Germany is located in the center of Europe. It forms a bridge between maritime West of Europe and the continental East, between the warmer South and the cool North.

Population: 82,057,000
Currency: Euro  €
Adjacent countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland.

Germany Trip - Rhine and Mosel River Valleys

September 2012

This European River Cruise included visits to the Rhine & Mosel Rivers. Along these river routes, we stopped at cities, ports and picturesque, quaint villages. These neat little villages are located at the base of striking valley moutainsides covered with vineyards. We covered 6 countries in 3 wks: Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland. We began this journey with 4 extra days in Brugge, Belgium and ended it with 4 extra Days in Lucerne, Switzerland.

BONN:Home of Bonn University and former capital of Germany before Berlin. Also the Home of Ludvig van Beethoven/museum and a Baroque town hall.

COLOGNE: Jim & I decided to take a train to Germany to see the famous Der Dom (cathedral), so we spent the rest of the day there. We have lunch in a pub but cannot read the menu, so a policeman and his wife sit next to us and help us order bratwurst, bread , mustard and beer.

Demonstrations start peacefully (complaints for more money/benefits). They are accompanied by the police… A quiet but lively demonstration. We take the train at the Hauptbahnhof back to Bonn….interesting day in Cologne Germany.

COCHEM…Romantic little Moselle River wine town in a uniquely beautiful setting. The Reichsburg, an imperial castle built in 11th Century, overlooks the town. It was destroyed by French troops, then rebuilt in 19thcentury.

TRABEN-TRARBACH…Twin town on the Moselle. Our boat docked there for trip to Luxembourg.

BERNKASTEL…Green hills and endless vineyards w/the river at the center of it all. Interesting little town to stroll. Medieval market square w/Renaissance town hall.

MARKSBURG CASTLE…A most beautiful 13th-century castle on a hill along the Rhine River. It has been unchanged by war or reconstruction, offering a glimpse into daily life of the time. A stone stair- case leads to the bed chamber. Quite a view as you stand atop the towers.

Near the castle is a family-owned brewery where we stop for home-brewed beer, German sausage, bratwurst, pretzels and mustard.

TRIER: The oldest city in Germany. Has a 2000 yr. old Roman emperor history. Many old ruins, world famous bldgs, monuments and art treasures… UNESCO cultural heritage list. …a university city. Famous for Porta Nigra, …oldest Roman Gate, imperial palace (throne room of Constantine)

BOPPARD….An attractive little town built during Roman times; served as a Frankish royal estate f/500 yrs. Admire Gothic architecture from 12th to 19th century. A UNESCO site f/mid Rhine region.

SPEYER…Another Roman town that flourished during Middle Ages. Much was destroyed in the 17th century and few remnants survived. One exception is the Romanesque cathedral.

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