Chalon-sur-Saône, is in the region of southern Burgundy on the banks of the river Saône. This town is the embarkation/Debarkation port for Essence of Provence and Burgundy river cruises. If you are a wine connoisseur then you will love Chalon-sur-Saône as it is at the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise wine region. Let’s look into what are some other highlights of this lovely town of Chalon-sur-Saône, France!
Highlights of Chalon-sur-Saône, France
Musée Nicéphore-Niépce
This fascinating museum is Chalon-sur-Saône’s claim to fame. Nicéphore Niépce was born in Chalon-sur-Saône and is said to have taken the first-ever photograph. He took “View from the Window at Le Gras” around 1826. In the museum, you will learn about his work and his inventions. But, the main exhibit is photography. They have a collection of more than 1500 cameras and 3,000,000 (yes, three million) photographs from the 1800s and 1900s developed in quite a few different ways. For photographers, this is an absolute must-see but it is also very interesting for picture lovers in general.
Musée Vivant-Denon
The Denon Museum is an art and history museum with thousands of artifacts, sculptures, and art spanning almost 100,000 years. The museum honors Vivant Denon who was born in Chalon and was a trailblazer in archaeology, art history, Egyptology, and museology as director of the Louvre. There is a section devoted to Denon.
Église Saint-Pierre
This beautiful church was built as a Benedictine chapel around the beginning of the 1700’s. The inside has an Italian Baroque style. While visiting you will learn about very interesting people who were ordained here. There is also an organ crafted in 1812 that is worth seeing.
Place Saint-Vincent
The charming town square should be one of your must-see places. Bars and restaurants surround the square and are the perfect place to sit, relax, and people watch. The renaissance-style buildings around the square bring a lot of character and a cozy feeling. A modern sculpture brings a fun contrast to the history.
Quai des Messageries
This is a lovely spot on the right bank of the Saône. Walk along the banks or rest on benches shaded by trees. There is a nice view across the river of the tower, Tour du Doyenné, the old hospital as well as the grassy riverbank. The tourist office is nearby which is a great place to get self-guided tour information.
If you would like more information about river cruises that visit Chalon-sur-Saône please contact me. I would love to help you plan your next river cruise vacation in France!
When you picture a river cruise vacation, what do you think of?
Going right from the boat to a bus to see the sights?
Walking with a large crowd once you get there?
Nothing to do on the boat but sit, sip wine, and watch the river go by?
Today’s river cruise vacation can be so much more!
Sure, you will need to choose the right river cruise line, but most offer fantastic opportunities to be more active and adventurous on your river cruise vacation.
So, let’s look into what is available for you if you want your river cruise experience to be more active and not just sitting on a boat or a bus.
Active Excursions
Most river cruise lines offer different levels of excrusions. You will want to examine each line carefully to see which one will fit your activity level best. Some offer one main excursion and then some optional ones at extra cost. Others will offer different complimentary options.
For example, let’s say you were visiting Rudesheim, Germany for the day as part of your AmaWaterways Rhine River cruise. In Rudesheim you could choose from one of these options:
Riding a gondola up the hill to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue (and gorgeous views of the Rhine Valley) and a wine tasting.
Hiking through the Rudesheim vineyard, the Roman Bridge and Bromersburg Castle.
Guided bike tour through Rudesheim and along the rhine River
As I said before, it’s important to look carefully at the different river cruise lines to find the one that has the most excursions that fit your activity level. Your travel advisor would be happy to help you with that.
Active On Board Activities
You certainly don’t have to just sit around on the boat while on a river cruise. Again, you need to look carefully at the different river cruise lines as they have different things to do while onboard. What are some possibilities to stay active on a river cruise? Here are some of the options:
Walking track on the sundeck.
Wellness activities on the deck such as yoga or excercise classes.
Fitness center with weights and excercise equipment (How about excercise bikes on the back deck?)
Putting green on the sundeck.
Giant chess or checkers.
A small pool to wade around.
