Enchanting Moselle Christmas Markets

Arrive inAmsterdam and be transferred to the ship.

Everyone has an image of Amsterdam. For some, it’s small boats gliding on the canals and locals two-wheeling on bikes to work and, as frequently, to meet friends for drinks.

For others, it’s gabled buildings leaning, seemingly precariously, over cobbled streets and cozy taverns illuminated by candles. Still others imagine tulips in bloom and the paintings Vermeer, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Each vision is even more beguiling when experienced in person.

For a city whose history can be traced to the 7th and 8th centuries, Düsseldorf’s edgy art culture and innovative business landscape is all the more impressive.

The capital city of the North is decidedly posh, pushing the boundaries of high fashion and high-rise design, and a culinary and nightlife scene caters to the international elite who populate the city.

Banking and tech industries have brought the city great wealth, making Dusseldorf one of the world’s most livable cities.

Located where the Rhine and Moselle rivers and three mountain ranges meet, Koblenz’ scenery is unmatched.

Add to that the city’s 2,000-year-old history, hilltop fortress and squares lined by classic Germanic architecture and you have a place ready made for photos.

Amble along the town’s narrow lanes and river promenade, you might encounter medieval churches, flower-filled parks, sidewalk cafes and perhaps a weinstube, or wine tavern, ideal for sipping Riesling and drinking in the atmosphere.

A well-preserved medieval town, Bernkastel’s colorful Market Square is among the most authentic and lovely of those that line the riverside, with a Renaissance-era Town Hall and the bustling activity of shops and cafés.

Don’t miss the Spitzhaüschen (pointed house) that famously towers above the other rooftops. With its ground floors built narrower than the upper floors, the building appears to wobble off balance, but has stood strong since 1416.

Germany’s oldest town was founded by Romans and still bears remarkably preserved evidence of the culture – Roman baths, amphitheater and the imposing Porta Nigra gateway.

It has since become synonymous with the rolling wine vineyards of the Rhineland that follow the Moselle, with the commanding 12th-century Eltz Castle standing guard.

Germany’s oldest town was founded by Romans and still bears remarkably preserved evidence of the culture – Roman baths, amphitheater and the imposing Porta Nigra gateway.

It has since become synonymous with the rolling wine vineyards of the Rhineland that follow the Moselle, with the commanding 12th-century Eltz Castle standing guard.

Cochem with its half-timbered buildings, steep terraced slopes, lush vineyards and a picturesque castle overlooking the Moselle River, this charming town’s riverside promenade allows a chance to savor the atmosphere of a fairytale come to life.

Take in the beauty of the surrounding hills, sometimes laced with mist, and see bridges spanning the lazy waters of the river.

Perhaps you will feel somewhat lazy yourself, reluctant to move too quickly through a town seemingly stopped in time.

Bonn with its lovely riverside setting, Bonn is still considered the unofficial second capital of a reunified Germany, home to several governmental operations, as well as more than 20 United Nations institutions.

Founded by Romans, it was the onetime capital of the Electorate of Cologne, and the site of the largest known Roman fortress. Its favorite son, Ludwig van Beethoven, turns 250 in 2020, so the excitement here is reaching a high note.

People have been fighting over Arnhem for centuries. It’s no mystery, given its natural beauty, abundant parks and bicycle pathways, and lively scene of cafés and creative hubs.

Its darkest hour came during World War II, when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, occupying the whole country within one week. In resistance, Arnhem became the site of the largest airborne military operation in history.

Today, this prosperous town is known as a center of fashion and design.

Your journey has come to an end, begin your trip home.