Did you know you can travel on a single vessel from the Black Sea along the Danube, then via the Danube Canal to the Rhine, Moselle, and via the Rhine/ Amsterdam canal to Amsterdam harbour? Some 70 locks link the waterways from the North Sea to the Black Sea by a wonderful and powerful feat of navigational engineering over 1,795 miles. The waterways connect ten countries and have played a crucial role in history

Starting in Vienna, you can explore by foot to see the Ferris Wheel, made famous by Orson Welles in the Third Man film shot in a nearby riverside park, and the Jubilee Church dedicated to the Mexican inhabitants of Vienna. Visit Belvedere Palace, gardens and gallery with paintings by Gustave Klimt , a master of Art Nouveau. The Belvedere Palace was the location for signing the agreement with the ambassadors of USA , France, Russia and Britain’s Harold Macmillan, for the handing- over of Austria by Russia so that Austria could become an independent state.

Travelling west up the Danube, along the wine- growing region of Wachau through the beautiful vineyards sloping down to the river, you reach Melk. This area is a World Heritage Site and is remarkable not only for the views but also for the wildlife, birds, riverside trees, and woods. Melk Abbey continues as an active Benedictine monastery and school for 700 pupils, and is startling by the wealth of its endowment until it is appreciated that the abbey was founded by King Leopold II in 1089. He gifted this to the Benedictine Order which follows the way of life established by St Benedict in the 6th century .

The confluence of the Danube with the river Inn and the river Ilz on the border of Austria and Germany occurs at Passau , a truly picturesque border town, known locally as the “town of the three rivers”. It comprises baroque style buildings and the patrician houses around the majestic baroque St Stephen’s Cathedral adjacent to the Oberhaus Fortress with its 2000-year history going back to the Romans and Charlemagne. The Cathedral houses one of the world’s largest church organs.

Regensburg, which evolved from the Roman garrison of Castra Regina, became an important religious centre. With a high density of religious buildings, the town also became the seat of Bavarian Dukes and Prince- Bishops. It is now the economic and cultural hub of eastern Bavaria and a significant university town.

A sombre highlight is Nuremberg, not least because it is always associated with the WW II Nuremberg trials. However, the development of the city before the 1930s megalomaniac period is interesting as it provides one reason for the decision to hold the trials there. Founded in the 11th century, Nuremberg became the “de facto” capital of the Holy Roman Empire, the first place in Germany to have a university, a seat of learning and a centre for sculptors and painters who influenced the development of German culture. In the 20th century, it became the site of Nazi party rallies in buildings designed by Albert Spier.

To Bamberg, the family seat of the Counts of Babenberg, rulers of Austria in the 10th to 13th centuries .This is a unique town of some 2000 buildings listed as historic buildings which were not damaged at all in WW II and are now designated as a World Heritage Site. There is an imposing cobbled open area opposite the grand Bishops’ Palace ,which is a copy of Versailles. In the Cathedral can be found the only place where a Pope has been buried outside Rome north of the Alps ( Clement 11), albeit for a reign of only 8 months !

In Wurzburg visit the baroque “Bishop’s Residenz”. Wurzburg is famous for its artists and scientists, including Rontgen , the inventor of X-ray photography, and support for the Peasants Revolt in the 16th century. The local Prince-Bishop improved the lot of the peasants after this revolt and there followed a period of advancement in scientific and cultural affairs.

In Wertheim explore on foot this highly fortified medieval town, once ruled together by the Bishop of Wertheim and the Princes of Wertheim . An imposing castle ruin overlooks the town which is constituted of half timbered houses in the Franconian style.

Mainz has an illustrious history : it is the centre of the Rhine wine trade , an important industrial town and the headquarters of the radio & TV stations ZDF and SWF. 75% of Mainz was destroyed in WWII but the integration of modern architecture with the restored historic centre, works superbly, with planned pedestrian -only streets. A visit to the Gutenberg museum includes a hands -on demonstration of the hot metal printing techniques invented by Gutenberg in 1450 . Johann Gutenberg was the first printer of the Bible, previously handwritten by monks. Original versions of these Bibles (manuscript and printed), were on display at the museum. Nearby is the Romanesque Cathedral of SS. Martin & Stephen. Begun in 975AD and continued to the 13th century , it is one of the supreme achievements of Romanesque religious architecture in the upper Rhine area. There is also a startling depiction by Dali of the Crucifixion in the Cathedral Treasury.

The Moselle River has vast, steep sloping , stunning vineyards as far as the eye can see up the hills on both sides of the river as far as Cochem, on which even the Romans lavished praise. The town is dominated by the Reichsburg Castle built high above the town with pointed towers and battlements. As impressive as the castle itself, is the precipitous view of the long Moselle valley and its magnificent forests, meadows and vineyards. There are many medieval gates, walls and churches remaining in Cochem interspersed between the narrow streets and twisted alleyways and stone staircases.

Bernkastel-Kues is a unique example of a medieval town which is truly picturesque with cobbled streets and half timbered houses, all intact and in excellent fettle. The Cusanus-Trust in Kues on the other side of the river opposite Bernkastel, houses a world famous wine library, the Vinothek, which was endowed by Nickolaus von Cusanus .

Koblenz at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers is a reconstructed medium sized modern town in which no less than seven historic churches have been restored with the former Jesuit Seminary now serving as the Town Hall. The 12th century Marksburg Castle is set high above the hill overlooking Braubach. This castle was so fortified that it has never been besieged and the exterior remains much the same as it did 700 years ago.

The Rhine passes Bonn before arriving at Cologne, fourth largest city in Germany with 2 million inhabitants servicing the extensive industries. The Gothic cathedral gives witness to the importance of Cologne. It is the largest in northern Europe built over a period of 600 years from 1248 and completed in 1880 with medieval and modern stain-glassed windows illuminating the vast interior.
Finally, the magnificently wide Rhine/Amsterdam Canal, bounded throughout its length by lime trees , makes a majestic approach to the harbour of Amsterdam, sometimes described as the “Venice of the North”.

HOW TO GET THERE
Some or all of this journey can be taken by river vessel, our recommendations being Peter Deilmann or Viking River Cruises. Short flights into key turnaround cities enable you to take a journey of seven days, or longer.

WHEN TO GO
The European river cruise season runs from late March to early November. As you would expect, shorter and chillier days during the shoulder spring and autumn seasons create a different experience, but for many the opportunity to explore in cooler weather, out of season, brings its own benefits

WHAT TO WEAR
Central Europe tends to be warmer during the summer than the UK, but like here, the weather is unpredictable and forecasts should be followed closely. Prepare for rain with waterproofs, and plan to enjoy extensive walking by taking comfortable and sturdy footwear.

DOCUMENTATION
A full British passport is required. If you do not hold a British passport, please check with us.