The historic heart of Trier, the bustling and colorful Hauptmarkt is the city’s main gathering place and a rich repository of architecture. Once the center of trade in medieval Trier, the square is anchored by an ornate fountain featuring St. Peter, the city’s patron saint. In addition, the unmistakable white- and mustard-colored tower of St. Gangolf Church rises above the square, resplendent with late Gothic and baroque elements. Perhaps the Hauptmarkt’s most distinctive building is the Steipe, named for its short pillars. Today, the pedestrian-only Hauptmarkt is a colorful canvas of baroque, Renaissance and classicist styles that mingle seamlessly with modern shops and cafés.
Nestled between soft rolling hills and the gently flowing Moselle River, Bernkastel, the “Pearl of the Moselle,” boasts medieval squares laden with charming half-timbered houses and inviting lanes and alleys. For much of their history, Bernkastel and its sister town of Kues across the river stood worlds apart. A bridge united them in 1874, paving the way for actual unification in 1905. Today, Bernkastel plays the charming host with history to share, while Kues pours the wine, more attentive to the sweet grapes of its fertile valley. Indeed, the twin towns produce some of Germany’s finest vintages.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.
Trier Highlights
Discover Trier, Germany’s oldest city and a once-mighty outpost of the Roman and Holy Roman Empires.
Bernkastel-Kues Wine Tasting
Take in the beauty and the charm of one the Moselle Valley’s most enchanting towns, and sample local wine.
Videos
Cooking with Karine: Bratwurst
Taste a variety of German delicacies with Karine in Nuremberg’s medieval district, and learn some of the best side dishes to go with them, perhaps paired with a local brew.
German Language Lesson
Learn a few useful German words and phrases with Rebecca, your Viking tutor. Prost!
