Is THIS Germany’s most Beautiful river cruise? 7 Nights, 3 Rivers!

Is THIS Germany’s most Beautiful river cruise? 7 Nights, 3 Rivers!

[Music] What if we told you there’s a river cruise that skips the crowds, sails through storybook villages that include haunted castles, the world’s only wine barrel hotel, and even a silver palace. We’re sailing the Moselle, the main and the Ryan rivers on board Aml waterways, Amma Prima, and it’s not your average river cruise. Think impossibly quaint towns, the steepest wine valleys in the world, and more medieval castles than a Game of Thrones box set. All from the comfort of your suite with two balconies. Surely not two. Yes. If you’re into luxury travel, river cruising, some awfully bad jokes in a vineyard, this one is for you. Oh, and it’s possibly the most utterly German thing you’ve ever seen. Let’s go. We kicked off our voyage with a glorious midApril sunrise flight. Cuz if you’re going to be herded like sheep through security before dawn, it might as well be photogenic. A quick connection in Amsterdam and we touched down at Nuremberg airport. Lesser known, yes, but refreshingly uncotic. We were whisked away by our friendly greeter to what would be our floating home for the next seven nights. The elegant Amma Prima. Hello and welcome to Germany. Yes, welcome. We’re here to sail on a brand new river and one that to be honest is not as well known as the big hitters like the Rine or the Rone or even the Danu. Yes, this river flows entirely within Germany, connecting the Ry and the Danube rivers via the main Danube Canal, allowing continuous cruising from the North Sea to the Black Sea. But if you think it sounds like just some sort of river version of a boring link road between two motorways, you couldn’t be more wrong. This river is famous for its picturesque landscapes, vineyards, and historic towns. Along its banks, it features UNESCO World Heritage gems, fairy tale castles, Germany’s oldest cities, and winds through some steep vineyard covered valleys. And what river are we talking about, Helen? It’s called the Maine. But that’s not all. We’re also going to be touching the Rine and the Moselle on this seven night trip. Yeah, we’re going to do it on board this, the fabulous Amar Prima. Amry invited us to sail with them in Europe. And we thought, let’s pick somewhere we haven’t sailed before and somewhere we would consider a hidden gem. Certainly compared to where most river cruisers choose. Come along with us and we’ll show you what this often overlooked but completely fascinating stretch of river is like. Here’s to the next week. Yeah. Shall we go? Let’s go. Let’s go. Our [Music] first sailing leg took us west towards Luxembourg with a stop in Bangberg where it seems the options for tours are either walk slowly or bike with mild peril. We went with the walking tour which began after a short coach ride and the obligatory dawning of headset devices and make you feel part pilgrim, part nightclub dorman. [Music] So here we are, Helen Banberg. Locals like to call it the Franconian Rome. It’s not just because it sounds fancy cuz Jared like Rome is built on seven hills. when they went all in on churches, one on each hill, just to make sure the skyline was extra holy, bit pointy. These days, about 70,000 people call Bamberg home. Not too big, not too small, just right for this part of Bavaria. And get this, there are 14 breweries right here, which already feels like a solid number, but back in the day, they had up to 65. And for a much smaller population, breweries. Yeah. People take their beer here seriously. It’s actually the third largest preserved historic tower in Europe after Venice and Prague, believe it or not. So, uh, we’re wandering through some top tier old world charm here. So, what’s in Bamber is so fancy. Right at the heart of all this holy hilltop action, is Bamberg’s Imperial Cathedral, home to the tombs of Emperor Henry II and Pope Clement II, which is wild because it makes it the only papal burial site north of the Alps. Wow. It isn’t definitely not something you’d expect to stumble across in Bavaria. Well, no. Back in medieval times, Bamberg was a kind of a split personality. The Regnit River, which is this one here, runs right through it. And on one side, you had the Prince Bishop running the show. And on the other, regular towns folk. Um, so to keep the peace, they built the old town hall smack in the middle of the river. And here it is. Isn’t it lovely? It’s on a tiny island. Unlike a lot of European cities, Bamberg made it through World War II without getting flattened. So, what you’re seeing is the real deal. One