Cruise the Rhine and Moselle aboard the S.S. Audrey, watching vineyard slopes, riverside villages and medieval castles unfold from the water. The changing riverbanks are part of the experience, with broad Rhine vistas giving way to the Moselle’s winding valley.

These waterways have connected the region’s trading towns and wine-growing communities for centuries. From the ship, their steep vineyards and castle-crowned hills reveal how closely local life has long been shaped by the rivers.

Meet the makers at a Palatinate wine estate near Mannheim that takes an unusual approach to its vineyards: its grapes become specialty vinegar aperitifs rather than wine. Discover how a familiar crop can express the region’s flavours in a different form.

The Palatinate is one of Germany’s established wine-growing regions, making this estate’s choice a distinctive take on local tradition. This is one of two local-led experiences offered in the area.

Visit a historic mill turned collector’s museum in the Palatinate, where objects gathered from around the world fill a rural setting. Explore the collection and spend time in the mill’s private garden.

The visit pairs a building rooted in the region’s working past with the personal interests of its collector. A chance to savour freshly baked bread at the mill adds a taste of place. This is one of two local-led experiences offered near Mannheim.

Explore Rudesheim, a Rhine-side wine town known for its old streets and lively Drosselgasse. Take in the atmosphere of this narrow lane, lined with shops and wine bars, and see why the town has long drawn visitors to the river.

Rudesheim’s story reaches back to Roman times, when the Rhine marked a frontier of the empire. Its wine-growing heritage remains visible in the surrounding landscape and the town’s convivial centre.

Visit a peaceful lakeside monastery on an excursion from Winningen. Spend time in a quieter setting beyond the Moselle wine village, taking in the waterside surroundings and the monastery’s contemplative atmosphere.

The visit offers a different perspective on a region often associated with vineyards and river towns. It is presented as an alternative to the Alken forest hike, allowing you to choose the kind of exploration that appeals most.

Hike the forested surroundings of Alken on a nature-focused excursion from Winningen. Follow the wooded landscape of the Moselle area on foot, experiencing its quieter side away from the riverside streets.

The walk offers an active way to appreciate a region shaped by river valleys, villages and long-established wine-growing traditions. This hike is an alternative to the lakeside monastery visit, rather than an additional scheduled stop.

Walk the scenic streets of Bernkastel-Kues on a tour through this Moselle Valley wine town. Explore its tavern-lined setting and vineyard surroundings, with a tasting of regional wines included in the experience.

The Moselle’s steep slopes are closely associated with Riesling, and the tasting gives context to the vineyards you see around town. Bernkastel-Kues combines a compact historic centre with a landscape shaped by generations of wine-growing.

Walk through Trier’s Roman heritage, taking in landmarks such as the Porta Nigra and the Imperial Baths. The route also highlights the Karl Marx house and the city’s later architectural layers.

Founded in Roman times, Trier preserves some of Germany’s most significant ancient monuments, several recognised as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city walk is an alternative to the Luxembourg cemetery excursion.

Visit the Luxembourg American War Cemetery and Memorial on an excursion from Trier. Walk the expansive grounds and learn about the American service members commemorated and buried here, including General George S. Patton.

The cemetery offers a place for reflection on the Second World War and its human cost in this part of Europe. This visit is presented as an alternative to exploring Trier’s Roman landmarks on foot.