Rhine, Moselle & Blissful Baden-Baden

Join a local guide for a walking tour of enchanting Baden-Baden, which will bring you past two thermal baths and the city’s famous Casino. Gain further appreciation for the Romans and their love of natural spa facilities as you pass by the Fettquelle, a public thermal fountain where it is believed that the water is health-promoting. After learning about the curative powers of Baden-Baden’s water sources, explore the Casino Baden-Baden, and let its ambiance, architecture and atmosphere enthrall you. You’ll enjoy a tour of this grandiose building, complete with a walk through the gambling halls, which offer a look at the casino’s fascinating history dating back to 1855 and Dostoevsky’s novel “The Gambler”—written in Baden-Baden and based on this casino.

Immerse yourself in the melodies of Baden-Baden on a guided visit to the Festspielhaus, the 2,500-seat Opera House. Festspielhaus is Germany’s largest opera house and the largest classical music venue in Europe. Its architecture is particularly unique, as it sits on the trackbed of a former railway station with a neo-classicist structure that serves as the main entrance. The Opera House was reconstructed in the mid-1990s by Viennese architect Wilhelm Holzbauer in accordance with the ideal acoustic values calculated by physicist Karl-Heinz Müller.

Perhaps Baden-Baden’s most notable attraction, the Caracalla Spa features countless opportunities to enjoy the mineral-rich waters of the thermal baths. This large facility offers a soothing atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world, from its two marble pools and grottos to whirlpools and sun-bathing lawns. It was here that the thermal water’s healing powers were discovered by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, creating a bathing culture for the very first time under Emperor Caracalla. With plenty of room to relax and unwind, your time at the Caracalla Spa will rival experiences at some of the nicest spas in the world.

Experience the benefits of Dead Sea and Himalayan salts in the Salina Sea Salt Grotto of Baden-Baden. The grotto’s walls are dressed in all-natural salt bricks, while the floor is blanketed with a thick layer of salt—working together to provide a microclimate that allows you to breathe in valuable materials and trace elements that strengthen the immune system, enhance the ability to concentrate, and provide physical and mental rejuvenation as well as optimal deep relaxation.

Controlled over the centuries by either France or Germany, Strasbourg—cross-cultural and bilingual—offers a delightful combination of old and new, as well as French and German characteristics. You’ll see all the highlights on a city tour before venturing inside the cathedral, one of the city’s most famous sites. The same craftsmen who built Chartres worked on it, and the rose window may be Chartres’s equal. Don’t miss the astronomical clock or the truly remarkable statuary and carvings.

For a different spin on the Palatinate wine region, visit the Weinessiggut Doktorenhof estate for a special vinegar tasting. Yes, you read that right—a vinegar tasting. Founded by Georg Wiedemann some 30 years ago, Doktorenhof produces vinegars from premium wines, rather than inexpensive ones. Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Riesling and Pinot Noir are aged with a century-old vinegar “mother,” as the bacteria that makes vinegar is known, and flavored with a variety of herbs and fruits. Most importantly, Wiedemann and his family run their farm and vineyards with the utmost care, tending to them with natural materials only.

The results make complex and elegant aperitifs, intended to be sipped from a specially designed long-stemmed glass between courses or after a meal. The atmospheric tasting room (think candles, cloaks and choir music) is like no other you’ll ever experience. You’ll have plenty of time to explore their enticing gift shop, too.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Hovering over the Moselle River, the stunningly medieval Cochem Castle dates back to 1100 and once served to collect tolls from passing ships. Since its construction, it has changed appearance and rulers many times, currently appearing in the then-popular Neo-Gothic architecture style. Now a popular landmark, Cochem Castle has a vast collection of Renaissance and Baroque furniture, which you’ll have the chance to take a peek at. Your nighttime visit allows you to see the castle illuminated in all of its evening glory—a special treat for guests. Some evenings we will be unable to visit the castle, but will visit it the following morning.

Today, you’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets in Germany: a hidden underground bunker where Germany’s Central Bank stored currency worth billions during the Cold War. Disguised by two residential houses, the massive bunker was concealed by heavy steel doors and a corridor that appears to stretch into infinity. Enter the corridor and descend into the vault, where you’ll learn what measures would have been taken during the Cold War in case the East Germans and Russians flooded West Germany with counterfeit Deutsche Marks. Wind your way through former offices, the kitchen and communication quarters, and learn how those working there were prepared to survive for 14 days in case of an emergency.

In ancient times Trier was the largest Roman settlement north of the Alps, and six emperors ruled the Western Empire from here. Remnants of that Roman city still stand, despite taking part in centuries of warfare, earning it UNESCO protection. It’s easy to see the shape of the ancient Roman city, since the layout of the Old Town still exists. Start your visit at the Basilica of Constantine, one of two basilicas built by Emperor Constantine in AD 306. The throne room is the largest surviving single-room structure from Roman times in Germany; it features two tiers of windows with high-rising arches that even now show some of the original wall paintings. The other basilica is St. Peter’s Cathedral, home to the Holy Tunic, a sacred relic donated by Constantine’s mother, St. Helena. Your route to Porta Nigra, the great double-arched stone gate that is all that remains of the Roman wall that used to surround Trier, takes you through Market Square.

Over the course of 900 years, Luxembourg grew into one of the greatest fortified sites in Europe because of its strategic geographical position and ever-changing political affiliations. Your panoramic city tour will introduce you to centuries-old battlements as well as to the gleaming high-rises that denote the city’s status as a 21st-century international financial center. To best discover the heart of Old Town, though, you’ll want to walk with a local expert to Notre Dame Cathedral, a fine example of late-Gothic architecture, and the Grand Ducal Palace, where both Louis XIV and Napoleon resided. It has been the official residence of the reigning Grand Duke since 1890.