of the most complete medieval and barochial town centers around. UNESCO thought it was impressive enough to hand over world heritage status in 1993. Wandering off Cathedral Square, you’ll bump into the fancy Barack’s new palace. And if you wander a bit further, there’s this beautiful rose garden with postcard views of the old town. Oh, and don’t miss, while you’re here, Little Venice with its adorable fisherman’s houses that look like a fairy tale. I’ll tell you what, after all this sightseeing, we go for a beer. Yeah, smoked beer. Cuz I’m not surprised we’ve got a couple of vouchers. And that’s the thing apparently here is smoked beer. That sounds too weird. Should we go and try it? Try it. Yes. Well, it smells smoky. Smokeoky. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a bit like drinking Lafroy. Leafroy. What the whiskey? Yeah. E smoky whiskey. Give it a go. Smells very smoky. How’s that? It’s not too bad, is it? I’m going to give it a go now. That is smoky Guinness. Is it smoky Guinness? Oh, I like that. Right. Time to go. Later that morning, a delightful surprise awaited us back on board. We just got back from Bamber. Look what’s left on our beds. What have you got then? It’s a silk one. Look at that. It’s lovely. That’s really good. Taking that to Japan with me cuz it’s all silk. Oh yeah. Yeah, that’s Japanesey. Look at that. Give us a twirl. Give us a twirl. And got a new cap. But this one, what beautiful color that is. And they really have increased the quality of the hats. I love that. Just love the navy blue, navy, and gold. The best color combo, Helen. Since our post tour metabolism was at lightly peckish, we opted for a light brow lunch in the main lounge. By which we mean soup, sandwich, cake, and possibly a second helping of possibly all three. Today for lunch we thought instead of going down to the restaurant we will come up to the beastro which is in the main lounge area. As you can see they have a reduced menu and on the back they have an always available menu which is cheeseburger and a pizza. There’s the salad from the beastro menu. There you go. There’s Helen’s penet pasta. My cheeseburger has arrived and it looks very nice indeed. Very nice. Back in our suite, yet another surprise, a pair of chocolate Easter bunnies. Sailing over Easter meant the ship was decked out in full seasonal regalia, bunnies, blossoms, and more pastel bunting than a shabby chic wedding venue. Ever the gym enthusiast, I ventured into the ship’s rather well stocked fitness room. Compared to other river ships, this was basically a health club. Helen, meanwhile, went to a port talk to strategize her next cultural conquest. Brains and brawn. And we are basically the middle-aged embodiment of a 70s buddy cop show. So this afternoon we are going through 13 locks. That’s right. 13. That’s a lot of locks. Ah, the humble river lock. Those watery elevators that lift and lower ships with the grace of a bath gently emptying and the glamour of a brutalist architect’s get together. Most rivers have the odd one punctuating their serenity, but this cruise has sitting down around 62. Yes, think of it as a very gentile roller coaster ride minus the screaming but with complimentary wine. The Amar Prima climbs nearly 400 m over the continental divide, then gently glides back down like the world’s most civilized seesaw. [Music] That evening, we joined the sip and sail happy hour in the lounge, an amal waterways tradition where cocktails, piano music, and excited gossip flow without cost and in equal measure before dinner. Now, about the dining room, it’s an absolute beauty. Decorated with rich, deep tones, crisp white tablecloths, and a generous number of cozy booth style tables. But if you’re a couple that prefers your dinner dates tet, prepare to socialize or at least smile awkwardly. Amma Prima’s dining room offers exactly zero tables for two. In the words of the great Tom Jones, “It’s not unusual, but we do wish the river Cruise Companies would at least throw a small bone to the introverts, the love birds, and the shy among us. Still, the food was excellent. beef starters, corn-fed chicken manes, caramel cake, and cheese that would make any French person nod approvingly. [Music] And the night wasn’t over. local wine maker popped on board for a wine and chocolate tasting paired with some unexpected Bavarian cabaret. This is where river cruising shines. Evenings are often peppered with local entertainment or culture. [Music] If you’re enjoying this video and thinking, I’d quite like to do that, too. Then you’re in excellent company. When it comes to booking a cruise, like Ammer