9 nights · Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria · River cruise · Departs Nuremberg (Germany) · Visiting Bamberg, Wurzburg, Miltenberg, Frankfurt am Main, Rudesheim am Rhein, Speyer, Heidelberg, Kehl-Strasbourg, Breisach am Rhein, Basel · Aboard Avalon Waterways on the Avalon Imagery II
Image courtesy of Avalon Waterways ©
This river cruise sails the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, Main and Rhine, departing Nuremberg.
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways |
|---|---|
| Ship | Avalon Imagery II |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 11 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 130 |
| Cabins | 65 |
| Crew | 37 |
| Length | 110 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Nuremberg is a city of striking contrasts, where medieval streets meet the history of twentieth-century Germany. Within its old walls, the Imperial Castle rises above timbered houses, churches and the Hauptmarkt. Visit St. Sebaldus Church, then explore the Documentation Center and former Nazi Party Rally Grounds for essential context. Allow time for local gingerbread and a walk across the Pegnitz, which divides the historic centre.
Bamberg rewards a few hours on foot, with one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval town centres. On the Regnitz River, its UNESCO-listed Old Town brings together a Romanesque cathedral, baroque façades and half-timbered lanes. See the Old Town Hall, poised on an island, and the riverside houses known as Little Venice. Finish with Rauchbier, Bamberg’s distinctive smoked beer, in a traditional brewery tavern. Seven hills surround the city, while its compact centre keeps the main sights within easy reach.
Step ashore in Würzburg, where Franconian wine, Baroque splendour and the Main River shape a memorable day. The Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rewards a visit for its grand staircase and Tiepolo frescoes. Cross the Old Main Bridge for views of Marienberg Fortress and vineyards climbing the surrounding slopes. Then explore the compact old town, where cafés and wine taverns offer a pause between landmarks.
Miltenberg sits between the Main River and wooded hills, with a compact old town made for exploring on foot. Half-timbered houses line market lanes leading to Schnatterloch, the handsome square beneath Mildenburg Castle. Climb to the castle for views across the rooftops and river valley, then linger over Franconian food or wine. This small town offers a vivid pause between larger German cities.
Frankfurt am Main pairs a striking skyline with the River Main and a compact historic centre. Begin at Römerberg, where half-timbered façades frame the city’s medieval square. Then cross the river to the Städel Museum, one of Germany’s leading art museums. The city rewards a longer stay. Explore the Museumsufer and sample Apfelwein in Sachsenhausen. Here, Europe’s financial capital balances modern ambition with old-world character.
Rüdesheim is a rewarding first stop on the Rhine, with vineyards climbing steep slopes above the water. It stands at the southern gateway to the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, famed for castles and dramatic river scenery. Explore the old lanes and Drosselgasse, then take the cable car through the vines to the Niederwald Monument. From its hilltop setting, the Rhine spreads below in a view worth lingering over.
Frankfurt am Main pairs a striking skyline with the River Main and a compact historic centre. Begin at Römerberg, where half-timbered façades frame the city’s medieval square. Then cross the river to the Städel Museum, one of Germany’s leading art museums. The city rewards a longer stay. Explore the Museumsufer and sample Apfelwein in Sachsenhausen. Here, Europe’s financial capital balances modern ambition with old-world character.
Speyer’s red-sandstone cathedral dominates a historic city on the Rhine. Begun in 1030 under Emperor Conrad II, it is among Europe’s finest Romanesque churches and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its vast crypt holds the tombs of German emperors and kings. Beyond the cathedral, explore the old town’s lively squares and medieval Jewish heritage. The Technik Museum offers an unexpected finale, with historic aircraft and spacecraft on display.
Few German cities make history feel as immediate as Heidelberg. Set beside the Neckar, its old town gathers around the market square and the Church of the Holy Spirit. Cross the Old Bridge for views of the red sandstone castle, rising above the rooftops. Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University gives the city an enduring scholarly spirit. Walk the Philosopher’s Way for a wider view, then linger over the cafés and lanes below.
Speyer’s red-sandstone cathedral dominates a historic city on the Rhine. Begun in 1030 under Emperor Conrad II, it is among Europe’s finest Romanesque churches and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its vast crypt holds the tombs of German emperors and kings. Beyond the cathedral, explore the old town’s lively squares and medieval Jewish heritage. The Technik Museum offers an unexpected finale, with historic aircraft and spacecraft on display.
Strasbourg rewards visitors with a rare blend of French elegance and German character. Its historic center, the Grande Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, threaded with canals and half-timbered houses. At its heart, Strasbourg Cathedral rises above the old streets, its pink sandstone façade a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Take time for a table of Alsatian cooking, where French technique meets hearty regional tradition. Then follow the riverfront lanes and discover a city shaped by centuries on Europe’s border.
Breisach rewards a short walk uphill: its old town gathers around St. Stephen’s Minster, above the Rhine. Inside, the minster’s carved altar and medieval murals offer a close encounter with Upper Rhine art. Across the river lies Alsace; inland, the Kaiserstuhl’s volcanic slopes are known for vineyards and distinctive wines. Allow time for the compact center and its river views; Breisach makes a rewarding pause between Freiburg and Colmar.
Basel sits where Switzerland meets France and Germany, with the Rhine running through its centre. A short walk from the river leads to the red-sandstone Rathaus and Münster, whose terraces open across the rooftops. The city rewards unhurried exploring, from medieval lanes in the Old Town to galleries and renowned art collections. Cross the river by ferry, or use Basel’s efficient trams to reach museums, cafés and the lively Marktplatz.
Published August 7, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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