Northern Rhine Experience -
Family Cruise

Cologne

Cologne (Köln) is one of the largest cities
in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine.
The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number
of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches are dotted around
the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern
and religious art, ethnology, sports and even chocolate.

There are two lovely, massive green lungs
in the city containing a number of parks, recreational areas and
beer gardens. In warm weather, there's a fun outdoor culture in
Cologne and thousands of people gather in these areas for picnics,
sports and socialising. The two pedestrian strips of Hohe Strasse
and Schildergasse offer great shops, cafes and street music.

Cologne is well known for its Veedel or
traditional neighbourhoods. One of the most interesting districts
for tourists is the bohemian Agnesviertel neighbourhood where
visitors can find local fashion designers, bookshops, bars and art
galleries.

Cologne has a vibrant and colourful
cultural life, with tourists sampling locally-brewed Kölsch beer
and other gastronomic specialties. The city is also known as the
gay capital of Germany with a large pride event held every year.
The local inhabitants are known to be friendly, sociable and
liberal, making Cologne one of the best German cities in which to
meet new people and make new friends.

Rotterdam

Unlike many historic cities in the Netherlands, which sport
Gothic churches and Renaissance buildings, Rotterdam is a gleaming
cluster of high-rises. Indeed, some of them are marvels of
20th-century architecture. Public parks, spacious streets and slick
shopping malls dot this efficiently designed city, making it the
perfect destination for travellers who lean more towards the modern
than the classical.

Many parts of the city were bombed in World War II. In fact,
only three buildings in Rotterdam's historic centre survived the
onslaught, namely, the art deco City Hall, the iconic White House,
and St Lawrence Church. The Delft Harbour area also escaped
destruction. Extensive rebuilding has given the city a unique
personality when compared to the rest of the country. Travellers
should view it from the iconic Euromast Space Tower, which has a
revolving sit-down elevator.

Rotterdam hasn't forgotten its roots, though, despite its modern
look and feel. Its museums cover art, World War II, architecture,
photography, maritime history, natural history, and the
Netherlands' rail system. Rotterdam is also a multicultural city,
with larger immigrant populations than most of the Netherlands.

That said, the city is roughly 16 miles (26km) away from a
prominent cluster of windmills, which are an enduring symbol of the
Netherlands. Located in the small town of Kinderdijk, these
structures are fully functioning and drain water from the
Alblasserwaard polder. They're also a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
and one of the most popular attractions in the region.

Gent (Ghent)

Ghent is an old medieval city that has long
been overshadowed by Bruges, but nevertheless holds plenty of
exciting attractions for visitors and is far less crowded than
other Belgian cities.

The city was once the heart of the cloth
trade and one of the largest medieval cities in northern Europe.
Today, the old centre boasts many historic buildings including St
Bavo's Cathedral, the Castle of the Counts (a turreted castle with
a moat and bell tower, which make for great views), the Town Hall
and the 15th-century Cloth Hall.

Ghent's city centre is wholly modern
however, and the city's large university population mixes with an
eclectic blend of expats and artists to give the city a diverse and
cosmopolitan air.

Despite being off the beaten track for many
tourists, Ghent offers good museums, lively nightlife and excellent
restaurants serving the best in Flemish cuisine.

Belgium's small size ensures that Ghent is
less than a 40-minute train ride from major cities such as Bruges
and Brussels, and within easy distance of other interesting tourist
destinations, like Courtray and Ostend. A weekend in Ghent is the
perfect way to cap an idyllic holiday in Belgium.

Antwerp

Antwerp is perhaps best known for its
diamonds, and the city's sparkling allure attracts the glitterati
with a thriving fashion and entertainment culture. The city also
has countless shopping opportunities, trendy bars and nightclubs
for the fashion-conscious and young at heart.

As the second-largest city in Belgium and a
major European port, Antwerp has a more modern face than many of
its neighbours. Much of the city was destroyed in World War II, but
its history is present in its beautifully-preserved Gothic and
Baroque architecture. At the centre of the city is the Grote Markt,
with the baroque Brabo Fountain in the middle. The work of baroque
sculptor Pieter Paul Reubens is visible all over the city, most
notably at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts.

A visit to Antwerp is a must on any Belgian
holiday. Indeed, the city does a uniquely European balancing act of
old and new, offering plenty of pretty sights, good museums, family
attractions and sidewalk cafés.

Nijmegen

Nijmegen is a city in the southeastern Netherlands that has a rich history dating back over 2000 years. The city was an important military site during the Roman Empire and was also the first major Dutch city to be captured by the Germans during World War II. Today, Nijmegen is a vibrant and lively city with a population of over 158,000. The city is home to a number of universities and research institutes, as well as a lively nightlife scene. There is something for everyone in Nijmegen and the city is well worth a visit.

Cologne

Cologne (Köln) is one of the largest cities
in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine.
The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number
of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches are dotted around
the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern
and religious art, ethnology, sports and even chocolate.

There are two lovely, massive green lungs
in the city containing a number of parks, recreational areas and
beer gardens. In warm weather, there's a fun outdoor culture in
Cologne and thousands of people gather in these areas for picnics,
sports and socialising. The two pedestrian strips of Hohe Strasse
and Schildergasse offer great shops, cafes and street music.

Cologne is well known for its Veedel or
traditional neighbourhoods. One of the most interesting districts
for tourists is the bohemian Agnesviertel neighbourhood where
visitors can find local fashion designers, bookshops, bars and art
galleries.

Cologne has a vibrant and colourful
cultural life, with tourists sampling locally-brewed Kölsch beer
and other gastronomic specialties. The city is also known as the
gay capital of Germany with a large pride event held every year.
The local inhabitants are known to be friendly, sociable and
liberal, making Cologne one of the best German cities in which to
meet new people and make new friends.