Waterways, we always recommend our trusted travel partner, Panache Cruises. The expert in all things Ocean, River, Yacht, and Expedition. They have so many awards, they probably use the doors stops. And the Panache team has decades of experience and a genuine knack for matching you with the perfect voyage. You’ll be assigned your own personal cruise connoisseur, which is a bit like having your own travel butler who will take care of every detail, big or small, to help bring your dream sailing to life. When you call them, please, please, please do mention that visit with us sent you. Think of it as a secret password. Cost you absolutely nothing, not a brass farthing, but it sends a little ripple of support our way that helps keeps the lights on and the cameras rolling. In return for this simple act, we often have a few exclusive treats up our sleeve just for you as a thank you for being part of the family. Check the pinned comment below for the latest. Thank you. The next morning brought more scenic sailing, naturally more locks, so we eased the day with coffee from the lounge machine and a lazy morning in our suite. Which brings us to our suite 209 on the cello deck. A category AB stateateroom with both a French and an outdoor balcony. Dual balconies because if you’re going to be trapped indoors by low bridges, it’s great to have some options. The suite featured a spacious bathroom with a cheeky glass window. Yes, it does frost at the flick of a switch. Three wardrobes, a comfy bed, and a gloriously usable outdoor space. We made good use of missing the breakfast cutoff. We grabbed a bite from the all day beastro spread before heading out to Versburg to explore the residents palace, a flamboyant concoction of marble fresco and historic ego. [Music] Well, good afternoon from Worsburg. It’s quite a dull day. a little bit nippy as well. And we just got a short coach ride up to the uh palace residence. Well, welcome Helen to Versburg. One of those places where you half expect a string quartet to pop out from behind a fountain. It’s just got that magical storybook kind of feel, don’t you think? Yes. But the real scene stealer is the Versburg Residence. This jaw-dropping palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and honestly it just well it gives Versailles and Shombo Palace a run for their money. Shawn Brun. Well, we went in Vienna. We went there with Christmas market cruise. We did. We did indeed. Got his inspiration from. Yes. I think at the time Versailles was and France was the you know center of everything and he wanted to have something that would compete with Versailles. Ah, well, this masterpiece was built between 1719 and 1744, swapping out the old school Maranberg fortress as the new hangout for the Worsburg Prince bishops because apparently moes and turrets were so last century and they obviously weren’t spending enough taxpayers money on themselves. No, as our guide said, they had to double the taxes the year that this was built. Well, for a whole generation, she said. Yeah, they had to double the taxes on the citizens for a whole generation to get this built. So enter Bolthouser Newman. At the time he was a bit of a nobody, but with the vision and confidence of someone who knew exactly what he was doing. Yes, he was hired by Prince Bishop Yan Philip France von Shawnborn. Clearly didn’t believe in going in small, not least in naming himself. And they together created a palace that basically a greatest hits album of European architecture. Little chairman Barack, some French shadow vibes, vianese sparkle, and a pinch of Italian drama for good measure. And as if that wasn’t grand enough, when they’d finished it, they covered the whole palace exterior in silver paint. Every square inch of it. Silver paint. Yeah. Can’t see it now cuz it needed to be redone every 25 years. And in the early 19th century, they decided that they couldn’t be bothered with that anymore. So they can imagine it covered in silver veins. It’s ridiculous. The originators of the word bling, Helen. Yeah. And just when you think it couldn’t get any more bling, you walk into this staircase. It’s huge. And this ceiling, it’s completely unsupported. Wow. As you can see, there’s a massive fresco painted by Giovani Batista Tapolo, one of the biggest in the world. And it’s not just a ceiling. It’s a full-on technicolor explosion of art that depicts all four continents. Well, that they knew about at the time, which was 1753 when he finally well went into the kitchen and washed his paint brushes. And our guide said that though this is not the biggest fresco in the world, it’s the biggest one whole