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| Mom and I at Heidelburg Castle |
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| Wine barrel in the castle |
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
November 23 - Heidelberg and Rudesheim
Heidelberg is located just along a small river called the Neckar rivrer, with the old town on one side and the new town on the other side. Each side of the city is connected by the picturesque old stone bridge, a sight not to be missed. Dominating Heidelberg are the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. The old castle stands mostly in ruins due to the heavy fighting which took place there during the religious struggle known as the "Thirty Years War." The main square of the city is called the "Hauptmarkt." This is where the Holy Ghost Church is located and the main pedestrian shopping street called the "Hauptstrasse." Hauptstrasse is said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany.
Rudesheim is a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge and thereby part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town belongs to the Frankfurt Thine Main region and is Germany's biggest tourist attraction. Only Cologne Cathedral draws more tourists from other countries. The Drosselgasse is the heart of Rudesheim's old town full of beautifully decorated restaurants. It was built in the 15 century, the Drosselgase was for boat owners to move items from the river homes in the town.
Heidelberg Castle
Our day started early as our bus picked us up this morning at 8:30 a.m. to go to Heidelberg. (We were very tired since we went to bed at 2:30 a.m.) It was very brisk out. The weather called for some rain and snow. We got a little drizzle going to the castle, but it didn't last long. First, we visited the Heidelberg Castle, which was amazing. There were also beautiful houses in the area that go for $1-$3 million dollars, but they looked like castles as well. You obviously get more for your money there than back in Chicago. But, that was not THE most expensive area in Heidelberg.
Heidelberg
After the visit to he castle, we drove to Germany's oldest university city, Heidelberg. We were told to grab a quick snack and shop because they have the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany. What they forgot to mention was that the shopping wasn't good! We would have preferred to have a local lunch and browse in a couple of shops. Plus, we saw Sydney's souvenir that we purchased in Luxembourg for double the price.
Rudesheim
On the return from Heidelberg , the tour guide mentioned that if we didn't want to tour the winery, that we could visit the town of Rudesheim, which was walking distance to the boat, or go back to the boat. We decided to explore Rudesheim, and are so glad we did. The mini train took us to the winery and we walked down to the town with a few other people. It was so cute and amazing! Their Christmas market was in full bloom.
Mom and I stopped and she had a hot chocolate and I had a hot apple juice. No Wassail anywhere! Everyone sells hot wine instead. Speaking of wine, I tried some Ice wine. It's very expensive because it's made with grapes from the late harvest (similar to a late harvest Riesling). It was $30/bottle. I didn't buy any because I'm not that into wine. Plus, I got a buzz off of the sample alone. We also have to conserve our space for the way home because I refuse to pay for another piece of luggage or being overweight.
We bought quite a few things in Rudesheim, but they were very reasonable. Mom, the hoarder, bought about 5 scarves. We walked back to the ship around 5:00 p.m.
Dinner
We had to get ready for dinner early because it was at 6:30 p.m. We had steak again tonight with Italian salad, which was delish, black salsify and green beans. Dessert was Apricot Pancakes (which is a crepe, but in Germany, they call them crepes). They always bring me a Riesling even when it's not the wine of the evening 'cuz I don't like anything else.
Siegrieds Kabinett Tour
At 8:30 p.m., the train picked us up to take us to the Siegfried museum to see the musical instruments from centuries ago. The tour was very nice, but it turned blustery out. Brrr!
Blog
When we returned, I left mom in the lounge with Kathleen and Duncan. I went to blog, but because we were departing for Cologne, the photo upload stopped working.
Rough Waters
I'm sure it's due to the weather, but tonight, the water was pretty choppy. The bathroom door kept swinging open and we were rocking (but not horrible, just more noticeable).
Rudesheim is a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge and thereby part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town belongs to the Frankfurt Thine Main region and is Germany's biggest tourist attraction. Only Cologne Cathedral draws more tourists from other countries. The Drosselgasse is the heart of Rudesheim's old town full of beautifully decorated restaurants. It was built in the 15 century, the Drosselgase was for boat owners to move items from the river homes in the town.
Heidelberg Castle
Our day started early as our bus picked us up this morning at 8:30 a.m. to go to Heidelberg. (We were very tired since we went to bed at 2:30 a.m.) It was very brisk out. The weather called for some rain and snow. We got a little drizzle going to the castle, but it didn't last long. First, we visited the Heidelberg Castle, which was amazing. There were also beautiful houses in the area that go for $1-$3 million dollars, but they looked like castles as well. You obviously get more for your money there than back in Chicago. But, that was not THE most expensive area in Heidelberg.
Heidelberg
After the visit to he castle, we drove to Germany's oldest university city, Heidelberg. We were told to grab a quick snack and shop because they have the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany. What they forgot to mention was that the shopping wasn't good! We would have preferred to have a local lunch and browse in a couple of shops. Plus, we saw Sydney's souvenir that we purchased in Luxembourg for double the price.
Rudesheim
On the return from Heidelberg , the tour guide mentioned that if we didn't want to tour the winery, that we could visit the town of Rudesheim, which was walking distance to the boat, or go back to the boat. We decided to explore Rudesheim, and are so glad we did. The mini train took us to the winery and we walked down to the town with a few other people. It was so cute and amazing! Their Christmas market was in full bloom.