Bicycles for Guests’ use
Riding along throught the small towns and beside the flowing rivers is a very popular thing to do while on a river cruise. But, what if you want to go on your own and not be part of a guided tour? That is totally possible because a few river cruises that carry bikes on board and can be reserved for your own personal exploration. Just picture leaving the beautiful abbey of Melk and riding to Durnstein to enjoy the cobblestone streets and quaint buildings. If you are traveling with children, you might want to pick a cruise line that has bikes available for children too (AmaWaterways does).
As you can see there are ways to be active on your river cruise vacation. You don’t just have to float along, sipping and sailing unless you want to. It’s your vacation, you can make it just as active as you want it to be!
If you are thinking that a river cruise vacation might be just for you I would love to help you find the best one for you. Just click on the contact me button and we can get started!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Here are some other articles you might like to read:
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!
Work, work, work! Day in, day out, just waiting until it’s Friday. Does this ring true for you?
On a river cruise, you’ll say goodbye to your standard routine and hello to outdoor activity, fine dining, and relaxation. The goal on a river cruise is to match you to a luxurious but affordable vacation experience that is both comforting and adventurous.
You will hear that river cruises are mostly about visiting some wonderful towns and cities along the river. But, what do you do when you’re not touring the destination? You’ll be enjoying the many amenities offered on the ship, as well as breathtaking views from the Sun Deck. One of the benefits of a river cruise is a smaller number of passengers on board. Fewer passengers mean you’ll have more time to enjoy the amenities in a more personal way.
Interested in what a typical day may look like on your river cruise? There are some similarities between all the river cruise lines but also some differences. This time the focus will be a bit more specific to the wonderful world of an AmaWaterways River Cruise ship! All cruises offer amenities for you to take advantage of throughout the day.
Fitness Center & Classes
Each ship offers a fitness center to help you stay active between excursions. And if the treadmill isn’t your preference, there is also a professionally trained Wellness Host offering daily classes. Start your day with a yoga session on the Sun Deck, a spin class on the back of the ship, or a light stretch class, and set the tone for a relaxing day.
Award-Winning Meals
Enjoy coffee and the breakfast buffet each morning, light lunches and refreshments throughout the day and exquisite meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients for dinner. AmaWaterways is especially known for its fantastic meals on board.
We recommend booking The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant for at least one evening and would be happy to take care of those details for you. John and Ken write:
“The Chef’s Table was an evening to remember! Watching the preparations throughout the evening, and then getting to enjoy them was great fun! We have actually re-created a dressing that he used on the Watermelon and Seared Goat Cheese salad!”
Need more convincing? Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are also offered with each meal.
Salon & Spa
No vacation is complete without a bit of pampering. The spa on board offers massages throughout the day so you can relax on your own schedule. With fewer guests on board you won’t have to fight for an appointment.
Feel like going out for the evening while we’re in port? Let the stylists at the salon give you a new look or simply help you look and feel your best before heading out.
Deck Pool
You may not choose a tropical cruise, but that doesn’t mean you can’t relax and enjoy the sun on the top deck! All ships have a heated pool (some with a swim-up bar for optimal enjoyment) or a jacuzzi, perfect for relaxing any tired muscles while cruising past the graceful, castle-filled countryside of Europe.
Feel free to come back out when the sun goes down. As you cruise past larger cities, the views of bridges full of lights or cathedrals lit up under the stars are extraordinary.
This is the perfect atmosphere to socialize with your party and other guests. Many cruisers have truly built long-distance and lasting friendships and even return time and time again to cruise with people they met on previous sailings!
Excursions
Regardless of which cruise itinerary you choose, you’ll have a variety of excursions to choose from. Activity level varies to suit your preference for the day and bikes are available on the ship for you to take into town. There is even a tour option for “late risers” if you’d like to take advantage of your lush bed and catch a few extra zzzs.
During some stops, you may prefer a mild hike; on others, wine tasting or touring a Kölsch brew pub. Alternatively, you may wish to take on some free time with your group and explore the city. Some of our clients’ favorite days are strolling through the cobblestone streets of obscure cities, feeling out the local culture.
