Castles Along The Rhine

This tour will introduce the young travelers in your life to the magnificent Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral, whose construction began in 1248, was not completed until 1880. This UNESCO-designated Gothic masterpiece is Cologne’s most recognizable landmark, having dominated the city’s skyline for centuries. Inside, you’ll see the relics of the Magi and other sacred figures, 14th-century stained-glass windows and the stunningly painted choir stalls—all while you learn the history of the cathedral and its art collections, especially the pieces surrounding the Shrine of the Magi. After your tour, you’ll be treated to a visit to the local chocolate museum.

Watch the waters of the Moselle meld with the Rhine’s as you stand on the spit of land called German Corner: It’s the perfect spot for a symbol of German unity, an equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I, who united the nation in the 19th century. (There’s another symbol of German unity here too: three panels of the Berlin Wall.) Behind it is Koblenz’s oldest church, St. Castor’s Basilica, first erected in the ninth century, and just one of the charming churches and squares you’ll encounter as you wander through Old Town. Like many Rhineland towns, Koblenz suffered at the hands of Louis XIV’s forces—that’s why you’ll see so many baroque features in the buildings you pass, since so many needed to be reconstructed after the French left. That’s also why the Church of Our Lady has twin onion domes. Despite their travails over the ages, though, Koblenz’s citizens kept their sense of humor: One example of it might catch you by surprise as you pass the fountain known as the Spitting Boy, which spits water without warning.

After the tour, you’ll have some free time to enjoy the Marktplatz (Market Square) and its bounty of shopping and wine bars.

With its pale walls, slate-gray roof, and unusually slender towers and turrets, Marksburg looks as though it has been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. But don’t be deceived: this is a powerful fortress, built to withstand attack. Marksburg’s defenses were so daunting that enemies generally chose to leave it alone. That’s why this is the only hill castle in Germany that has never been destroyed—a remarkable fact when you consider its 700-year-long history. Enter the fortress through a drawbridge gate and vaulted tunnel—just the first of the many defensive features you’ll encounter on your tour. Notice the “murder holes” in the walls; these would have let defenders pour boiling pitch on would-be invaders. Horsemen once thundered up the Riders’ Stairway, which was hewn into the bedrock, but you can take the steps at a more leisurely pace. Guides will show you the cannons of the Great Battery, once aimed at the Rhine River, and the castle kitchen with its enormous fireplace. You’ll tour the bedchamber, the great banquet hall, the armory, the stables and, if you’re feeling brave, the torture chamber. Don’t miss the re-created medieval garden, with 150 plants used in the Middle Ages for curative (or magical) purposes.

If you’d like to get a closer view of the scenery between Boppard and Koblenz than the river affords, hop on a bicycle and let an experienced guided show you the sights along the excellent Rhine Bike Path. You’ll wheel past Spay and Rhens, which boasts colorfully painted half-timbering on its ancient houses, have a splendid view of magnificent Marksburg Castle, and arrive in Koblenz to meet up with your shipmates. Of course you’ll stop for refreshments along the way.

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.

This morning, venture to the only undamaged hill castle on the Rhine, Marksburg Castle. Step into a real-life fairytale as you enter the fortress through the drawbridge gate and vaulted tunnel, the first of many defensive features you’ll see on your tour. Originally constructed to withstand enemy attacks some 700 years ago, you’ll see its cannons, torture chambers and battlements from the time of the knights. Your special family tour will take you on a journey of what it was like to live in the Middle Ages.

Situated on the banks of both the Moselle and Rhine rivers, Koblenz is a 2,000-year-old city that features a statue of Emperor William I that marks the confluence of the two rivers. After your morning visit to Marksburg Castle, you’ll join your guide for a captivating scavenger hunt through Koblenz. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to the history of Max and Moritz, a classic German illustrated story by Wilhelm Busch about two young boys who like to misbehave. Find the Schängel Fountain, the fountain of a little boy who randomly spits on people as they pass by, which is located in the center of old Koblenz.

