Join us back on the cruising “Love Boat” . . . .MS Allegro!

Wow! Look at these spectacular modern apartments jutting out over the Rhine as we depart Cologne!

I am glad we didn’t choose this Mobby Dick boat for our cruise!

Next port of call was Bonn – West Germany’s capital from 1949 – 1991, when it moved to Berlin. It is obvious with the numerous referrals to Beethoven throughout the city that he must have been born here! He popped up everywhere . . . marzipan in shop windows, Mark gets to shake his hand & the hotel we take refuge in a rainy downpour is named “The Beethoven”!!

The beautiful, old village of Linz with it’s wooden framed houses, some lopsided, and 13th century fortress tower. It’s like stepping back in time — quite a few hundred years!!

Old ladies meeting in the square for a rest and chat.

 

As MS Allegro cruises south the wine growing area increases.

The river is bustling today with many boats/ships.

From our deck-chairs we admire grand homes, horse and leader monuments and the 11th century Marksburg castle high above Braubach.

We managed to photograph it in the early evening light too!

Bev discovered a pretty, framed archway on our evening walk.

The chairlift ride above the Rudesheimer vineyard to the hilltop monument “The Guard of the Rhine” is scenic and fun!

After a refreshing rest at the top, under the vines, it’s about 35 degrees Celsius, we descend. Bev hides among the vines, whilst Mark takes a tumble on his knee on our 6km hike down to the river . . . . ouch!! . . . . where’s those wheelchairs when you need one?!?! . . . joking, it’s not required.

Back on board, after a short visit to the 1st Aid Room, Mark is up in deck checking out the castles and vineyards again on our way to Mainz, whilst our “entertainer”, Pavlo, lets rip on the keyboard!

The first red sand-stone for the Mainz Cathedral was laid in 975 !!

We find “Walter” (Wally) in an enormous bookstore and find English books too, and this modern “art” sculpture in Mainz.

Boppard is situated on a horseshoe bend of the Rhine & is one of the prettiest towns with a colourful, floral decorated promenade. The ancient Maktplatz (market square) is gorgeous with the elegant twin towers of the church.

Surrounding Boppard are the best aspects of the wine growing area. On the large bend of the Rhine on the slopes are about 75 hectares of predominantly Riesling grapes!

 

Attractively coloured 1780’s home.

Whilst we’re exploring the village, those left on board happily participate in the “Guess What’s In The Sock?” game! Maybe you could surprise your guests at your next party with this one.?? . . . . . The Vibrantly coloured socks are pegged up in a line accross the deck. Yes, that’s correct, you must use your sense of touch/feel to guess the sock contents!! We donated a tiny koala to hide in a sock . . . that will surely stump them!?

 

 

Henk, the tour leader, revealed our koala to everyone at the end of the game. The winner was Geoffrey – a young man on the cruise with his grandmother. She describes the scenery as they go along – Geoffrey is blind. He guessed the Koala -a cling bear!! He was thrilled when we said he could keep the koala.

 

Our “dining room” experience aboard was very positive!! We were treated to excellent table service for lunch and dinner, buffet for breakfast, The three or four course meals were deliciously, French inspired, with Dutch and German influence too! We couldn’t fault the food, portion sizes were perfect, so we could easily enjoy delectable dessert. Our farewell dinner on Friday night concluded with a parade of flaming Baked Alaska!

Andernach, our final port of call!! We stroll through this ancient gateway to the city, down small laneways, arriving at a 12th century church with amazing baptismal font and burial crypt.

Returning to the river through beautiful plane trees we rest on these novel riverside “love chairs” and reflect on our wonderful week on the romantic Rhine river!!

 

We are so glad we “took a punt” and booked onto this Romantic Rhine River Cruise. It was unexpected and another memorable highlight of our 2015 travel experience!! . . . . great company, delicious food, friendly and efficient service from staff and wonderful, historic, new destinations to explore each day!!