Best in Class Service
If there is anything that could make your time on board the ship better, let the AmaWaterways river cruise ship team know! The only thing better than their dining is their service. The team truly prides itself on building relationships with each guest and creating a family-like feel for your journey.
“Service was awesome. The crew was great. Truly for us, it was the “trip of a lifetime” kind of thing…”
So, what are you waiting for? At Alaska to Mickey Vacations, we are on standby to book your next European river cruise vacation. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about traveling through Europe by AmaWaterways river cruise ship and get your end-to-end travel confirmed. All you need to decide is when you want to go and who you’d like to travel with!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
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Shoving off from Budapest, Hungary, your river cruise ship is ready for a journey down the Lower Danube River. You are off into a land of mystery, intrigue, and enchantment. As you travel beyond the former Iron Curtain you have the opportunity to delve into the lives of people once hidden. This is the river less traveled and you are ready to discover its beauty! I can’t wait to show you a little of what is waiting for you as you river cruise through the countries of the Lower Danube River!
Hungary
Puszta
Mohacs
Széchenyi Square in Pécs
Parliament Building in Budapest
Your tour will begin in the phenomenal capital city of Budapest, Hungary. This is a popular beginning/ending point for Upper Danube River cruises as well as Lower Danube cruises. In fact, if you want to experience the best of the Danube then you might want to book an Upper Danube cruise and a Lower Danube cruise right after. But, I digress. If you want to learn a little more about Budapest then check out this post and the beginning of this Christmas Market itinerary.
Your trek continues south through Hungary. Depending on your river cruise line you might take a short stop in Puszta, on the Great Hungarian Plain, and watch an unforgettable horsemanship performance. Or you might stop in Mohacs and then take a trip to the 2000-year-old city of Pécs. Pécs is also filled with historic architecture including the Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic Cathedral (don’t miss the catacombs); and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. Wine lovers will thoroughly enjoy the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago.
Croatia
Overlooking Vukovar
Vukovar Memorial
Sunset over vinyards of Ilok
Vukovar is a beautiful Baroque Croatian city where you can tour important war landmarks from the 1990s war with Serbia such as Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance and known as the “hero town” because of the brave Croatian civilians and volunteers. This is a great place to understand and remember more modern history.
Another option is to go wine tasting in Ilok. Since Roman times wine has been produced in this reason making its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines.
Serbia
Novi Sad
Petrovaradin Fortress
Belgrade
Belgrade on the Danube
Golubac Fortress
Your first stop in Serbia could be Novi Sad, sometimes called the “Serbian Athens”. In Novi Sad, you can explore Dunavski Park and Stari Grad, the Old Town center. During the evening you might visit the impenetrable Petrovaradin Fortress and the “haunted” underground corridors.
Next, on to the exploration of Serbia’s capital, Belgrade. There is so much to see in this city. Your city tour includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Other places you will want to visit are the Royal Palace (home of the Serbian Royal Family); the House of Flowers, and the mausoleum of Marshal Tito (first President of Yugoslavia). After touring, take a rest and enjoy a taste of Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz.
The next part of your river cruise journey down the Lower Danube river will straddle two different countries. The Danube river is the border between the nations of Serbia and Romania. On the Serbia side, you will have the opportunity to explore the ruins of Golubac Fortress, a fortified medieval town that was built during the 14th century. From this highly fought-over strategic position, you can gaze across the Danube to Romania.
Romania
Iron Gates
Bucharest Arch of Triumph
Bucharest Village Museum
Bucharest Palace of Parliament
Enjoy an 83-mile scenic cruise as you pass through the Iron Gates, one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Through this stretch, the Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. This region is also named the Iron Gates for the series of locks on the river. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.
The Danube River will leave Romania for a while and you will sail through Bulgaria for a day. After sailing through Bulgaria you will end your journey in Giurgiu. If you want to discover more of Romania after your cruise you can take an optional land extension to Bucharest.
