This is the first post of three, covering a fantastic holiday in Europe which took us in the Rhine River Valley-Germany, firstly, then on to Malta for three weeks, with a five day tour around Sicily in the second week of our Malta stay.
You can view our Sicily post HERE
You can view our Malta post HERE
You can view our Sicily post HERE
You can view our Malta post HERE
As we were flying Lufthansa, we were stopping in Frankfurt and decided to take in the Rhine area as we have not visited it before and it promised to be full of picture perfect castles and other points of interest, not to mention the fantastic Bavarian food and beer! We weren't disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed our four day stay, hiring a car at the airport and staying with a friendly young family in their B&B (Casa Sophie) on the Rhine River in Gernsheim.
The whole area is full of history, culture and natural beauty, which the locals wear with pride and I can't say I blame them. They are a proud people and show it in the way they keep their country so clean and orderly, making our visit so pleasant and memorable, without being too touristy as you'll see in our many photos.
Our first flight of eight. This was a British Airways flight to Singapore.
We arrived in Frankfurt early in the morning, grabbed the rental car, and headed straight out to Rudesheim, to organise a day trip on the Rhein River for later on in our stay. Here we find our first bakery to grab a bite to eat.
So much choice. German bakeries are incredible and inexpensive.
We were a little early and had time to walk about and check out the area.
This village is so traditional and picture perfect. This particular alley houses very pleasant restaurants that serve mainly traditional Bavarian style meals at affordable prices.
You have to love the architecture.
The local monestry.
The church oozes history going back around 400 years.
Eventually, the tourist information office opened and we arranged our river cruise, then made our way to Gernsheim where our B&B and bed was waiting. By early afternoon, we were both beginning to crash and ready for a nap. Here, we make the first of three ferry crossings across the Rhein.
We took the longer way round, sticking to the smaller country roads rather than the autobahns.
After an afternoon rest, we ventured back out to check out the surrounding area and stumbled upon this pub on the river. We had dinner here, the duck with red cabbage for me and the schnitzel for Cath.
This pub was once a ferryman's residence and has been well looked after, keeping its original charm.
After a great night's sleep, the next morning, we headed out to visit the city of Heidelberg. This little 2 door Opel served us well in the four days in Germany.
On the way we were advised by our hosts to visit a castle. This old stone bridge just beneath it.
Auerbach Castle, built in the 13th century. That's about 800 years old!
Although, only it's shell remains, it still stands in all its grandeur.
Trees grow from within its stone walls.
This is what it looks like on the inside. As you can see, there were no other noisy visitors, so it was great to experience the place on our own.
It's incredible that this large tree somehow grew so high in the castle walls with no soil, anchoring itself within the large stone. Nature never ceases to amaze.
A close up of one of the towers.
The view from the top walls. As you can see, it is built quite high, overlooking the village below.
Looking back up from ground level.
A prisoner hold, crude but effective I suppose. Or is it a bird cage?
Eventually, we found our way to Heidelberg and after eventually finding a car park, we set off on foot to see what the historic city had to offer. First stop was this beautiful old church.
This is the inside, so grand.
The older part of the city is well maintained and full of character.
Here we make our way up the steep ascent to Heidelberg Castle.
Part of the outer wall. Still standing solid and built to last.
These historic homes surround the walls. Special in their own right.
Tours are available to take visitors through, but as we had so much to see in one day, we explored the outside only, before heading off to other parts of the city.
This place is huge.
So I spied this fella with a huge, impressive camera and thought "this guy will take a good photo". Maybe not, way too much sky, or was he trying to hide my gut?
The view from the castle wall, down to the city and bridge.
A little closer. Completed in 1788.
A fountain with in the outer walls which also houses a garden.
Looking back from the garden toward the castle.
This shot gives a good idea of its huge size.
The view down the river, away from the bridge.
The gate to the bridge.
This busker and her gorgeous dog were nice to see. Gotta love the hat.
These statues decorate the bridge perfectly.
Looking back to the castle from the bridge.
Another view from the bridge
Across the other side, we begin the ascent to the Philosophers Way via this lane way.
It was exhausting and seemed to go on and on.
And on.
Until we finally we reach the Philosephers Way.
The view, taking in the bridge, the city and the castle.
A hard earned cool drink and sugar fix before we tackle the track up the hill to look for the Thingstatte , an amphitheater built be the Nazis.
The walk through the forest was pleasant but hard work in the heat.
These little signs kept us on track.
What a view, and we were nowhere near the top yet.
The remains of an old church and monestry near the top.
Of course we climbed the tower.
Almost 1000 years young.
Finally, we approach the Thingstatte
This amphitheater was built by the Nazis for propaganda presentations. This is looking out to the seating from the stage.
It was built to hold over 20000 people.
Not many visitors come to the site but it was well worth our effort to see it. The atmosphere was quite eerie and quiet actually.
Looking toward the stage from near the top of the seating.
But we climbed to the very top.
Yes, I made the climb too, here's proof for the doubters.
Finally, looking across the stage.
Just near the Thingstatte, was this welcoming Beer Garden.
My beer went down so well after the hike up the hill.
This gentleman enjoying his lunch and a glass of wine in the sunshine, with his faithful companion by his side.
That afternoon, we returned to the same restaurant for a differant choice on their menu. The evening sun brought out the locals and we were the only visitors. Just the way we like it.
Our the third day in the Rhine Valley was planned for the day trip up and back on the Rhine. Something that we were very much looking forward to.
