| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 18th18 | AugAug | 202323 | Frankfurt, Germany, embark on the TUI Maya | | 23:59 |
| You might hear Frankfurt referred to by another name – Mainhattan, alluding to the city’s setting on the Main River, as well as its futuristic skyline. But, mixed in with the new, there are timber houses and red-brick churches. Lots of the city was damaged in World War Two, but it’s since undergone a huge restoration project. Römerberg square’s now lined with traditional, Medieval-style buildings. Palmengarten is Frankfurt’s version of Kew Gardens, with zones dedicated to rainforest, sub-Antarctic and desert plants. And the 200-year-old Städel Museum houses artworks by Van Gogh, Monet and Rembrandt. Get a feel for Frankfurt on the Ebbelwei Express tram, which does a circuit of the city, rattling past the zoo and Römerberg. |
| 19th19 | AugAug | 202323 | Aschaffenburg, Germany | | |
| This Bavarian town is peppered with landmarks that look like they’ve been ferried in from around the world. There’s a sprawling park inspired by British landscaping, and a replica of a Roman villa copied from the Pompeii excavations. Then there’s Theatreplatz Square, which is lined with olive and lemon trees – like a scene straight from the Mediterranean. The square’s also home to one of Europe's largest sundials, so have the camera handy. Other must-sees include the Gothic Basilica of St Peter and Alexander, and Johannisburg Palace – a red sandstone fortress that towers over the River Main. Once you’re done with the big-hitting tourist spots, relax with a local Bavarian beer in the old town. This labyrinth of narrow alleys is freckled with German bars and quaint restaurants inside pretty half-timbered buildings. |
| 20th20 | AugAug | 202323 | Wertheim, Germany | | |
| Wertheim sits at the point where the Main and Tauber rivers meet, in Franconia – the green heart of Germany. This town’s bagged a beautiful setting, topped with an impressive castle that’s surrounded by avocado-green forest. Colourful buildings painted in sorbet-pink and lemon-juice-yellow line the wide streets, and there are lots of restaurants where you can grab a table under a striped awning. Ask if you can experience a German teatime – it’s like English afternoon tea, but with Rudesheim coffee and apple strudel. Glass is one of the town’s biggest exports and there are lots of souvenir shops where you can buy decorative mirrors and homeware. Don’t leave Wertheim without visiting the castle, either – some of it’s in ruins, but lots of parts are still intact. |
| 21st21 | AugAug | 202323 | Würzburg, Germany | | |
| Würzburg is a city in Bavaria in southern Germany. It is located on the River Main and is famous for its lavish baroque architecture and Franconian wine. The Residence Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is highly recommended. It is a well known example of Baroque architecture with its acclaimed staircase, impressive frescos and imperial hall. Other impressive sites in Würzburg include the towering fortress of Festung Marienberg, the Alt Mainbrücke old bridge, which offers ideal views of the Marienberg, Dom St. Kilian cathedral and the many churches of Würzburg including the Romanesque Neumünster. Many of these sites have their own museums for visitors to learn of the history or view unique collections. Other museums of interest are the Mineralogical Museum, exhibiting the world of minerals and stones, and the Botanical Gardens, with various greenhouses and outdoor areas to enjoy. Wine lovers will find an abundance of wineries in Würzburg, offering cellar tours and wine tasting as well as traditional Bavarian cuisines and hospitality. Enjoy wine soup, Gerupfter (cheese spread) and Sauerbraten (braised beef in wine) in a friendly traditional wine tavern. Grand architecture’s the main attraction in Wurzburg, which has a foot planted either side of the Main River. The main port’s on the outskirts, but a short taxi ride gets you among the Baroque buildings in the centre. Fortress Marienberg is perched on a hill overlooking the terracotta rooftops, and a statue-lined Medieval bridge leads to the Romanesque cathedral. Stroll a little further, and you’ll reach the grand UNESCO-accredited palace, known as the Wurzburg Residence. The local wine’s held in high regard, and there’s a brewery in the town that keeps local restaurants stocked with a signature wheat beer. |
| 22nd22 | AugAug | 202323 | Bamberg, Germany | | |
