Finally... a selection of photos from our trip to the Rheinland. Spot the Harlem Shake (with help from two guides from Viking River Cruises who decided to join in!)

Marksburg Castle
 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 27 March

Stayed in and around Koblenz today. Our first stop was at the Marksburg, a fortified castle dating back to the 13th century, which overlooks the Rhein to the south of Koblenz and which boasts an interesting line in instruments of torture and an outside loo which would be a challenge to those afraid of heights!

We then ate our packed lunches and enjoyed some sunshine on the banks of the Rhein, before driving to Deutsches Eck (translates as the German Corner), which is the confluence (from which Koblenz gets its name) of the Rhein and the Mosel and on which stands an enormous and imposing statue of Kaiser Bill astride his horse, marking the unification of Germany in 1871.

We then walked into the city centre to enable the girls to do some shopping - an opportunity to practise their German speaking.

After supper we enjoyed community singing led by Frau Wallace, ably assisted by Frau Anschütz, followed by prize giving and 'thank yous' to Frau Rühmkorf and her team for organising such a successful trip.

Here´s to Germany 2015..................

PS Apologies for the lack of photos - we have tried, really we have, but the internet isn't always on our side!

Tuesday 26 March

Another cool, but dry and sunny, day in Northern Germany today.

We set off after breakfast for Köln (Cologne) to visit the Roman Museum. This was built next to the Cathedral after a stunning mosaic floor was discovered when an air raid shelter was being dug out in 1941, so the museum was built around it!

We were fascinated by the Roman tombs and the many examples of items used in everyday Roman life. We also explored the huge cathedral or Dom, whose steeples soar into the sky over the city skyline, dwarfing the surrounding buildings.

The cathedral claims to house the remains of the three Magi or three wise men who visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, in a beautiful gold chest, which can be seen behind the high altar.

Then it was on to the Chocolate Museum, on the banks of the Rhein, where we found out how chocolate is made, before buying chocolate in all shapes and sizes in the shop.

On the way back to Koblenz we called in at the Haribo shop - Haribo heaven! Laden with bags of goodies the girls got back on the bus and we headed back to our hotel for an evening of poster making.

(We are still trying to get photos on to the blog and will keep trying!)

News from Deutschland!

A lovely day today in Trier, said to be the oldest town in Germany. Founded by the Roman emperor Augustus, in 17BC it boasts several impressive Roman sites which we have explored- the Porta Nigra, Constantine's Basilica, the Emperor's Baths and a very atmospheric amphitheatre.

The pedestrianised old town offered the opportunity for some retail therapy, which the girls enjoyed before heading back for the hotel. After dinner, some very creative interpretations of mosaics were produced, proving you are never to old for cutting and sticking!

Köln tomorrow.....

We have arrived!

Just to confirm that we have arrived in Koblenz, enjoyed supper and we're now now having a much-needed early night.

We're looking forward to our visit to Trier and exploring the Roman and old town tomorrow.

A Sneak Preview

Porta Nigra, Trier

These are just some of the places we will be visiting on our trip (including our hotel)

The Römisch-Germanisches Museum in Cologne

The Marksburg Castle on the Rhine

Deutsches Eck on Koblenz at the confluence of the rivers Rhine (foreground) and the Moselle

The Haribo Factory

Looking across the Rhine to Cologne's Gothic cathedral

Boppard - a popular tourist destination on the Rhine

Our hotel - the Weinlaube