Author: Julie

September 10, 2012

 

The Rhine-Main-Danube Canal begins near Bamberg. With the completion of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal in 1992, uninterrupted water transport was again made possible between the North Sea and the Black Sea.

Walking tour again! Bamberg prides itself with being on seven hills, as it symbolizes similarity to Rome. One of the hills, Cathedral Hill, houses the tombs of emperor Henry II and Pope Clement II. We strolled through town and saw the Old Town Hall which is built on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River accessible by 2 bridges.

We visited the Neue Residence or New Palace where the bishops after the 17^th century have lived.  We ended the afternoon in the magnificent Rose Garden having wine and beer, Rauchbier (a smokey, bacon tasting beer).  The garden provided excellent views of the city.

 

Late this evening we leave the Rhine and traverse the boat to the Main Danube canal…..these canals are many and varied.  Some are over a hundred years Old and some are relatively new.  Some were created to move goods because it was cheaper than driving miles yet time has found that these rivers and canals are used regularly by tourist more that for moving goods. Most of the route there are bike paths and roads on the side of the canal. Some canals so narrow we barely fit and others hold multiple boats docked side busy side. You can rise up or down 3 feet or 80 feet depending on where you are in the canal system.

 

September 9, 2012

We really enjoyed the long sail morning….the scenery on the river is just majestic and the sailing so peaceful. We will have at journeys end traversed a series of 68 locks and canals which depending on other river  traffic means that one gets there when the river allows.  Here in Würzberg, the Würzberg Residence dominates the hillside and offers wine tastings.

 

However, we opt for a short bus ride to the medieval walled city of Rothenburg  or the “Red Fortress above the Tauber”. Here we walked and shopped the entire city on the ground and in the air by climbing to the top of the city walls and taking the catwalk around.  The city which has around 3000 residents was hosting one of their medieval festivals so everyone was dressed in costume. While we were each given 15 Euros for lunch we found a local place and had the most delicious meal for 5 Euros each!  Rothenburg has a wonderful Christmas Museum and shop where one could spend hours!

 

 

September 7, 2012

Here we took a short bus ride from Frankfurt to Heidelberg to visit the 15th century Heidelberg castle, an imposing Gothic Renaissance ruin of red stone. It is a massive castle. Heidelberg also houses the oldest college in Germany, Heidelberg University. While at the castle we rode the first of many funiculars down the side of the mountain into the cobblestone pedestrian down town.  We ate at a local restaurant having the traditional pork and sauerkraut meal at Hotel Georg zum Ritter dating back to 1592 before returning to Frankfurt.

 

 

 

 

Then after dinner since we were having a late sail, we strolled into Frankfurt and partook of the local scenery and beer.

 

 

September8, 2012

Wertheim is a small walk able city of old cobblestone streets; a step back in time. We sailed all morning admiring the river scenery and then had a glassblower jump abroad at one of the canals.  He treated us to a glass blowing demonstration and invited us to see his wares when we arrived later in the day in the town. But before strolling the town we hiked up to the ruins of Burg Wertheim (castle) and the major landmark of the area.  Wertheim has a medieval town center with half-timbered houses, small streets and lots of little outdoor cafes.  A great place to drink a cold beer after hiking up to the Burg.

September 12, 2012

 

Today is walking tour in a 2000 year old city located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers,followed by a tour of the Thurn and Taxis castle. The princely house of Thurn and Taxis is a German family that was the key player back in the 16^th century in establishing what today is the European postal system. Today the Thurn and Taxis family are known for their breweries and castles throughout Europe.

 

But the best was the shopping for German beer garden costumes and the cafes serving the small sausages that were sold here at the waterfront…and on a cool damp day the sausage and beer was excellent!

 

September 11, 2012

 

We did a bus tour through Nuremberg ending at Hitler’s rally grounds and the Documentation center, a sobering morning.  This was a step back in history and while somber, it is a historic place I am glad we able to see.  The Nazi Party chose the city to be the site of huge Nazi Party conventions – the Nuremberg rallies. The rallies were held 1927, 1929 and annually 1933-1938 in Nuremberg.  Today many examples of Nazi architecture can still be seen in the city; huge monsterous buildings a good many of which were never finished.  After this we went to a local restaurant and ate lunch with some university students.  It was delightful to chat with them on a variety of subjects.  The majority of them were on summer break and eager to practice there English.

 

Tonight we are enjoying a Bavarian beer tasting.  Tasting four beers in different shape glasses that bring out the best favors. We brought home some souvenir glasses only as the beer was drunk rather quickly!

September 6, 2012 

Tis is a morning of sailing and enjoying the dramatic scenery of the Rhine Gorge.  We are sailing a 35 mile stretch of cliffs and castles from Koblenz to Rüdesheim. We passed the imposing Lorelei cliff and learned of its legend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Rüdesheim we chose to first visit Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett. It is a marvel of self playing musical instruments spanning four centuries ….. some so elaborate and delicate the the guide only handled them with gloves.

 

 

We followed this with a gondola lift ride across the valley to the Nederland monument. This is a beautiful wine making valley.

 

 

September 5, 2012

The boat docks in the city so it is so easy to walk everywhere.  This morning we toured the Roman Germanic museum. It is so amazing to see these historic Roman ruins in a German City.

Then it was over to the historic Cathedral or Dom just a few steps away.  Afterwards, the girls went to taste the local beer, Kölsch, the boys climbed to the top of the Dom’s bell tower.

 

 

 

 

Then it was a longer trek to the Chocolate Museum ( Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum), where the chocolate was absolutely sinful!  We bought some chocolate pasta for a souvenir.

 

The view fromthe deck of the boat was awesome as we sailed away that night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

September 1-21 2012 

We are joining our sailing friends for a 3 week leisurely cruise of the Rhine, the Main and the Danube Rivers beginning in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and ending in Budapest, Hungary with a our good friend Peter guiding us in the city of his birth.  This will be a slow cruise on the River Odyssey, a long river boat of 4 decks with 165 passengers and 42 crew.  The boat is complete with a gym, running track, sun deck, bar/lounge and dining room. Cabins are quite spacious and everyone has either windows or balconies. And of course for all of who cannot leave our toys behind, there is Internet throughout the ship.

We will see the sights of 16 cities of The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary while enjoying 4 birthday celebrations and other on-board entertainment and parties. Travel on!

We had the standard Fire drill:

 

 

And lastly