Springtime in Holland, the Romantic Rhine Valley and the Danube (port-to-port cruise) Cruise on MS LEurope from Antwerp (Belgium)

Antwerp (Belgium)

Antwerp is a city and municipality in Belgium and the capital of the Antwerp province of Flanders. However the Brussels-Capital Region is considered as the largest Belgian city internationally. Antwerp is located on the right (eastern) bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury (1576) in the period of the Dutch Revolt. Antwerp is the largest city, a bustling old port, it boasts a very large medieval district, beautiful baroque churches and late nineteenth century streets. Many artists (like Rubens and Vincent van Gogh) lived and worked here, hence the presence of Belgium's main museums. It is an important fashion centre and is renowned for its diamond trading

Antwerp (Belgium)

Antwerp is a city and municipality in Belgium and the capital of the Antwerp province of Flanders. However the Brussels-Capital Region is considered as the largest Belgian city internationally. Antwerp is located on the right (eastern) bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury (1576) in the period of the Dutch Revolt. Antwerp is the largest city, a bustling old port, it boasts a very large medieval district, beautiful baroque churches and late nineteenth century streets. Many artists (like Rubens and Vincent van Gogh) lived and worked here, hence the presence of Belgium's main museums. It is an important fashion centre and is renowned for its diamond trading

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is located about a half-hour away from The Hague and an hour from Amsterdam, and has the largest port in Europe, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to Basel, Switzerland and into France. This city is known for its Erasmus University and the cutting-edge architecture as the large congress and concert building called De Doelen, many well known museums. Rotterdam has its own orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with its world famous musical director Valery Gergiev, plus many theatres that includes the new Luxor theatre and movie theatres. Rotterdam has also a lively cultural life (the Ahoy complex located in the south of the city hosts pop concerts and all sorts of music, poetry and cinema festivals, exhibitions, tennis tournaments and other activities). Northwest of Rotterdam you will find the major zoo called Diegaarde Blijdorp complete with a walkthrough sea aquarium called Oceanjum.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is located about a half-hour away from The Hague and an hour from Amsterdam, and has the largest port in Europe, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to Basel, Switzerland and into France. This city is known for its Erasmus University and the cutting-edge architecture as the large congress and concert building called De Doelen, many well known museums. Rotterdam has its own orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with its world famous musical director Valery Gergiev, plus many theatres that includes the new Luxor theatre and movie theatres. Rotterdam has also a lively cultural life (the Ahoy complex located in the south of the city hosts pop concerts and all sorts of music, poetry and cinema festivals, exhibitions, tennis tournaments and other activities). Northwest of Rotterdam you will find the major zoo called Diegaarde Blijdorp complete with a walkthrough sea aquarium called Oceanjum.

Amsterdam

Cycling is a quintessentially Dutch means of getting around the “Postcard City”. You can catch all the sights on a bike by booking a guided tour. Lose yourself in a maze of canals that encircle the city. Visit the flea markets to discover the multi-ethnic spirit of Amsterdam. Some of Amsterdams main attractions, includes its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops.

Amsterdam

Cycling is a quintessentially Dutch means of getting around the “Postcard City”. You can catch all the sights on a bike by booking a guided tour. Lose yourself in a maze of canals that encircle the city. Visit the flea markets to discover the multi-ethnic spirit of Amsterdam. Some of Amsterdams main attractions, includes its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops.

Amsterdam

Cycling is a quintessentially Dutch means of getting around the “Postcard City”. You can catch all the sights on a bike by booking a guided tour. Lose yourself in a maze of canals that encircle the city. Visit the flea markets to discover the multi-ethnic spirit of Amsterdam. Some of Amsterdams main attractions, includes its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops.

Nijmegen (Netherlands)

Krefeld, Germany

Located Northwest of Dusseldorf in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, Krefeld is famous for its prodcution of silk and velvet and is known by locals as the Velvet and Silk City. Popular sttractions in the city include its Zoo, the municipal botanical gardens and its open air museums such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum and the Haus Lange Museum.

Krefeld, Germany

Located Northwest of Dusseldorf in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, Krefeld is famous for its prodcution of silk and velvet and is known by locals as the Velvet and Silk City. Popular sttractions in the city include its Zoo, the municipal botanical gardens and its open air museums such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum and the Haus Lange Museum.

