Monday, July 18, 2016

Next Stop On This Adventure!


We are finishing up our stay in Frankfurt


At each hotel we are given a gift--this was our gift for this stay--
A box of breadsticks 
Then last nite we had knock on door & found an hotel employee 
Handing us two mini Bon bond!  
Okay--that's interesting!

We take taxi from hotel to train station, only
1.6 miles.  We had reservations for our next train to Munich
We had to learn the ticket machine, but there are many 
Languages to choose from--tickets in hand, we find our
Train and track

Mm

This is a large station with platforms--no need to go up or down
Stairs for the right track

The train is 6 minutes late arriving in Munich!  Unbelievable!
We find taxi stand, tell driver our hotel and 25E later
We are there.  It seemed like he took the long way round but
When you are in a strange city, you are in the hands of the taxi driver
Who might want to make an extra E or two! We did see some of 
The city though!  Just don't know where we are!

Next Stop On This Adventure!


We are finishing up our stay in Frankfurt


At each hotel we are given a gift--this was our gift for this stay--
A box of breadsticks 
Then last nite we had knock on door & found an hotel employee 
Handing us two mini Bon bond!  
Okay--that's interesting!

We take taxi from hotel to train station, only
1.6 miles.  We had reservations for our next train to Munich
We had to learn the ticket machine, but there are many 
Languages to choose from--tickets in hand, we find our
Train and track

This is a large station with platforms--no need to go up or down
Stairs for the right track

The train is 6 minutes late arriving in Munich!  Unbelievable!
We find taxi stand, tell driver our hotel and 25E later
We are there.  It seemed like he took the long way round but
When you are in a strange city, you are in the hands of the taxi driver
Who might want to make an extra E or two! We did see some of 
The city though!  Just don't know where we are!

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Moving On


One of the best ways to travel in Germany is by train.  They are always on time. 

We took first class seats--little money but on a long ride
It is much quieter in the #1 car

This car had an upper area & lower section
I planted myself in the lower--didn't want to lug 
My suitcase up any more stairs!  
We had to go up to tracks, over and down stairs 
Again to get to right train! 

The train made many stops in small villages & 
We traveling along the Rhine River again
Where we saw the same castles and passed several
Caravan parks--these must be permanent locations 
For campers or maybe permanent homes--don't know
But, there were many along the river

Once we settled into our hotel on 40th floor, 
I like to see the view.  Across there sporting and
Entertainment venues

The other direction were banks

And more of this Frankfurt city!  

Friday, July 15, 2016

A Might Fortress

We are off the river cruise after 7 days--
We stayed on night in Luxenbourg
We took taxi from the port, costing 70 E
While others were continuing onto Paris
We are heading to Franfurt by train


We walked a short distance into the city--marveled
At the town fortress built around
We found a "hop on hop off" bus in
Order to see some of city.  Our walk back to
Hotel took us by this historic church

It is Cathedral of Our Lady

It was a rainy afternoon but we able to avoid 
Showers as we rode bus or stopped in for lunch
In French restaurant.  Here you will hear many 
Languages spoken.  Luxenbourg is the financial 
Center of Europe with many banks and financial 
Institutions 

I thought you'd like to see our shower--red and blue lights. 
The shower sits in the middle of the room! 

The elevator changes colors with each floor advancement 
Quite modern hotel with contemporary features.  Of course, 
For security you must insert room key to go up in elevator
And as all European hotels, a key is required for electricity in your room

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Let's Talk German Wine!




Most people think of beer when you say Germany
But, to us, we think of wine--white wine, mostly 
Riesling.   




Everywhere!  I do mean everywhere you see 
Vineyards!  In the most unusual places--the steepest 
Hillsides. 

Neat rows of grape vines

One day we took tour of vineyard--hiking up the pathways 
We had Four tasting spots, each with a different Riesling-- 
Each with little more sugar residue 


Our sampling glass

You would think that the huge vineyard was own by
One person, but not the cause--there are small plots
With each a different owner or a town

This wine tasting was held in an old cellar--dark and filled with barrels

Each sector has a wine queen and a wine proctor.  It is a great honor to 
Be a wine queen, usually a daughter from one of the wine families in that area

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Beauty of German Villages

In every village, there absolutely fantastic gardens, whether it was small
Plots of ground, window boxes or the buildings themselves. 

The flowers drip off the sides and overflow-- such a nice sight!
Even the window shutters add an artistic touch


We walked through many a rose garden
This house along the bike path (continues all along the river)
Had a small area to plant their flowers 





The sidewalk cafes are also colorful either with their planters or awnings


The cemeteries are bursting with color--everyone we saw in Germany 
Were maintained with family money 








There are many timbered houses, each with their own beauty


This was the blue haus




Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Rhine River Castles

A ride through Rhine Gorge is delightful--filled with vineyard hills and Castles!


Some have refurbished and being used as tourists attraction 

Some sit in ruins, still ruling over their territory 

Some are situated above small villages

And some on islands

All are fabulous!  

Here is a map of gorge

Road trip continues

 Crossing over into Tennessee, we are now on interstate highways: lots of 18 wheelers, less green nice scenery, some dogwood trees and redbu...