Cruising Along the Romantic Rhine

 

We have traveled to Germany to explore the

Romantic Rhine Valley.  We love to find our

own way around the world so we have opted

to jump on and off local ferries as they cruise

along the river.

 

 

We left our home village of Bacharach on

the morning's first ferry and headed North.

 

 

This area of the Rhine has mountaintop

castles around every bend in the river.

In this shot you can see a castle built right

in the middle of the river, it is the Pfalzgrafstein

Toll Station, it was built to collect tolls along

the river.  Tolls were collected here from

1327 to 1866.

 

 

Many of the river towns are wine

villages.  The hillsides are filled with

grape vines producing the lovely Rhine

and Reisling wines.

 

 

Along the way you pass the famous rock

called the Lorelei, made famous in myth,

poetry and song.

 

 

We hopped off the ferry in the beautiful

little village of Saint Goar.  Some may

love to visit cities but I love to explore

the everyday life in the little villages.

I prefer to peek into the back lanes,

stop at the local bakery and purchase

treasures from local artisans.

 

 

The hike up the mountain to the Rheinfels

castle is taxing to the leg muscles and the

lungs.  But it was a beautiful view from up there.

 

 

After the hike down the hill it was time

to sit in an outdoor café and watch the

world go by...

 

 

Initially we had intended to take the ferry

ride in the morning and then take the train

back to our town, so we only bought one way

tickets.  It turned out to be such a beautiful

day we later wished we had spent the few extra

euros to get a round trip ticket.  We stopped by

the ticket office and explained what we had

done but told them we'd love to take the ferry

back.  They said no problem,  I guess it never

hurts to ask...  And, oh, what a beautiful day

it was!