One of the prettiest towns in the Moselle valley, Cochem is a popular stop for river cruise ships. With an old town full of half-timbered houses and a castle perched on a hill it’s a quintessentially German scene, and the riverside promenade is lovely during the sunny summer months.

Trier is Germany’s oldest city, founded by the Romans around 16 BC and home to no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights include the Cathedral of St Peter, the Church of Our Lady and countless Roman ruins, and Trier was also the birthplace of Karl Marx, whose childhood home is now a museum.

The pretty town of Bernkastel lies in the heart of the Moselle wine region, and is known for its excellent dry whites based on the Riesling grape. The picturesque half-timbered houses of the old town date back to the Middle Ages, and there are plenty of wine taverns where you can enjoy a glass or two.

The pretty little town of Rüdesheim, situated on a bend in the Rhine surrounded by vineyards, is a popular destination for travellers looking for a slice of quintessentially German village life. The Drosselgasse, a narrow cobbled lane flanked by old timber frame buildings, is particularly atmospheric.

Hugging the river Rhine to the south of Frankfurt, the pleasant little town of Speyer has a long and distinguished history. This was one of the Holy Roman Empire’s most important cities, as evidenced by the beautiful Romanesque cathedral, and is also home to a delightful Christmas market during the winter months.