Nestled in the rolling, vineyard-covered hills of the Rheingau, Castle Vollrads has a square tower that dates back to the 14th century, as does the moat. Just one family owned the castle for 700 years, until 1997, adding on to it and remodeling it over the centuries. While the interior of the castle is rarely open to the public, you will have the opportunity to step inside to see some of the elegantly appointed rooms, including the beautiful gold-embossed Flemish leather wall covering in the 17th-century dining room. Grapes have been grown here for more than a thousand years; records show that Castle Vollrads wines were first sold in 1211. These days the excellence of its Riesling is well known; it’s so well known, in fact, that Schloss Vollrads is one of the few German vineyards whose name stands alone on a wine label—no village name is required. Accompanied by a local wine expert, you will sample three wines in three different locations. There will also be time to wander through the grounds at your leisure.

Board an aerial tramway for a cable car trip up to the Niederwald Monument, and be treated to sweeping views of the Rhine River below. From there, you can choose either a half-hour hike through the breathtaking vineyards or you can hop back on the cable car and head into town.

Head out on a short bus trip and ferry ride that crosses the Rhine to the fairytale-like Rheinstein Castle, originally built in 1316. Here, you’ll be treated to a Family Knight’s Reception. Take a brief hike to the castle’s drawbridge, where you’ll be welcomed by the Count, who will have a knight’s non-alcoholic cocktail waiting for you. Wander through the castle and take in the immense history while you enjoy panoramic views over the Rhine.

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. 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.

Join your dedicated Family Host for an adventure at Speyer’s Climbing Forest. As you’re harnessed safely to ropes and nets, you’ll climb the trees and more than 200 platforms while having fun in the great outdoors with your family members. Choose from 24 different courses, depending on your comfort level, and enjoy fantastic views in this climbing haven.

If you’re interested in automotive history, trains or aeronautical technology, you’ll enjoy a stop at the Technik Museum, home to Europe’s largest space flight exhibition. Your family will want to get up close and personal with an original jumbo jet, submarine and rescue sea cruises. See the Russian space shuttle BURAN, an original moonstone, space suits, a Soyuz landing capsule, as well as locomotives, vintage cars, motorcycles and thousands of other exhibits.

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’ equal. Don’t miss the astronomical clock or the truly remarkable statuary and carvings.

Spend your day in the “Crossroads of Europe,” Strasbourg, located halfway between Paris and Prague. See the Strasbourg Cathedral and admire its spectacular Gothic façade built in the Middle Ages. You might even venture to climb up the 332 steps to the top for splendid views among the cathedral’s gargoyles. After your cathedral visit, you may choose to spend the rest of your day exploring, shopping or enjoying a nice lunch in an Alsatian winstub, a wine lounge.

An old stone well in Kaysersberg bears an inscription that warns against drinking water and urges the reader to “Drink with moderation old and subtil wine . . . and leave the water to the side.” What better words could guide you as you explore some delightful Alsatian wine villages? Though the remains of a 12th-century castle speak to Kaysersberg’s strategic importance in the Middle Ages, today it is an idyllic village nestled among vineyards. Join a local guide for a one-hour walking tour, passing storybook medieval houses with steeply pitched roofs and a gorgeous Gothic cathedral that was begun by a 12th-century Holy Roman emperor. In modern days, the village is best known as the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer. During your tour of this enchanting village indulge in a tasting of an Alsatian specialty, Kugelhopf, a delicious yeast-based cake traditionally baked in a circular, Bundt mold. Then it is onto Riquewihr. The road from Kaysersberg to Riquewihr provides quintessential wine road scenery: lush foothills, famous vineyards, castle ruins and quaint villages. Riquewihr itself seems to have changed little since the 16th century: The timber-frame buildings still boast colorful shutters and cheerful flower boxes, and stone arches still lead to cobbled squares with cafés and carved fountains. There will be time for you to explore the little shops in the village center, where you’ll find local specialties like schnapps, cheeses and artisanal breads, before returning to Breisach.