Cologne and approach to Amsterdam

 We docked in Cologne during the night and there was an early call for breakfast as we were getting things done early to be sure we’d complete the long trip to Amsterdam in time for some passengers to make their flights.  We were out on a walking tour at 8.30, before much had opened, and had a bit to see of the center of this big city, much of it with postwar reconstruction, the guide telling us of a few oddities, many centered on critical details that were missed in getting something to function.  He provided some jelly donuts. We got to the Cathedral; I remembered seeing the spires when my family drove by on the Autobahn when I was seven, and now it was impressive to look inside, however briefly.

Cologne was a city I’d wanted to see for a long time, but this visit was rushed, with the ship needing to leave before noon.  As we are on this afternoon sailing, I can report preliminary thoughts on the cruise.  It was nice to be on this all-inclusive cruise with plentiful food options and all drinks included.  It’s also unique to be able to wake up in different towns without needing to pack and move bags.  On the other hand, I’m not generally a fan of going on guided tours, and I felt the pressure of having limited time, especially in Cologne.

We’ve had our nice Captain’s final reception and dinner, now looking forward to our time in Amsterdam.

Rüdesheim and Rhine Gorge

 We reached Rüdesheim and had reached the Rhine.  There was a new town to visit; we started the walking tour with a chocolate store with liquor-filled candies, and ended in a shop with their specialty coffee, with flaming local liqueur.  A selection of pictures:

One thing to note was a hotel with wine barrel rooms:

In the afternoon we took off, on the wide Rhine with smooth sailing, through the Gorge with many castles, a heritage site with restrictions on new construction; I also noted the rail lines on both sides of the river.  A selection:

The end of the cruise is in sight.

Miltenberg and Eichenbühl

 Even as the distances between stops are short, the many locks on the Main make for a long duration, our arrival this morning being at 9.  We were at Miltenberg, a town with a historic center based on one narrow street.  

And what’s upstairs?

Outside views of the ship

Afterwards we went to the neighboring small town of Eichenbühl, not a tourist attraction, but where it had come together for the mayor to organize a gathering when this cruise comes around, serving us cold cuts with wine and beer, with a band performance, and the chance to go to the chapel and ring the bell.

Another day done.

Würzburg

 Today we docked in Würzburg.  These last few stops have been in Franconia, which is part of Bavaria but the guides have said should be seen with its own identity, with wine one central interest.  The ship just docked at 8 a.m. as daylight was starting, showing the Marienberg castle on the hill above.  Unlike previous stops, this one was convenient to the town center.

I had been in Würzburg before, in 1975, before being removed from the Romantic Road bus, my previous effort to see Rothenburg (for having the wrong type of rail pass).  This was on a too-fast trip around Europe, and it was good to get a better sense of the city.  We were bused to the Residenz palace, which I believe was closed during my previous stay, noteworthy for its Tiepolo ceiling frescoes representing four continents (no photography allowed).  There were other rooms and the garden to see.  Then there was the option to return on the bus or continue walking around town and to the ship.  I saw more of the picturesque city and learned about the heavy Allied bombing there in World War II.  The Residenz had exhibition rooms about its own damage, but the Tiepolo frescoes were untouched.  There was another exhibit in the city hall about this bombing.

The sloping vineyards that come right above the city in the direction we were sailing 

Right on departure we had a good view of one of our many passages through locks.

Volkach and Rothenburg

 Mostly pictures today.  On this Sunday, we docked at Volkach and our tour was to surrounding places to see wine production.

                                                          One way of buying wine

In the afternoon, we had the extra tour to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a picture-perfect town with big crowds.  It was interesting to note the distinctive architecture and learn of the history, and otherwise think of the parallel development of the picturesque towns of Italy.

While there, I got the news that my best friend from school days in Umbertide, Graziano, had died.  He’s been part of my trip reports.  He’d had health problems, and we’d only spoken on the phone during this last trip.  In my sorrow in learning the news, I think of how popular he was around town, and the quirks that he and I had that made our friendship special. 

Starting the cruise: Bamberg

 We had an orientation and outline of the first two days of tours.  The opening dinner, even though it wasn’t listed as a formal meal, was a very full meal with steak and a variety of other choices. When the ship set sail, there was hardly any sense of being on water.  A few pictures:

                                                            Main lounge 

                                                                Sun deck

The morning excursion was in Bamberg, a medium-sized city of historic interest.  We were bused into town and experienced the the headset system where the guide spoke in a normal tone.  We saw the picturesque old town and the cathedral, where the sun coming in suggested a divine effect.  It was difficult to get good pictures around the group.

 

 

 

 

Back to the ship, and in the evening there was the captain’s welcome reception and dinner.  It was optional to dress up, there were more introductions of the crew and a nice dinner.  The sailing proceeded going from the canal network to the River Main with many locks.