The Rhine – Main – Danube Canal connects the Main River and the Danube River across Europe’s Watershed then onto the Rhine River. The canal runs from Bamberg 4 – 6 Km; to Nurenberg 62 – 70 Km; to Kelheim Km 160. The canal is 171 Km long. The canal was originally started by Ludwig I in 1846 but the two world wars put a stop to the building of the waterways connection. The canal as it is today was built in 1992 with 16 locks.
Upon entering the canal you will pass Riedenburg, Dietfurt, Erasbach, Meckenhausen, Freystadt on the nine locks to Nuremberg.
After leaving Regensberg at dinner you will awake for breakfast in the Main – Danube Canal around the Continental Divide. This is the highest point of the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers. From Budapest to the Continental Divide you will be traveling up all the locks. After the Continental Divide the ship travels down all the locks until you reach Amsterdam. Ama Waterways will present you with a laminated certificate stating you crossed the Continental Divide. After all it is a right of passage.
On the scenic sailing of the canal you will see a bike and walking path. In the German country side the residents live in a town grouped together and travel each day to their fields from town. Thus you will see villages in the distance and fields nearer the canal. Notice the people enjoying the river by biking, walking, fishing, and enjoying the wildlife. Some people are even camping.
