Bad Schandau, Germany
The old spa town and resort in "Saxon Switzerland" lies near the border with Czechia, amidst the unique scenery of the "Elbsandsteingebirge".
Bad Wimpfen, Germany
Romantic medieval spa with many sights and a wonderful old town with half-timbered houses.
Bernkastel-Kues, Germany
One of the prettiest towns in Germany, with gabled, half-timbered houses surrounding the marketplace and other cobbled squares, a late Renaissance guildhall, beautiful fountains and magnificent wine taverns, all preserved practically intact from medieval and Renaissance times.
Boppard, Germany
A lovely riverside promenade (the Rheinallee) makes a pleasant walk in this town, which lies in the largest loop of the Rhine. Parts of its medieval enclosing walls, gates, and towers still stand.
Braubach, Germany
Handsome half-timbered houses and inns recall prosperous medieval days. Marksburg Castle, the massive fortress that dominates the village, is the only such castle on the Rhine untouched by warfare, a museum of military life from the 13th Century on.
Cochem, Germany
Its setting is probably the most famous in the Moselle Valley, vineyards rising in terraces to a splendid hilltop castle, the Reichsburg Cochern built in 1029. A baroque town hall stands amid winding streets, cobblestone courtyards and towers.
Cologne, Germany
The millenia meet on the Domplatz, a broad square edged with sidewalk cafes. On one side is the city's landmark, the twin-spired gothic cathedral, begun in the 13th century and completed in the 19th, on the other the Roman-Germanic Museum housing a mosaic dating from the 2nd century, when Cologne had been a Roman outpost for 200 years.
Dessau, Germany
The former capital of the Free State of Anhalt-Dessau was made famous by the "Bauhaus", built here by Walter Gropius in 1925/26. The College of Design played a dominant world role in the development of town planning, architecture and design.
Dietfurt, Germany
This small village situated in the romantic Altmühltal is the starting point or destination point of our Danube cruises. A stroll through the old alleys of the village is really worthwhile.
Dresden, Germany
The history, architecture and flair of Dresden make a visit here the highlight of any trip through Eastern Germany. The Old Town with the Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera House, the baroque cathedral, the Royal Stables, the ruins of the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), and the Brühl Terrace, are particularly impressive. Despite the very heavy damage suffered during the air raid of February 13-14, 1945, Dresden still reflects the glory and elegance of the days when it was surely the most beautiful capital city in Europe (1694-1783).
Düsseldorf, Germany
A stylsh metropolis whose heart is the Konigsallee, an elegant boulevard shaded by chestnut trees and lined with smart shops and sidewalk cafes. Squeezed between the "Ko" and the Rhine, the Altstadt (Old Town) is a concentration of pubs, restaurants, discos, art galleries, and boutiques.
Eberbach, Germany
An ancient town of the Staufer which lies amidst the nature reserve of Neckartal-Odenwald with its charming medieval and modern center.
Frankfurt, Germany
Set on the Main River, a tributary of the Rhine, the air gateway to the heart of Europe is Germany's financial center, an affluent city full of fine restaurants, well stocked shops, and outstanding cultural institutions. The Romer, a group of three Gothic buildings, houses the reconstructed coronation site of Holy Roman Emperors. Goethe House was the birthplace of the poet.
Heidelberg, Germany
Destination of a shore excursion from many KD Rhine cruises and all Neckar cruises, Heidelberg is the site of an old university celebrated in poetry and song, most notably Romberg's operetta, "The Student Princes". The magnificent ruins of a red sandstone castle built in the 6th century stand high above the city and the Neckar River.
Hirschhorn, Germany
One of the most beautiful little towns along the Neckar River with its Karmeliter church dating back to the late Gothic times and the castle of the Lords of Hirschhorn.
Koblenz, Germany
The city stands at the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle, the point marked by the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), which juts between the two rivers. Across the Rhine is massive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, whose origins go back to the 10th century.
Königswinter, Germany
Situated at the foot of the romantic Drachenfels crag, this old town is one of the most visited on the Rhine. The cogwheel railway that runs up the rock was the first in Germany, built in 1883. Castle Drachenburg, a magnificent structure, dates from the 19th century.
Lauenburg, Germany
An attractive old town on the Lower Elbe with pictutesque 16th and 17th century half-timbered houses.
