Towns and Cities of the Main

A key highlight of this historic city is the UNESCO World Heritage Residence Palace, which you will have the opportunity to explore with your guide after a short coach transfer from your ship. Maria Theresia, archduchess of Austria and queen of Hungary, referred to the building as ‘the Palace above all Palaces’. Climb the grand staircase, above which, the artist, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, painted the world’s largest ceiling fresco. You can also venture into the mirrored room where 600 painted mirrors and kilos of gold leaf may remind you how wealthy the taxpayers once made the ruler of the city. There’s also time to pause and admire the opulent sights from the UNESCO-listed Court Gardens.

Afterwards, join your guide for a walk through the Old Town to see one of the main attractions, the Old Bridge across the Main. Continuing your walk, hear more of Würzburg’s history, including about the opera composed here by Wagner. Also, find out about the resident physicist, Röntgen, who discovered X-Rays and Tilman Riemenschneider, a famous woodcarver and sculptor. After some free time in the Old Town, return to your ship by coach. Alternatively, if your cruise itinerary permits, you may choose to stay in the centre for further free time before making your own way back to the ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 4 - Considerable walking

Duration: 3½ hours

Please note: Expect to walk approximately half a mile over flat terrain inside the palace and one mile over cobbled terrain during the guided walk. Inside the palace, you will need to negotiate a significant number of stairs to view the ceiling fresco. A lift is available if required. There is a total walking and/or standing time of two-and-a-half hours.

Visit the Würzburg Residence Palace, following a short coach transfer from your ship. With a total of 40 period rooms open to the public, and a rich array of furniture, tapestries, paintings and other 18th-century art treasures, there is plenty to discover in the company of your local guide.

Your tour through the Residence starts on the ground floor with the vestibule and the Garden Hall, and then takes you to the famous staircase to the upper floor. The staircase is one of the architectural highlights of the palace and is one of the most magnificent achievements of secular architecture. Summoned from Venice, artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, painted the world's largest ceiling fresco in 1752/53 measuring approximately 750 square yards. With great artistic sensitivity he depicted the four continents known back then, America, Asia and Africa, personified by female figures.

The next hall, called White Hall, features elegant Rococo stucco work, also executed by Italian artists. This is followed by the Imperial Hall where marble, stucco marble, gold leaf and some more Tiepolo frescoes create a unique beauty. Once you have completed your guided tour, you may visit further state rooms as well as the palace's court gardens independently before your return transfer to the ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 3 - Moderate walking

Duration: 2½ hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately half a mile over flat, cobbled terrain. Inside the palace, you will need to negotiate a significant number of stairs to view the ceiling fresco. A lift is available if required. Benches are provided in every room as well as in the garden. The inside tour will take approximately 45 minutes.

Join a knowledgeable local guide and walk from your ship to explore this charming town in northern Bavaria, known for its industrial history and attractive Old Town. Schweinfurt is known for its industrial significance, particularly in the production of ball bearings, which earned it the nickname, "The City of Bearings". With roots in the medieval era, the town has many buildings that reflect its long-standing heritage.

A highlight of the tour is a stroll through Schweinfurt’s pretty Old Town, where you can see a mix of historic buildings, charming streets, and local landmarks. Your guide will point out key historical sites, including the Old Town Hall. This Renaissance building is a central feature of the town's historic district. It stands in the town's main square, Marktplatz, and is a great spot for photos.

At the end of the walk your guide will accompany you back to your ship or alternatively, if your cruise itinerary permits, you may choose to stay in the centre for further free time before making your own way back to the ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 4 - Considerable walking

Duration: 1½ hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one mile over mostly level but cobbled terrain with the possibility of steps. There is a total essential walking and/or standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours.

Embark on a walking tour of Schweinfurt, a pretty town in northern Bavaria. This leisurely stroll with a local expert guide introduces you to the town's rich history and picturesque landscapes, offering a perfect introduction to the area at a gentle pace.

Your guide will lead you from your ship through the town centre, past beautiful squares, historic buildings, and quaint streets. Learn about Schweinfurt’s industrial heritage, its role in the development of ball bearings, and its transformation over the centuries. Along the way, you will learn about highlights such as St Johannis Church and the Main River, providing insight into the town's evolution and local culture. With plenty of time to absorb the surroundings, this walking tour is a great way to start your visit to Schweinfurt and get acquainted with the town’s unique character.

