July 26 Sailing over night to Colgne, Germany

Arrived about 6.30 am.
Off on a short city tour about 9 for 1 hour. This city like so many others was almost all destroyed during the war and rebuilt since. Only a few buildings were rebuilt in the original style. The Colgne Cathedral suffered some damage but not that extensive. It is a huge complex that is the last resting place of the 3 Wise Men. They have a gold altar at the front of the church. Impossible to get close.

This is also the home of Eu de Cologne.

As it is Sunday, and the law in Germany only the bars, souvenir shops and restaurants are open. It is fairly quiet.

Back on the boat at noon and sailing on to Amsterdam, the last stop of the river cruise. It has been amazing. The boat and crew have been super. Lots of food and drink and plenty of sights as well. Nice that we stopped at many small villages along the way and not too many larger cities.


July 25 Sailing over night to Rudesheim, Germany

Arrived at the Rhine River at about 6.30 am. This is so much bigger than the other rivers!

Morning tour via a small train that runs through the city. Went to Sigmend's mechanical musical instrument museum. 2 full floors of everything related to music and not just player pianos. One was an 18 piece orchestra. Also violinas with 6 violins.

Then to the Torture museum. It was ok, just had a few pieces of equipment used for torture during the medieval times.

Then met up for a Rudesheim Koffee. 3 cubes of sugar in a cup. A special brandy is added and lit. Once it burns out, coffee is added and topped off with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Back on boat for the cruse to Koblenz.

This is the first day the sun deck has been open but the weather was very windy and rain showers going through. We past through the middle Rhine Valley which must have at least 30 castles along the banks with thousands of grape vines along the hillside. It was a very interesting afternoon.

After dinner we headed out to the fortress by a huge cable car. The cable car traveled over the river. A street performers festival was being held inside the fortress.

They were really more than street performers as there was 2 stages set up in 2 different parts of the moat. Great as you could not hear the other bands. And in other parts of the fortress there were performers. These were fairly long acts, 10 to 20 minutes long. One guy was doing his cooking show act in English with a bit of German thrown in. Inside a big room there were several acts of acrobatics and 1 contortionist. All very good. And what a venue!

July 24 Sailing over night to Miltenberg

On tour on bus then rejoin ship at Freudenberg.
Small little town that is supposed to be the best kept medieval village in Germany. Just a single street with lots of shops. Took a short walk up the hill to the castle.
Quiet afternoon on the boat, just watching the river life go by.