Scenic Tours Jewels of Europe #3

---

Rhine Gorge

The cabin steward decorated our bed with a swan made from towels and enjoyed our reaction.

The Rhine Gorge was narrow with mountains on each side. It had been wealthy from the taxes that the robber barons imposed on all ships passing their territory. To protect themselves the barons built themselves castles above their towns. Most of the castles were destroyed by the French and many have been rebuilt (sometimes more than once) and are still in use while the others remain as ruins.

There were well patronised electrified rail lines on each side of the gorge.

If you look carefully at the photo of the Rheinstein Castle you can see a basket at the top of the left tower. The baron used to suspend prisoners there as a warning to others.

This is a picturesque section of the river that requires more than the "drive by" that we did.

---