At the end of the walk your guide will accompany you back to your ship or alternatively, if your cruise itinerary permits, you may choose to stay in the centre for further free time before making your own way back to the ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 3 - Moderate walking

Duration: 1 hour

Please Note: Expect to walk up to approximately one mile dependent on where your ship is berthed. The terrain will include cobblestones and some steps. There is an approximate essential standing and/or walking time of one hour, however this will be at a gentle pace.

Disembark the ship and board your coach to the city centre of Bamberg where your guided tour will begin. You will be shown what makes this city so unique as you get ready to explore the historical heart. Wander past churches and monasteries, narrow lanes and squares within the centre. You can also admire the half-timbered houses and baroque facades that reveal some of the city’s past.

Continue to Cathedral Square to be greeted by more historical buildings, such as the Old Court and the New Residence with its Rose Garden lined by fruit trees. Finally, pass by the Old Town Hall, which is situated on an island in the middle of the river, and take in its timbered facades and medieval style along with the former fishing hub of Little Venice. Then it’s time to return to your awaiting ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 4 - Considerable walking

Duration: 3½ hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately two miles over varied terrain which will often be cobblestones and include some gentle inclines. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately two hours with regular stops. Some steps are likely but alternate sloped routes are possible in most cases. If time allows, there will be an opportunity to explore independently at the end of the tour before returning to the ship.

Travel by coach from your ship, which will be moored on the outskirts of the city, to the centre to begin this tour. Join an expert local guide for a walk of approximately 30 minutes to the heart of the city, learning more about its history with commentary as you walk.

After your orientation walk, you will have approximately one-and-a-half hours to explore further independently. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the most famous landmark in Bamberg, the Old Town Hall, located on an artificial island in the middle of the river. Surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops, it is the perfect place to soak up the city's charming ambience.

After your free time, you will rejoin your guide and return to the coach for the transfer back to your ship. Alternatively, dependent on your cruise itinerary, you may have the option to stay in the centre for free time and return later independently.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 3 - Moderate walking

Duration: 2½ hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one mile over paved terrain which may at times be uneven or cobbled. There is total walking and/or standing time of one hour. During your free time, walking and/or standing is at your discretion.

The northern Bavarian city of Aschaffenburg boasts magnificent Renaissance buildings and romantic old town alleys. Dependant on your ship's berth, you will either have a short coach transfer into the centre or you will walk directly from the ship with your guide. On foot, explore the cultural highlights with a local expert, stopping at the 'Schlossplatz' or Castle Square, set in the shadow of the opposing, 17th-century Johannisburg Palace complex. The city is also known as the, ‘New old town’ due to the modern developments following World War Two. While many original houses were destroyed during the war, a mammoth restoration project, including reinstalling many ancient artefacts, has left the city looking even more beautiful than ever, as the traditional German architecture creates a striking contrast with the newer designs. After your guided walk you will return to your waiting ship or, dependent on your cruise itinerary, you may have the opportunity to stay in the centre for free time and return later independently.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 4 - Considerable walking

Duration: 1½ hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles over paved terrain which may at times be uneven or cobbled. There is total walking and/or standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours.

This walking wine tour combines wine and history. Starting from your ship, the guided walking tour takes you through the charming old town of Wertheim, pausing to sample locally-produced wines along the way.

The first stop is at the Spitzer Turm or Spitz Tower, where you will enjoy your first tipple, a glass of regional dry white wine. Then continue the tour along the cobbled streets as your knowledgeable local guide shares insights into Wertheim's rich history.

Next, a tasting of Tauber Valley red wine at another picturesque spot in the town will give you a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for the area’s wine production. As you explore, you will also have the opportunity to sample another regional specialty, the original Wertheim Buddescheisser, a type of peach liquer. The experience concludes with the gift of a Wertheim wine glass as a souvenir, the perfect memento of your trip.

Afterwards, you will walk back to your ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 3 - Moderate walking

Duration: 2½ hours

Please Note: Although this tour covers approximately one-and-a-quarter miles in total, which will be over cobbled ground and include some gentle inclines, it is conducted at a leisurely pace with regular stops. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours.

Depart from your ship in Würzburg by coach for the journey of approximately one hour to Rothenburg ob de Tauber. On arrival you will meet your local guide and set off on foot to explore the streets of timber framed houses, which are overlooked by the ornate clock tower that appears to be plucked from a fairy tale.

Other highlights to discover include the Market Square, which is home to the 13th-century Town Hall and a pretty fountain that also adds to the charm. Your guide will share the history behind the square and its significance to the town’s development over its 1000-year history.

