market tour. The Altstadt (Old Town) is still surrounded by walls and is overlooked by a Roman Empire era castle on the north side.
Guided Options in Nuremberg
After docking you have a couple of choices if you wish to join the included excursions.
Take the city tour of WWII highlights then down the cobblestones streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old ramparts. Nuremberg is home to the courthouse which held the Nuremberg Trials to judge Nazi personnel. When court is not in session it is possible to see inside the courthouse.
Option two is a gastronomic delight with Franconian specialties–bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread).
Later in the day, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most famous Christmas Markets.
On your own in Nuremberg
Kaiserburg Castle–Explore the towers, circular staircases, courtyards, courts and deep well bored into the sandstone. The observation deck boasts the best panoramic view of the city.
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds–A congress hall built in the 1930s as part of an unrealized plan for the city. It now houses an exhibition on the Nazi regime.
Nuremberg Trial Memorial–Courtroom 600 of the Justizpalast can be hard to view because it is a currently working courtroom. The top floor of the building has been turned into a museum highlighting the Trials and their impact until today.
German National Museum–An enormous collection of German treasures from its cultural past in over 25,000 exhibits.
Albrecht Dürer’s House–He was possibly Germany’s greatest painter (early 1500s). This 5-story home is the only example in Europe of an artist’s home from this time period. It is one of the few burgher houses left from Nuremberg’s 15th century.
Schöner Brunnen–An amazing 19m Gothic fountain crafted in the late 1300s in the main market square. It resembles a church spire and within is carved many figures representing pilars of the Roman Empire and Church. Truly a marvel to behold. During WWII they wrapped the monument in concrete and in emerged after without a scratch.
City Walls–Take a walk along the city walls for an interesting jaunt through history.
Nuremberg Toy Museum–Just the building, the Renaissance Hallerschess Haus, is a sight to behold in the Altstadt (Old Town). Inside celebrates toys! You will find pre-War games and toys and an impressive model railway on the first three floors. Toys from 1945 and beyond (think lego, Playmobil, and Barbie) are on the top floor along with a place for kids to play.
Since Nuremberg is where you disembark the ship you can plan to take a little more time to explore this fascinating city. Or another possibility is to extend your trip with an additional 3-night excursion to Prague to explore another wonderful European city with spectacular Christmas markets, interesting history, beautiful architecture and so much more.
Phew! That is one action-packed week of wonderfulness! I hope that you enjoyed learning about this fantastic AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market cruise. If you have any questions please let me know! I am here when you are ready.
AmaWaterways Triple Holiday Savings!
Earn Triple Savings on your holiday cruise when you book categories BB and above. The promotion applies to select cruises.
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