Day 03 - Cruising the Rhein

For our first official tour we hopped on our tour bus for a trip from Frankfurt to St. Goarshausen, then boarded a ship for a leisurely cruise up the Rhein to Rüdesheim, drinks and pastries provided.  As expected, we saw many little churches and castles along the way. After docking in Rüdesheim, we used our free time to take a gondola car ride up to the Franco-Prussian War Memorial. We walked back through the vineyards to Rüdesheim, then boarded our bus for the trip back to our hotel in Frankfurt. We had a nice dinner at the hotel, then packed up for an early departure the next morning. Next stop is the Hotel Traube Tonbach in Baiersbronn, a resort town in the Black Forest.

Mild weather thus far, partly sunny to cloudy but no rain!

Cruising up the Rhein, Angela relaxing in the cabin... ... as was John.  Sadly the cake and coffee were already gone...

Look, a little church up on the hillside... ... and an old tower/turret on the riverbank!

A castle and a church, a two-for!  Another castle.  Note basket hanging off the left turret. In the Middle Ages, this was used to punish people for "minor" offenses. Offenders were placed in the basket to serve their sentence. Somebody serving such a punishment was said to be "left high and dry.”  Ah!

An old toll station in the middle of the river.  Even in the Middle Ages the local goverment figured out a way to get their piece of the action...

 In the gondola car headed up to the monument on the hillside above Rüdesheim...

Looking down on the Rhein River and local grapevines from the gondola car.  The Rüdesheim area is known for its wine production...

 Franco-Preußen War Monument, see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niederwalddenkmal

Our daring duo on top of the hill.  We were at the very same spot two years ago and had the privilege of seeing a very nice young man propose to a very nice young woman who we have known since she was a baby!  How romantic!! 

 Back at the hotel.  Our reward was drinks and dessert!