Some river cruise itineraries include Bucharest, the Paris of Eastern Europe. If yours does, then you might want to see the Romanian Athenaeum, The Arch of Triumph, the Palace of Parliament (the 2nd largest administrative building in the world), or the Village Museum. Bucharest is quite a contrast of architecture from the historical churches and buildings not destroyed during Nazi occupation to the nearby communist-era cement block structures and more modern buildings.
But, let’s go back to Bulgaria.
Bulgaria
Vidin
Baba Vida Fortress
Belogradchik
The first stop in Bulgari is in Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities. Travel back to medieval times at Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Then on to Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, where you will be able to hike around the spectacular rock formations.
In Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s ancient city, you will enjoy exploring its medieval fortress and many orthodox temples. Or, if you are interested in more modern Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries then you might want to see Rousse instead.
As you can see, the Lower Danube is very different from the rest of the Danube River. This is the perfect itinerary to travel back in time and encounter a land a little more untraveled.
If you are intrigued by the countries of the Lower Danube River and would like more information about visiting, just contact me.
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Here are some other articles you might like to read.
Melk, Austria is a tiny little town a the very edge of the Wachau Valley. Just sailing down the Danube River you will see such breathtaking scenery. But, then as you get closer to Melk you will be awestruck but the gorgeous and impressive structure of the Melk Benedictine Abbey perched atop of a hill overlooking the small town. Just the sight of the Abbey in Melk, Austria will have you hungering to see more.
Your river cruise will most likely have a tour option that will take you up the hill to the Abbey. If there isn’t a guided tour of the rooms then you can try and join one when you get up there. Once off the transportation up you will walk down some steps to get to the courtyard. Immediately you will be impressed with the grandure!
A little History
Originally Melk Abbey was built as a Roman fortress. In the 11th century, the fortress was converted into a monastery by the ruling Babenberg family. The family then donated the monastery to the Benedictine monks. The Abbey has been continuously a center of worship for over 900 years. The building you see now is not original. It has had to be reconstructed a few times and in the 1700s was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
Visiting Melk Abby
After you go through the beautiful courtyard into the abbey in Melk, Austria, you will want to visit four main areas–the monastery, the church, the library, and the gardens. Throughout the tour, you will be astounded but the architecture, frescoes, and ornate decor. While the whole experience is amazing, the library is one of the most astounding with over 100,000 books, some of which date back to the 9th century.
This description clearly cannot give you an idea what Melk Abbey looks like so here are a few pictures (as magnificent as the pictures are they don’t even compare to seeing the real thing).
Visiting Melk Abbey is most definitely one of the places you need to visit on your Danube River cruise!
Have you visited Melk Abbey? What was your favorite experience there?
If you would like some information about Danube River cruise itineraries that visit Melk please contact me. I would love to get you started planning your next Danube River cruise.
Prague has a vast and varied history spanning 1000 years.
Along your travels, you might find people with different opinions about Prague, Czech Republic. Some might think it is too busy, touristy, and not worth the trip. Others see the history, architecture, and other qualities that make it a must-see European destination. As a part of a Danube river cruise you have the option to add on Prague as a pre- or post-cruise extension (learn more about the benefits of land extensions here). These land tours are such a wonderful way to see different cities. Let’s find out what amazing things to see and do await you in the gorgeous city of Prague!
Visit Prague Castle
Many of the included land extension tours and free walking tours will finish up near Prague Castle. You probably will not get to see the castle through the tours so after will be a great opportunity. Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world. It is almost like a village of its own with churches, towers, halls, and palaces. Don’t miss the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and the Treasures, and the Bohemian crown jewels. The musems are very interesting to learn of the history of the palace for the last 1000 years.
Wander Old Town Square
This square is a hubbub of activity and for good reason. This is a great place to grab a seat, people watch, enjoy the street vendors, and musicians. The buildings around this area are a feast for your eyes with all the history and different types of architecture. The Tyn and St. Nicholas churches are beautiful inside and out. And, don’t forget to be outside on the hour to hear the chime of the absolutely stunning Astronomical Clock (you might find the chime overrated but the detail and artistry are amazing). So much to see and do!