piece of art fresco. But take a look at this room, Oh my gizzy. What is this? The mirror cabinet room. Take a look at this. I tell you what, he’s have a word of himself, don’t he? After soaking in the Barack excess, we hiked up to the Maranberg Fortress for sweeping views over Versburg, the main river, and our ship looking delightfully photogenic below. We returned via the Altera Bruca Bridge. The kind of place where history, architecture, and wine all meet for a leisurely chat, often quite literally, as locals and tourists alike gather here with glasses of Franconian white in hand. Finished in 1543 to replace an even older Roman bridge is adorned with a stately lineup of 12 Barack saints and rulers, all looking as though they’re judging your wine choice. This wonderful bridge is less aer crossing and more a stage for sunset, street music, and spirited sipping. Wonderful. Back in time for afternoon tea. Not that we planned it this way, of course. Back on Amarapria, we just managed to squeeze in afternoon tea before our seven course tasting extravaganza at the chef’s table, complete with local wine pairings and the sort of dessert which should come with an essential morning after workout plan. [Music] Thank Thank you. Step outside in the sun. Oh, look at this. It’s sunshine. Bike group going out there. Very nice. Oh, here’s our group. So, today we’re doing something that’s the very antithesis of a bike ride and exercise. Going to a bakery for a pretzel tasting more up our streets. It’s an extremely short walk to the old town, which is nice. And the bakery is just up here. So, if that didn’t take long, here we are. The pretty town of Verheim greeted us with blue skies and a pretzel making masterclass led by the bakery’s effevescent owner. Pretzel dough, it turns out, is trickier to perfect than it looks. Thank you very much. Thank you. We got France. Now, we need some beer. Looks so nice. M from here we ditched the group and made a solo hike up to Vertine Castle because nothing digests deliciously crafted carbs like a steep incline. Picture this little town tucked right where the Tower and the mine rivers meet. It’s Verheim. It’s been winning people over since way back for the 12th century. And honestly, I’d say it’s still got it. Now up on that hill, keeping an eye on everything below, is Bertheim Castle. Once upon a time, it was the home of the L of Wartheim. Things got a bit dicey during the 30 Years War. But the good news, it got a second life in the 80s, and now you can wander around it yourself. Yes, which is what we’re doing now. But down in the town, it’s full-on fairy tale mode. Talking cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, pure charm at every turn. Oh, and keep an eye out in the market square for one of the narrowest half-timbered buildings in all of Franconia. And if glass art’s your thing, or even if it’s not, the Verheim Glass Museum is a must. Well, we had a few more minutes to admire the views from the castle before a rapid descent to relieve ourselves of some loose change at a pretty coffee shop in the town square. After this though, we’ve got to catch a coach at 12. We mustn’t miss the coach because the ship has gone. It’s left. It dropped us here and then disappeared. It’s gone without us. Meeting it about 20 mi down the river at Freudenberg. Then we all jump on the ship and then we set sail again down the river toheim. This is our last day on the mine river cuz tomorrow we’ll be on the rine. From the mine to the rine. The mine to the rine. [Music] [Music] [Music] A beautiful sunrise and some bridges low enough to take your head off saw us gliding into Rudesheim. And we tucked into a hearty breakfast because we knew this was going to be an absolutely banging day full of calorie sapping exploration. And welcome to Rudesheim. We’re going on a hike cuz we’re feeling very energetic. Not. And it’s Easter Sunday, which is lovely. So, it should be beautiful and quiet. There’s only three of us with the guide today. It’s great. Looks like we got a personal guide with us. Fabulous, darling. This is the only original tower from the 15th century. the oldest one in the city. Apparently, this hotel here is the only place where you can sleep in old original wine barrels. How cool is that? And here they are. Look. 75 cm. Amazing. You can actually stay in those. How cool is that? Oh, this is the shortcut. Looks like the uh the trench scene in the Death Star. Stay on target. Stay on target. Oh yes, here we are. Rulersheim is one of those places that feels like it was designed by someone who thought, “What if we crammed all the charm of Germany into one postcard