Grand Europe Christmas Voyage on Crystal Maher

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.

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.

Most medieval towns are well preserved not because they’ve enjoyed centuries of uninterrupted peace and prosperity, but because they’ve been reconstructed after a fire or similar devastation—here in Germany, devastation most likely a result of World War II bombing raids. Miltenberg has escaped the damage of both roaring flame and raging war, remaining authentically historic in its full, fairytale bloom. This rose of the Romantic Road is also blessed to be off the beaten track, a curious position given the town’s charming and truly ancient timber-framed buildings, fortified walls, forested glades, cobbled streets and hilltop castle built by the archbishops of Mainz.

Known for its castle ruins, storybook Old Town and glassmaking, Wertheim has a well-deserved reputation as one of Germany’s most charming cities. Wertheim is also famous for overflowing—with good cheer at Christmastime and water at times of heavy rains. Located at the meeting of the Tauber and Main rivers, Wertheim often finds itself under water, with residents nonchalantly wading, sometimes waist deep, through streets that become small streams, stopping to chat as if on a sunny day. The 13th-century Pointed Tower, known locally as Spitzer Turm, is Wertheim’s version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa: The structure’s foundations have been weakened by water over the centuries, causing the old tower to tilt. Keep a lookout for buildings throughout town marked with carved or hand-penned charts, showing just how high the water has gotten. No doubt your delight in wandering the narrow streets and seeing the market square, an adorable medieval center with half-timbered buildings and flower-adorned fountains, will rise high on your best-of list.

In a mere 20 minutes, nearly 80 percent of Wurzburg was destroyed by a World War II bombing raid, rendering to rubble much of this old and lovely city, for centuries a showcase for the wealth and influence of the resident prince-bishops. While thought was given to leaving the ruins where they lay as a tribute to the once-flourishing city and painful reminder of war, a fortuitous second thought prompted rebuilding. Now restored, Wurzburg tells the interesting tale of its founding in the 10^th century, subsequent rise in prominence, enduring connection to the Main River and long-held traditions in winemaking. Impressive architectural wonders include the Residenz, one of the most splendid palaces in Europe, and the town church, one of the oldest in Germany. But many will tell you that the true highlight is time spent rubbing elbows with the locals, who are likely to be part of the large student population making worthwhile study of keeping Wurzburg lively and looking to a bright future.
Investigate some of the 300 rooms spread over three wings of the UNESCO-listed Residenz, an 18^th-century, Versailles-like palace built for Wurzburg’s prince-bishops. Marvel at another Wurzburg treasure, the Julius Spital (meaning Julius Hospital, and often combined for Juliusspital), a vast hospital built by its namesake prince-bishop Julius Echter. Within the palatial baroque property is a medieval wine cellar, which depending on your day’s timing you will visit.

One of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns didn’t start out that way: Rothenburg was almost destroyed during World War II and was spared through negotiations between the Allies and the local military commander. During your visit this fairytale town, appreciate all that was preserved and rebuilt, including cobbled streets, tilting, halt-timbered buildings, arched-entranced clock towers and the indomitable town spirit.