Your tour ends at Place d’Armes, “the city’s sitting room.” Surrounded by shops and sidewalk cafés, with frequent free afternoon concerts, this is the lively heart of Luxembourg. You’ll have some free time to enjoy yourself on your own there. Or choose to continue to the WWII Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, which lies just within the limits of Luxembourg City. The 50-acre cemetery was established on December 29, 1944, by General George S. Patton’s Third U.S. Army, which liberated Luxembourg. More than 5,000 U.S. military dead are buried here—many of whom lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge—along with General Patton himself. See the beautiful grounds, white stone chapel and monument honoring the fallen.

Follow the serene 14 miles of riverside bike paths along the Moselle. As this gentle pathway twists and turns, you’ll cross over two bridges and enjoy numerous stops for pictures and refreshments. You’ll even enjoy a tasting of three outstanding wines (including the unique Eiswein, a wine produced from grapes frozen while still on the vine) at a wine estate, which boasts immaculately kept vineyards and handpicked grapes.

A leisurely walk around the romantic village of Bernkastel awaits today. Wander through the town’s idyllic cobbled streets that are lined with half-timbered houses and secluded courtyards and pass by beautiful marketplaces and open-air cafés. Stroll through the vineyards of the Dr. Pauly Bergweiler Wine Estate, where intentionally low yields and immaculate care produce outstanding wines, which you’ll have a chance to taste for yourself on this tour.

Join the Cruise Manager on a walk through this attractive town with a long and surprising history; the Cruise Manager will point out its highlights and recommend a host of activities. Take a chairlift to the top of the hill for a great view of the valley and the river (you can hike the return route, if you’re up for it); enjoy a glass of wine at a local tavern and watch the water traffic on the river; or ride a bicycle along the Rhine promenade. You might also visit Saint Severus Church, whose twin towers dominate the waterfront, or explore the remains of a fourth-century Roman fort. If you’re interested in design and the decorative arts, stop by the Museum Boppard to see the exhibit on native son Michael Thonet, who developed the technique of bentwood furniture in the 1840s. His iconic, lightweight chairs are still popular in cafés throughout Europe. Or simply stroll beneath the trees along the city’s scenic riverside promenade, which is lined with the gorgeous villas of 19th-century entrepreneurs.

On today’s outing, you’ll pedal through the incomparable Boppard Hamm, a loop on the Rhine and a famed wine region known for its Riesling, Rivaner and Pinot Noir grapes. The Boppard Hamm is situated between Boppard and Spray in the breathtaking Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a section of the Rhine that’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. As you bike along miles of sprawling vineyards, you’ll enjoy a stop at the Marksburg Castle. Built in the 12th century, this castle is perched high above the river and was once used as a defense fortress. Today, it still retains all of its medieval glory, complete with a drawbridge, batteries, stables, extensive gardens and more.

Your second stop of the day will bring you to Schloss Stolzenfels, another stunning medieval fortress-turned-castle that sits on the Rhine’s Left Bank. You’ll want to make a stop in the castle’s courtyard for an astonishing view of the Rhine River Valley below. As you continue your cycling journey, you’ll end up at Lahneck Castle, a 13th-century fortress that sits above the confluence of the Rhine and Lahn rivers. Your reward for today’s scenic trek? A stop at the Zur Kipp beer garden. Savor a pint (or two) of a regional beer and take in beautiful views of the Rhine and Lahneck Castle. Then, it’s time to hop back on your bike and make your way back to the ship.

Set out on a brisk hike up to the Gedeonseck for unparalleled views of the Rhine River Valley. You’ll want to bring good shoes for this steep hike up to the top, where you can look upon the picture-perfect riverbend below.

Take a break at the restaurant here if you would like to rest and have a bite on your own. Alternatively, you could join your guide on a brief walk to Vierseenblick, a spot where 4 stretches of the Rhine can be seen, each looking like an individual lake.

Conditions permitting, we’ll take the aerial cable car down to the bottom of the hill, so you can relax and enjoy the views a little while longer during the ride.

Perched on a rock high above the Rhine sits the quaint and romantic, Rheinstein Castle. Originally built around 900 A.D. as a customs post for the German Empire, Rheinstein Castle became home to emperors and archbishops over the course of several hundred years. In 1823, the castle ruins were purchased by the Royal Prince of Prussia and the structure was rebuilt under the direction of a famous castle architect. Note the castle’s working drawbridge, gorgeous stained glass windows, Knight’s Hall, panoramic views of the Rhine below and a 500-year-old Burgundy grape vine (that still produces grapes) in the courtyard known as “Burgunder Garden.”

The winemaking town of Rüdesheim boasts countless delights, especially along the enchanting Drosselgasse alley that runs through the city’s Old Town. Follow your guide through this quaint neighborhood and learn how the famous Rüdesheimer Coffee, a coffee infused with Asbach Uralt (a magnificent German brandy) and topped with whipped cream, is prepared. You’ll also visit a small chocolatier’s shop for a sample of their delicious sweets.

Enjoy a wine tasting at your leisure with a visit to Rheinweinwelten in Rüdesheim. This local treasure trove of wines is sure to impress, with 14 different wine caves to explore. This experience can be enjoyed at your own pace and is not guided. There is, however, ample literature and information in each room about every one of the 160 distinct wines. You’ll receive 10 tokens at the start, with which you can choose to sample whichever vintages appeal to you most. Prost!