Medieval Cities Of Germany

Your escape into Germany's fairytale medieval cities begins as you arrive at London St. Pancras and meet your group and Tour Manager. Together, we board the Eurostar to Brussels, where we switch trains and continue to bustling Cologne, known for its impressive Gothic cathedral - the largest in Northern Europe. In addition to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cologne is known as a cultural epicenter in the Rhineland and is filled with unique sites and fascinating museums. Once you have checked into your hotel, spend the evening immersed in the city's vibrant atmosphere. Overnight Cologne. 

• Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we set out into the city for a guided walking tour through the bustling streets and lively squares. In addition to visiting Cologne's cathedral, our excursion takes us past points of interest and allows us to admire the Romanesque townhouses that dot the streets. This tour is your chance to capture the essence of the city.

This afternoon, we make our way to the train station to travel to Passau, the "City of Three Rivers," where our luxurious Amadeus cruise ship awaits on the banks of the Danube. As we step aboard, you are greeted with a welcome cocktail and may toast to the adventure to come before settling into your onboard accommodations. Make your way up to the sun deck or panoramic bar to watch as the ship sets to its course and begins its journey along the serene waters of the Blue Danube. Enjoy your first five-course dinner this evening while verdant banks, dense forests, and charming villages unfold around the ship. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a night of sailing, the ship moors in Regensburg, Germany, this morning. This Bavarian city has a picturesque setting along the river and is beloved for its well-preserved medieval architecture, which we discover on a walking tour. We meet our guide upon disembarking the ship and weave through the historic streets of UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, home to buildings dating to the 11th century. As we wander, tall spires come into view, and the piece de resistance of Regensburg, St. Peter's Cathedral, comes into view. This grand building also boasts UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is impeccably designed in a Bavarian Gothic style with stunning stained glass windows.

We rejoin the ship after our excursion, enjoying the increasingly dramatic scenery as our river cruiser approaches the Danube Gorge and our next destination, the Weltenburg Abbey. This Abbey is the oldest Benedictine monastery in Bavaria, dating to the 600s. Its grand Baroque structure, characterized by stunning frescoes, intricate stucco work, and an attractive facade, demands attenuation. Inside, you can admire its altar, widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Its characteristic gold leaf, sculptures, and Annunciation painting are sure to leave an impression. Before heading back to the ship, enjoy a chance to explore the Abbey's onsite brewery, which uses traditional methods to create delectable full-bodied beer. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Watch the passing scenery from the sun deck or enjoy a delicious breakfast in the onboard restaurant as the ship weaves along the Danube toward Nuremberg this morning. Set in the Franconia region of Bavaria, Nuremberg was once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire and is now beloved for its colorful history and well-preserved architecture. We arrive in the city after lunch, and upon disembarking, we set out on a guided tour of its famous sites, including the Imperial Kaiserburg Castle. This 11th-century stronghold is awash in medieval history and boasts gorgeous gardens, stone sculptures, vivid murals, and incredible views over the Alstadt marketplace. Soak in all its grandeur before returning to the ship for dinner. Tonight, our journey presses forth toward charming Bamberg. Overnight ship. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The ship navigates the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal overnight and early this morning, taking to the Main and then the River Regnitz en route to historic Bamberg. This destination is shrouded in over 1,000 years of history, and stepping foot on its ancient streets makes it obvious why it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, we set out into the medieval town on a guided tour featuring 11th-century Bamberg Cathedral and the "Little Venice" district. Find yourself in awe of the quaint half-timbered houses that line the riverbank and the centuries of stories written into every building and city square.

Reboard the ship for lunch once the tour is complete, and settle in for a day of sailing through picturesque northern Bavaria. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a calm night of cruising the River Main, winding past quaint riverside towns, our Amadeus ship arrives at the port town of Ochsenfurt. We disembark here and join a motorcoach in driving Bavaria's pictorial Romantic Road. Visions of deep forests and lush mountainsides pair with castle-dotted valleys to make each scene more spellbinding than the last. Our first stop is in the walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, called the "Jewel of Germany," for a guided walking tour that presents a plethora of medieval marvels. Stroll along its atmospheric cobbled lines to see its colorful half-timbered houses and lovely squares, discovering history and culture along the way. As you explore, you may even recognize some of the sights from the big screen, as Rothenburg ob der Tauber was the setting for the 1968 masterpiece "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

Following our time here, we continue along the Romantic Road to Würzburg, where we rejoin the ship for lunch before reaching our next destination, the Würzburg Residenz. This grand Baroque palace is filled with period furniture and 18th-century art and tapestries, all of which come together to set a beautiful backdrop for our wine-tasting experience. Few places offer such impressive scenery for savoring the region's rich flavors. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our port of call this morning is medieval Wertheim, located at the confluence of the Rivers Main and Tauber. On arrival, we join a guided tour that takes us through the city to the ruins of its 12th-century castle - a stunning example of architecture even in its current state. Admire what remains and the views over Wertheim's medieval city center and marketplace during your time here. The tour also takes us to the city's Glass Museum, where an extensive, multi-century glass collection captures visitors' attention.

We continue to the ancient city of Miltenberg and discover a world of traditional Bavarian charms amongst the forested hills. This small town was miraculously spared from the destruction brought by WWII and thus is impeccably preserved. Admire its medieval buildings and pretty streets as we tour with a guide. A pinnacle of our time here comes as we arrive at Miltenberg's hilltop castle, a 12th-century fortress that now serves as a museum showcasing the town's rich history. Lunch is served when we return to the ship, and for the rest of the day, you are free to enjoy the romantic scenery and the river cruiser's amenities. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake to visions of lush vineyards and delightful wine towns as we cruise through the Rhine's picturesque wine region toward Mainz. Known as Germany's unofficial wine capital, Mainz has wide-spread allures, ranging from its medieval squares and half-timbered buildings to its rich Roman heritage seen through its architecture and wine production. Dive into its offerings on a guided tour. Admire the multi-century buildings as we wander through the ancient streets, enjoying glimpses at points of interest along the way. As soaring spires come into view, we approach one of the highlights of our tour, Mainz's 1,000-year-old cathedral. The church is built in a Romanesque style and is spectacular with its prominent octagon tower. Once our tour concludes, we are escorted back to the ship for a day spent on the water, surrounded by incredible vistas. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our ship moors in Strasbourg this morning, bringing our time on Germany's breathtaking waterways to a close. Upon disembarkation, we transfer to Strasbourg's train station to board our train to Paris. In Paris, we switch trains, joining Eurostar to London St. Pancras. It is here that your memorable adventure back in time concludes.

• Breakfast