Adventure in Europe PART 9 (Miltenberg, Rothenberg, Bamberg)

Friday 20 August

We sailed on through many lochs on the Main River to Miltenburg.

Miltenberg is a romantic town with many half timbered houses. churches and castles all dating back to the 13th to 16th centuries. (Much of it had to be restored after the war)

We went on a 2 hour guided walking tour.

The Town Hall.

Gorgeous little streets with no cars but many tourists.

The people of Miltenberg are definite in telling you they are Franconian. The Bavarians took them over a long time ago, but they are passionate about their Franconian culture

Bill and Roland were tired after the long walk so stopped by a pub for a Bavarian Beer. Then back to the ship, where we had a cooking demonstration for traditional "Vanilla Kipferl" (type of biscuit). After dinner we had a local glass blower give us a demonstration too. All the time we are sailing onto Würzburg.

Saturday 30 August

Today we had a choice of doing a tour of Würzburg or a romantic bus trip to Rothenburg. being romantics we took the second option.

Yippee the SUN is shining!!!!!!

The sun is out, sun hat on but haven't taken off my jacket yet.

The Cellar Master from the local winery gave us a talk about the history of wine making in Rothenburg.

Then back to Würzburg to board the ship for Bamberg.

Today we had a huge Bavarian Buffet lunch instead of a la carte.

Then time to relax on the balcony and watch Bavaria go by. I didn't go to the ice cream party on the sundeck. (Too full)

Sunday 31 August

Bamberg is a unique town. The whole town is world heritage listed. It wasn't bombed during the war. So it is an unspoiled gem of medieval and Baroque Architecture dating back to the 13th century.

The old city hall built on a bridge.





Just breathtaking, the buildings in this town.
Bamberg is also famous for its beer making and we were taken for a beer tasting. All these tours and feasts were inclusive in the Scenic Tour package. Once on the ship we didn't need to spend any money unless you wanted drinks from the bar. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate were free and available all day.

This morning I went up to the sundeck for a walk but it was closed, and all the railings down, due to low bridges. So I went to the front deck which is lower and still open but much smaller. (photo by Roland)
Lookout! Everyone sit down!(photo by Roland)
They are so low you can touch them. The Captain's bridge is on hydraulics and it goes down like an elevator. (photo by Roland)

Adventure in Europe 2008 PART 7 (Rhine Gorge)

Thursday 28 August

This magnificent stretch of the river features 21 medieval storybook castles over a distance of 65 km. We missed some of them during the night but we rose early in the morning and went up to the Sun(less) Deck to glimpse the famous castles.

We rubbed the sleep out of our eyes and tried to focus on the speeding trains.

Bill loves trains and you can see more of the trains we travelled on in his video on the side panel.

We saw some very old castles.

I

It was a bit cool for us Aussies even if it was summer.

We passed the statue of Lorelei, the maiden from the legend about this.....

...famous 132 m high Lorelei Rock, where the river narrows to 113 m. It is here where the once perilous passage gave rise to the legend of the maiden, Lorelei, whose singing lured the sailors onto the rock and a watery death.

More storybook castles

Proud to be Aussies in Bavaria, Germany.

This morning we were treated to a traditional Bavarian BBQ. We had already had a huge buffet breakfast and lunch is in a few hours. All I can say is, it was one huge morning tea.

A variety of German sausages with sauerkraut and salad.

This was Paul's snack.

Helen and Paul enjoying the Bavarian Frühschoppen

Some opted for a Bavarian beer (he was cute)
Bill and Roland renew their friendship. They went to primary school together in Switzerland 50 years ago.
Summer in Germany!! But we are happy. As much as you can eat and drink for no extra cost. Notice Verena and I had nothing. (Too full from breakfast)





Not long after it is lunchtime...its never ending food on this boat. This is the 3rd course and 2 more to go.
It was a nice dining room with a different million dollar view every meal. We are at the first table on the left.
Our tummies are bursting.
Bill fell in love with Irene our Bulgarian waitress. She was ultra efficient and always happy. Don't look on his plate (3) cakes for dessert.