RHINE RIVER CRUISE AND CASTLES

The cruise along the Rhine, from Basel to Amsterdam, was wonderful.  Every city has a cathedral and I had no idea how many castles there were.  The castles were in varying states, some in ruins and others refurbished and being used as hotels.  Unfortunately, it is hard to keep the names straight so they will go un-named.  As we docked in each city, there was an excursion included as well as some optional trips like wine tasting in Alsace, beer tasting in Cologne and an authentic German dinner (along with chugging some nasty tasting liquor) in Rudesheim.  This posting takes us up to the Netherlands.   There are so many pictures that we had a hard time eliminating them.  More to follow.

THE VIKING VAR
This ship is one of ten that Viking is placing in service this year. This was only the second trip it has made.
 

DOCKED IN KEHL, GERMANY ACROSS FROM STRASSBOURG, FRANCE

A BLACK FOREST CUKOO CLOCK

AN AQUADUCT/TRAIN BRIDGE

THE EUROPEAN UNION BLDG IN MANNHEIM

CLOCK IN THE CATHEDRAL IN STRASBOURG

A WINERY IN ALSACE

VINYARDS VISITED ON OUR WINE TASTING TOUR

 

A VIEW OF HEIDELBURG FROM THE CASTLE

HEIDELBURG CASTLE GATE

WORLD'S LARGEST WINE BARREL

BETTY RELAXING ON OUR BALCONY

THE BRIDGE

WATCHING THE RHINE FROM THE 3RD DECK

A BARGE ON THE RHINE

MARIANNE- OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR

COBBLE STREETS IN RUDESHEIM

I WAS CHOSEN TO HAVE A DRINK

MOST OF THE VINYARDS ARE ON HILLS

FORTRESS ABOVE CITY OF KOBLENZ

HOW TO MAKE "FLAMMKUCHEN"

A LECTURE ON THE "EUROPEAN UNION"

 

THE CASTLES OF THE RHINE

FOR ALL YOU RV'RS THERE WERE NUMEROUS CAMPGROUNDS ALL ALONG THE RIVER

 

NOTICE THE VINEYARDS



A MIDEVAL TOLL BOOTH

 



THE BELOW PICTURES ARE NOT REALLY A CASTLE AND CATHEDRAL THEY ARE RAILROAD TUNNEL PORTALS. HITLER DID THIS DURING WORLD WAR TWO BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO LOSE HIS RAILROADS AND THE ALLIES WOULD NOT BOMB THE CASTLES OR CATHEDRALS