This past month, a sailing trip with Viking River Cruises for their Switzerland to the North Sea itinerary surprised us with charming towns on the Rhine River. Every stop presented itself with a new town, each having it’s own history. Whether it was castles, cobblestone streets, or historic music box factories, there was much to love. Here are a few we loved from the river cruise:
Cologne, Germany
What we loved: The local beer, the Cologne Cathedral, and great shopping.
What not to miss: A day tour to Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces, Brühl.
Braubach, Germany
What we loved: The views from the river of Marksburg Castle.
What not to miss: A guided tour of Marksburg Castle to experience the history of Germany.
Heidelberg, Germany
What we loved: The charming streets, the greenery of the river and mountains, and a good views.
What not to miss: A tour of Heidelberg Palace.
Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany
What we loved: Local wine and traditional music.
What not to miss: A walk down Drosselgasse for historic buildings and Siegfried’s Mechanisches Musikkabinett.
Speyer, Germany
What we loved: Enjoying the small town for an afternoon without the crowds.
What not to miss: The Speyer Cathedral.
Strasbourg, France
What we loved: Everything. Incredibly picturesque, every street had it’s own charm.
What not to miss: Stroll through Petit France, and eat lunch at La Corde A Linge.
READ NEXT
10 Reasons to Take A Viking River Cruise
What to Expect on a Viking River Cruise
*Bon Traveler was welcomed as a guest of Viking River Cruises. As always, all opinions are own.
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
2. Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