Explore the Catacombs
While your in Old Town Square you might want to explore a little bit of the underground. The catacombs used to be the first level of the medieval houses around the square. These homes have been buried by time and progress. Now they are an exhibit showcase medieval life. You can get to the catacombs through the tourism office. This won’t take too much of your time but you might find it very interesting.
Meander through Petrin Park
After the busyness of Old Town Square and Prague Castle, Petrin Park will be a welcomed break. This park is on top of a big hill on the left bank of the Vlatava River. You could use this opportunity to really stretch your legs or you can take the funicular and save the energy for the park. At the top there are many paths to meander along through the trees. You also might want to climb the lookout tower that looks very similar to the Eiffel Tower for some of the best views of Prague. Other things of interest are the gardens, a maze, and the unusual Church of St. Michael.
Walk Across Charles Bridge
No trip to Prague is complete with out a trip to the Charles Bridge. This bridge is one of the most iconic things in Prague. Even though the bridge will be very busy with people it is well worth the trip. This charming bridge was built in the 14th Century ove the Vlatava River and connects Old Town with Mala Strana (another great place to walk through). The bridge is beautiful during the day and magical at night. Climbing the nearby Old Town Tower Bridge will give you wonderful views of the Mala Strana and surrounding area.
This article has only scratched the surface of the wonders of Prague, Czech Republic. This beautiful city has so much to see and do all year round. At Christmastime the Christmas markets make visiting this city even more exciting.
If you would like to find out more about adding Prague to your Danube river cruise, please contact me. I would love to help you create your dream vacation!
You might be wondering why there is an article this week about Lake Como. Most of the articles focus on the cities and towns you can visit on a river cruise. BUT, guess what! You can visit Lake Como as part of your Rhine River Cruise. Visiting Lake Como can be added as a pre or post-cruise extension to your river cruise. Want to know more about land extensions? Check out this article.
Many people just think of visiting Lake Como during the summer months. This beautiful area has wonderful weather, pristine waters, stunning mountains, not to mention history and culture. But, Lake Como is also spectacular during the winter, especially at Christmas. Now, let’s explore what makes Christmas in Lake Como, Italy special!
Reasons to Spend Christmas in Lake Como before or after your river cruise!
Como, Italy comes alive with lights, music, shopping, fun from the end of November to the first week of January.
1) Less Tourists
November and December is not the normal tourist season in Lake Como. For those traveling during this time that means less tourists everywhere. The hotels, dining, spas, and tours that are still open often have better service because there is less people to serve.
2) Ice Skating near the Lake
Pop-up ice rinks appear in a couple of towns around the lake. Spend some time being active outside surrounded by the beauty of the lake and the town.
3) Christmas Markets
As with so many towns you will sail through on a river cruise on the Rhine River during the holiday season, Lake Como has it’s own wonderful Christmas Markets. Wander through the stalls spread out through the main piazza selling candles, woolen scarves, silk, handmade Christmas decorations, delicious snacks and of course, their version of mulled wine.
4) The Alps Surrounding the Lake
The Alps take on a whole new meaning of beauty during the winter. The snow-capped mountains glisten and sparkle. The wintery light reflects off the shimmering waters. Put yourself in the middle of a picture postcard.
This is actually one of the best reasons to visit Lake Como during your Christmas holiday! From the end of November to the beginning of January, the city of Como lights up. Giant projections cover the sides of the Cathedral and the surrounding buildings with Christmas cheer. Lights fill the streets and all the little towns around the lake. You might even take a boat trip around the lake to admire the lights.
Lake Como is the perfect place to spend Christmas after your river cruise. You will definitely feel the holiday cheer in this picturesque part of Italy.
Have you visited Lake Como, Italy in the winter? How about another time of year? What was your favorite part of your visit? Let me know 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!
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