NO time for boredom today

Category: Bavarian Germany, Medieval architecture

  • Castles of the Middle Rhine

    Castles of the Middle Rhine

    A highlight of our Viking River cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam was the morning we spent on the roof deck watching the plethora of beautiful castles. Our cruise director Elena provided really helpful commentary while crew members handed out shots of German apricot schnapps. This all took place during a 40-mile stretch of the Rhine prior to landing in the town of Koblenz.

    As John and I sat on the deck, looking at the spectacular scenery, we felt we were participants in a Viking River television commercial. We had a lot of “pinch me am I really here” moments. This experience, alone, was a main selling point for going on this cruise. We sailed miles without seeing another ship and saw so many beautiful castles with little effort. For me, our arrival in Koblenz was especially dramatic. It was hard not to be in awe as our ship approached the Deutsches Eck and the enormous statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I.

    Castle Watching with John
    Beautiful Church Along the Rhine
    John Taking in the Scenery
    Ehrenfels Castle
    Mouse Tower
    Another View of the Ehrenfels Castle
    Rheinstein Castle
    Another View of the Rheinstein Castle
    Another View of the Rheinstein Castle
    Reichenstein Castle
    Sooneck Castle
    Another View of the Sooneck Castle
    Heimburg Castle
    Another View of the Heimburg Castle
    Liebenstein Castle
    Village and Scenic Church Along the Rhine
    Stahleck Castle
    The Pflaz
    Gutenfels Castle
    Schonburg Castle
    Picturesque Village
    Old Guard Tower
    Lorelei Rock
    Katz Castle
    Another View of Katz Castle
    Sterrenberg Castle
    Another View of the Sterrenberg Castle
    Maus Castle
    Sterrennberg Castle
    Viking River Castle Brochure
    Landing in Koblenz with Kaiser Wilhelm I in the Background
    Kaiser Wilhelm I Statue
    Kaiser Wilhelm I
    Kaiser Wilhelm I

  • Wurzburg Has Something for Everyone!

    Front Entrance and Fountain at the Bishop’s Palace
    At the Bishop’s Palace
    Venetian Glass Chandelier from Murano Island
    Bishop’s Palace
    Hall of Mirrors
    Hall of Mirrors
    Hall of Mirrors
    Bishop’s Palace
    Top of the Main Staircase at the Bishop’s Palace
    Main Staircase at the Bishop’s Palace
    Bishop’s Palace
    Garden at the Bishop’s Palace
    Garden at the Bishop’s Palace
    Garden at the Bishop’s Palace
    Garden at the Bishop’s Palace
    Garden at the Bishop’s Palace
    The Great Seated Man
    Double Bell Tower
    Center City Bakery
    Center City Tram
    The Pre-Christmas Market Has Started
    Old Wine Bar
    Marienkapelle Gothic Church
    Fun “Refueling” Stop Near the Bridge
    Local Cafe on the Bridge
    Center Ciy Fountain
    Local Grocery Store
    View of Original Bishop’s Palace and Grape Vines
    View from the Bridge
    Wine Bar on the Bridge
    The Bridge
    View from Canal Walkway
    Locks left in Memory
    Museum im Kultur Speicher
    Inside the Museum
    Inside the Museum
    Painting by Joseph Oppenheimer of the Hall of Mirrors at the Bishop’s Palace
    Painting of the Old Bishop’s Palace and Vines
    Old Main Bridgehead at Wurzburg
    Modern Painting at the Museum

    We had one of our best travel days today in Wurzburg. There is much to do and the town is so manageable.

    Like Nuremberg, the town was heavily bombed during WWII. Much of the area was rebuilt post WWII. Our first stop today was the Bishop’s Palace. Several of the rooms are original but much of the palace had to be restored after the war – including the Hall of Mirrors. The Palace has an exhibit that goes into the details of restoring the palace. The locals take tremendous pride in the palace and boast that it is more impressive than Versailles. Having visited Versailles, I disagree with the locals but this is a very impressive palace.

    We then had a very pleasant walk from the palace to the downtown portion of Wurzburg. Like Bamberg, the town economically relies upon tourism, the university and about 100 other schools. In addition, Wurzburg holds many festivals and other special events. Everyone from Elton John to Michael Jackson has performed in Wurzburg. We were fortunate to experience an early Christmas market. The vendors included typical German arts and crafts as well as all kinds of food and beverages. I have to admit I was surprised to see a booth selling churros.

    The area grows the largest amount of grapes in Germany and Wurzburg is known for its local white wines. Wine bars are everywhere and wine is definitely more popular than beer in this German town. There is even a wine bar on the bridge that serves its wines in glasses; my husband and I watched both Germans and tourists strolling the bridge with wine glasses in hand. We opted for coffee and pastries at a nearby cafe but those on our ship who partook said that the wines were really good.

    I am really enjoying the Bavarian part of Germany.

  • Bamberg – Stepping Back In Time

    Founded in the 11th century, Bamberg is the most picturesque town in Germany with medieval architecture. It managed to escape the Allied bombs during WWII so it really is like stepping back in time. It is a small town with approximately 80,000 people. The university and tourism essentially support the town. There are a nice variety of stores and restaurants but, interestingly, there is only one tourism store that sells post cards and other typical tourist items.

    It is famous for its smoked beer. Once we heard it described as beer infused with an ashtray, my husband and I opted to pass on sampling this delicacy. Among those on our ship who did, most were not too enthusiastic. Beer, in general, became popular in Germany out of necessity. The local waters were polluted and made the people ill. Beer was a safe and cheap beverage that did not make one sick. The wealthier opted for the more expensive wine as their beverage of choice.

    The outer area used to be called Little Italy or Venice due to the multi-level homes that are on the canal. The fishermen used to reside in these homes – it was considered the poorest part of Bamberg. The bottom level frequently flooded so most fishermen used it for boat parking. These days, the homes go on the market infrequently but when they do…they sell for well over $2,000,000.

    The Old Hospital
    Little Italy – Where the Fishermen Lived
    Old Pub Known for Serving Smoked Beer
    Sign for Beer Pub Featuring Image of a Previous Owner
    Saint Peters’s & Saint George’s Cathedral
    Original Bishop’s Palace
    Bishop’s Palace
    Rose Garden
    Rose Garden at Bishop’s Palace
    Overview from Rose Garden at Bishop’s Palace
    Lower Bridge and Town Hall
    Old Store in Central Bamberg
    One of several dedicated Christmas stores in town
    Latte German Style
    Central Bamberg
    Popular Modern Sculpture