Christmas on the Rhine & Main

Immerse yourself in festive cheer during a visit to Bamberg, the burial place of emperors and home of smoked beer. Join your local guide and head to the medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the magnificent 11th-century cathedral with its four imposing towers. The church was rebuilt in late Romanesque and early Gothic styles during the 13th century; this is where both Emperor Henry II and Pope Clement II are buried. In Maximiliansplatz, enjoy free time to follow your own whims as you browse the stalls of the Christmas market. Perhaps sample some of the town’s distinctive rauchbier, or smoke-flavored beer, as you shop for festive treats. The city is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season and visitors flock to enjoy its Franconian traditions.

Explore Bamberg on foot, then taste a selection of local Franconian beers with snacks. Set off on a stroll through Bamberg, a UNESCO World heritage city founded in the 10th century, where incredible architecture lines narrow, medieval streets interspersed with canals. You will see landmarks, including St. Elisabeth Church, Bamberg Cathedral and the spectacular Rose Garden at the Neue Residenz. Next, you will discover the city’s most prized tradition of beer-making, which dates back to 1093. Currently home to twelve private breweries, Bamberg was once home to more than 65. Learn why locals prize their ale at a 15th century tavern, where you will taste the town’s authentic smoked beer. Produced by hand, the malt is smoked above a beechwood fire, which gives it a characteristic smoky taste. You will sample several other brews, with a platter of local snacks.