The Romantic Rhine

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We were picked up this morning at our hotel in Frankfurt by our driver, Peter, in a VW van at 8:00 AM. It was about a 1-1/2 hour drive to Rudesheim, where we would board our cruise boat on the Rhine River. About halfway to Rudesheim, we entered the Rheingau area. Rheingau and the Rhine Valley is the wine growing area of Germany. There were vineyards for miles and miles and all along the Rhine during our cruise. This area is most famous for white wines.

We arrived in Rudesheim a little early, so Peter drove us up to The Niederwalkkenkmal Monument overlooking the Rhine and the town. It was a lovely stop with great views. The Niederwalkkenmal Monument (pronunciation test when we get back!) commemorates the German victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. After that war, the German Empire was reunited.

Peter got us to the boat landing in plenty of time and we boarded the Loreley for our 4 hour cruise to Koblenz. Jan said that everyone told her that you had to cruise the Rhine and I couldn't agree more. We were also told that the stretch of the river that we were cruising was the best section. The river sides were tall rock bluffs. Every mile or 2 there was a quaint small town and there must have been at least 30 castles on top of the bluffs. These castles date back to the middle ages and are in varying stages of ruin and many different sizes.

The scenery on the whole trip was really beautiful. The boat stopped at many of the towns along the river. You wouldn't believe how fast they could make one of these stops. If there were only a few people boarding, they could pull it off in about 30 seconds and be on the way. (Ah, these efficient Germans!)

We met a couple on holiday from England, Keith & Evelyn Francis. They are planning on visiting the US and Keith said his wife wasn't too fond of Americans. (Too loud and boisterous.) We talked with them and we hope we left her with a better impression!?!?!

One of the towns was Braubach, so close to Jan's maiden name that we had to make it a photo opportunity.

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Photos

Niederwalddenkmal Monument
God of Victory on top

Early Castle
Built right into the rock cliff.

Jan & Marilyn
Sampling some of the area's white wine

Keith & Evelyn
A couple from England we met on the boat. We did our best to change her mind about Americans.......for the better, we think

Braubach Germany
The name is awfully close to Brubach!

White Castle
Not the kind we have in Chicago!

Comments

[mr puggle]

Jan-Queen of the Castle!
Jan, you have your own castle! So cool. So glad you are all having fun and being good ambassadors for the USA. I am sure you made a good impression. Glad you got to see the Rhine. I won an award at Ramstein & my prize was a helicopter tour of the Rhine. Amazing. Looks like the weather is good for you. Tschuss

[Bob Fischer]

Have a time of it!!!
Bobby - looks like you are having a great time . God Bless ya both. ENJOY!!

[HeatherLauren]

Cool!
The castle looks really cool. How's the weather?

[Snowhawg]

Cool!
The weather's been very good. Not terribly sunny, but only a couple light sprinkles.

[Jan Kribs]

The four hour ride down the Rhine was spectacular! Just like they say, a "must do" when touring Germany. Plus, we knew we would be driving the rest of our trip, so it was nice to see the sights via a cruise, where Marilyn and I never got tired of sampling the wine!