The Must See Landmarks For Your Next Rhine River Cruise

By Author: James Holly
Total Articles: 5
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The Rhine may be synonymous with Germany, but the Rhine river in fact passes through several other countries on the continent, including Switzerland, France, Holland, and Austria. This page guides you through some of the places that you would be treated to should you take a Rhine cruise along the river Rhine from its source in the mountains of Switzerland up into Germany, but these days there are Rhine river cruises such as Avalon Rhine Cruises that will allow you to explore all parts of this famous river.
                                                                         The Rhine begins its long and winding journey through Europe in the Swiss mountains, by the beautiful city of Chur. At this point in the river, the Rhine is barely more than a stream. The little city of Chur is located in the most easterly parts of Switzerland, and it is here that the Rhine joins with the modest Alpine river of Plessur.

A fantastic highlight of this part of the Rhine is the beautiful lake Bodensee, which is located on the borderlines that divide Austria, ...
... Germany and Switzerland.  The river flows through this lake, first in the form of a large stream and coming out as a fairly big river. Around the Bodensee you will find plenty to see and do, such as the charming town of Wasserberg], the breathtaking city of Bregenz which lies on the very border between Austria, and of course the tourist hotspot that is Lindau am Bodensee.

There are many natural wonders dotted along the Rhine, such as the Rheinfall, which is a majestic towering waterfall, spilling over a twenty metre drop. Those that want to explore the waterfall in detail can take a boat to the very base, or you can clamber down the rocks below the Schloss Laufen for a better view. You can also pay a visit to the picture perfect city of Schaffhausen, where you will find the wonderful Munot Castle which sits above the town.

On the way out of Switzerland past the city of Basel, the Rhine heads North to create a borderline between France and Germany between the Black Forest and Alsace. Then Rhine river cruises will head for Speyer, which played an important part in the time of the Holy Roman Empire. Speyer can boast a colourful and vibrant town centre, and a breathtaking cathedral.

A Rhine river cruise is not just chocolate box villages, fairytale castles and striking forests. Head north of the city to where the Rhine meets up with the Neckar, and the landscape changes dramatically, with the sister cities of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim both sporting huge ports and warehouses. Almost everything you see here is new, due to the heavy bombing of World War II.

Seb Adams is a frequent Rhine river cruiser and full time travel writer. Seb recommends Avalon Cruises for the latest offers on Rhine river cruise.