Heidelberg is a city located in southwestern Germany, along the canals of the Neckar River. It was first recognized in 1196. It was the capital city of the Rhenish Palatinate. Later, it became the place of residence of the electorate counts palatine up to 1720.
The city was devastated during the Thirty Years’ War in 1622. It was almost completely wiped out by the French in 1689 and 1693.
Heidelberg is a university town. Its 2016 census revealed that it has a population of 159,914, with roughly a quarter of that figure are students.
It is the fifth-largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg.
The oldest university in Germany and one of Europe’s most reputable universities is in this city, the Heidelberg University, which was founded in 1386. The university played a leading role in the era of humanism and Reformation.
The city’s library is the oldest existing public library in Germany, it was established in 1421. A few months after announcing his Ninety-five Theses, Martin Luther came to Heidelberg to defend them, that was in April of 1518.
During World War II, the city was the stronghold of the Nazi party. Between 1933 and 1945 was known as the Nazi period.
In 1934-1935 the State Labor Service and students at Heidelberg University built the Thingstätte Amphitheater in the northern part of the town. This amphitheater was where Nazi Party events were held. After just a few months, the sprawling Ehrenfiedhof Memorial Cemetery was opened, which completed the last project of the Nazi Party in the city. It was in the southern part of the old town.
German troops left the city on March 29, 1945, after destroying the old bridge, the city’s valued river crossing. Allied forces penetrated the town the next day and the civilian population voluntarily surrendered.
It was said that the city was not targeted by Allied bombing raids because the U.S. Army wanted to use it as a post-war garrison.
The city is known as the scientific hub in Germany as there are some internationally renowned research labs near Heidelberg University, including Max Planck Institutes and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.
For centuries it has been an art hub, especially literature. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network even awarded it as a “City of Literature”.
The city is a favorite tourist destination because of its popular romantic cityscape, including The Philosopher’s Walk, the old Baroque town, and the Heidelberg Castle.
The popular landmark, Heidelberg Castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance buildings located north of the Alps. it was demolished in the 17th and 18th centuries and has only been rebuilt partially. The castle is a towering figure from the Konigstuhl hillside. Visitors can go there via the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway which runs from Kornmarkt all the way to the summit of the Kongistuhl.
The earliest castle structure was built before 1214. A second structure was built in 1294. In 1537, though, a lightning bolt struck and destroyed the upper castle.
The present structures were improved in 1650, unfortunately, wars and fires destroyed these structures. Portions were rebuilt but another lightning bolt struck in 1764.
You can visit Heidelberg and her castle from most Rhine River Cruises. We offer from 4 – 15 day cruises. Checkout our website for cruise itineraries. Contact us for more information and current promotions: 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com
Have you ever dreamed of visiting an enchanting land of castles and rolling countryside? If so, Rudesheim, Germany is the place for you to visit. It lies along the Rhine River, it’s decorated with an abundance of castles and it is one of the most romantic cities you will visit in Germany. A Rhine River cruise will take you to this amazing land and where you can indulge in its wonders.
Rudesheim is one of the Rhineland’s best known wine villages and offers many sightseeing attractions to its visitors. This fascinating village is on the route of many Rhine river cruises.
History of Rudesheim
The original name of Rudesheim is Rudesheim am Rhein. It is situated in the Rheingau region at the foot of the Taunus Mountains and is a primary center of the Rhine wine industry. It was first mentioned in 864. The Brömserburg, an early castle of the archbishops of Mainz, was rebuilt as a residence around 1200 and later belonged to the knights of Rudesheim. Now, it is home to amazing historical collections and a wine museum. Half-timber houses, narrow streets, and old inns give the town its medieval look.
What to see in Rudesheim
One of the attractions in this riverside town is Siegfried’s MechanicalMusicCabinetMuseum. This is the first museum collection of automated musical instruments in Germany. You will be mesmerized as you look at this impressive collection.
Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum is housed in Brömserhof, a noble court built in 1542. It covers an exhibition space of more than 400 square meters and has one of the largest and most beautiful collections of mechanical music boxes. There are around 350 exhibits of mechanical instruments dating back to the 18th to the 20th century – from delicate musical boxes to a huge piano-orchestrion. The museum also collects tools and machines for manufacturing barrel organs, cardboard music, piano rolls and musical box plates.
Siegfried’s MechanicalMusicCabinet Museum displays music boxes of the past as well as traditional techniques in making the musical boxes and music rolls. It’s interesting to learn how these instruments work and how their place in society has evolved. The museum is located above the river front area of shops and tasting rooms. Near the museum you will find more shops, tasting rooms and restaurants.
“I had no idea such musical instruments existed in the past – this was my highlight in one of my visits to Rudesheim. Jan Baumgartner”
The village of Drosselgasseis another sightseeing attraction in Rudesheim. Here you can stroll along the cobble-stone streets and enjoy the village atmosphere. Drosselgasse has a number of taverns and tempting beer gardens. The Rheingau’s famous Rieslings, Sekt and locally distilled brandiesare readily available if you are interested to taste them all. Wine enthusiasts can learn how wine is produced in the Rheingau, can visit the wine museum at the Bromserburg castle.
The mighty slate rock Lorelei in the Romantic Rhine Valley is yet another pride of Rudesheim. This rock rises up almost vertically to 145 yards/132m above the water-level. Downstream the river is squeezed into its narrowest and deepest point 24 yards/22m. So the Middle Rhine at this point used to be very difficult to navigate and the correct passage, today, is clearly marked with buoys.
Even in the 19th century, reefs and rapids made this area extremely dangerous for ships to pass. According to legend, a siren called “Lorelei” bewitched the hearts of the sailors and when they looked up to the rock, their boat crashed and they sank.
Rudesheim is so captivating you shouldn’t pass by without visiting it. It’s location, architecture, and wines make the town a favorite stop along the Rhine for tourists. So get on-board a Rhine River cruise and be prepared to explore this wonderland!
We offer short Rhine River Cruises of 4- 6 nights as well as 7 night and longer cruises along the Rhine River of Germany. Cruise lines we work with are AmaWaterways,Arosa Cruises, Croisi Europe and Viva Cruises. For information, please contact us at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com
Cologne, Germany is always worth a visit as it offers new things to discover with every trip. Whether you explore the city on a bike or on foot, you can experience the city’s most beautiful and culturally-enriching sites through the museums of Cologne.
From Roman Empire relics to the place where Eau de Cologne was born, as well as a museum solely dedicated to chocolate, and collections of some of the world’s greatest art pieces, exploring the city’s museums is like going on a treasure hunt.
For starters, here are some of the top museums in cultural Cologne:
Situated next to the Cathedral of Cologne, The Roman-Germanic Museum is mainly a collection of archeological artefacts from 1000 centuries of settlement history in Rhineland, as well as Cologne’s Roman heritage. The heart of the collection is literally the famous Dionysus Mosaic.
Built on a Roman villa’s foundations and around the 70 ft2 mosaic unearthed in 1941, the museum has since been open to the public. Other museum highlights include the largest Roman glass vessel collection in the world, the goldsmith art of Merovingians, stone weapons and tools from the Neolithic age, and the 50-ft tall tomb of Roman veteran legionary Lucius Poblicius that dates back to 40 AD.
Josef Haubrich donated his collection of modern art to Cologne at the conclusion of WW II. It included pieces by Emil Nolde, Marc Cha-gall, and Otto Dix. Three decades later, the city received 350 pieces of art as a gift from Peter and Irene Ludwig on condition that a new museum would be built by the city.
The Ludwigs’ donation laid down the foundation for one of Europe’s most significant museums of contemporary and modern art. The museum houses 900 Picassos, the biggest pop art collection outside the United States, and valuable works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Alexander Rodchenko, among others.
A science center, Cologne’s Odysseum is an experience house of knowledge. It prides itself as a knowledge communication place, and metaphorically uses the epic Odyssey as a journey. It is a museum ideal for inquisitive children.
