Rhine-Germany; Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer

Germany; Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Speyer Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany. Visitors may notice that the city was heavily bombed during World War II, in that many of the current buildings are of the 1950s-60s era. One of the few buildings to miraculously survive the bombings was the imposing Cologne Cathedral (or Kölner Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. The Ludwig Museum, a modern art museum, opened in 1986 and sits next to the cathedral. The contrast between the Gothic and modern architectural styles of the two sites is visually striking. Koblenz is located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers (the "German Corner"). A 19th century fortress, the Ehrenbreitstein, and the twin-towered St Castor Basilica, built between the 9th and 13th centuries, watch over the confluence. Rüdesheim am Rhein, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its Riesling and Assmannshausen red wines and serves as the gateway to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Speyer was founded by the Romans and is one of Germany's oldest cities. It was named after the stream, Speyerbach, which flows into the Rhine here.