perfect town? Nestled in the Ryan Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, no less, it’s a picturesque jumble of halfted houses, cobbled lanes, and riverside vineyards that looked like they were painted on by a particularly enthusiastic impressionist, like Monet himself, but etched the hillside with little flexcks of his own soul. It’s also home to the world famous Dussel Gasassa, a narrow, slightly chaotic alley packed with wine taverns, oompa bands, and tourists sipping wesling like it’s a competitive sport. If Disneyland ever tried to create Germany land, they’d take one look at Rudenheim and say, “Actually, never mind. They’ve already done it.” But beneath the fairy tale facade, Rutersheim has layers. There’s the Naida Walden. Sorry about the pronunciation. A colossal patriotic monument perched above the town like a tutonic guardian angel accessible via a gondola ride over the vineyards makes you feel like you’re in a wind themed ski lift. There’s also Seek Free’s mechanical music cabinet which sounds like it might be a steampunk nightclub but it’s actually a delightful museum. Well, slightly creepy actually. Filmed with self-playing instruments that predate Spotify by about 150 years. After leaving town, we climbed the vineyards to the ruins of Arenfell’s castle. And being the overinker of the group, I couldn’t help wondering about things. Important things. Did you know in Germany if you order dry wine, right, do you get three wines? Do you mean? Think about it. Dry. If you order dry wine, do you get three wines? Yes. Helen? Yeah. Do you think in Germany if someone offers you wine and you say nine, you think they bring you nine wines? Dad jokes are coming in thick and fast. [Music] These vineyards are getting steep now. Look at that. This part here was so narrow and so treacherous they used to have to pull the boats through uh using horses. That’s been around since the Middle Ages, that little castle. And you can see how strong the current is here. That boat is really struggling to get up river through this little narrow passageway. Look at it. It’s really kicking off trying to get up there. It’s not going very fast. No. And just that there is the castle. That’s our final destination on this hike. And then we turn around and come back. Now that number there is how many kilometers is a kilometer marker on the Rine? How far it is from the Swiss border? [Music] Well, we’re back in the town. We’ve just finished 8 km. A quick wander through the town. It’s a beautiful, beautiful day now. And uh we’re just going to meander through the town on the way back to the ship for a well- earned lunch. Huh? [Music] The day was only just halfway through and the Piesta Resistance was the afternoon scenic sail through the Ryan Gorge. [Music] The Ryan Gorge is a spectacular 65 km stretch of the Ryan River between Rudahheim and Coblins. Renowned for its dramatic landscapes, steep vineyard covered slopes, and almost absurd concentration of castles sprouting from the hillsides like mushrooms. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, gorge has been a vital trade route since Roman times and is steeped in myths and legends. Most famously, the tale of Laurel, a siren said to lure sailors to their doom from this rocky perch above the swirling river below. The region’s geography with its narrow curves, cliff faces, and turbulent waters once made this part of the river perilous to navigate, adding to its storied past. What makes the Ryan Gorge truly unforgettable though is its cinematic beauty. Castles and fortress ruins dot the ridge lines. Quaint towns like Bakarak, St. Ga, and Uber Vessel cling to its riverbanks, their timber framed buildings and medieval spires straight out of a story book. Gorge offers a timeless panorama of German history, myth, and natural grandeur all wrapped up into one epic river valley. No wonder it’s the highlight of any Ryan cruise. Appetite for castle adventure wetted, we docked for a visit to Lanek Castle. Built around 1244 by Archbishop of Mains to secure his territory and oversee river trade routes taxation probably. The castle has a rich and dramatic history including ties to the Knights Templar who reportedly made a last stand here in 1312. It’s even said to have his own ghost, but not of a knight or an archbishop. The legend of the young Scottish girl at Lan Castle is one of the most haunting tales of the Ryan Valley. According to the story, in the mid-9th century, a 17-year-old Scottish tourist named Ida visited the then partially restored castle during a family trip through the Ryan Gorge. Fascinated by the dramatic ruins and