Frankfurt to Amsterdam on Crystal Bach

A high-powered international business hub with a bohemian spirit, Frankfurt is a city of contrasts. Although it’s home to futuristic skyscrapers and one of the world’s largest stock exchanges, it also hosts simpler and more traditional charms, like the famed medieval buildings in the Altstadt, or the old town; lush parks, forest areas, riverside pathways and botanical gardens that encompass more than half the city; a renowned collection of museums and galleries; and vibrant cider pubs where revelers from all over the world gather to raise a glass. In fact, Frankfurt is known for its multicultural diversity, with more than 180 nationalities represented among its residents.

Situated along the Rhine about halfway between the supremely scenic towns of Freiburg and Colmar, Breisach is the perfect place from which to launch explorations into the surrounding Black Forest. Yet there is much to keep travelers within the embrace of this lively city, including its Romanesque church with late-Gothic altar and cobbled streets lined by pastel-hued buildings. Just a few miles west of Breisach is the remarkable star-shaped fortress town of Neuf-Brisach, or New Breisach, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When you glimpse the steep-peaked, half-timbered buildings, the placid waters of narrow canals, flowers blooming on balconies and bridges, and old towers standing sentry over the scene, you know you have stepped into Strasbourg—either that, or the very pretty pages of a fairytale. Located just across the Rhine from Strasbourg, Kehl is your access point to the capital of the Alsace region, the seat of the European Parliament and, simply, one of the most photogenic old towns in existence. Strasbourg boasts a breathtakingly gorgeous Gothic cathedral (with the tallest cathedral tower in France), twisting alleyways, a sweet collection of the aforementioned half-timbered buildings and a charm that oozes from virtually every cozy corner of Grande Île, or “Large Island,” the first city center to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Head to Heidelberg, home to Germany’s oldest university, to explore the charming baroque streets of Old Town and feel the intellectual energy of a city that inspired works of American author Mark Twain and British painter William Turner. In Speyer, take some physical energy to climb the 304 steps of the southwest tower of the magnificent cathedral, Kaiserdom, to admire astonishing views, or simply stand within its grandly vaulted nave to appreciate the sheer size of the largest Romanesque church in the world.

A walk in Old Town lets you appreciate classic German lanes and buildings, spared from the bombings of World War II. No visit to Mainz is complete without a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to inspect a rare remaining copy of the Gutenberg Bible, famous for the first use of moveable type, along with other tomes dating from the 15th century.

If Rüdesheim’s scenic location on the Rhine Gorge doesn’t sweep you off your feet, then the town’s medieval Old Town with its half-timbered buildings and narrow lanes, especially the Drosselgasse overflowing with charming shops and taverns, surely will. Still more that promises to enchant and delight is the region’s renowned Rieslings, produced here for centuries from vineyards dating to Roman times. A glass of white wine or the other local specialty, Asbach brandy, sipped amid historic surroundings can make the heart flutter, not necessarily from the effects of the spirits but from the simple beauty of one of Germany’s, if not the world’s, most romantic locales.

Lift your glass and your spirits at the Drosselgasse, Rüdesheim’s impossibly cute medieval lane where locals and guests come to revel in good company and relish fine wines. Savor exceptional views as you board the cog railway for the ride to the summit of Niederwald Park overlooking the Rhine valley. At the Asbach Distillery, learn about the region’s famed Asbach brandy, produced here since 1892.

During the holidays, the Rüdesheim Christmas Market takes center stager. Try some deliciously made Rüdesheim Coffee, locally made with Asbach Uralt Brandy and whipped cream, exclusively offered during the season. With more that 100 kiosks and stalls offering local wares and seasonal gifts, there is much to see at this annual event—from local Rüdesheim coffee to global flavors like Finnish specialties and even Mongolian food fare.

Make your way to the hilltop castle of Cochem, a romantic structure originally dating to the 12th century and rebuilt in 1868 by a wealthy German businessman, who fashioned the castle into today’s neo-Gothic masterpiece. Descend into the valley for an exploration of the Mosel wine region, renowned for superb Rieslings and captivating vistas.

Take flight to witness views of Cologne from the air, offering breathtaking perspectives on its architectural monuments, including the cathedral, and the river that winds through Germany’s oldest and fourth-largest city. Get a closer appreciation of Cologne Cathedral with a visit that brings to fore its staggering size: The church is Germany’s largest cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the largest façade of any church in the world.

Situated alongside the Waal River near the German border, Nijmegen marries classic waterside scenery with a unique regional history, touched by war. The city’s history is more than a little impressive, as Nijmegen is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, founded more than 2,000 years ago. A smattering of Roman ruins can be seen in town, including a remnant of the old city wall and foundations of the amphitheater. Major parts of the city itself were reduced to ruins during World War II: Allied bombing in 1944 and subsequent German shelling destroyed many of Nijmegen’s old buildings. Reconstruction brought a chance to introduce new architectural styles, making today’s Nijmegen an interesting amalgam of traditional and modern.

Two of Amsterdam’s most renowned museums are the masterstrokes of your Crystal itinerary: the Rijksmuseum, displaying 8,000 objects of art and history, including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, and the Anne Frank House, the 17th-century canal house where Anne, her family and four others remained hidden and silent for more than two years. Today, Anne Frank’s original diary and other exhibits speak volumes about war and persecution.