The museum sees human development as one open ended journey, and science as both progress and problem. Odysseum’s subject is the challenge of how to shape the future. You can experience the adventure of discovering the knowledge about the future through the various experience stations scattered on an area of 5,500 m2.
The Chocolate Museum is dedicated to, you guessed it right, chocolates! Its 4,000 sq2 m area contains everything you may want to know about your favorite confectionery.
Explore chocolates’ 5,000-year cultural history, and follow the journey of the cocoa bean – from the time it is roasted until it becomes a wrapped chocolate bar! Go through each step of the production process that culminates in a tall, 200-kg fountain of melted chocolate – ready for sampling!
Used as headquarters by Nazi Germany’s Secret State Police (more notoriously known as the Gestapo) from 1935 to 1945, the building now houses the NS Documentation Centre of Cologne.
You can pay tribute to the Nazi atrocity victims NS Documentation Centre. Exhibits document Cologne’s own experience under the Nazi regime. Former victims and prisoners wrote over 1,800 inscriptions and epitaphs while trapped inside the prison’s walls.
In the year 1824, art collector and university professor Ferdinand Franz Wallraf donated his collection of art works to the city. Johann Heinrich Richartz, a Cologne merchant, then provided the funds for a museum to contain the precious art pieces 30 years later; thus the museum’s name.
Cologne’s oldest museum features European art that spans many centuries – from the Middle Ages up to the 20th century – spread over the museum’s three floors, with each story dedicated to a particular period.
An ethnographic museum, Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum explores the similarities and differences of past and present world cultures. The museum has two areas: 1) Understanding the World, and 2) Shaping the World.
The exhibits take a look at all sides of different human cultures that include, religion, identity, and living concepts. The interactive multimedia shows let museum visitors immerse themselves in various cultures, and experience different perspectives.
Throughout the city of Cologne’s rich history – beginning with the oldest Roman settlements – churches have been built on the same place where the Kolumba Museum now stands.
During the medieval ages, Saint Kolumba parish was the biggest and most dominant in Cologne. To properly showcase the parish’s power, the magnificent Kolumba Church was built. It stood proud until 1943, when it was demolished tragically – together with the rest of Cologne – by an Allied forces’ air strike. The ruins have mainly remained untouched, except for a diminutive octagonal chapel built by Gottfried Böhm in 1949 to commemorate the bombing.
The oldest fragrance factory in the world lies just across the street from Wallraf-Richartz Museum. More popularly known as Eau de Cologne’s birthplace, Farina Fragrance Museum takes visitors to 3 centuries of fragrance history.
On display are art pieces, furniture, and various authentic objects from the original production site of Johann Maria Farina, an Italian perfumer who created the world renowned scent in 1709. Among his most notable customers were Kings Louis XV and Frederik the Great.
The Museum Schnutgen features a valuable medieval art collection in one of the oldest churches in Cologne. A lot of pieces in the collection, by themselves, are worth a trip already. These include the expressive St. George Crucifix, the unique filigree ivory carving Comb of St. Heribert, and the magnificent Parler Bust.
The gamut of the exhibits range from stone and wooden sculptures, valuable goldsmith artworks and stained glass to rare textiles and ivories. One distinctive museum feature is its wide, 1,000-year old exhibition space. The aura and stillness of the Romanesque St. Cecilia Church make experiencing the beauty and spiritual vibrancy of the art pieces possible.
Experience a glorious trip from ancient Greece that will take you all the way to the present, while reminiscing the triumphs and defeats of sports history’s leading athletes.
The permanent exhibits feature medals, clothing, sports equipment that include the Benetton Renault Formula One race car of Michael Schumacher, as well as many other sports memorabilia. Themed areas are dedicated to the Olympiad, new trend sports, and German gymnastics, among others.
The Municipal Museum was built in Dutch Renaissance style back in the 1600s. The armoury was originally used as a weapons arsenal.
