Rhine River Cruise
This trip was a guided tour that included a 1.5-2-hour cruise along the Rhine River from Rudesheim Am Rhein to St. Goarshausen. This stretch of the river is considered as the the most scenic taking you through the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage "Romantic Rhine" (the Upper Middle Rhine Valley) Valley. This roughly 1.5 to 2-hour downstream journey (or slightly longer upstream) offers a high concentration of medieval castles, vineyards, and the famous Lorelei Rock. Rudesheim is about a 30-minute drive from Mainz.
We were instructed by the Tour Manager that part of our cruising experience is savoring the local coffee concoction called Rudesheimer Kaffe, which to me is a stronger version of Irish coffee, using local brandy. So upon boarding, the three of us immediately went straight to the bar area and put in our order. Luckily we were the first ones there so we didn't have to wait.
Let me get this out of the way now, I have been looking forward to this part of the trip, and how lucky was I that the very first group activity of the tour was this cruise along the Rhine. I knew before I boarded that no matter what happened after today, the trip was worth it.
A chilly mid-November morning when we boarded the boat in Rudesheim.
Rüdesheimer Kaffee is a famous flaming German coffee cocktail from the Rhine Valley. Invented in 1957, it combines strong black coffee, local Asbach Uralt brandy, and caramelized sugar, topped with vanilla-sweetened whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings (which were not present here).
We saw castles....
Ehrenfels Castle ruin, known for guarding the Rhine Gorge. The ruin dates back to around 1212 AD and was built by the Archbishop of Mainz as a customs fortress to protect the vineyards.
Burg Rheinstein (Rheinstein Castle)
Another shot of Burg Rheinstein (?) according to Mr. Gemini.
Sooneck Castle. Since 2002, Sooneck Castle has been part of the Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I ogled charming villages and churches and vineyards
Took a lot of photos of this church.
Pfalzgrafenstein Toll Station (Burg Pfalzgrafenstein) is a uniquely ship-shaped 14th-century fortress located on Falkenau Island in the middle of the Rhine River near Kaub, Germany. Built in 1327 by King Ludwig the Bavarian, it was strategically used to stop, inspect, and collect heavy tolls from passing ships.
The historic Mauseturm on the Rhine (Mouse Tower). Legend has it an evil bishop was devoured by mice inside.
The Lorelei Rock. Rising over 400 feet, this sheer slate rock is the most famous landmark, associated with the siren legend. The Lorelei is a legendary German siren who sits atop a steep 433-foot cliff on the Rhine River. According to folklore, she is a heartbroken maiden who, betrayed by her lover, threw herself into the river and transformed into a siren who lures sailors to their deaths with her enchanting song.
End of the line.
In St. Goarshausen, the buildings have Lorelei image on them to pay homage to the siren. Can you spot it? It's in the facade near the turret.
A chilly mid-November morning when we boarded the boat in Rudesheim.
Rüdesheimer Kaffee is a famous flaming German coffee cocktail from the Rhine Valley. Invented in 1957, it combines strong black coffee, local Asbach Uralt brandy, and caramelized sugar, topped with vanilla-sweetened whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings (which were not present here).
We saw castles....
Ehrenfels Castle ruin, known for guarding the Rhine Gorge. The ruin dates back to around 1212 AD and was built by the Archbishop of Mainz as a customs fortress to protect the vineyards.
Burg Rheinstein (Rheinstein Castle)
Another shot of Burg Rheinstein (?) according to Mr. Gemini.
Sooneck Castle. Since 2002, Sooneck Castle has been part of the Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I ogled charming villages and churches and vineyards
Took a lot of photos of this church.
Pfalzgrafenstein Toll Station (Burg Pfalzgrafenstein) is a uniquely ship-shaped 14th-century fortress located on Falkenau Island in the middle of the Rhine River near Kaub, Germany. Built in 1327 by King Ludwig the Bavarian, it was strategically used to stop, inspect, and collect heavy tolls from passing ships.
The historic Mauseturm on the Rhine (Mouse Tower). Legend has it an evil bishop was devoured by mice inside.
The Lorelei Rock. Rising over 400 feet, this sheer slate rock is the most famous landmark, associated with the siren legend. The Lorelei is a legendary German siren who sits atop a steep 433-foot cliff on the Rhine River. According to folklore, she is a heartbroken maiden who, betrayed by her lover, threw herself into the river and transformed into a siren who lures sailors to their deaths with her enchanting song.
End of the line.
In St. Goarshausen, the buildings have Lorelei image on them to pay homage to the siren. Can you spot it? It's in the facade near the turret.
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