Lyon, Provence & The Rhineland

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands

Kinderdijk is a small village at a distance of only 16 km from Rotterdam and a little less than 10 km from the city border of the oldest city in Holland, Dordrecht. It lies at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. The local scenery is spectacular, perhaps viewed from a hop-on-hop-off canal tour. Read more about Kinderdijk, Netherlands

Cologne, situated on the River Rhine and Germany’s fourth largest city, was recognised by the Romans as a major centre for their trade routes. Subsequently, considerable Roman remains can be found in contemporary Cologne, especially near the wharf area, where a notable discovery of a 1900 year old Roman boat was made in late 2007. Due to WWII air raids, today Cologne is notable for its simple and modest post-war buildings, but fortunately is still home to a few interspersed pre-war buildings that were reconstructed due to their historical importance. Read more about Cologne, Germany

Koblenz (aka Coblenz, Coblence) is one of the largest cities on the Rhine River in Germany and is situated on both banks of the Rhine at its junction with the Moselle. In 55 BC Roman troops commanded by Julius Caesar reached the Rhine, and the remains of a large bridge built by them in 49 AD are still visible. That the historical pattern of French occupation over the centuries has now completely ended, is encapsulated in the imposing William1st Monument that is a nationalistic declaration of the German refusal of any French claims to the area, and to German unity. Read more about Koblenz, Germany

Rüdesheim lies in the heart of the Rhine River area at the southern entrance to the Lorelei valley. It is well known for the Drosselgasse, just 144m long, the pedestrian street at the heart of the city's old town. It is full of beautifully decorated restaurants, live band entertainment, and open air garden taverns that are always thoroughly enjoyed by visitors. Read more about Rudesheim, Germany

Speyer (aka Spires), located on the river Rhine, is one of Germany’s oldest cities dating back to pre-Roman times. The city is dominated by the architecturally significant Speyer Cathedral, where beneath the high altar are the tombs of eight Holy Roman emperors and German kings. Today it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about Speyer, Germany

Strasbourg, France’s great north-eastern metropolis and the intellectual and cultural capital of Alsace, is the ultimate European city. It has flavours of both France and Germany, and sits astride the border of the two countries. Today the residents have mixed feelings about their ‘Frenchness’ or ‘Germanness’, with many agreeing they are not either French or German, but a bit of both. Read more about Strasbourg, France

The German town of Breisach is situated along the Rhine River on the French and German border, about halfway between Freiburg and Colma. During WWII 85% of Breisach was destroyed and the early 13th century cathedral of St Stephansmünster was heavily damaged. Fortunately it is a great place to visit as it has since been restored with many of its remarkable features still intact. Read more about Breisach, Germany

Basel on the river Rhine is Switzerland's third most populous city, and located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet. Indeed, the river cruise ships berth within a stone’s throw of the triple intersection. It has suburbs in France and Germany, and interestingly the language spoken is called Basel German. Read more about Basel, Switzerland

Lyon (or Lyons) is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France, located at the junction of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers, between Paris and Marseille. The city is known for its historical architectural landmarks at the Historic site, so that UNESCO recently listed Vieux Lyon, including the Croix-Rousse and Presqu'île areas, as a world heritage site. This is well deserved as the Gothic and Renaissance district is famous for its maze of narrow streets with quaint cathedrals, churches and buildings of historical importance that feature architecture from the 12th century to modern times. Read more about Lyon, France

Lyon (or Lyons) is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France, located at the junction of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers, between Paris and Marseille. The city is known for its historical architectural landmarks at the Historic site, so that UNESCO recently listed Vieux Lyon, including the Croix-Rousse and Presqu'île areas, as a world heritage site. This is well deserved as the Gothic and Renaissance district is famous for its maze of narrow streets with quaint cathedrals, churches and buildings of historical importance that feature architecture from the 12th century to modern times. Read more about Lyon, France

Lyon (or Lyons) is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France, located at the junction of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers, between Paris and Marseille. The city is known for its historical architectural landmarks at the Historic site, so that UNESCO recently listed Vieux Lyon, including the Croix-Rousse and Presqu'île areas, as a world heritage site. This is well deserved as the Gothic and Renaissance district is famous for its maze of narrow streets with quaint cathedrals, churches and buildings of historical importance that feature architecture from the 12th century to modern times. Read more about Lyon, France

Vienne is a town in the Rhône-Alpes region in SE France, located on the north bank of the Rhône River, and 30 km south of Lyon. Vienne became a major urban centre, ideally located along the river which was at that time a major means of communication. Originally a Gaullic capital, it was transformed into a Roman colony in 47 BC under Julius Caesar. Read more about Vienne, France

Tournon - aka Tournon-sur-Rhône - is a town in the Rhône-Alpes region of SE France, located on the west bank of the Rhône River, 85 km south of Lyon. Tournon's main attraction is a feudal castle overlooking the town and the river. The castle, with foundations dating back to the 10th C, has a section built in the Renaissance period that today houses the town museum. Read more about Tournon, France

The small walled city of Viviers is a town in the mountainous Rhône-Alpes region in SE France, and is located on the west bank of the Rhône River, 80 km north of Arles. Due to its sheltered location, the city has been able to keep its old world charm to this day, with important Roman remains as well as Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Indeed, the Gallo-Roman bridge, built between the 2nd and the 3rd century on the right bank of the Rhône, spans eleven arches, while the ancient city Alba la Romaine from the 1st Century is today an archaeological site covering 30 hectares of Gallic-Roman ruins and famous vineyards. Read more about Viviers, France

The Rhône forks into two branches just upstream of Arles, forming the Camargue delta. It is the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory, and has more than seven times the area of Paris. Established by the Greeks in 600 BC, Arles was developed by the Romans who built a canal joining Arles to the Mediterranean Sea. Read more about Arles, France

Avignon is a town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in SE France, located on the Rhône River just north of its junction with the Durance River. Strategically situated high above the Rhône and encircled by medieval ramparts, Avignon's walled old town is a warren of cobbled streets, lantern-lit passageways and architectural treasures. Bathed in the extraordinarily brilliant Provencal light, this former papal enclave has long attracted artists and painters as well as those in search of a cultural change. Read more about Avignon, France

Avignon is a town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in SE France, located on the Rhône River just north of its junction with the Durance River. Strategically situated high above the Rhône and encircled by medieval ramparts, Avignon's walled old town is a warren of cobbled streets, lantern-lit passageways and architectural treasures. Bathed in the extraordinarily brilliant Provencal light, this former papal enclave has long attracted artists and painters as well as those in search of a cultural change. Read more about Avignon, France