Linz, Germany
Charmingly painted half-timbered buildings dating from the 5th to the 19th centuries line the cobbled streets of Linz and surround its market square and castle square, where the 14th century burg Feith stands. Two towers remain from walls that enclosed the town in medieval times.
Luthertown/Wittenberg, Germany
The ancient university town of Wittenberg was made world famous by Martin Luther, who lived and preached here. The Luther House, with its exhibition on the history of the Reformation, the Castle Church where Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door, and the Parish Church (St. Marys), with a fine 16th century altar by Lucas Cranach, give considerable insight into Luther's life and his work. The marketplace features a splendid 16th century renaissance town hall.
Magdeburg, Germany
The old cathedral city was badly damaged during the war and has still not been completely reconstructed. Of particular interest are the mighty 13th century cathedral, the Abbey Church of Our Lady, and the old market square with the impressive renaissance Town Hall.
Mainz, Germany
Set at the meeting point of the Rhine and Main rivers, Mainz was the birthplace in 1398 of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. The Gutenberg Museum is housed in a Renaissance building in the oldest part of the city. The imposng Romanesque cathedral dates from the 10th century.
Mannheim, Germany
Germany's second largest inland port, at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers. A baroque palace dating from the 18th century houses university and judicial offices. On the fountain-splashed Friedrichsplatz is Mannheim's landmark, an elaborate 19th-century water tower.
Meissen, Germany
Meissen, "City of the White Gold", has been home to world-famous pottery since the early 18th century. A visit to the factory takes in the museum, a most impressive collection of porcelain produced in Meissen through the ages, as well as a demonstration of how it is made. The old town is dominated by the cathedral and Albrechtsburg Castle.
Miltenberg/Wertheim, Germany
Two medieval towns on the Main with many sights. The inn "Zum Riesen" in Mitenberg is the oldest inn in Germany.
Passau, Germany
One of Germany's oldest and most picturesque cities, Passau is ideally located at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers. This city, with its charming cobblestone streets and graceful arcades, is perfect for exploring. Begin with the impressive St. Stephan's Cathedral. Among its lavish interior is one of the largest pipe organs in the world.
Rüdesheim, Germany
An ancient little town in the heart of the Rheingau that is renowned not only for outstanding Rieslings but for places to drink them; one narrow street, the Drosselgasse, is lined solidly wth pubs and wine taverns. The colossal Niederwald monument above the town was build in 1877-83 to commemorate the unification of Germany.
St. Goar, Germany
This charming little town is situated exactly opposite the Loreley Cliff. It is dominated by the Rheinfels Fortress, one of the mightiest and largest fortresses of the 13th century. Destroyed in 1797 by French troops, and then misused as a quarry for the fort of Ehrenbreitstein, parts of the castle were subsequently rebuilt.
Stuttgart, Germany
The capital city of Baden-Württemberg is one of the richest and most beautiful cities of Germany. Industry and art are equally present. Stuttgart, which once was residence of the sovereigns of Württemberg, from the touristic point of view is also today a highly interesting destination.
Tangermünde, Germany
The appearance of the hanseatic town of Tangermünde has changed very little since the Middle Ages. The Old Town is dominated by gothic buildings and half-timbered houses.
Torgau, Germany
Once a favoured residence of the Saxon princes. Torgau became famous as the place where the Russian and American armies met on April 25, 1945. Hartenfels Castle is a well-preserved example of early renaissance architecture.
Trier, Germany
The western terminus of KD-Moselle cruises is at least 2,000 years old. The Romans made Trier the capital of their western empire and their legacy is crowned by the massive Porta Nigra, the largest stone gate they ever built and the finest Roman relic in Germany. Trier's Imperial Baths were among the largest in the Roman Empire. The Imperial Palace is now a basilica.
Wörlitz, Germany
This little town near the Elbe became a popular excursion destination because of its large palace park, the first in Germany to be built in the English style.
Worms, Germany
The former town of the Celts and Romans became world-renowned by the "Nibelungenlied". During the Middle Ages Worms was once the scene of action of more than 100 Imperial Diets, on one of which Martin Luther had to defend his 95 theses.
Würzburg, Germany
The episcopal town is the centre of Franconian winegrowing. High above the Main stands the medieval fortress Marienburg. The residence of Balthasar Neumann, one of the most important profane buildings of German Baroque is very much worth seeing.
