Cologne & Rhine Valley

Cologne is one of Europe's great cities — and its magnificent Gothic Cathedral, soaring above the Rhine and visible from miles in every direction, is one of the most spectacular pieces of architecture on the continent. The Old Town, with its Roman heritage, vibrant squares and famous Kölsch beer culture, is a delight to explore at any time of year, and in spring the city is at its most welcoming.

The Rhine Valley between Koblenz and Bingen is one of the most romantic landscapes in Europe — a dramatic gorge where steep vine-covered slopes plunge to the river, watched over by a succession of medieval castles perched on craggy outcrops. This stretch of river was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, and it is easy to see why. A cruise along this extraordinary stretch of river, past the famous Lorelei Rock, is one of the great travel experiences of northern Europe.

Koblenz stands at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers — the Deutsches Eck, where the two rivers meet, is one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Germany. The Drachenfels above the town of Königswinter offers spectacular views along the Rhine Valley, and the Marksburg Castle — one of the very few Rhine castles never to have been destroyed — is a perfectly preserved medieval fortress.