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.
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*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!
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1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
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I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
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Xx,
Jessica