Another focal point of the tour is Rothenburg’s intact medieval walls and towers. You will learn about the fortifications that once protected the town and how they shaped Rothenburg's history. After your guided walk you may enjoy some free time to explore independently before returning by coach to your waiting ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 4 - Considerable walking

Duration: 4½ hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles over terrain which at times may be uneven or cobbled. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours. During your free time walking is at your discretion. Guests with mobility limitations wishing to visit Rothenburg can do so and reduce their walking by opting out of the guided walk and having additional free time instead, however guests choosing to do this will not receive guided commentary as this is only given on the walking tour.

Travel by coach from your ship in Bamberg to the Baroque city of Bayreuth, a journey of approximately one hour. On arrival, set off on foot for a walk of approximately one hour, during which an expert local guide will reveal the rich history and charming architecture of the area. First mentioned in records from the 12th century, the town of Bayreuth grew around a strategic trade route near the Red Main River. By the 14th century, it had become a thriving city and was the seat of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, a branch of the powerful Brandenburg family.

The city's golden age came in the 17th and 18th centuries under the rule of the Margraves, particularly Wilhelm Friedrich and his wife Wilhelmina of Prussia, who transformed Bayreuth into a cultural hub with magnificent Baroque palaces, theatres, and gardens. Notably, the Bayreuth Court Theatre and the New Palace. Once you have discovered the most iconic highlights of the city, including its famous palace, theatres and squares you can enjoy an hour of free time to explore some more of the city at your own pace. Following your free time, you will return to your waiting ship by coach.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 4 - Considerable walking

Duration: 4 hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles over mostly level but cobbled terrain with approximately 25 steps. There is a total essential walking and/or standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours. Walking and/or standing during your free time is at your discretion.

This sightseeing tour begins by coach and will reveal the elegant architecture and main sights of this historic Franconian city – from its medieval beginnings, to the present day. Once famous for the manufacture of toys, it became known, in the 20th century, as the setting for the notorious Nazi rallies, and later for the war crimes trials of 1945 to 1949.

Your coach will take you past the Justizpalast (Palace of Justice), a building forever linked to the post-World War Two Nuremberg Trials, where key figures of the Nazi regime were held accountable for war crimes. This landmark continues to stand as a powerful symbol of justice and the rule of law. You will also pass by the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, an expansive area that once served as the stage for massive propaganda events during the Nazi regime. Your guide will provide insightful commentary on the site's history, its role during the Third Reich, and its subsequent transformation into a space for education and remembrance.

After disembarking your coach, you will walk to Nuremberg Castle for a short photo opportunity before strolling downhill with your guide to the old town, nestled within the city walls. Passing the house of the famous Renaissance painter Albrecht Dürer you will reach one of the largest Renaissance town halls in Germany. From here, venture into the market square where you may enjoy some free time before returning to your waiting ship by coach.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 3 - Moderate walking

Duration: 4 hours

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one mile over varied terrain which will often be cobbled and includes some steps. There is a total essential walking/standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours. Walking and/or standing during free time is at your own discretion.

Set off from your ship by coach to the city centre where you will alight for a short, guided walk along the moat and ramparts of the medieval castle continuing through the Tiergärtnertor-Gate to reach the Historic Art Bunker.

As you head inside you will gain insight into how the people of Nuremberg attempted to prepare for the looming conflict of World War Two and how, despite all the measures taken and contrary to all the announcements made by Nazi propaganda, it was the second most destroyed city in Germany. Nevertheless, irreplaceable Nuremberg art treasures did survive within this unique bunker. The vaults, which were hewn deep into the castle hill as a beer store, were converted and equipped with complex technology in order to offer optimal conditions for protecting artwork. Unnoticed by the population, Nuremberg paintings, goldsmith works, church windows and other valuable items, including art stolen by the Nazis were safely stored before the bombing raids arrived.

After your visit to the historic Art Bunker you will walk further down to the 13th century Gothic church of St Sebald, where parts of the saved art works, such as altars and stained-glass windows, can be admired back in their original place. From here, venture into the market square, before the tour concludes with a return coach ride to your ship.

Activity Level:  Walking Grade 4 - Considerable walking

Duration: 3½ hours

Please Note: The temperature in the Art Bunker is only 8°C, even in the summer. Please be sure to dress warmly. It has ground-level access, with no steps, however some steps may be required during the other parts of the tour. Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles at a relaxed pace over terrain which will be cobbled in places. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately three hours with regular pauses.