the view from the tower, Ida is said to have climbed to the top alone. Unbeknownst to her, the old wooden staircase she had used either collapsed or was removed shortly after she went up, leaving her trapped at the top of the keep with no way down. Because she had ventured off alone, no one realized she was missing until it was far too late. Her body was reportedly discovered weeks later when workmen or caretakers returned to the site. Well, good evening from the beautiful hour of Primo, sip and sail hour. We’ve got our margarita, which is the cocktail of the day. And I’ve got a nice cosmo. And we’re actually sitting in the library. Very nice. Very cozy. [Music] Thank you so much. [Music] Well, good morning from the Moselle, which is the new river on this trip. Welcome to Cockim. It’s a little town with a stunning castle. So, today we’re going to go on a castle hike. So, that’ll be fun. And um well, we’re going to go and see what it’s all about. I think it’s the main event in the town, to be fair. Town’s not very big, but the weather’s lovely, crisp. So, it’s quite cold out here. Still single figures, but it is only early. It’s only 10 to 9. So, anyway, let’s see what we can do today. [Music] Richberg Cochm or Cojam Castle for those of us who find German consonants mildly threatening sits dominantly at top a hill overlooking the Miselle River. Originally built around the year 1000 by a Palatine count with too much time and stone on his hands, it became an imperial castle under King Conrad III in the 12th century. Naturally, its ruggedly handsome form meant it would be fought over, ransacked, and generally mistreated by any medieval power with a sword and a superiority complex. In 1689, during one of Louis the 14th’s less polite military excursions, aka the 9 years war, French troops blew it, kingdom come. For nearly two centuries, it remained a romantic ruin kind that inspires melancholic poets and mildly chilled tourists until a wealthy Berlin businessman Louie Frederric Jacqu Raven turned up in the 19th century with dreams, money, and a taste for medieval cosplay. He restored it in full neo gothic splendor, leaning more into the fairy tale aesthetic and historical accuracy. Think Disney inspired by Richard Wagner and with a touch of Dracula. Ah, yes. But when you thought the castle was finally settled into his role as a picturesque hilltop charmer, along came the Nazis to ruin the mood, as they so often did. During the Second World War, the castle was seized by the Nazi government and repurposed as a rice shul, a sort of elite Nazi boarding school for future party leaders. Not quite the medieval fantasy Louis Reven had in mind when he lovingly restored it. Fortunately, the castle survived the war relatively unscathed. A minor miracle given how many German landmarks were turned into jigsaw puzzles by Allied bombings. After the war, it fell into the hands of the West German government and eventually the town of Cocham itself, who wisely decided that medieval banquetss and sweeping riverviews were a better use for the property than a fascist summer camp. Today, if these ancient walls could talk, they’d probably have a few awkward tales to tell over a glass of Reeseling and a pretzel. [Music] [Applause] After a rapid descent and a brief walk about this pretty little town, rain chased us back to the ship for lunch. And then we set off for Moselle’s grand finale. So after that lovely trip to the castle, the most castly castle of the week, we back here for lunch. We’ve got German sub there. German salad, wedges. German wedges, German beer. We’re going all in for German. And here is the German cream dessert. H, it’s a strange looking thing. Oh, [Music] the Terrarasen Mosul, which sounds like a fancy German spa treatment, but it’s actually something far more intoxicating. A stunning stretch of the lower Mel Valley known for its impossibly steep terrace vineyards that cling to the slate slopes like Tipsy Mountain Goats. Literally meaning Terrace Miselle, the Terrasen Moselle features Brema Calmmont, a vineyard near the town of Brem, which lays claim to being the steepest vineyard in all of Europe and possibly the steepest in the world with gradients of up to 68°. The wine growers carve narrow terraces into the rocky slopes, many so steep they require winches, ropes, or possibly krampons just to harvest grapes. It’s heroic viticulture with a slight touch of madness and vertigo. The payoff, however, is glorious. The slate soils, sundrenched angles, and dramatic drainage creates wines, particularly relings, that are crisp, mineralrich, and thrillingly complex. H sounds a bit like me. