Bamberg photos

Bamberg, Germany Thursday May 31, 2018

Did I mention that we love, love, love river cruising?? Our ship is 135 meters long- 400 feet. We have continually gone thru locks the past couple of days. This is the highest canal in the world, we had to take on water in our ballast to get under one of the bridges today, there are 68 bridges we will pass under during this trip. Two times during our trip the canal goes over the road, the boat is 40 feet wide and was built to fit in the canal!! It is fascinating to watch this ship go thru the locks. Today is Corpus Christi- the Christian holiday of remembrance- therefore many of the shops and the main church was closed to visitors.

Today we landed in the German town of Bramberg, founded in 902, Bamberg remains a medieval-looking city known for its symphony orchestra and rauchbier, specialty smoked beer. Really? Smoked beer called “rauchbier”?? It was unfortunately and extremely hot day! And 91°= 33 C. We walked the city and then enjoyed our beer at an oval beer garden. We enjoyed a sampler of three local beers then shared a smoked beer. We also shared a plate of 5 different bratwurst and sauerkraut. Delicious!! The beer was strange and we all agreed it would go well with ham!

This is one of the only cities that was not harmed during the war!! Also famous for witch trials! The city’s winding streets are filled with baroque patrician houses and are home to the breathtaking 11th-century Cathedral of Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II, housing his tomb and that of Pope Clement II. Bamberg is especially noted for its Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall, situated on a twin-arched bridge over the Regnitz River, and for the old bishop’s houses: the 16th-century Alte Hofhaltung (Old Court) and 17th-century Neue Residenz (New Residence). The city marks the northern terminus of the Main-Danube Canal. Thank you so much for Viking for providing all the names of these towns and rivers. I’ll never remember them and am thankful to be able to write them down as reminiscent of our trip!

On the tour today we were able to see the natural splendor and breathtaking architecture of German Franconia and sample beer from one of its 300 breweries. We visited charming medieval towns nestled amid tranquil beauty. This cute town is situated on the Main River, and is a treasure trove of half-timbered houses. As so many towns in Germany, the castle, medieval walls and towers reveal its past as an important stronghold. We visited a church and stopped at a local pub for a taste of the brew mentioned above. But I forgot the schnapps!!! Tom and I ventured to the bar at the brewery and tasted the local schnapps! I really enjoyed the plum schnapps and Tom the malt, mine was dark and sweet Tom the clear, thick and malty.

Würzburg, photos!!

Würzburg, Germany Wednesday May 30, 2018

Today we found ourselves in the town of Wuzberg Germany, which is surrounded by Franconian vineyards, Würzburg was heavily damaged during World War II, but has since been completely restored. This prestigious university city is a jewel of baroque architecture. Its most pristine example of pomp and glory is the great Bishops’ Residenz palace, built in 1744 for the prince-bishop; his unwavering support of artists is evidenced by the sweeping staircase and magnificent ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo. Other landmarks include the medieval, statue-lined Old Main Bridge and Marienberg Fortress, originally a Celtic hill fort and later residence of the bishops. The city remains a major wine-making center, hosting Germany’s oldest and largest vineyard. When I met Tom he was really into German wines and was buying wine from a special German distributor, he bought many of his wines from the grapes of the Rhine area. He really enjoys the fresh crisp sweet wines.

Our Walking tour today was to Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast compound was built over a 25-year period, beginning in 1719. We admired the massive reception staircase and overhead ceiling with its stunning, 2,000-square-foot “Four Continents” fresco painted by Venetian artist Giovanni Tiepolo. We saw several of the building’s ornate rooms, each representing a different style, and the baroque and English-style gardens lined with ornate statues. A highlight was the Mirror Room was absolutely over the top brilliant with massive amounts of gold leaf everywhere . Incredibly, the entire complex was meticulously reconstructed after extensive damage from World War II bombing. After, we continued to the Old Town of Würzburg, where we saw on walking tour the outside of. stunning Romanesque Cathedral, the baroque Neumünster church, the market square and Town Hall and the oldest wine bar in town. We did not go to the wine bar but rather a walk on the picturesque river while watching our boat get stuck in the lock on the other side of the river!!! The weather has been perfect with the first day that is making us drip!!

Sitting in the park across from our stopped ship I find myself contemplating the ship in the river marked “China Restaurant” – a Chinese restaurant in Bavaria?!?!?!

We decided to have lunch at a riverside Cafe called UFER. Challenging ordering as we really could not read the menu at all!! End the end had a wonderful lunch- however a bit too much Brie cheese melted on German bread for me. Tom had interesting pizza- and of course BEER!!!

Miltenberg, Germany Tuesday May 29,2018

We are totally hooked on Viking!! Tom and I are both in Heaven! Today we are touring the Main river. We were so surprised during lunch to see the vineyards on the extremely steep hills!! Truly, they had to water by just pouring the water at the top of the mountain and allowing it to roll down! All of the harvesting had to be done by hand! The hill was so steep you could not drive a tractor, as it would tip over!!!

We enjoyed a late tour of Miltenberg. The ship was delayed because the locks were so busy all of the shops schedules were running hours late.

The 13th- to 14th-century Miltenberg Castle dominates the town and the beautiful Renaissance Zum Riesen inn, hosting travelers since 1411, stands out for its history.

