River Cruise - Europe 2021

 September 10, 20 Koblenz  via the Marksburg Castle on the Rhine Gorge The Skirnir set off from Wertheim  towards Koblenz through the Rhine Gorge, a 65 mile stretch with fields of vineyards and lots of castles.  The vineyards/grapes were introduced by the romans who's influence went all the way up to the edge of the south side of the Rhine River and is the start of many villages, outposts and castles in the area.  Gotta put some castle pictures in because Bob took them all and there were a lot, but I will pick out the best ones.  Most are in ruins except for the Marksburg castle.  We did visit this one so you will see it in detail. One wonders how they manage to harvest all these grapes on these slopes....you have better really appreciate your Rhine wines now -  Riesling (yum), Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Müller-Thurgau and Gewürztraminer (yum) - it must be a labor of love. Inside Marksburg Castle -  a castle above the town of  Braubach...

  September 9, 2021 Wertheim, Germany Today we are going on a tour advertised as "Modern Aristocracy" - curious name which says that we will get a behind the scenes look at some current "castles".    Should be interesting.  Again out on the road in our "coach" for 3 different stops.    Stop One :  Current lived in "castle" in Mespelbrunn  (I could see living in this one...just the right size of castle for me!) Cute house on the way to Mespelbrunn Castle with a water moat all around.  And the castle is so modest in size! Back of castle Entrance to the courtyard Castle courtyard (3 sided) Knight's Hall Everyone's den (knight's hall) should have a few suits of armor on display. Stop Two :  Little town of Miltenberg This town's claim to fame is the Zum Reisen (Hotel Reisen). Showing as a hotel in 1411, making this hotel one of the  oldest continuously operating hotels in the world .  But even more notable  is that Bob and Lynn...