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Well, good afternoon on the final day of this cruise on the Beautiful Miselle River. Let’s get our raincoats out for the first time. Ah, it’s Tria, Germany’s oldest city and in many ways its most overachieving historical time capsule. Nestled along the Miselle River near the Luxembourg border, Tria is that kid in school who insists on reminding everyone that they were the first at everything. Annoyingly, in Tria, they’re actually right. It was founded in 16 BC by the Romans and they were rather fond of Tria. In fact, Emperor Constantine the Great set up shop here in the 4th century. These walls are 9 ft thick and the bricks are 1,700 years old. These original Roman bricks. Tri Cathedral is Germany’s oldest cathedral and believe it or not is home to the Holy Robe which is supposedly worn by Jesus himself. One of the most famous Christian relics in the whole world met here. Also, they have one of the nails from the glass allegedly. Also in Tria, you’ve got Carl Marx’s house. He was born here in 1818. It’s that Carl Mark. Also, Helen, it has a rather interesting world record. It has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites of any city in the world. So in summary, Tria is a place where Roman ruins sit nonchalantly next to modern shops and a McDonald’s visual. And centuries of history are condensed into a town small enough to cross by foot in 20 minutes. Well, that’s if you weren’t stopping every 10 steps to say, “Wait, this thing is how old?” Now the mighty black gate, the Porteranigra as they call it, was built around 170 AD and is the best preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. Why they have to measure everything by They do measure everything. North of the Alps. I I just had a lovely beer. It’s the best one north of the Alps. We are meeting our guide there. I’m sure he will tell us why it’s called the Black Gate in a minute. Well, let’s go and meet him now, shall we? Let’s go. [Music] This itinerary is a sleeper hit. Less crowded, more scenic, blissfully free of ship stacking. The towns are gorgeous, the wines are great, and the excursions felt fresh and thoughtfully created. We loved our suite, the onboard food, and the ship itself is absolutely gorgeous. I mean, take a look at these images. Dare to tell me that this thing has been thrown together. Amma ships are always so comfy, stylish, and just a lovely place to rest your weary legs, especially when you’ve been exploring towns and cities that look like they’ve been designed by a storybook illustrator with a ponchon for grim fairy tales. And to prove it’s the little things that make you smile with Amma, they always send you a handwritten thank you postcard after you get home. It just puts a big smile on your face and makes you want to go back, of course. When we called this itinerary a sleeper hit, we weren’t just being poetic. We meant it. It’s wallto-wall Germanic charm dripping in medieval majesty and halftimbered authenticity. Honestly, we never encountered such relentless storybook beauty packed into a single week. But there’s a tiny catch or two or possibly three. Number one is so many locks. Not going to say any more than that. Also, due to low bridges, the top deck was mostly off limits, folded up like an offseason camper’s dining furniture. Thankfully, the seating area at the bow remained gloriously intact and very much welcoming, giving us a breezy front row seat to all the dramatic river theater, this itinerary gifts us. But to reach these fascinating and completely authentic places, locks and bridges have to be tolerated. Believe us, it’s worth it. and dining ad. Good luck. If you’re a couple who like your space, you’ll need patience or charm, or both. Top tip, though. If the ship isn’t sailing full, wait until the scrum for tables subsides. Follow your fellow guests into the dining room 10 minutes later after everyone has sat down. There’s invariably an empty table for four. You can grab for that intimate dinner for two. Wine and chocolate pairings mid river pretzel tutorials a haunted castle wine barrel bedrooms. This was delightfully eclectic and the fake fireplace in the ship’s library surprisingly cozy. Our verdict? Well, a scenic storybook cruise with standout inclusive excursions, superb local flavors, and a slower, more peaceful pace. Just brace for a lot of locks and don’t underestimate the joy of having an outside balcony to yourself. It’s glorious. Our adventures on Amma Magna, Amma waterways enormous flagship are a mustwatch if you like this. So, please join us on the lower Danube by clicking here. Thank you.

