JUDITH

Lyn and John ... Judith..... Caravan Park....A Village.

CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER

It is school Holidays  in Germany, hence the busy caravan park.  No modern vans here.  Missed taking a photo today of cattle.  They are finally emerging from barns.  Note the vinyards on the hills.  They are owned by wine companies.  

ALONG THE RIVER

The day is cloudy with intermittent showers.  I will adjourn  to have lunch in the upstairs casual dining and listen to beautifully played piano.  Lastnight we were entertained by a simger who made me shed tears when he knelt before me and sang Unforgettable, then got me up to dance!!!  Forgot about my sore knee! 

 

ROTHENBURG

One off the most picturesque villages in Germany is Rothenburg.  The village is completely surrounded by its old city wall and is full,of charm.  It sports the famous wohlfahrt Christmas store as well as the Torture Museum!!  The village is located in the Tauner Valley.  I wonder if it was named after Richard the tenor? .  It is a one hour drive from KITZINGEN.  The sun shone for a few seconds between light rain and very strong wind.  Buildings are beautiful and the town relies on tourism.  As we arrived 15 minutes ahead if the ship, the bus driver kindly drove us around Wurzburg, a Universify city that sports a huge castle in the town, and not on a hill'!!  Of course there are churches everywhere.  Our guid was a youngish charming university graduate who retired from teaching French because of the teaching system in Germany. Parents with whips out for teachers for excellence from their unruly children.  

KITZINGEN

Thismorning we did a walking tour to a winery where we samples white wine while listening to music,of the area. Kitzingenmgot its name from a shepherd who found the scarf of  the Countessmof Schwannerg.  She had a Momestery built on the spot.  The area is famous for wine.  The population is around 12 thousand.  

SCHWEINFURT

Talented sister and brother entertained with singing and playing of old instruments for an hour during our brief stop. 

More,photos of beautiful BAMBERG

BAMBERG

We are now on the quaint River Main at BAMBERG, a gem and jewel.  So beautiful and old,  we went on a guided tour of buildings designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.  Our guide took us up and down cobble stoned hills and past a church where we saw a religious parade, it being Palm Sunday,  Seem to remember something about that !!!!   

Levi Strauss was born near BAMBERG in 1829.   Just what you wanted to know !!!!  

NUREMBERG

Lastnight we left the Danube River behind and entered the monumental Main Danube Canal linking the North Sea to the Black Sea,  Through a series of 16 locks, ships such as ours are now able to cruise from Romania to the Netherlands.  NUREMBERG is Bavaria's second largest city, showcasing the city's past as well as the recent darker history!  The city is famous for gingerbread.  

The city appears in official records from 1050.  Most of the city was destroyed in 90 minutes during the war.  Below is a photo of Hitler's Party Ralky grounds. 

As Christian drove me meet the ship at NUREMBERG, I missed seeing the city, so Judith took the photos.  

REGENSBURG

With a population of 150 thousand, Refensburg is located on the Danube  River in Bavaria.  The famous stone  arch bridge is under renovations.  The city is known for it's high gothic cathedral and cobble stoned streets.  The city was spared during world war 11. There is the oldest sausage kitchen in Germany dating back to 1135.  Regensburg was once home to Oskar Schindler and Pope Benedict XV1. Today The BMW factory and the University are amongst the largest employers.  

My friend Dr Christian Blank and his 11 Ye old son Noah live in this beautiful city.  I was fortunate enough to stay overnight with them in the new part of the city, and be shown sights tourists don't see, Breakfast in a quaint stylish restaurant was one of the highlights.  

Because I didn't have my iPad, I am using Judith's photos for the next three blogs. 

Up the river from Regensberg

Linz/Salzburg/Passau

NWe disembarked I. Linz for a tour of Salsburg.  We went on an awe-inspired majestic train ride to Mozart's birth town,  The old town of Salzburg is a UNESC World Heretsge listed site,  The old city was created I. The  17th And 18th centuries.  Mozart was born there in 1756.  We saw where The Sound of Music was made.  We took a trolly car to a castle from where we viewed most of the city.  At the bottom, we walked through a cemetery where flowers of the season grow in well nourished dirt above graves!!!   All buildings beautiful but for the modern Opera House! But apparently the acuestics are great which is the most important feature!  The Danube wi DSL through the city of cobble stone streets.  Could live here but for the weather!!!   Rains for more than half the year.  We suffered a short light shower. Opera singers entertained on the return train ride to Passau, with areas and operetta.  So many castles in this country, all showing signs of fortresses.  All in the name of religion and greed.  Passau has a 2000 year old history, Walls are testament to the presence of the Roman army. We lunched,on a tasty sausage roll as we wandered streets admiring beautiful shape with fashion garments, and food stalls.  All very tempting.