Rhine Getaway

Enjoy a fascinating stroll through Speyer, home to the largest of the three Romanesque imperial cathedrals. It is believed that the Protestants earned their name here in 1529 after citizens and royalty drafted the “Protestation at Speyer,” proclaiming their right to practice Christianity as they please. In 1689, Louis XIV’s troops plundered Speyer and left it in ruins; over many decades, it was artfully rebuilt. During your walk, you will marvel at the exterior of the red sandstone cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eight emperors are entombed here, including some of the most notable Holy Roman Emperors. Reconstructed after Louis XIV’s invasion, its six towers dominate the skyline. Pass the Jewish courtyard, once home to one of the most important medieval synagogues, and Speyer’s Altpörtel, or Old Gate, the last remains of the town’s fortifications. There will also be time to stroll the city’s charming, shop-lined main thoroughfare.

See the castle and old medieval town so steeped in romance that they stood at the center of the German Romantic movement. Join your guide for a drive to Heidelberg, several miles up the Neckar River. You will ascend to the majestic Heidelberg Castle, a treasure trove of striking Renaissance-era buildings. Originally built during the early 13th century, it was the residence of the Palatinate monarchy through the 18th century. Descend into the Altstadt, or Old Town, for a walking tour toward the turreted Heidelberg University. Founded in 1386, it is Germany’s oldest. You can see the school’s tower in which unruly boys were incarcerated for misdeeds, and the Red Ox tavern in which they boasted to their mates about their imprisonment. You will pause to share a special lunch with a group of modern-day students and hear their views on attending Germany’s oldest university.

Raise your glass and give a hearty “Prost!” to a delicious and fun evening. Despite its growing popularity, Rüdesheim has retained its small-town riverside charms. Nowhere is this more apparent than along the Drosselgasse, a narrow pedestrian way overflowing with wines and oom-pah-pah tunes. Visit one of the town’s oldest restaurants, whose proprietors keep another tradition alive—the earth-to-table approach to dining that brings the rich and varied flavors of their beloved Rheingau straight to your plate. During this evening excursion, board a mini-train to the 15th-century Drosselgasse. Take in the medieval atmosphere during a stroll past cozy wine bars and lively taverns, then sample the bounty of Germany’s Rheingau region during a festive meal. Enjoy a full-course dinner with traditional music, and try the local Schnapps vom Brett as a digestif.

Enjoy dinner in a former Cistercian monastery whose lush vineyards have produced wines for centuries. Drive to Kloster Eberbach, a monumental yet simple Romanesque and early Gothic monastery church renowned for its architectural heritage. Its vineyards have been maintained throughout its history, despite its secularization in 1803 and various incarnations since. Meet your host in the historic wine cellar, where grapes were once transformed into sweet Rieslings for centuries. Here, you will have the chance to sample some of the monks’ favorite wines. After, enjoy a guided tour of the church and the monks’ cloister, once strictly reserved for the use of ordained monks. Proceed to the restaurant, where you will enjoy a dinner prepared with the freshest ingredients from the Rhinegau. After a delicious meal in a hallowed setting, return to your ship.

Enjoy a delicious dinner of German specialties at the site of one of the Rheingau region’s most celebrated vineyards. Drive past gently rolling hills to Schloss Johannisberg, set amid Germany’s renowned wine-making region. Its vineyards skirt the estate’s grounds for acres and have been prolific for 900 years. Upon arrival, join your host for a tour through the vines, concluding in the estate’s wine cellar. Here, grapes grown on the grounds have been transformed into sweet Rieslings for centuries. You will have the chance to sample three of your host’s favorites and gain insight into the soil, climate and processing that produce the perfect glass. Proceed to the dining venue on the estate grounds overlooking the vineyards, where you will enjoy a meal prepared with the freshest ingredients from the Rheingau.