Departure for the visit of Heidelberg. This cosmopolitan, friendly, and vibrant city is made up of 15 distinct neighborhoods and is particularly attractive to families, students, business people, and researchers. Its high quality of life comes through to visitors, who feel genuinely at home here. We'll begin with a visit to the outside of Heidelberg Castle, where you'll be able to see the Renaissance ruins and parts of its restoration. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, enjoy an amazing view over Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. Don't miss seeing the Heidelberg Tun. Built in 1751 by Prince Elector Karl Theodor, it housed the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers in the region. Legend has it that the permanently intoxicated court jester who guarded the cask, Perkeo, died after mistakenly drinking a simple glass of water. You can also enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Built upon several terraces, they were made up of many flower beds, mazes, sculptures, heated greenhouse with orange trees, large ponds, waterfalls, and a man-made grotto. We'll then head for the Neckarmünzplatz, on the banks of the Necker River, and continue with a guided tour of the old city. We'll pass by the Church of the Holy Spirit, the most famous church in Heidelberg, whose steeple dominates the town. And then you can take advantage of some free time to wander through the streets and shops before returning on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Depending on the cruise, departure and/or return on board in Mannheim
• The access to the castle needs climbing up a 300m gradient.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure for the visit of Heidelberg. This cosmopolitan, friendly, and vibrant city is made up of 15 distinct neighborhoods and is particularly attractive to families, students, business people, and researchers. Its high quality of life comes through to visitors, who feel genuinely at home here. We'll begin with a visit to the outside of Heidelberg Castle, where you'll be able to see the Renaissance ruins and parts of its restoration. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, enjoy an amazing view over Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. Don't miss seeing the Heidelberg Tun. Built in 1751 by Prince Elector Karl Theodor, it housed the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers in the region. Legend has it that the permanently intoxicated court jester who guarded the cask, Perkeo, died after mistakenly drinking a simple glass of water. You can also enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Built upon several terraces, they were made up of many flower beds, mazes, sculptures, heated greenhouse with orange trees, large ponds, waterfalls, and a man-made grotto. We'll then head for the Neckarmünzplatz, on the banks of the Necker River, and continue with a guided tour of the old city. We'll pass by the Church of the Holy Spirit, the most famous church in Heidelberg, whose steeple dominates the town. And then you can take advantage of some free time to wander through the streets and shops before returning on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Depending on the cruise, departure and/or return on board in Mannheim
• The access to the castle needs climbing up a 300m gradient.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

The Ludwigsburg Residential Palace has been nicknamed the “Versailles of Swabia,” and as soon as you see it, you’ll understand why. The complex contains 452 rooms spread across 18 buildings and is the largest palatial estate in Germany. Our tour will take you through the castle’s extraordinary interiors with architecture and decor spanning four centuries.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

The Ludwigsburg Residential Palace has been nicknamed the “Versailles of Swabia,” and as soon as you see it, you’ll understand why. The complex contains 452 rooms spread across 18 buildings and is the largest palatial estate in Germany. Our tour will take you through the castle’s extraordinary interiors with architecture and decor spanning four centuries.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

The Maulbronn Monastery complex, founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, is one of the best-preserved in Europe. The Romanesque church and Gothic cloister are surrounded by medieval walls and towers, making it a popular historic landmark for visitors from across the world.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

The Maulbronn Monastery complex, founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, is one of the best-preserved in Europe. The Romanesque church and Gothic cloister are surrounded by medieval walls and towers, making it a popular historic landmark for visitors from across the world.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

The Technik Museum Sinsheim opened in 1981. The museum’s featured exhibits are an extraordinary collection of vehicles and aircraft, including an Air France Concorde and the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-144. This unguided visit lets you take in the wonders at your own pace. Don’t miss the 300 vintage cars and the Formula 1 collection. Other fascinating pieces include military tanks and equipment and mechanical organs.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

The Technik Museum Sinsheim opened in 1981. The museum’s featured exhibits are an extraordinary collection of vehicles and aircraft, including an Air France Concorde and the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-144. This unguided visit lets you take in the wonders at your own pace. Don’t miss the 300 vintage cars and the Formula 1 collection. Other fascinating pieces include military tanks and equipment and mechanical organs.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Porsche Museum

The Porsche museum began as a modest structure in the 1970s that could hold about 20 exhibits. Today’s modern building holds over 80 exhibits of rare cars and historic models from the Porsche Dynasty. Learn about the company’s founder, Ferdinand Porsche, and its past-to-present vehicles. The museum itself is a classy contrast of black and white that accents the vibrant colors of the cars.  In addition to its emblematic models such as the 356, 550, 911, and 917, you’ll discover some of the unfinished technical designs from Ferdinand Porsche.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Porsche Museum

The Porsche museum began as a modest structure in the 1970s that could hold about 20 exhibits. Today’s modern building holds over 80 exhibits of rare cars and historic models from the Porsche Dynasty. Learn about the company’s founder, Ferdinand Porsche, and its past-to-present vehicles. The museum itself is a classy contrast of black and white that accents the vibrant colors of the cars.  In addition to its emblematic models such as the 356, 550, 911, and 917, you’ll discover some of the unfinished technical designs from Ferdinand Porsche.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.