Cities, Culture & Rhine Landscapes

The city of Bremen, together with its northern offshoot Bremerhaven, forms the smallest German federal state. The focal point and landmark of Germany's eleventh-largest city is Bremen's Roland, a statue of Roland on the central market square, which was erected in 1404. The Roland stands directly in front of the Gothic-style Bremen Town Hall, together with which it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. At the town hall, visitors will also find the Bremen Town Musicians, who are famous far beyond the city limits and are not just a great photo opportunity. Touching the donkey's front legs is said to make a wish come true. On the Schlachte, the historic waterfront promenade on the Weser, guests can end their visit with a leisurely stroll or in one of the many bars, cafés and restaurants.

The city of Bremen, together with its northern offshoot Bremerhaven, forms the smallest German federal state. The focal point and landmark of Germany's eleventh-largest city is Bremen's Roland, a statue of Roland on the central market square, which was erected in 1404. The Roland stands directly in front of the Gothic-style Bremen Town Hall, together with which it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. At the town hall, visitors will also find the Bremen Town Musicians, who are famous far beyond the city limits and are not just a great photo opportunity. Touching the donkey's front legs is said to make a wish come true. On the Schlachte, the historic waterfront promenade on the Weser, guests can end their visit with a leisurely stroll or in one of the many bars, cafés and restaurants.

The town of Hoya in Lower Saxony, first mentioned in a document in 1150, impresses today with around 4,000 inhabitants and as the seat of the joint municipality of Grafschaft Hoya. The town, which is part of the German Fairytale Route, lives from its sagas and legends, including the stories surrounding Hoya Castle, the central building of which dates back to the 19th century. The 900-year-old church of St. Martinus, once the burial place of the counts and now a cultural center, as well as the historic town hall and the von Behr manor with its Brazilian wallpaper, are further sights. Near the official center of Lower Saxony, visitors can also receive a certificate at the stone erected there.

The town of Hoya in Lower Saxony, first mentioned in a document in 1150, impresses today with around 4,000 inhabitants and as the seat of the joint municipality of Grafschaft Hoya. The town, which is part of the German Fairytale Route, lives from its sagas and legends, including the stories surrounding Hoya Castle, the central building of which dates back to the 19th century. The 900-year-old church of St. Martinus, once the burial place of the counts and now a cultural center, as well as the historic town hall and the von Behr manor with its Brazilian wallpaper, are further sights. Near the official center of Lower Saxony, visitors can also receive a certificate at the stone erected there.

The town of Hoya in Lower Saxony, first mentioned in a document in 1150, impresses today with around 4,000 inhabitants and as the seat of the joint municipality of Grafschaft Hoya. The town, which is part of the German Fairytale Route, lives from its sagas and legends, including the stories surrounding Hoya Castle, the central building of which dates back to the 19th century. The 900-year-old church of St. Martinus, once the burial place of the counts and now a cultural center, as well as the historic town hall and the von Behr manor with its Brazilian wallpaper, are further sights. Near the official center of Lower Saxony, visitors can also receive a certificate at the stone erected there.

In Nienburg in Lower Saxony, 1,000-year-old urban history and modernity meet. The cityscape is characterized by half-timbered houses and brick walls, but the approximately 32,000 inhabitants live here in the economic and cultural center of the region. The historic old town invites visitors to stroll and explore. History buffs and gourmets alike get their money's worth. Nienburg is known for asparagus, which is given its place in the city by the asparagus fountain as well as the Lower Saxony Asparagus Museum.   Another tourist highlight is the weekly market, which takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 2008, it was named "Europe's most beautiful weekly market" by the "Lebendige Stadt" foundation. The Nienburg Bear Trail is a city tour that leads to 32 sights. These include the historic town hall, parts of which date back to the 14th century, the 18th-century Stadtkontor, and the parish church of St. Martin with its 72-meter tower. Incidentally, the painted bear paws that mark the tour are part of the town's coat of arms.

In Nienburg in Lower Saxony, 1,000-year-old urban history and modernity meet. The cityscape is characterized by half-timbered houses and brick walls, but the approximately 32,000 inhabitants live here in the economic and cultural center of the region. The historic old town invites visitors to stroll and explore. History buffs and gourmets alike get their money's worth. Nienburg is known for asparagus, which is given its place in the city by the asparagus fountain as well as the Lower Saxony Asparagus Museum.   Another tourist highlight is the weekly market, which takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 2008, it was named "Europe's most beautiful weekly market" by the "Lebendige Stadt" foundation. The Nienburg Bear Trail is a city tour that leads to 32 sights. These include the historic town hall, parts of which date back to the 14th century, the 18th-century Stadtkontor, and the parish church of St. Martin with its 72-meter tower. Incidentally, the painted bear paws that mark the tour are part of the town's coat of arms.

Minden is a picturesque city in the northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia with 81,000 inhabitants. The town with a long history nestles directly on the Weser River and has many buildings worth seeing in a small area. These date back to its past as a bishop's seat, a fortress town and a Hanseatic city with stacking rights. The cityscape is mainly characterized by the large cathedral with Gothic and Romanesque components, which was founded in the eighth century. Also worth seeing are the many half-timbered houses in the old town, especially in Hohe Strasse and Museum Row. Among the special features is also a coffee museum and a ship mill, which is located directly on the shore.

Minden is a picturesque city in the northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia with 81,000 inhabitants. The town with a long history nestles directly on the Weser River and has many buildings worth seeing in a small area. These date back to its past as a bishop's seat, a fortress town and a Hanseatic city with stacking rights. The cityscape is mainly characterized by the large cathedral with Gothic and Romanesque components, which was founded in the eighth century. Also worth seeing are the many half-timbered houses in the old town, especially in Hohe Strasse and Museum Row. Among the special features is also a coffee museum and a ship mill, which is located directly on the shore.

