Our Ship was due to leave the Port of Mainz at 2pm to take us down the Romantic Rhine Valley and its Castles.

We were late leaving however we did get to see the Castles. We 3 were up on the top deck, and the camera was getting a work out. Over  17 Castles in 65 kms of the Rhine.  A few had flags which represented that they were lived in.

Rhine Gorge is between Koblenz and Rudesheim –  Picturesque villages dotted all the way along the Rhine with imposing Castles and vineyards.

Many of the Castles were left in ruins from the Thirty Years War (1618 – 1648) and the Wars of Palatinate Succession.  Napoleon also swept over the region with his armies in the late 18th and early 19th century.

The vineyards are on terraces so steep that the grapes are still  handpicked. It amazed us how on earth they were able to work on these slopes. I could just see myself tripping over my own feet and  rolling down into the Rhine!

Motor homes and caravans dotted all the along the Rhine!

Ever had Rudesheimer Coffee? A sip of Asbach brandy is a specialty of Rudesheim.  A sip of this brandy is poured into a special mug and set on fire = then doused with coffee, and topped by whipped cream and chocolate flakes.  It was delicious and enjoyed by everyone!