Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery

Speyer (aka Spires), located on the river Rhine, is one of Germany’s oldest cities dating back to pre-Roman times. The city is dominated by the architecturally significant Speyer Cathedral, where beneath the high altar are the tombs of eight Holy Roman emperors and German kings. Today it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about Speyer, Germany

Bernkastel is a district of the town Bernkastel-Kues, a well-known wine growing centre that is over 700 years old, located on the Middle Moselle river in Rhineland, Germany. The town is a state-recognized health resort and the birthplace of one of the most famous medieval churchmen and philosophers, Nikolaus von Kues. His birthplace has been well preserved over the centuries. Read more about Bernkastel, Germany

Founded in 16 BC, Trier is the oldest city in Germany, situated on the banks of the Moselle River near the border with Luxembourg. Trier lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills of ruddy sandstone, in the important Moselle wine-growing region. Of great interest are the Roman amphitheatre, and the 2nd century AD Roman bridge across the Moselle River, which is the oldest bridge north of the Alps, and still crossed by traffic today. Read more about Trier, Germany

Cochem is a town on the west bank of the Mosel River and the capital of the district of Cochem-Zell, Western Germany. It is situated in the valley of the Mosel, surrounded by vineyards, and at the foot of a hill overlooked by the Reichsburg, a feudal castle that dates from 1051. The history of Cochem in Celtic, Roman, and early Middle Ages is unknown, but its location was ideal for farming and wine production with access to the Mosel river traders. Read more about Cochem, Germany

Cologne, situated on the River Rhine and Germany’s fourth largest city, was recognised by the Romans as a major centre for their trade routes. Subsequently, considerable Roman remains can be found in contemporary Cologne, especially near the wharf area, where a notable discovery of a 1900 year old Roman boat was made in late 2007. Due to WWII air raids, today Cologne is notable for its simple and modest post-war buildings, but fortunately is still home to a few interspersed pre-war buildings that were reconstructed due to their historical importance. Read more about Cologne, Germany

Dusseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a key economic centre of Germany, situated on the River Rhine, and has a high population density. The city dates back to 1135 and flourished with a market square protected by city walls in all four directions. Read more about Dusseldorf, Germany

The city of Maastricht, located on both sides of the Meuse river near the Belgian and German borders, is the capital of the Dutch province of Limburg, in the SE of the Netherlands. This city in the south of Holland boasts a series of beautiful historic little districts, welcoming and exceptionally good restaurants and eateries, and plenty of art and attractions. As one of the oldest cities in Holland be sure to visit the historic inner city with its churches, city walls, monumental merchant houses, and big squares that merge seamlessly with a comprehensive and varied range of shops. Read more about Maastricht, Netherlands

In the region of Flanders the city of Antwerp, situated on the eastern bank of the river Scheldt and joined to the North Sea by an estuary, is a major destination of Belgium. It claims to be the ‘world's leading diamond city’ and it has every right to do so, as more than 70% of all diamonds are traded here. Due to its long and culturally rich history, the city houses buildings built in varying historical periods with an interesting variety of architectural designs. Read more about Antwerp, Belgium

Brussels is the capital and largest city of Belgium, serving as the de facto capital of the European Union. It hosts major EU institutions, including the European Commission, European Council, and European Parliament. The city is renowned for its historic architecture, including the UNESCO-listed Grand Place, and its diverse cultural scene. Read more about Brussels, Belgium