Luxury Germany Voyages

Thrill to one of the world’s most unique sailing experiences, a transit of the storied Kiel Canal. The idea for a waterway connecting the Baltic and North Seas was conceived by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck during the Danish-German War of 1864, as the Germans were keen to avoid Danish hostility while sailing around the Jutland Peninsula. The ambitious project, however, didn’t come to fruition until 1895 under the auspices of Wilhelm II, albeit right on budget. These days, the canal’s purpose is primarily mercantile. While transiting, look out over a famously flat landscape of well-tended fields, dense forests and quaint villages, and pass under a succession of steel overpasses, including the fascinating Rendsburg High Bridge, both a railway viaduct and a transporter bridge. When you emerge into the open sea, you’ll have the satisfaction of having undertaken a remarkable transit only available to smaller vessels.

Located on the Baltic Sea at the estuary of the Warnow River, the seaside resort of Warnemünde is your gateway to Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital. Notable for its lively cultural scene, highlights in and around Berlin include the baroque Charlottenburg Palace and 13th-century St. Nicholas Church. The Berlin Wall, built after World War II to divide the city, was torn down in 1989, but monuments such as Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie exist today as notable reminders of the city’s history. Berlin boasts many theaters and museums, including the Pergamon Museum, showcasing a collection of classical antiquities and Hellenistic art, including the famed Greek Altar of Zeus.

Rügen is the name of an archipelago of 30 small islands and peninsulas that jut into the Baltic Sea off Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Germany’s largest island, also known as Rügen, was an Imperial resort. The nostalgic Belle Epoque legacy lingers in its tiny fishing villages, secluded beaches, and pleasant tree-lined avenues. The seaside resort of Sassnitz is your gateway to the nearby Jasmund National Park with its unique chalk cliffs. Enjoy the island’s well-maintained trails or take a bicycle and pedal across the countryside.