ARQIS advises VR Equitypartner as part of a succession plan on the acquisition of a minority stake in 1AVista Reisen GmbH

24. March 2026

ARQIS advised the Frankfurt-based investment firm VR Equitypartner (VREP) on all legal and tax aspects in connection with its acquisition of a minority stake in 1AVista Reisen GmbH. VREP is acquiring the stake in the Cologne-based tour operator, which specializes in all-inclusive river cruises, as part of a succession plan. In doing so, VREP is supporting the company’s growth strategy, which primarily involves the expansion and modernization of the fleet. The parties involved have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction. The investment is still subject to antitrust approval.

The former managing directors and shareholders, Hagen Mesters and Sascha Güldenmeister, are taking a significant stake in the company, while managing director Raphael Dombrowski and authorized signatory Manuel Kloubert are also acquiring stakes in 1AVista. At the same time, founder Hubert Schulte-Schmelter is transferring his shares to the new owners.

VR Equitypartner, a subsidiary of DZ BANK, is one of the leading equity investors in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. VREP’s portfolio currently comprises around 40 investments with a total investment volume of 400 million euros.

1AVista Reisen GmbH is one of the leading tour operators for river cruises on the Rhine and Danube. Founded in 2007 and based in Cologne, the company employs around 30 people. In addition to river cruises, 1AVista’s offerings include round-trip tours to select countries.

An ARQIS team headed by partner Dr. Lars Laeger provided comprehensive legal advice to VR Equitypartner on the acquisition of this minority stake. It is another example of VR Equitypartner relying on ARQIS’s legal advice. Most recently, Dr. Laeger’s team advised VREP on, among other matters, the sale of Zimmer & Hälbig to VINCI Energies.

Advisors to VR Equitypartner

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Core Deal Team: Dr. Lars Laeger (Lead Partner), Benjamin Bandur (Counsel, Munich), Christina Huckschlag (Managing Associate, all Transactions), Dr. Friedrich Gebert (Regulatory), Johannes Landry (Financing), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Tobias Neufeld (Tech Law), Lisa-Marie Niklas (HR Law), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP, Munich), Counsel: Christian Judis (Compliance, Munich), Jens Knipping (Tax), Franziska Leubner (Munich), Martin Weingärtner (both HR Law), Nora Stratmann (Commercial, Munich), Managing Associates: Hannah Düwel, Dr. Bernhard Gröhe, Luise Schüling (all Regulatory), Anselm Graf (Munich), David Hudde (both Transactions), Johanna Klingen (Tech Law), Marius Mesenbrink (Japan Desk), Rolf Tichy (IP, Munich), Associates: Rebecca Gester (Commercial, Munich), Paulina Hüttner (IP, Munich), Sabine Müller (HR Law, Munich), Lia Papismedova (Real Estate)