🚢✨ Join us on an unforgettable AmaWaterways river cruise through Germany’s most picturesque landscapes, sailing the Moselle, Main, and Rhine Rivers aboard the beautiful AmaPrima! From Bamberg to Würzburg, Rüdesheim, Cochem, and Trier, this 7-night voyage is packed with storybook towns, haunted castles, medieval wine villages, and the steepest vineyards in Europe — the legendary Terrassenmosel! 🏰🍷

We explore iconic sights like the Rhine Gorge, and Lahneck Castle, explore iconic towns and cities like Rüdesheim and Trier and attempt pretzel-making in Wertheim, sip wine in a castle, and glide through over 62 river locks on a cruise that’s part luxury getaway, part fairytale dream. Expect delicious dining, commentary full of dry humour, a suite with not one but two balconies, and moments of unexpected charm (including chocolate bunnies and wine-barrel hotels… yes, really).

Perfect for fans of European river cruising, AmaWaterways reviews, luxury travel vlogs, or anyone planning a Rhine or Moselle river cruise in 2025 or 2026.

👉 WATCH NOW and experience Germany like never before!
#AmaPrima #RiverCruiseVlog #AmaWaterways #RhineRiverCruise #MoselleValley #LuxuryTravelVlog

00:00 Introduction
02:25 Bamberg
10:27 Panache Cruises ad
11:28 Suite 209
12:14 Würzberg
16:40 Wertheim
19:57 Rüdesheim
25:30 The Rhine Gorge
27:00 Lahneck Castle
28:57 Cochem
33:05 Terrassenmosel
34:26 Trier
37:43 Final Thoughts – Positives and Negatives

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SHIP, CRUISE LINE OR VOYAGE?
We are very proud to be official Brand Ambassadors for PANACHE CRUISES, the UK and US specialist in Elite Ocean, River, Expedition and Yacht Style cruising. Click on the link or give them a call on the number below and one of their dedicated Cruise Connoisseurs will help you plan your perfect cruise. PLEASE don’t forget to mention ‘Visit With Us’! Thank you.
Call this number now – 0161 513 8202 (UK) or 888 894-6153 (US)
Or copy this link into your browser – https://bit.ly/2PdAPxy
(These are sponsored referral links and if you book through one of these, Visit With Us will get a few pennies at no cost to you to help us keep bringing you more great content you know – and hopefully – love. Thank you.)

VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE:
We were invited on board as guests of AmaWaterways (Ama). We received no fees or remuneration for producing media during and after this voyage from Ama. Any resulting videos have been produced without influence or expectation from Ama and we had complete editorial and artistic freedom. Ama had no prior preview of this content and are watching for the first time along with you. All our videos contain our personal and unbiased opinion. Please ask us if you want to know more or visit www.asa.org.uk for more information on blogger/vlogger disclosure requirements. Thank you and we hope you enjoy the content as much as we did creating it. Rich and Helen x

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!
Join us on FaceBook: search for ‘Visit With Us’ but also our cruise group ‘Visit With Us Cruise Chat’
Follow us on Instagram & Threads: visitwith.us
Read our beautifully clean, picture rich blogs: www.visitwithus.co.uk
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @visitwithus
Follow us on Tiktok: @visitwithus
Follow us on Bluesky: @visitwithus.bsky.social