The boat didn't stay empty for long, we were just early and super keen.
Slowly leaving the dock to begin the cruise.
It doesn't take long before we start to see medieval towers and castles which dot the shoreline.
The vineyards are all along the Rhine as well, famous for their beautiful white wines. I discovered them today and enjoyed a glass or three.
But then, these beautiful old castles began to come in to sight. The Rhine is famous for these.
This is the Ehrenfels Castle ruin.
Beautiful river villages also add to a perfect experience.
You have to admire the Germans for preserving their history.
The castles keep coming. This is castle Rheinstein.
It's amazing how their construction blends in to the bed rock they stand on.
Then this monster, Castle Reichenstein. That's a camping ground beneath it.
Let's not forget that the Rhine is also a busy shipping route with many of these barges sailing up and down the river.
More picture perfect villages lining the banks.
And the castles keep coming, Castle Sooneck.
Closer. This one is still occupied and open to visitors.
Unfortunately the morning was cloudy, but I'm sure this scene would've looked so much more pleasant in the sunshine.
Yes you guessed it, another beautiful castle. Castle Furstenberg
Note that they almost always are built over a village on the river bank.
Eventually, we reach the village of Bacharach.
The tourist office suggested we make this one of our stops before reembarking to continue the cruise. That's Castle Stahlek overlooking the village.
Words cannot describe this place, nor do my pics do it justice. It's what postcards are made of and totally what we expected and more.
You simply don't get this sort of experience anywhere else.
The whole town is like a working, perfectly preserved museum of beauty and culture.
Excellent pic opportunities everywhere we looked and so peaceful.
We spied this watch tower and just had to go climb it. It sat among acres of vineyards.
We spied this farmer dusting his vines.
A little closer.
This sign encouraged me to try a glass or three when we got back on the cruise. It was by far the best Riesling I've ever tasted.
What a view and we haven't even climbed the tower yet.
The view over the town from the tower. Worth the climb I'd say.
Better view of the town castle too.
Inside the tower, showing the arrow turret.
Back in the village, this mountain stream.
Grape vines even decorate the streets.
And homes.
Part of the wall that surrounded part of the old area of the village.
Where else do you get architecture like this?
This may have been an original gateway to the village.
Almost 700 years old and standing strong.
While we waited to board the boat we walked the river bank a while, to really experience and take it all in.
Here it comes.
This structure stood proudly on its own little island and once served as a customs house.
Castle Gutenfels overlooking the custom's house and village.
Close up.
So this is what an advertising barge on the Rhine River looks like.
This is Schoenburg Castle .
A hotel makes up part of this fantastic structure.
The village of St Goar Hausen.
That's Castle Rheinfels up above.
St Goar Hausen close up.
This view shows the calmness of the area.
Castle Katz overlooking St Goar.
Closer view.
At St Goar, we get off the boat for an hour or so, to explore the town and have lunch.
The homes are quite colourful on the main road.
This cuckoo clock shop caught our eye.
You can pay from 300 Euro upward for these works of art.
A beautiful church of St Goar.
Back on the boat, we begin our return trip.
As you can see, the sun finally came out.
The Rhine looked it's best in the sunshine.
Another gorgeous village, Oberwesel.
Gutenfels Castle, now a hotel.
There's that customs house again, from the other angle.
Here we approach Assmannshausen, our third stop of the cruise.
Some of these places look like they were built for the movies but I can assure you, they're the real thing and stunning to see in real life.
We discover that there's a chair lift that takes you up the mountain and over the vineyards. We have just enough time before the final boat arrives for the final leg of the cruise so we go for it. Run Cath!
It starts from among the homes.
Then through some forest.
At the top is a hobby farm and restaurant. These deer didn't seem to mind having their pic taken.
A short walk then the rear view of this magnificent building.
Front view. Stunning.
Close up of the restaurant out front.
The old barn behind.
Returning to the lift, we wonder what these mounds in the ground were caused by.
It turns out that they are created by moles digging around under the surface.
So what goes up, must come down. The chairlift ride was so quiet and a real pleasure to experience.
The ride down the mountain offered excellent views of the vineyards.
And the village of Assmannshausen.
So this restaurant was our choice and it didn't disappoint.
Hmmm what to eat? ... what to eat? Cathy takes her eating very seriously, we can't rush these things you know.
Perhaps some help from the handsome German waiter?
So in the end, pork knuckle with sauerkraut for Cath and deboned Duck with croquets for myself. Both meals absolutely delish !
So on the last morning of our four day German visit, after having breakfast with our German hosts, it's time to leave. This is the home we stayed in for three nights.
Plenty of parking for the little blue Opal we rented.
We had till late afternoon before we needed to return the car at the airport, so we visited the city of Mainz, also on the river but closer to the airport.
The Theodor Heuss Bridge with a man made beach in the fore ground.
With charm dating back to 1885.
This old church in Mainz, St Christophers, was almost destroyed in the war, however what is left still stands proudly in the older part of the city as a memorial.
Eerie yet beautiful at the same time.
This is a good example of the older section of Mainz.
Before lunch, we also stumbled across a very narrow church which reminded us of a similar one we saw in Munich last year.
Small but so stunning inside with it's oil paintings and gold leaf decorations.
Cheers to a top visit in the Rhine Valley. Note another glass of Riesling for myself. Once I got a taste of it, I loved it, and found it in Malta and Sicily as well. Four days was a good amount of time spent in the Rhine and we'd do it again at a drop of a hat.
