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Home  >  Blog  >  Rhine-Main Cruise with Emerald Waterways: Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim

Rhine-Main Cruise with Emerald Waterways: Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim

Trish Burgess Posted on27/11/201501/06/2016 Cruise, Germany 15 Comments
Rheinstein Castle

Our Rhine Cruise with Emerald Waterways began in Amsterdam with its first stop being Cologne. The ship, Emerald Star, took us upstream where the scenery of the Rhine Gorge was showcased in style on a gloriously sunny morning…


The sun deck on Emerald Star proved to be the perfect vantage point to see a myriad of castles, popping up along the riverbank so regularly it felt as if they had been specially constructed for the pleasure of the river cruising population. The scenery was staggeringly beautiful: rows of pretty houses spread out like a ribbon along the river, colourful churches standing tall in the centre of the towns and villages and, of course, the castles themselves, proudly sporting flags atop their battlements.

Our guide, Brigitta, joked that castle tennis was about to begin and as we looked left and right we were transported to another time, hearing stories of lost love and revenge linked to each castle: Sterrenberg and Liebenstein (the love triangle of Henry, Konrad and Angela) and Rheinstein and Reichenstein (Helmbrecht and Gerda’s love triumphing against the will of Uncle Gunzelin)

Lorelei Rock

There was a good deal of excitement as we approached the Lorelei, a large outcrop of rock which is famous in German folklore. There have been many myths associated with the rock, which in years gone by had a tendency to murmur because of the movement of the currents together with the sound of an old waterfall. The legend that has stood the test of time was created in 1824 in Heinrich Heine’s poem, Die Lorelei, set to music by Friedrich Silcher in 1837. The story tells of a siren who sat on the cliff, combing her golden hair, unwittingly distracting sailors with her beauty and song, causing them to crash into the rocks. Thankfully our captain was made of sterner stuff and he guided us through these once perilous waters, without falling under her spell.

After a morning of breathtaking views, the afternoon proved to be just as enchanting. I don’t know if the fabulous weather had something to do with it, but it seemed everywhere we looked, Germany was putting on a show for its visitors. The castle cavalcade completed, Rüdesheim beckoned. A classic wine village, famous for its narrow Drosselgasse lane with back-to-back taverns, it is also the home of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Housed in a beautiful 15th century building, which is an attraction in itself, all manner of exquisite musical boxes are on show, from self-playing pianos to the tiniest nightingale chirping in a silver box. If you ever owned a jewellery box with a ballerina twirling around inside, you will adore the curiosities found here.

Rüdesheim is also famous for its Asbach brandy and whilst we didn’t have the time to visit the distillery on this visit, I managed the next best thing that evening on the terrace after dinner – a special Rüdesheim coffee made with vanilla cream, sugar cubes and flambéed Asbach brandy. Prost!

 

 
More photos from the Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim below:
Niederheimbach Germany
Pretty village of Niederheimbach
Pfalz castle which used to collect tolls from river traffic
Oberwesel Germany
The town of Oberwesel
Rheinfels Castle

Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum


Violinova Rudesheim
Violinova at Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum



Drosselgasse – back to back wine and beer!

Our Rhine Cruise: The Rhine-Main Discovery Tour, was commissioned by Cruise International magazine. Dougie and I were guests of Emerald Waterways. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. 




Travel Monkey


 

 

Previous Article Taking a walk on the South Bank side
Next Article Rhine-Main Cruise with Emerald Waterways: Miltenberg, Würzburg and Bamberg

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15 Comments

  1. About Last Weekend Reply
    29/11/2015 at 12:05 am

    So stunning _ I'm sending this series to Dad – as he has talked about this tour for ages. it just looks so romantic and wondrous.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      30/11/2015 at 10:06 am

      I hope your dad enjoys reading them. Let me know if he needs any more information.

  2. Sarah Reply
    29/11/2015 at 7:21 am

    Gorgeous! What a picturesque set of places. Germany does 'pretty' exceptionally well, doesn't it. 🙂

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      30/11/2015 at 10:07 am

      I don't think we had any idea how truly beautiful it would be.

  3. MummyTravels Reply
    30/11/2015 at 11:14 am

    Gorgeous photos – this is such a stunning part of Germany. I remember taking train journeys through the valley where you travelled right along the Rhine while I lived in the country, but seeing it from the river itself must have been amazing. #mondayescapes

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      04/12/2015 at 9:52 pm

      Funny but I quite fancy doing some rail journeys through Europe! But yes, it was a superb trip. Such a relaxed, stylish way to travel and see the beauty of the Rhine.

  4. bevchen confuzzledom Reply
    30/11/2015 at 3:13 pm

    Such gorgeous photos! I've only ever seen those views from a train – from the water it must be even more special!

    The Rüdesheim coffee sounds delicious.
    #MondayEscapes

    • caliglobetrotter Reply
      02/12/2015 at 12:49 pm

      It is such a lovely area! I'm so glad you got to visit the Loreley rock but sad to see you didn't make it down to the statue of the Loreley on a little island in the river! I made sure to check that out, as my name is Lorelei! 🙂 Love that area! Great post!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      04/12/2015 at 9:49 pm

      Thank you both for your comments. It was such a lovely place to visit.
      Caliglobetrotter – I wish we had stopped to see the little statue. If we go again we will definitely seek out your namesake 🙂

  5. Older Single Mum Reply
    30/11/2015 at 10:06 pm

    Gosh those places are pretty! Fabulous photos – love the sound of that coffee too!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      04/12/2015 at 9:46 pm

      The prettiness continued in the next few days of our cruise – just gorgeous.

  6. Bryce Reply
    04/12/2015 at 8:50 pm

    I hope the river-side train did not disturb your Asbach brandy

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      04/12/2015 at 9:45 pm

      I did notice the railway line close to the river but we left the town late afternoon so the post prandial tipple was very peaceful!

  7. Packing my Suitcase Reply
    11/12/2015 at 8:11 am

    This is so pretty! The Pfalz castle is soo cute… what a great tour! 😀
    It have been an amazing trip.

    Thank you so much for linking up with #MondayEscapes

  8. BavarianSojourn Reply
    31/12/2015 at 2:30 pm

    Still sad we didn't get to meet up when you were over. Oh well, next time! We can have some more of those asbach coffees too! 🙂

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