Magic of Advent on the Rhine and Main

Speyer, the venerable emperor’s city on the Rhine, has had a rich and turbulent past. Religious architecture steeped in history, impressive facades of various styles, winding alleys and romantic squares expressthe character of the city. The city tour includes a visit to the Romanesque Imperial Cathedral from the exterior, with its striking twin tower portal, and visits to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate (Altpoertel) and the Jewish Ritual Bath. Afterwards, the Christmas market will fill you with warmth as the smell of punch and toasted almonds, hot roasted chestnuts and freshly baked apples envelopes your nose.

A comfortable coach will take you to Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall. At the end of the tour you may take the chance and stroll around the Christmas market of Heidelberg.

Mainz has many attractions: the Roman Castrum Moguntiacum, the Jewish Magenza, the residence and capital of the Prince Electors, an archbishopric, a university town and a fortified city of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the Mainz Republic. These are all epochs of “Golden Mainz”, as the city has been known since its heyday in the Middle Ages. A tour through the city will lead you from the tremendous St. Martin’s Cathedral to the Gutenberg museum, where you can experience 4000 years of the history of writing. The museum is a tribute to the inventor of the printing press with moveable letters. His world renowned 42-line bible is one of the prime exhibits.

Transfer with the bus from Frankfurt to the cider manufacture 'Am Steinberg‘, just outside of Frankfurt. The farm was founded 1965 by Albert and Waltraud Schneider. 1996 the son of the founders, Andreas turned the agricultural business into an organic farm. The farm received already 3 times the POMME D'OR award, which is known as the Oscar among the cider manufactures. You will be equipped with a torch and guided through the apple plantation. Meanwhile the guide tells you more about the philosophy and the history of the farm, you are welcome to enjoy a warm cup of cider. The visit of the farm will last 45-60 minutes. After the visit the bus will drive you back to the ship.

Stroll into the small town of Miltenberg and discover the historic market square, the high-gabled half-timbered houses and the old town hall. The all-surmounting Mildenburg Castle provides the backdrop for this entertaining walking tour of the town, which ends with a tasting of gingerbread.

Afterwards, immerse yourself in the lively history and romance of the neighboring town of Wertheim and explore the medieval alleys and numerous half-timbered houses during the city tour. Worth seeing are especially the Angel Fountain and the Collegiate Church late Gothic Kilian's Chapel.

Experience many beautiful sights in the old town of Würzburg, such as the marketplace, the Maria Chapel and the old main bridge, with its unique panorama of the Marienberg Fortress and the surrounding vineyards. Afterwards, you will visit the Würzburg Residence, which is one of the most important Baroque castles and a masterpiece of the southern German Baroque style. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century by Balthasar Neumann. The magnificent staircase with frescos by the Venetian Tiepolo and the Imperial Hall are particularly impressive. Thereafter, you will join a guided tour of the ancient wine cellar of a local vineyard. At the end of the tour you will have the chance to taste a glass of wine.

Rothenburg is referred to as Germany’s well-preserved “Jewel of the Middle Ages” with its ramparts, city gates, town hall and the St. Jakob parish church. Renaissance and Gothic influences shaped the town. Towers, city gates, walls, half-timbered gables – all these have remained unchanged since the Thirty Years’ War. The Middle Ages come alive in Rothenburg.

Upon your arrival, join the town walk with a local guide who will point out major points of interest, such as the St. Jakob Parish Church, where art lovers can admire the “Heiligblutaltar” (Holy Blood Altar) by Tilman Riemenschneider, one of the greatest German sculptors of the Middle Ages. After the guided tour, enjoy some free time and buy souvenirs or visit the famous Christmas Museum of Käthe Wohlfahrt.

A comfortable coach will take you into the center of Bamberg, which is affectionately known as the “Frankish Rome”. The walking tour will enable you to immerse yourself in the magic and history of this town. With its historic old quarter, its churches and monasteries, bridges, narrow streets and squares, its half-timbered houses and baroque facades, it has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. During the walk, you’ll see magnificent sights such as the imperial cathedral, the old imperial residence, the new residence palace and rose garden, the old town hall and the former fishing village that is now Bamberg’s “Little Venice” area.