The beautiful city of Münster impresses with many historic buildings, which can be found primarily in the lovingly restored old town of the place. Very worth seeing, for example, is the Prinzipalmarkt with its well-preserved gabled houses with archways. But also a walk on the so-called promenade, which is only available to pedestrians and cyclists and leads around the entire old town, is a beautiful experience. Also worth a detour is the idyllic Aasee, which is not far from the city center and is surrounded by beautiful nature. Very interesting is also the Allwetterzoo Münster, where many exotic animals can be marveled at.

The beautiful city of Münster impresses with many historic buildings, which can be found primarily in the lovingly restored old town of the place. Very worth seeing, for example, is the Prinzipalmarkt with its well-preserved gabled houses with archways. But also a walk on the so-called promenade, which is only available to pedestrians and cyclists and leads around the entire old town, is a beautiful experience. Also worth a detour is the idyllic Aasee, which is not far from the city center and is surrounded by beautiful nature. Very interesting is also the Allwetterzoo Münster, where many exotic animals can be marveled at.

The "small" large city of Herne has a good 160,000 inhabitants and is located in the Ruhr region in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Well known is the Rhine-Herne Canal, a 45.4 kilometer long federal waterway. Here is the marina Herne-Ost (kilometer 37.5) in the immediate vicinity of the lock Herne-Ost. The harbor has a restaurant, a snack bar and shopping facilities. The eastern district is called Sodingen (35,000 inhabitants) and is divided into the districts of Horsthausen, Börnig/Holthausen and Sodingen. The waterway runs through Horsthausen. The Teutoburgia coal mine settlement belonged to the coal mine of the same name in the Börnig district, a former coal mine that was shut down as early as 1929. The settlement is a listed building and was designed as a garden city. The winding tower of Shaft 1 has been preserved, as has the old winding machine hall as an impressive building of industrial architecture. The colliery site has been converted into a park and, together with the Art Forest, is part of the Route of Industrial Culture. Along the way, there are art and sound objects that remind visitors of its former use. The head of the winding tower is illuminated at night.

The "small" large city of Herne has a good 160,000 inhabitants and is located in the Ruhr region in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Well known is the Rhine-Herne Canal, a 45.4 kilometer long federal waterway. Here is the marina Herne-Ost (kilometer 37.5) in the immediate vicinity of the lock Herne-Ost. The harbor has a restaurant, a snack bar and shopping facilities. The eastern district is called Sodingen (35,000 inhabitants) and is divided into the districts of Horsthausen, Börnig/Holthausen and Sodingen. The waterway runs through Horsthausen. The Teutoburgia coal mine settlement belonged to the coal mine of the same name in the Börnig district, a former coal mine that was shut down as early as 1929. The settlement is a listed building and was designed as a garden city. The winding tower of Shaft 1 has been preserved, as has the old winding machine hall as an impressive building of industrial architecture. The colliery site has been converted into a park and, together with the Art Forest, is part of the Route of Industrial Culture. Along the way, there are art and sound objects that remind visitors of its former use. The head of the winding tower is illuminated at night.

Duisburg is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, which has a lot to offer. Along the Rhine there are interesting places and sights to discover. One of the most popular monuments of the former coal industry is the "Landschaftpark Duisburg-Nord", which attracts with numerous events such as the summer cinema or a food truck festival. The Duisburg Zoo is known for its koala bears and dolphins, among other things. An extended walk to the extravagant and walkable work of art "Tiger and Turtle" will be remembered forever.

Duisburg is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, which has a lot to offer. Along the Rhine there are interesting places and sights to discover. One of the most popular monuments of the former coal industry is the "Landschaftpark Duisburg-Nord", which attracts with numerous events such as the summer cinema or a food truck festival. The Duisburg Zoo is known for its koala bears and dolphins, among other things. An extended walk to the extravagant and walkable work of art "Tiger and Turtle" will be remembered forever.

Duisburg is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, which has a lot to offer. Along the Rhine there are interesting places and sights to discover. One of the most popular monuments of the former coal industry is the "Landschaftpark Duisburg-Nord", which attracts with numerous events such as the summer cinema or a food truck festival. The Duisburg Zoo is known for its koala bears and dolphins, among other things. An extended walk to the extravagant and walkable work of art "Tiger and Turtle" will be remembered forever.

Rhenish lifestyle between tradition and modernity - Düsseldorf inspires with diversity! Here art and culture lovers get just as enthusiastic as shopping enthusiasts, here the Media Harbor impresses with contemporary architecture as well as the historic Old Town. The old town makes Düsseldorf with more than 250 cozy pubs to the "longest bar in the world". The traditional Altbier is not the only tasty thing here! A stroll along the Königsallee, the world-famous strolling mile, is something one does not want to miss - or rather a visit to one of the numerous sympathetic flea markets? And in the middle of it all: lots of Green and the Rhine with its riverside promenade to breathe easy . No wonder the VIVA Cruises family feels right at home here!

Rhenish lifestyle between tradition and modernity - Düsseldorf inspires with diversity! Here art and culture lovers get just as enthusiastic as shopping enthusiasts, here the Media Harbor impresses with contemporary architecture as well as the historic Old Town. The old town makes Düsseldorf with more than 250 cozy pubs to the "longest bar in the world". The traditional Altbier is not the only tasty thing here! A stroll along the Königsallee, the world-famous strolling mile, is something one does not want to miss - or rather a visit to one of the numerous sympathetic flea markets? And in the middle of it all: lots of Green and the Rhine with its riverside promenade to breathe easy . No wonder the VIVA Cruises family feels right at home here!