7 NIGHT MAIN RHINE CHRISTMAS CRUISE

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

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

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

Miltenberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, strategically located on the Main River between the Spessart and Odenwald ranges. The Old Town lies on a narrow strip of land on the northern bank, but was frequently flooded so the city expanded southwards across the river. From the years 83 to 260, the Romans built a remarkable line of frontier forts that divided the Roman Empire and the unsubdued Germanic tribes. Read more about Miltenberg, Germany

Mainz is a city in Germany located on the west bank of the river Rhine, across from Weisbaden. Lying just 35 km SW of Frankfurt, it shares much of its regional importance. Built as a Roman fort in the first century BC, and then in the 1450s having the first European books printed using movable type by Gutenberg, it is a fascinating destination. Read more about Mainz, 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

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

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