Visiting 3 Countries Along the way

Our last full day of cruising brought us up between France and Germany on the Rhine and docking in Switzerland for the overnight stay. What a delightful surprise taking a bus trip through the French "wine route" to Kaysersberg and Riquewihr! And we thought we were through seeing Christmas markets yesterday! These charming small villages looked like something out of "Hansel and Gretel". Visited Albert Sweitzer's birthplace, now a lovely museum, in Kaysersberg, ans watched the daylight turned to sparkling Christmas lights as the day darkened in Riquewihr.
Farewell dinner with newfound friends before packing it all up tonight.
Home to the USA tomorrow.

Viva la France!

Today was the culmination of all Christmas shopping experiences. Arriving in France during the night we were up bright and early this morning, raring to go.Swans paddled along side our River Rapsody ship in the canal, and for the first time we saw a sunrise!
This city, the first to be named a UNESCO World Heritage site, is magnificent! Though I' ve been here before this was a totally new experience. The cathedral is not just an "abc", it is formatable! The historic downtown was completely decorated for the season and the shops and Cristmas markets dotting the city had everything. We first took a long canal ride through the city, then a walking tour, followed by  lunch and the rest of the day on our own to explore. Tried several typical recommended foods ( tarte flambee and the best gluhwein yet! ) Tonight will be the Farewell dinner - a perfect way to wrap up this cruise.

The Black Forest and Baden Baden

Over the river and through the woods...to Baden Baden by bus to visit the spa and our favorite Christmas market so far. Could have stayed longer! On our way to France this afternoon, going through several locks, arriving in Strasbourg just now. Lights are beautiful at night.

German Traditions

A full day of learning and discovery of German celebrations today. As we traveled down the Rhine this morning our three trip leaders talked about the origin of  Sinterklaus/St. Nicolas, after which we experienced a "Fruhshoppen", where a sampling of sausages and pretzels are washed down with a beer (optional). This afternoon we arrived in Speyer and were divided into small groups, each going to a home hosted "kaffeeklatch". Coffee and pastries of various kinds were enjoyed along with getting to know a family, up close and personal. As the daylight faded we visited the beautifully lighted Christmas market of Spayer before returning to the ship for dinner and an evening of entertainment. This was a day of non-stop eating!

Heidelberg

Sinterclaus came last night and left something in our shoes!
A delightful optional full day side trip to Heidelberg today. The imposing 14th century castle high atop the hill is very impressive, even though much of it was destroyed during the war and replicated to allow  new generations to experience its likeness. Small Christmas markets greeted us there but we returned to the "old town" for our info-tour, free time for shopping the main street stores before a delicious included lunch at a funky tavern. On to the nearby  3 sections of Christmas market in the afternoon, ending with our customery cup of gluhwein. Christmas dinner and gift exchange tonight on the ship.

German Cuisine

Our river ship chef sets the theme of each country and yesterday we were greeted with a full German buffet. Tonight we'll dine on saurbraten. We are spending a full day and evening in Mainz, this morning touring the Gutenburg Museum, housing an original of his bibles, on to the cathedrals, St. Stevens housing the beautiful Mark Chagall stain glass windows, and last but not least, another gluhwein and brats at the Christmas market. Lots of walking to work off the pastries we've been nibbling on. :-)

Koblentz - Crossroads of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers

Our second Christas market outing was in Koblentz, heavily bombed in WWll, but rebuilt to recapture its quaint and charming history. We stolled the markets as light snow fell, really contributing to the mood. Only half a day here before sailing the most scenic part of the Rhine, through the "castle" zone, passing the legendary Loreli, where early merchant ships were lost because of the dangerouser cross currents. Bob and I spent 2 weeks here in the charming town of St. Goar several years ago.