Today, it is home to Cologne’s Koelnisches Stadtmuseum that offers an insight into the economic, spiritual, and daily living in Cologne and its people – back from the Middle Ages up to the present day.
Cologne Cathedral’s Treasury is arguably Germany’s biggest and richest. Initially intended to be a collection of relics, which were deemed as the real treasure during the Middle Ages, the artistic and monetary value of the settings were not of primary importance.
Not the conventional type of museum of today, practically everything on display are still used ecclesiastically. Contents of the treasury reflect the changes in the history of the cathedral that through centuries survived robberies, and gained gifts from emperors, popes, and bishops.
Devote one visit to tour the museums of Cologne, both the popular and the secluded ones, and you’ll understand why the city is considered as one of the top tourist destinations not only in Germany, but the whole of Europe as well.
Arosa river cruise line offers Rhine and Holland river cruises from 4 – 8 nights and they start and end in Cologne. A pre or post night stay to visit the museums of Cologne would be a great addition to a scenic Rhine River cruise. Booking a short Advent (Christmas Markets) cruise this fall from Cologne, you get the added benefit of enjoying the 7 Christmas Markets that Cologne is known for.
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
Contact Europeanbarging to assist in finding the best special offers in booking a river cruise – and hotel accommodations to visit Cologne museums. 888-869-7907 jan@europeanbarging.com
We are pleased to introduce a new European river cruise line – VIVA.
The Viva line is a mid range priced cruise line with beautiful ships and great service. The parent company has been leasing and chartering their ships since 1973 and has one of the largest fleets in Europe.
The first reflagged ship will be the 153 passenger Viva Tiara, who will go thru a total remodel in January and February of 2020 (though she had a remodel in 2018). She will have a new color scheme and furnishing in a restful teal and white theme.
Upon entering the ship, there is a beautiful 2 story atrium with sweeping wrought iron and wood staircase to the upper level (a lift is located to the side of the stairs), chandeliers, reception desk and customer service desk and on-board boutique are on the upper Diamond deck. There is also a stylish lounge with panoramic bar and dance floor, the comfortable Bistro Bar with Internet corner in the rear.
The Panorama restaurant is situated on the Ruby Deck and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch is a buffet salad bar and served entree and dessert, dinner is fully served. Main entree choices will consist of a seafood, meat and vegetarian choice. Afternoon tea consists of cakes and sandwiches.
On the Emerald deck the guest can enjoy relaxing moments in the wellness area with fitness equipment, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath and solarium. The decks are connected by a lift (not going to the Emerald deck).
The sun deck features lounge chairs for guests, a putting green, jacuzzi, walking track and weather permitting – fitness equipment for use.
All cabins on the Diamond and the Ruby deck have French balconies. The outward-facing cabins are equipped with flat-screen TV, radio, stocked minibar, safe, hair dryer, air-conditioning, shower and WC.
“I am very excited about this cruise line and the new destinations in their itineraries – many of which I have not visited yet.” Jan Baumgartner, Europeanbarging
The ship features English and German language.
Unique Itineraries
As mentioned above, the Viva Tiara has some interesting ports on the Rhine and Dutch cruise itineraries – both are round trip Dusseldorf). On the 5 night Dutch and Rhine itinerary, in addition to Amsterdam and Nijmegen, there are stops in Emmerich, Deventer, Kampen, Enkhuizen and Rees (Germany). The 7 night also features stops in Hoorn, Rotterdam and Dordricht.
The 5 night Rhine River itinerary features the towns of Niederlahnstein, and Oestrich-Winkel, in addition to Cologne, Mainz, Frankfurt, Boppard. The 7 night also includes Koblenz, Mannheim, Speyer and Strasbourg.
On the Danube River, the 5 night cruises include round trip Passau with stops in Vienna (overnight), Bratislava and Linz. The 7 night itinerary additionally includes Budapest,
For Advent season, there are lovely 4 and 5 night cruises on the Rhine and Danube Rivers, where you visit the heart of Europe and experience the delight of its traditional holiday markets.
