8 Days | Kosher River Cruise to the Rhine

After meeting our tour guide at Ben Gurion Airport, who will accompany us throughout this fascinating journey, we will take a morning flight to Düsseldorf. Upon arrival, we will drive to the port of embarkation. After boarding the ship, there will be time to rest and settle into our cabins. In the evening, we will gather for a festive dinner celebrating the beginning of our cruise. Tonight, the ship will sail to Koblenz.

This morning we will wake up in the city of Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers — a truly spectacular sight. After breakfast, we will set out on a scenic drive along the Moselle Valley, a picturesque region known for its stunning landscapes, charming vineyards, and historic towns.

The Moselle Valley is a significant wine-producing area, especially renowned for its Riesling wines. Its mild climate and steep riverbanks provide ideal conditions for growing vines, making it a haven for wine lovers.

Jewish presence in the Moselle Valley dates back many centuries and played an important role in the region’s history. Jewish communities thrived here, faced challenges, and made remarkable contributions to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the valley.

We will arrive in Cochem, a beautiful town nestled along the Moselle River. We’ll enjoy a walking tour of the old town, with its narrow cobblestone streets, traditional German architecture, and charming squares.

After our tour, we will return to the ship for lunch, followed by a walking tour in Koblenz. We will stroll along the promenades lining both rivers to the point where they meet, known as the Deutsches Eck (“German Corner”), dominated by a grand monument to Emperor Wilhelm I. We’ll continue into the old city to see the historic Rathaus (Town Hall) and explore further as time permits.

In the afternoon, the ship will depart Koblenz and sail southward.

This morning, we will enjoy a relaxing sail along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine — the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a picturesque and historically significant section of the river. The region is famous for its breathtaking scenery, featuring steep vineyards, medieval castles, charming towns, and lush green hills. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the valley is celebrated for its outstanding cultural and historical importance.

During this part of the cruise, we will pass the famous Lorelei Rock, around which countless legends and songs have been written.

Around noon, we will dock in the picturesque town of Rüdesheim, nestled among the Riesling vineyards and renowned for its fine wines. We’ll take a walking tour through the town, strolling along the famous Drosselgasse (Lark Lane), and visit the fascinating Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments, which houses a remarkable collection of automatic and mechanical music devices.

After our delightful tour, we will return to the ship for dinner.

In the morning, we will dock in the elegant city of Wiesbaden, the capital of the state of Hesse, considered one of Germany’s most beautiful and prestigious spa and resort cities. We will tour the classic city center, admiring its graceful architecture and unique European atmosphere. Our visit will include the impressive Kurhausplatz Square and the historic Kurhaus bathhouse — the city’s iconic landmark. We’ll stroll along Wilhelmstraße, often called the “Champs-Élysées of Wiesbaden,” lined with cafés and boutique shops.

We’ll then ascend to the scenic Neroberg Hill for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and surrounding valley, and see the striking Russian Orthodox Church with its golden domes, built in the 19th century for a Russian princess.

After returning to the ship for lunch, we’ll continue to Mainz (ancient Magenza), a city rich in Jewish heritage and the capital of the Rhineland region. The poet Shaul Tchernichovsky immortalized it in his tragic poem “Baruch of Mainz.” The Jewish community of Mainz dates back to Roman times, making it one of the oldest in Europe.

The great biblical and Talmudic commentator Rashi, born in Troyes, France, studied in the renowned yeshivot of Germany — beginning in Mainz under Rabbi Gershom ben Judah, known as “the Light of the Exile,” where his spiritual world was profoundly shaped.

Our walking tour of Mainz will include a visit to the city’s synagogue. The original building was destroyed during Kristallnacht, but it was rebuilt after World War II as a powerful symbol of the community’s resilience. Mainz is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. We’ll visit the Gutenberg Museum, home to the first printed Bible, and continue our exploration through the old city, passing by the magnificent Mainz Cathedral, built from striking red sandstone.

In the evening, the ship will continue sailing toward Speyer, where we will arrive the following morning.

This morning, we will dock in Speyer (ancient Shpira). After breakfast, we will set out on an excursion to the university city of Heidelberg. Our walking tour will begin at the gate of the Old Town, from which we’ll enjoy a view of the city’s famous Heidelberg Castle.

We’ll continue into the old city center, where we’ll visit the site of the old synagogue (now a memorial), destroyed during Kristallnacht, and see the “Judengate” — the Jewish Gate. We’ll discuss the tragic events that befell the Jewish community and visit a nearby memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust from Heidelberg’s Jewish population — a moving reminder of the community’s painful history.

Next, we’ll visit St. Stephan’s Church, known for its magnificent stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. Afterwards, there will be free time to stroll and enjoy the charming city center.

At the end of our tour, we’ll return to the ship, waiting for us in Speyer — one of Germany’s oldest cities, renowned for its illustrious Jewish heritage as part of the ShUM communities. Speyer is also famous for its impressive Romanesque cathedral, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the Rhineland massacres of 1096, most of the Jewish community of Speyer survived thanks to the city’s bishop, who sheltered them in his private estate behind the cathedral.

The hours before the onset of Shabbat will be free for rest and quiet preparation on board. As the candles are lit and a festive Kabbalat Shabbat begins — their light reflecting across the river — we will sanctify the day with Kiddush and a traditional Shabbat dinner, a true feast of joy and abundance. The evening will conclude with a delightful Oneg Shabbat, celebrating togetherness and spiritual serenity — “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.”

During Shabbat, we will take a walking tour of the city of Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany, renowned for its Romanesque cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the remains of the city’s illustrious Jewish past in the Judenhof (“Courtyard of the Jews”), including the ruins of the medieval synagogue and the largest and best-preserved mikveh (ritual bath) in Europe.
After the Shabbat lunch, we will have time to rest and, in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture and a relaxed atmosphere on board the ship.
As Shabbat ends, we will hold a joyful Havdalah ceremony and continue our journey toward Worms.

This morning, we will dock in Worms — known in Jewish tradition as Warmaisa — a historic city in southwestern Germany. With origins dating back to Roman times, Worms is considered one of the oldest cities in the country. It is also renowned for its influential Jewish community, which has existed for more than a thousand years and played a vital role in shaping the city’s cultural, economic, and intellectual life.
During his time in Germany, Rashi studied at the renowned yeshiva of Worms, where he spent between three and five years. We will visit and be inspired by the Rashi Synagogue, as well as the “Miracle Wall of Warmaisa” — mentioned in the famous poem by Shaul Tchernichovsky.
We will then visit the ancient Jewish cemetery, one of the oldest in Europe, with gravestones dating back to the 11th century. Many great sages and rabbis of Ashkenazic Jewry are buried there, making it a profoundly significant site of Jewish heritage. Among them are Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (the Maharam), a native of Worms and one of the great early Ashkenazi scholars, and Rabbi Yaakov Moelin (the Maharil), whose halachic influence continues to this day.
After this moving visit, we will continue to Frankfurt for a city tour exploring its main sites and landmarks. In the evening, we will return to the ship for dinner. The ship will remain docked overnight at the port of Frankfurt.

After an early breakfast and check-out, we will bid farewell to the ship and its dedicated crew, who have been our home for the past eight days. We will then drive to Cologne Airport for our return flight home.

Thus concludes our fascinating historical journey following the ShUM communities — the cradle of Jewish culture in Europe — whose magical memories will remain in our hearts for a long time to come!