Magical Rhine

Mannheim’s Christmas market is a holiday season shopping extravaganza, centered around the city’s iconic water tower. One of Germany’s oldest and largest markets, more than 160 booths host vendors from around the world, offering handicrafts and handmade items. Speyer’s Old Town transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. With the historic Old Gate as a stunning backdrop, market stalls are brimming with yuletide treats, serving Christmas cookies and steaming mugs of aromatic glühwein. Revel in Christmas traditions and sample tasty regional delicacies.

Strasbourg is said to be the capital of Christmas in France, with the city’s cathedral square taking centre stage as it is transformed into a winter wonderland. The city’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570. Hundreds of stalls are brimming with colourful wares, fine food and mulled wine, bringing festive cheer in abundance. Alsatian specialties feature an array of hearty classics, from bretzels (soft, bread-like pretzels) to bredele (star-shaped spiced cookies), and knacks (sausages) to pain d’epices (gingerbread).

Speyer’s charming, shop-lined main street is overlooked by the impressive clock tower of its Altpörtel, the Old Town Gate.

The German city of Coblenz enjoys a fabulous geographical setting. It lies at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers (what a treat for riverboat cruise trips) and the convergence of three low mountain ranges, the Westerwald, Hunsrück, and the Eifel (great photo opportunities). It is a popular destination for exploring the romantic Rhine Valley.

Eltville in Hesse is a cozy little town on the north bank of the Rhine, between Mainz and Bingen. The old town is grouped around the electoral castle of Eltville, which stands almost directly on the banks of the Rhine. The castle dates back to the 13th century and was destroyed in 1635 during the Thirty Years' War; only the residential tower was rebuilt and has been preserved to this day. Today it houses a museum about the city and regional history of Eltville as well as the tourist information.

The city of Mainz is situated on the Rhine river, within the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It serves as the state's capital city and is the 38th largest city in Germany, measured by population, with more than 200,000 residents. Significant attractions within the city include Mainz Cathedral, the State Theatre and the Romano-Germanic Central Museum. It is also recognised as a key hub for the German wine industry and, in actual fact, the history of wine production in the city can be traced all the way back to the Roman era.

Connected to the Danube via the Main-Danube Canal, Frankfurt is one of the most unique cities in Germany. After all, it is the only city with a skyline of skyscrapers. A view of the metropolis from the viewing platform of the MAIN TOWER is a very special experience. Frankfurt is not only a very modern and busy city, but also has many historical sights and attractions.