Cologne (Germany)

Cologne is located on the shores of the river Rhine, industrial and commercial city, next to the region of Rin-Meno and the Ruhr is one of the three large industrial regions of the country.Places of interest:Cologne Cathedral: UNESCO World HeritageChocolate MuseumThe Carnival: The main celebration in Cologne is the Karneval. Everybody gets dressed up, dances and sings in the streets and the bars.Romano-Germanic Museum: Collections of works of antiquity. Nearby you can see 12 splendid Romanesque churches, partially destroyed during World War II and rebuilt: Sankt Gereon, St. Aposteln, Sankt Maria im Kapitol, St. Georg. Gross St. Martin, St. Ursula, St. Severin, etc. Wallraf-Richartz Museum of fine arts.

Rudesheim (Germany)

Rudesheim is a city in Rheingau Taunus Kreis, district in the Regierungsbezirk of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany. It is located on the bank of the river Rhine, on the eastern entrance to Loreley Valley. It is commonly know as Rudesheim Rhein. Places to visit: Bromserburg Castle, one of the eldest medieval castles in the Rhine River. Niederwalddenkmal, a statue in Germania, constructed to conmemorate the German unification. The Drosselgasse, the heart od the old city of Rudesheim where we will find restaurants amazingly decorated, outdoor taberns and wine houses with traditional music and dancing.

Rudesheim (Germany)

Rudesheim is a city in Rheingau Taunus Kreis, district in the Regierungsbezirk of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany. It is located on the bank of the river Rhine, on the eastern entrance to Loreley Valley. It is commonly know as Rudesheim Rhein. Places to visit: Bromserburg Castle, one of the eldest medieval castles in the Rhine River. Niederwalddenkmal, a statue in Germania, constructed to conmemorate the German unification. The Drosselgasse, the heart od the old city of Rudesheim where we will find restaurants amazingly decorated, outdoor taberns and wine houses with traditional music and dancing.

Mannheim, Germany

Located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers in the Baden-Württemberg state of Germany, Mannheim has a long academic tradition highlighted by its several universities. Mannheim is a city buzzing with culture and beauty that attracts visitors from around the world. Located in the heart of the the city, The Luisenpark has been named one of the most beautiful in the world while the city hosts a wealth of theatres, concerts, museums and art exhibitions.

Strasbourg (France)

Due to it's location, Strasbourg is from the early years an important center of communications, specially riverine, and therefore it is the second port in importance on the Rhine river, which is the most transited in the world.

Mainz, Germany

Located on the banks of the river Rhine and Capital of Germanys Rhineland-Palatinate state, Mainz has a history that dates back approximately 2000 years. Several buildings, monuments and museums offer visitors a window into that rich history while the town also boasts a very cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere. The Mainz Cathedral of St. Martin which is now over 1000 years old, The Gutenberg Museum and The Marktbrunnen, one of the largest Renaissance fountains in Germany are just a few of the historical attractions to be found while the bustling Augustinerstrasse near the old Town is home to many of the towns shops and cafes.

Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt am Main form the urban center of the region of Rein Main and the city along with the surroundings, with more than five million of inhabitants, it is the second largest of the country after the metropolitan region of Rin-Ruhr, but ahead the federal capital of Berlin. It is the headquarters of the Europan Central Bank. The Central Train Station in Frankfurt, with 130 million travellers a year, is one of the largest stations in Europe.

Miltenberg, Germany

Located on the banks of the river Main Miltenberg, is an idyllic town in the heart of Germany. Boasting a rich history accented by its stunning Medieval and Renaissance architecture, Miltenberg was once a roman fortress. Pictureque half-timbered houses, cafes, the Hotel Zum Riesen, one of Germanys oldest inns, as well as a 400-year-old fountain are just a few of the wonderful sights to find in Market Square.

Wertheim

Wurzburg, Germany

Barroque city and capital of the region of Franconia, where the romantic route is started. Quarter house of the famous university on the banks of the Main River. Places of interest on the left side of the river: the marienberg Fortress, the medieval castle, declared world heritage by the UNESCO. On the same side of the fortress we can see the Kapple, a barroque church. The Alte Mainbruke, a stone bridge of the 12th century, the market square, the Marienkapelle, the house Zum Falken, the Residenz and the Hofkirche are the places of special interest you can visit in Wurzburg.

Wertheim

Karlstad, Sweden

The city of Karlstad is located on a delta where the river Klarälven, runs into Swedens largest lake, Vänern. In Karlstad you can have a walk on a hovercraft on a frozen lake, enjoy the tasting of shrimps in lake Vänern, go fishing in the ice, navigate from one isle to another, or enjoy yourself in the biggest disco in Sweden, amongst other things.

