Riverside Debussy, Yule Time on the Rhine River Cruise ex Frankfurt Return

The spirit of Yule is alive and well! From the moment you step aboard your Riverside luxury ship in Europe’s bustling financial hub of Frankfurt, you’ll be immersed in Gemütlichkeit (warm, coziness). Experience Germany’s long-held holiday traditions during stops in Bonn, Germany’s former capital and city of Ludwig van Beethoven; awe-inspiring Cologne with its landmark cathedral and rich Jewish heritage; Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers come together; the quaint wine village of Rüdesheim for an unforgettable musical treat; and other alluring cities and towns. Even Mother Nature gets into the gift-giving spirit with moments you’ll never forget in the castle-dotted Rhine Gorge. Time at the merry Christmas Markets rounds out the trip. You might even enjoy conducting your own Glühwein taste test since each town has its own unique recipe!

FRANKFURT, GERMANY
Frankfurt, the first things that come to mind are the sausages, the banks and finance. A feature even more famous than the sausages is, of course, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born in the house on Großer Hirschgraben. Here, he also wrote two of his important works, the original version of “Faust” and “Die Leiden des jungen Werther”. His birthplace can be visited today. It is one of a total of 39 museums on the city’s waterfront. An absolute must! And the old town with the Paulskirche, which became the seat of the first German National Assembly in 1848 and where the Peace Prize of the Frankfurt Book Trade is awarded every year, is also a must-see place. Frankfurt, anything else spring to mind? Right. The “Palm Garden” with the “Palm House” from 1869, as well as the “Butterfly House”. A green moment, whether summer or winter.

MAINZ, GERMANY
Mainz is a historic city located in southwestern Germany, situated on the banks of the Rhine River. The city is famous for its association with the printing press, which was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century. Gutenberg was born in Mainz and it was here that he developed his revolutionary printing technique, which used moveable type to produce books and other printed materials. The printing press had a profound impact on the spread of knowledge and information throughout Europe, allowing for the mass production of books and other materials for the first time. Gutenberg's invention is widely regarded as one of the most important developments in the history of human communication, and it cemented Mainz's reputation as a center of intellectual and cultural innovation. Today, Mainz is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage. Visitors to the city can explore numerous museums and galleries, including the Gutenberg Museum, which houses one of the world's largest collections of books and printing materials.

BONN, GERMANY
Bonn is a city in western Germany with a fascinating historical legacy that dates back to Roman times. However, perhaps its most significant historical feature is that it was once the capital of West Germany, serving as the seat of government from 1949 until reunification in 1990. During this period, Bonn was transformed into a modern, cosmopolitan city, with sleek new government buildings, bustling shopping districts, and a thriving cultural scene. Despite this, the city has managed to preserve much of its historic charm and character, with winding cobbled streets, charming old buildings, and centuries-old churches and cathedrals. Notable landmarks include the Beethoven-Haus, the birthplace of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven, and the Poppelsdorf Palace, a grand 18th-century estate that now houses the University of Bonn's Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

COLOGNE, GERMANY
Cologne, that’s the city’s “Tunnes and Schal”, that’s gabled houses on the Rhine front, that’s the Old Market with cafés and streets through which the carnival passes in spring and the gay community moves in summer at Christopher Street Day. These are residents of the city who are known for their casual, humorous and friendly yet direct manner. These are temples of art like the MAKK or the Museum Ludwig with the most extensive Pop Art collection in Europe. And, of course, there’s the cathedral, the Gothic masterpiece, 157 metres high, with the world-famous altar of the Three Kings and the treasury and viewing platform, which you can reach via 509 steps. And Cologne, that’s “Kölsch”, a wonderfully drinkable beer that you drink out of small glasses, and which you can enjoy two, three or four at a time. Well then, cheers!

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY
Can office buildings dance? In Dusseldorf, the answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. The architect Frank O. Gehry designed it – its model must have been the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They are located in the city’s famous “Medienhafen” quarter, where other international architects have also immortalised themselves in style between quay walls and railway tracks. Definitely worth a visit. Just like the house where Heinrich Heine was born in the old town, the Hofgarten and right next to it the K20 art collection: Klee, Picasso, Matisse and Andy Warhol, all there! And if you want to let the art reverberate a little longer, take a stroll through one of Dusseldorf’s many green parks.

KOBLENZ, GERMANY
One pretty detail in the old town of Koblenz is the “Augenroller”. It is discovered under the tower clock of the old department stores’ on Florinsmarkt. To the beat of the pendulum, the man with the moustache and helmet twists his eyes – and every half hour he sticks out his tongue. According to legend, the robber baron Johann Lutter did this in front of his executioners. But that’s just a small feature in a city that otherwise has great things to offer. The equestrian statue of Wilhelm I at the Deutsches Eck, for example, where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet. Or the Electoral Palace and, of course, right outside the city gates, the castle Burg Stolzenfels, which was built in 1250 and extensively restored, indeed almost rebuilt, in 1826 according to plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

RUDESHEIM, GERMANY
In the past, Rudesheim was regarded by young people as stuffy German and highly provincial. In the meantime, even the hipster scene from Berlin can be seen here from time to time. The town is best known for its 144-metre-long “Drosselgasse”, the venue for wine events in small half-timbered houses and garden pubs. If you want to get an insight into the history of the Rudesheim nobility, visit the beautiful courtyards on Oberstrasse. The Frankensteiner Hof, for example.

MANNHEIM, GERMANY
Ok, it is a former Electoral Palatinate residential town. It is the second largest city in Baden-Württemberg and its port facilities are among the largest inland in Europe. Since the city was all but destroyed during the Second World War, it is not exactly considered the pearl of the country today. And yet it is worth a visit. Mannheim is young, also due to the students at the university and the State University of Music and Performing Arts. Incidentally, the city’s National Theatre hosted the premiere of Friedrich Schiller’s drama “Die Rauber” in 1782. Visitors are best advised to stroll along the main shopping street, called “Planken”, because wooden planks were once laid out there to get across the square on dry feet. The old town hall is a gem, and the largest synagogue in Germany is also worth seeing. The Jewish community was an integral part of Mannheim’s population from 1660 onwards. Today, a glass cube in the city commemorates the terrible deportation of the Jews during the Second World War. The 2,400 names of the Jews deported from the city are engraved on it.

Charming and poetic, the compositions of Debussy created a beautiful bridge between romanticism and the developing modern world. So too will your ship, the Riverside Debussy, deliver the rich history of Europe along with all the modern comforts that bring you joy. The best of both worlds await you on the romantic Rhine river, where we are creating unique journeys that will allow you to see the old world in an entirely new, and oh so luxurious way.

A river cruise touches the senses. It combines space and time to create a contemplative experience. Sitting on the upper deck in an intimate atmosphere, watching unspoiled, beautiful scenery pass by – these are moments you will never forget.

Marvel at the engineering prowess of the locks. Immerse yourself in the culture of Europe's most beautiful cities. Enjoy the culinary specialties of the regions the ship passes through. And you only have to pack your suitcase once. Yes, a river cruise in Europe with Riverside Luxury Cruises also means setting out to find yourself.