The quiet German town of Speyer lies on the west bank of the Rhine. The city features a Romanesque imperial cathedral, burial place of eight emperors including some of the most famous Holy Roman Emperors. Speyer was once a major Celtic center that traded hands several times between the Romans and the Huns. The term Protestant originated here at the Diet of Speyer in 1529, when 14 free cities of Germany and six Lutheran princes protested the Edict of Worms that had banned the writings of Martin Luther and labeled him a heretic and enemy of the state.
Located in the heart of Germany’s Rheingau region, Rüdesheim is the area’s center of winemaking. The famed Drosselgasse, a cobblestone street lined with taverns that pour local vintages and spill music into alleyways, attracts locals and visitors alike. Half-timbered houses, narrow warrens and old inns lend the town a medieval flavor. Castles once provided security for the region, including the 9th-century Brömserburg Castle, the oldest on the Rhine. The Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet museum also houses an impressive collection of self-playing instruments.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.
Speyer Walking Tour
Enjoy a fascinating stroll through Speyer, home to the largest of the three Romanesque imperial cathedrals.
Panoramic Heidelberg & Lunch with University Students
See the castle and old medieval town so steeped in romance that they stood at the center of the German Romantic movement.
Dine in Rüdesheim am Rhein
Raise your glass and give a hearty “Prost!” to a delicious and fun evening.
Wine Tasting & Dinner at Eberbach Monastery
Enjoy dinner in a former Cistercian monastery whose lush vineyards have produced wines for centuries.
Wine Tasting & Dinner at Schloss Johannisberg Estate
Enjoy a delicious dinner of German specialties at the site of one of the Rheingau region’s most celebrated vineyards.
