The Roman Empire stretched far and wide at its peak, and many of its proudest and most northerly settlements now sit in modern-day Germany. It’s thought that much of the Rhineland’s culinary heritage comes directly from Roman rule; Julius Caesar reportedly first introduced one of the region’s most famous and best-loved dishes, Sauerbraten.
This Roman influence is felt most keenly in Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest, largest and most recognisable cities. A river cruise on the Rhine is incomplete without stopping here, exploring the enchanting Old Town and how it was shaped by the Romans – not least visiting the esteemed Twelve Romanesque Churches of Cologne.
One of the highlights of any river cruise on the Rhine is approaching Cologne for the first time, when you catch your first glimpse of Kölner Dom, the mighty gothic cathedral whose twin spires dominate the skyline – truly magical from the sun deck or your personal balcony.
Don’t just visit the Rhine, experience the wealth of culture, history and beautiful scenery that the region has to offer on one of our spectacular, luxurious Rhine river cruises.
From the stark beauty of the Black Forest Village in Breisach, to the intricate Gothic architecture on show in Cologne, our 8 day Jewels of the Rhine river cruise could be for you. Perhaps the Higlights of the Netherlands & the Beauty of Belgium is more suited to your tastes, especially if you like UNESCO World Heritage-listed windmills, Antwerp’s quaint cobblestone streets and Maastricht perfectly-Dutch churches, museums and squares.