Affordable Pricing
What’s the greatest thing about this cruise trip? You’ll get to enjoy the above mentioned perks all for an affordable price. Visit your dream European destinations aboard a luxury ship starting from less than $1,000. This all-inclusive trip ensures you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Cruise rates start $714 for a 5 night cruise in early spring on the lower deck – $1535 for a Jr suite on the upper deck, a 7 night cruise in spring and summer on the lower deck $1995 – $2725 for a Jr suite on the upper deck. Cruise rates on the Viva Tiara include the cruise, port taxes, Gratuities, all meals, wine, and a beverage package – Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee, Beer, wine, throughout the day and evening between 10am and midnight. Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked onboard.
We are offering a 20% discount off the rates for 2020 departures booked and paid in full by Dec 30th, 2019.
Book your European river cruise now – 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com.
Spring, TX – Europeanbarging has been in the travel business since 1998 specializing in European barge and river cruises. It represents most of the well-known companies in Europe offering simple to luxurious cruises and recommend the most appropriate based on the traveler’s interests.
There are many options for families and groups. This includes a Cologne to Cologne 5-night Rhine and Moselle River Cruise on an Arosa cruise, one of the leading short river cruise companies.
Enjoy the picturesque scenery while having a Moselle river cruise and have a chance to taste the well-known Moselle wines. The Moselle valley is the third largest region in Germany for wine production. Guests get to visit famous wine estates in the Moselle area that produce some of the most quality brands in the market.
Guests also get to see one of the great cities in Germany – Cologne. Famous for its Kölner Dom or Cologne Cathedral, seat of the Cologne’s Catholic Archbishop. It is a Gothic church and appointed a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is believed that it holds the relics of the Three Kings who were mentioned in the Bible.
Other sites in Cologne are Cologne city hall which is the oldest city hall in Germany that is still in use, Malakoff Tower a monument built to be an observatory gateway for navy arsenals, The Great St. Martin’s Church which might have been a sacred temple for the ancient Romans, and the old abbeys that will take guests back in time.
Guests will visit the majestic castles in Cochem one of which is Reichsburg Cochem. King Konrad III once occupied the Reichsburg Cochem, also known as the Imperial Castle of Cochem. It was ruined during the Nine Years’ War. Louis Fréderic Jacques Ravené later bought and reconstructed it. The castle is now owned by the town of Cochem.
Guests can go shopping at the medieval marketplace with houses made of timber frames and visit the St. Michael’s Parish Church in Bernkastel and Keus. A bridge was built to join the once separated places in 1905. Dr. Loosen’s Wine Estate, one of the well-known wine producers is also located here. If you visit at the end of August, you can look forward to the Bernkastel-Kues Middle Moselle Wine Festival. From the crowning of a wine queen to a wine tasting evening to a parade and crafts, this is one of the best wine festivals in Germany.
During the tour, guests will be brought to popular sites in Trier, such as the High Cathedral of Trier, the largest roman city gate, Porta Nigra a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trier features 9 of the 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites found in Germany. Travelers can also experience the Trier traditional wine festival in the Olewig district and enjoy the music, wine, and food.
Another ancient city included in the tour is the city of Koblenz. Guests get to visit the monument of Emperor William I at the Deutsches Eck, also referred to as the German Corner. See Alte Burg or Old Castle, which has a unique history of construction. Guests get to experience the traditional wine festival of Koblenz in the district of Lay.
The itinerary is subject to change and rates may vary depending on the chosen cabin or suite of the guests. Cruise and port taxes are included for regular rates, which start at $1040 per person. Also included on the Arosa cruises, are Wi-Fi, all meals and a beverage package. Wine, cocktails and long drinks are available throughout the day and evening as well as soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea. Excluded are sightseeing excursions that can be booked on board.
For more information contact Europeanbarging.com at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com
All cabins on the Diamond and the Ruby deck have French balconies. The outward-facing cabins are equipped with flat-screen TV, radio, stocked minibar, safe, hair dryer, air-conditioning, shower and WC.