Wurzburg, Germany

Barroque city and capital of the region of Franconia, where the romantic route is started. Quarter house of the famous university on the banks of the Main River. Places of interest on the left side of the river: the marienberg Fortress, the medieval castle, declared world heritage by the UNESCO. On the same side of the fortress we can see the Kapple, a barroque church. The Alte Mainbruke, a stone bridge of the 12th century, the market square, the Marienkapelle, the house Zum Falken, the Residenz and the Hofkirche are the places of special interest you can visit in Wurzburg.

Schweinfurt

Bamberg (Germany)

Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz close to its confluence with the river Main. Its historic city center is a listed UNESCO world heritage site. Places of Interest: the Old Town, the Rose Garden at the Newe Residenz, The Little Venice, the Altes Rathaus and the Alte Hofhaltung

Bamberg (Germany)

Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz close to its confluence with the river Main. Its historic city center is a listed UNESCO world heritage site. Places of Interest: the Old Town, the Rose Garden at the Newe Residenz, The Little Venice, the Altes Rathaus and the Alte Hofhaltung

Nuremberg (Germany)

nuremberg is a city in Germany, surrounded by a medieval wall. The imperial Castle is a symbol of Nuremberg, outstanding in a magical way between the old town and appearing between the most important imperial palaces of the middle ages. it's height offers incredible views of the city. In Nuremberg we can visit apart from the Imperial Castle, the church od St. Sebald, Alberto Dureros house, St. Lawrence church, Frauenkirche, the old town hall, Gemanisches National art and craft museum, the Toy Museum or the Zeltner Palace.

MUHLHAUSEN

MUHLHAUSEN

Kelheim

Regensburg (Alemania)

Passau (Germany)

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north. Tourism in Passau focuses mainly on the three rivers, the St. Stephen's Cathedral and the "Old City".The organ at St. Stephen's was long held to be the largest church pipe organ in the world. Organ concerts are held daily between May and September. St.Stephen's is a true masterpiece of Italian Baroque, built by Italian architect Carlo Lurago and decorated in part by Carpoforo Tencalla. Many river cruises down the Danube start at Passau and there is a cycling path all the way down to Vienna. It is also notable for its gothic and baroque architecture. The town is dominated by the Veste Oberhaus and the former fortress of the Bishop, on the mountain crest between the Danube and the Ilz rivers. Right beside the town hall is the Scharfrichterhaus, an important jazz and cabaret stage on which political cabaret is performed.

Melk, Austria

Melk is a town located on the banks of the river Danube and the western gateway to the Wachau Valley. It is famous for being home to a huge baroque Benedictine monastery named Melk Abbey. The Abbey is built on a bluff overlooking the Danube River. Other popular attractions include the Haus am Stein, built in the 15th century, is the oldest building in Melk and the Kolomani Fountain

Dürnstein

Dürnstein or aswell known as the pearl of Wachau, is a barroque city with almost 900 inhabitants. It is one of the points of interest of the region of El Wachau, a valley with a high visibility landscape formed by the river Danube, and is one of the outstanding touristic destinations in the lower Austria, named World Heritage by the Unesco. Another attraction are the ruines of the Burgruine Castle, where Richard I, Richar lionheart was prisioner. Dürnstein is a wine production area.

Vienna (Austria)

Vienna lies in the east of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from being regarded as the City of Music because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psycho-analyst Sigmund Freud. The city's roots lie in early Celtic and Roman settlements that transformed into a Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is well known for having played an essential role as a leading European Music Centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The Historic centre of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the late-19th-century Ringstrasse lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.

Vienna (Austria)

Vienna lies in the east of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from being regarded as the City of Music because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psycho-analyst Sigmund Freud. The city's roots lie in early Celtic and Roman settlements that transformed into a Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is well known for having played an essential role as a leading European Music Centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The Historic centre of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the late-19th-century Ringstrasse lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.

Esztergom, Hungary

Esztergom is a city north of Hungary that is located between two hills, watching from the watchtower the flow of the river Danube. It is an emblematic place for the Hungarian Catholisim. Esztergom has numerous monuments and plenty of places to visit and enjoy.

Budapest (Hungary)

Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary, the largest in East-Central Europe and one of the largest cities in the European Union. It is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre,[2] sometimes described as the primate city of Hungary. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.

Budapest (Hungary)

Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary, the largest in East-Central Europe and one of the largest cities in the European Union. It is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre,[2] sometimes described as the primate city of Hungary. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.

Budapest (Hungary)

Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary, the largest in East-Central Europe and one of the largest cities in the European Union. It is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre,[2] sometimes described as the primate city of Hungary. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.