| Bamberg is a German town located over a landscape of seven hills and the confluence of Regnitz and Main rivers. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre with Old Town home to structures dating back to the 11th century. An iconic landmark to visit in Bamberg is the town hall Altes Rathaus, located on an island in the Regnitz and covered in murals. Bamberg Cathedral, with its four towers and numerous stone carvings, is a striking example of Romanesque architecture. Head to the Market Gardeners District and visit the historical houses where centuries ago the town gardeners would grow and export produce such as onions, seeds and liquorice. In the town centre and heart of Little Venice, the rivers and arched bridges connecting the island city are reminiscent of Venice, with a lively atmosphere and modern shops set in historical surroundings. After a day shopping, head to one of the many Brewery pubs for some popular German beer. Bamberg is famous for its beer and is where its name originated from, with the town being populated by nine traditional breweries. Bamberg has a real love affair with Italy. The town’s often nicknamed the ‘Franconian Rome’, thanks to its assortment of churches dotted across seven surrounding hilltops. It’s big on history, too, just like its Mediterranean counterpart. The charming old town, a 20-minute walk from the port, has the nod of approval from UNESCO. Think timber-framed houses with gabled roofs, intertwined with a 13th-century cathedral and a town hall built into a stone bridge. The multiple rivers laced through the centre have earned the Klein-Venedig neighbourhood the nickname ‘Little Venice’, as well. |
| 23rd23 | AugAug | 202323 | Forchheim, Germany | | |
| Once a royal city, Forchheim is a definite must-visit in northern Bavaria. At over 1,200 years old, it’s crammed with historic landmarks. Like traditional half-timbered buildings painted in all shades of the rainbow, and a town hall decked out like a giant gingerbread house. There’s also a city park built on a former castle moat, and old remains of the city’s defences at every turn – like stone gates and brick towers. Forchheim’s also well-known for its beer culture. It’s got its own Hollywood-style Walk of Fame, except here it’s called the Walk of Beer. Lots of the local breweries have stars embedded in the pavement, and each one has a QR code you can scan to find out about its history. |
| 24th24 | AugAug | 202323 | Nuremberg, Germany | | |
| Nuremberg is a medieval city located in northern Bavaria in Germany. It is Bavaria's second largest city and is noted for its iconic red roofed buildings and medieval architecture. The imperial Castle overlooks Nuremberg and was one of the most important fortifications of the Roman Empire. For more significant cultural history, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, one of the largest cultural history museums in the German speaking world, offers visitors exhibitions from Prehistoric all the way to present day. Walking tours around the city offer an enjoyable and active way to learn of Nuremberg’s history and culture. Through Old Town, discover fountains, wells, churches, and art treasures, as well as learning of the colourful past and cosmopolitan present of the city and its people. Nuremberg is also home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, where visitors can purchase traditional handmade decorations and enjoy the famous gingerbread, mulled wine, and grilled sausage from over one hundred and eighty wooden stalls. Nuremberg’s a city that wears lots of different hats. The river port’s set south of the centre, between a bustling industrial area and a wedge of Bavaria’s trademark emerald-coloured forest. Take a 15-minute taxi ride into the old town, and it’s a very different picture. Gothic architecture and houses criss-crossed with timber beams set the tone, and there’s a castle that dates back to Medieval times. Nibble on lebekuchen – the trademark gingerbread-style snack – and get your shopping fix in Lorenzer Altstadt, where luxury and souvenir shops are jumbled together near the river. |
| 25th25 | AugAug | 202323 | Nuremberg, Germany, disembark the TUI Maya | | |
| Nuremberg is a medieval city located in northern Bavaria in Germany. It is Bavaria's second largest city and is noted for its iconic red roofed buildings and medieval architecture. The imperial Castle overlooks Nuremberg and was one of the most important fortifications of the Roman Empire. For more significant cultural history, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, one of the largest cultural history museums in the German speaking world, offers visitors exhibitions from Prehistoric all the way to present day. Walking tours around the city offer an enjoyable and active way to learn of Nuremberg’s history and culture. Through Old Town, discover fountains, wells, churches, and art treasures, as well as learning of the colourful past and cosmopolitan present of the city and its people. Nuremberg is also home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, where visitors can purchase traditional handmade decorations and enjoy the famous gingerbread, mulled wine, and grilled sausage from over one hundred and eighty wooden stalls. Nuremberg’s a city that wears lots of different hats. The river port’s set south of the centre, between a bustling industrial area and a wedge of Bavaria’s trademark emerald-coloured forest. Take a 15-minute taxi ride into the old town, and it’s a very different picture. Gothic architecture and houses criss-crossed with timber beams set the tone, and there’s a castle that dates back to Medieval times. Nibble on lebekuchen – the trademark gingerbread-style snack – and get your shopping fix in Lorenzer Altstadt, where luxury and souvenir shops are jumbled together near the river. |
