German Grandeur (Eastbound)

Basel on the river Rhine is Switzerland's third most populous city, and located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet. Indeed, the river cruise ships berth within a stone’s throw of the triple intersection. It has suburbs in France and Germany, and interestingly the language spoken is called Basel German. Read more about Basel, Switzerland

The German town of Breisach is situated along the Rhine River on the French and German border, about halfway between Freiburg and Colma. During WWII 85% of Breisach was destroyed and the early 13th century cathedral of St Stephansmünster was heavily damaged. Fortunately it is a great place to visit as it has since been restored with many of its remarkable features still intact. Read more about Breisach, Germany

Strasbourg, France’s great north-eastern metropolis and the intellectual and cultural capital of Alsace, is the ultimate European city. It has flavours of both France and Germany, and sits astride the border of the two countries. Today the residents have mixed feelings about their ‘Frenchness’ or ‘Germanness’, with many agreeing they are not either French or German, but a bit of both. Read more about Strasbourg, France

Rüdesheim lies in the heart of the Rhine River area at the southern entrance to the Lorelei valley. It is well known for the Drosselgasse, just 144m long, the pedestrian street at the heart of the city's old town. It is full of beautifully decorated restaurants, live band entertainment, and open air garden taverns that are always thoroughly enjoyed by visitors. Read more about Rudesheim, Germany

Frankfurt - aka Frankfurt am Main - is the fifth-largest city in Germany, and is at the centre of the larger Frankfurt Rhine Main Region. It has been a dynamic and international financial centre for centuries, and has the most imposing skyline in Germany. This is the image that many visitors associate with the Main metropolis. Read more about Frankfurt, Germany

Wertheim is a town at the junction of the rivers Tauber and Main in SW Germany. It is one of the most beautiful city centres in Germany, with its numerous half-timbered houses - one more beautiful than the other - and which you can't take your eyes off. Some of them go back to the 16th century. Read more about Wertheim, Germany

Wurzburg, aka Wuerzburg, is a city on the Main River at the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. It is rich in history with evidence of a Celtic fortification having been built there back in 1000 BC. The city was severely bombed during WWll and the city centre, dating back to medieval times, was totally destroyed. Read more about Wurzburg, Germany

Bamberg is a town in Bavaria, Germany, located in Upper Franconia at the junction of the Regnitz and Main rivers. It is a disarmingly beautiful architectural masterpiece with an almost complete absence of modern eyesores. The town extends over seven hills, each crowned by a beautiful church, which has led to Bamberg being called the ‘Franconian Rome’. Read more about Bamberg, Germany

Nuremberg, is a city in the German state of Bavaria, situated on the Pegnitz River and the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. In the Middle Ages the city expanded and increased in importance due to its location on a key trade route from Italy to Northern Europe. Nuremberg held great significance during the Nazi Germany era, as the site of huge Nazi Party conventions, and an important site for military production, including airplanes, submarines and tanks. Read more about Nuremberg, Germany