Our guide told us the story of the town May pole, and why there are Roosters on the top of the Protestant churches. The May pole signifies the month of love and they still need to guard their pole the first day of May. Otherwise the neighboring town will come and steal or cut it down!! All of the Catholic Churches have crosses on top the Protestant- Roosters to signify when Jesus was denied theee times. The town prospered when it gained escort rights along the Main River; two forts once guarded the river crossing here.

During our walking tour today we enjoyed the fairy-tale charms of Miltenberg. Our ship was docked directly into the Old Town, following its cobblestone streets past medieval houses fronted with flower-bedecked balconies. We learned the story of how the pretzel came about from when the monks got cold while praying in the winter. Their hands froze up and they put their arms under their arms to kept warm. This the symbol for the pretzel. When the Star of David is hung under the Bar, it symbolizes that fresh beer is served! She also explained that the monks were allied to drink their dinner/ 7 beers equally dinner. Less than seven they could eat a pretzel as well. The town is one of the most picturesque in all of Germany, laid out on a narrow strip of land between the hills and manicured banks of the Main river. We saw the Mainz and Würzburg town gates and the of Miltenberg Castle, built in the 13th and 14th centuries, high over the roofs of Miltenberg.

Rhine castle photos continues

Rhine castle cruise, Monday May 28th

After our climbing the Marksburg castle we had the pleasure of cruising the Rhine and watching the castles pass by.

First castle we saw was now a privately owned castle. We never learned the name- and our cruise director provided commentary. As the sun was extremely hot- most of the passengers saw inside the air-conditioned lounge and ran outside for photos. They served a special German coffee drink called Rudesheim Coffee and German deserts to enjoy during the cruise.

The second castle was the Burg Rheinfels. This castle currently housed a Restaurant, Hotel, and youth hostel.

The third Csstle St Goar names after the patron saint of InnKeepers!!

The third castle is the Katz castle on the left side of the river and The Mouse on the right side of the Rhine. The Mouse is a tiny little castle nestled up behind a house!

Next, there was another tiny little one tucked behind an RV park that we didn’t even know the name-Oopsie! Upon further investigation we soon realized the castle was an entrance to a train tunnel, not actually a castle!

The lorali rock upon which the poem in my last post was based. As we saw, there is a sharp bend in the river where the 350ft rock lies. Many unfortunate sailors did not make it past her,

and the legend of the Loreley was born. As a source of inspiration the story is that she is a beautiful blond siren, combing her hair and luring unlucky sailors to their death with her song.

The next Castle was built right on the bank of the Rhine.

Up at the top of the next bend in the The Rhine is a castle simply called The Beautiful Castle.

The Shornenberg was castle the next on the river and is a beautiful castle by the.front of the building, and a hotel built into the back.

The next castle is Castle Goudenfelt. Meaning Good Rock. This castle once guarded the river at the good rock, is now a hotel.

On an island was a fortress that looks like a castle. It was actually a toll gate for passing ships.

Bacharach is the next little town where there is a cute castle on the hill and entire cute city.

Koblenz, Germany Monday May 28, 2018

Koblenz, Germany Monday, May 28, 2018

Another beautiful day today we find ourselves in picturesque Koblenz. This is a traditional German country town at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Founded more than 2,000 years ago, this former trading settlement rests on a massif of the Middle Rhine Highlands. Its cobblestone streets, wood-beamed houses adorned with flowers, ancient market square and medieval churches recall the fairy-tale Germany of old. At the “German Corner,” where the two rivers converge, a massive equestrian statue of Prince William I observes the lovely riverside scene. We climbed the steps up to the top of the statue to see a lovely view of the convergence of the rivers. Tom was excited to see the Moselle river as many of the wines he enjoys come from the vines grown along its banks!

We adventured out on a demanding walking tour to the Marksurg Castle this is the the only castle in the Rhine Valley to have never been destroyed. We drove with our guide to Braubach, where the incredible Marksburg Castle watches over the town as it has since the 13th century. Because this magnificent structure was built with strong fortifications, it was never taken over by enemies. We enjoyed spectacular views of Braubach, the Rhine and the surrounding countryside from its 550-foot perch. We had a strenuous hike up the mountain and up to the castle. We toured the citadel, saw the impressive kitchens in the Gothic Hall building and the ancient torture chamber to view some grisly instruments. Great, just lovely, a real honest to goodness torture chamber. I can only hope to not have bad dreams tonight!!! This might help me think of butter, and not torture chambers for my dreams tonight! Marksburg Castle is home to the German Castles Association, which works to preserve medieval fortifications such as Marksburg all over Germany.

When we returned to from our excursion we enjoyed a unique drink of “blood lime” tea! Sweet cold and refreshing!!

You might have heard of the famous legend of the Lorelei upon which many songs are drawn from. This is the region from which The legend originates. Most famous is a poem in German by Heinrich Heine in 1823:

The boatman has heard,

it has bound him

in the throes of desire and love.

He’s blind to the reefs

that surround him,

he sees the Madien above.

And now the wild waters awaken

the boat and boatman

are gone.

And this is what her singing,

The Lorelei has done.

Cologne photos

the tombs of the Three Magi in the Basilica in Cologne

Cologne photos