Quiet and romantic, Speyer, Germany is situated along the banks of the Rhine River. Nestled within the Rhineland-Palatinate region, the town dates to 1030, when it was founded by Conrad II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire until his death nine years later. Today, Speyer retains much of its quaint charm and historic buildings, many of which managed to survive World War II relatively intact. It’s not a huge town or a major shopping destination, but it is a wonderful river cruise port in which to relax with a coffee, or enjoy a beer (as the locals do) on a patio in the main square.