Mom and I stopped and she had a hot chocolate and I had a hot apple juice. No Wassail anywhere! Everyone sells hot wine instead. Speaking of wine, I tried some Ice wine. It's very expensive because it's made with grapes from the late harvest (similar to a late harvest Riesling). It was $30/bottle. I didn't buy any because I'm not that into wine. Plus, I got a buzz off of the sample alone. We also have to conserve our space for the way home because I refuse to pay for another piece of luggage or being overweight.
We bought quite a few things in Rudesheim, but they were very reasonable. Mom, the hoarder, bought about 5 scarves. We walked back to the ship around 5:00 p.m.
Dinner
We had to get ready for dinner early because it was at 6:30 p.m. We had steak again tonight with Italian salad, which was delish, black salsify and green beans. Dessert was Apricot Pancakes (which is a crepe, but in Germany, they call them crepes). They always bring me a Riesling even when it's not the wine of the evening 'cuz I don't like anything else.
Siegrieds Kabinett Tour
At 8:30 p.m., the train picked us up to take us to the Siegfried museum to see the musical instruments from centuries ago. The tour was very nice, but it turned blustery out. Brrr!
Blog
When we returned, I left mom in the lounge with Kathleen and Duncan. I went to blog, but because we were departing for Cologne, the photo upload stopped working.
Rough Waters
I'm sure it's due to the weather, but tonight, the water was pretty choppy. The bathroom door kept swinging open and we were rocking (but not horrible, just more noticeable).
Sex and the City
I tried to watch Sex and the City last night, but mom went to bed at 1:00 a.m., and I was still up watching it. I finally fell asleep when the one girl fell off the camel. I'm so bummed because I can't move onto Sex and the City 2 until I know what happens (and, there's no fast forward).
I tried to watch Sex and the City again, but I didn't even get as far as the first time, but it was 2:30 a.m., and we had to wake up at 6:30 a.m. for our tour.
I tried to watch Sex and the City again, but I didn't even get as far as the first time, but it was 2:30 a.m., and we had to wake up at 6:30 a.m. for our tour.
Onboard Characters
Ours was a very small group - half the size a ship normally holds, but it was perfect. Everyone enjoyed each other's company.
There were a lot of younger people on this cruise. This is not the normal age demographic for a River Cruise.
Christian is our Tour Director, and he's from Germany.
There are quite a few Japanese/Hawaiians onboard. There are also a few Canadians (including Stuart who is the youngest person onboard and has a handicap and his Mother, Anna). There are two couples from England, and one couple is so cute...they are like little Leprachans. They are older, and he wears a black and white checked sports coat. There is a family from Texas (mom, dad, son, and daughter-in-law - the kids are in their 30's) and another couple from Texas. There are two ladies who were college roommates - one is from California and the other is from Oklahoma. The majority of people are from the United States (no Europeans). There's also a couple from Scottsdale and another from Fort Worth. The other two Travel Agents are from Oregon. One couple is on their honeymoon, and they reside in Las Vegas. There are two blonde, ex-sister-in-laws from Palm Dessert. Another couple, Les and Carol are from Virginia. Kathleen and Duncan are formerly from Chicago, now living in San Francisco, but Duncan's mother is also with them, and she's from Texas. So, there's a large variety.
There were a lot of younger people on this cruise. This is not the normal age demographic for a River Cruise.
Christian is our Tour Director, and he's from Germany.
There are quite a few Japanese/Hawaiians onboard. There are also a few Canadians (including Stuart who is the youngest person onboard and has a handicap and his Mother, Anna). There are two couples from England, and one couple is so cute...they are like little Leprachans. They are older, and he wears a black and white checked sports coat. There is a family from Texas (mom, dad, son, and daughter-in-law - the kids are in their 30's) and another couple from Texas. There are two ladies who were college roommates - one is from California and the other is from Oklahoma. The majority of people are from the United States (no Europeans). There's also a couple from Scottsdale and another from Fort Worth. The other two Travel Agents are from Oregon. One couple is on their honeymoon, and they reside in Las Vegas. There are two blonde, ex-sister-in-laws from Palm Dessert. Another couple, Les and Carol are from Virginia. Kathleen and Duncan are formerly from Chicago, now living in San Francisco, but Duncan's mother is also with them, and she's from Texas. So, there's a large variety.
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| Mom, Carol (Virginia), and Carol - Duncan's mom (Texas) |
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| Judi & Chuck |
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| Gin Ann (Oklahoma) & Penny (California) |
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| Honeymooners from Las Vegas |
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| Duncan & Kathleen (left) |
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| Man who thought I thought he was a purse snatcher! |
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| Stewart and his mom, Anna |
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| Semi-retired Travel Agent and her husband from Minnesota |
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| Ex-Sister-In-Laws from California |
Another Yummy Dinner - November 22nd
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| Salad With Mushroom Dressing |
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| Chicken With Mushroom Risotto |
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| Apricot Dumpling |
More Photos of Ms. Amalegro
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| Sundeck on Ms. Amalegro |
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| Lounge on Ms. Amalegro |
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| Evening Entertainment 11/22 |
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