Family vacations usually demand weeks or months of planning, especially with kids. Yet ours was a delightful spur-of-the-moment river cruise in Germany.
Germany is one of my favorite destinations—its cosmopolitan vibe never gets old. For this trip, we ditched the tourist trails for a scenic cruise on the Havel and Elde rivers.
With my young family in tow, I craved private moments away from crowds. Boat rental was ideal. Forums raved about Nicols, a trusted French company, so I booked with them. Smart move: their summer boats are roomy, with hand showers and swim ladders for convenience.
For Nicols rentals, choose from Wustrau or Lübz bases. My advice: if time permits, sail from both. We did, creating an exotic, unforgettable family getaway.
A history enthusiast, I adored Mecklenburg, particularly Lübz. Explore the bailiwick house, half-timbered homes, and the mill. The planetarium steals the show; for Mecklenburg's oldest church, stop in Kuppentin.
For nature fans like my kids, Brandenburg excels with ecotourism and two nature parks. Wild creeks and lakes like Ruppin's offer fishing and biking. While they fished, I biked the trails.
Pro tip: Verify boat availability before your cruise, especially peak season. Book early.
