Discover timeless treasures with a voyage on the Rhine

Telegraph

7 hours ago

Politics may be the reason why Strasbourg makes the headlines, but the historic beauty of the city is as eye-catching as anything discussed in the European Parliament.
Wandering among the picture-perfect half-timbered buildings of the Petite France district, their flower-dappled facades reflected in the canals, the giant modern buildings of various EU institutions seem a world away.
After giving my camera a workout, I relax in a café with a slice of tarte flambée; the next day, I learn how to make the Alsace version of pizza in a fun cooking demonstration on our Viking Longship, moored nearby.
Strasbourg is a highlight of Viking's Rhine voyages and it features on the eight-day Rhine Getaway (which operates from early March to late November). The journey starts and finishes in Amsterdam or Basel (or vice versa), with ports of call in four countries.
Arriving in Cologne, I find it easy to switch between standing in awe beneath its gigantic Gothic cathedral and sampling its revered beer culture in a traditional tavern.
Another fine cathedral dominates Speyer, this one having sandstone walls and towers that glow brightly in the sun at the end of a charming 'high street'. Speyer is also home to my all-time favourite museum, the Technik, which has every mode of transport on display, from bicycles to a space shuttle.
The charming town of Breisach is the gateway to an engaging included tour through the enchanted Black Forest to a hamlet where cuckoo clocks and the namesake gâteau are made.
Then there's the spectacular Rhine Gorge, where the hillside castles and soaring churches come one after another – best enjoyed from the Sun Deck, with a commentary bringing the monuments to life.
The authentic regional cuisine and live music on board the Viking Longship complement the chic modern comforts to be had on board. It's certainly a ship to luxuriate in, with its spacious staterooms, expansive, elegant suites, streamlined Scandinavian design and al fresco dining out on the deck.
Our guide tells old tales of Kinderdijk, with its string of 19 handsome windmills built in the 18th century. Koblenz is a classic: pastel-coloured time-worn houses, cobbled lanes, enchanting churches and a colourful market square.
Germany at its most picturesque is best found at Rüdesheim. The quirky taverns on and around Drosselgasse are perfect for people-watching with a glass of wine from a nearby estate.
Heidelberg, on the River Neckar, a tributary of the Rhine, is unforgettable. Its huge castle dominates a hill above the river and the 18th-century bridge makes a perfect foreground for a photo.
Viking offers an included excursion at almost every stop, plus a range of exciting options *. With the latter, you can discover other castles and palaces, further your knowledge of the local food and wine, explore by e-bike or climb up on the roof of a cathedral. Summer or winter? Choose one and I bet you'll return to savour the other.
My unforgettable moments
Infused with classic fairy tales, Germany's dense Black Forest is both romantic and mysterious. Everyone can join in Viking's included excursion from Breisach, taking the luxury coach along winding lanes, enjoying everchanging panoramas of wooded hills and lush pastures.
At a hamlet hidden in the woods, you'll discover the history of cuckoo clocks, watch a glassblower and learn how to make the region's timeless gâteau. There is still enough time to follow a ravine through this captivating forest, imagining coming across Snow White or the Big Bad Wolf.
The optional Beer Culture and Dinner excursion in Cologne is the perfect excuse to sample mouthwatering cuisine and beverages while immersing yourself in the cultural history of the German Purity Law, passed in 1516 to regulate beer production. In the company of a genial local host, you'll spend the evening hopping between traditional brauhauses, with generous helpings of the coveted kölsch beer and hearty food to soak it up.