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!  

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

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

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

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

A Tribute To Jews Who Suffered WWII

 In many of the small Germany villages we have visited there are tributes to the Jews who were removed from their homes and "deported".

This was found in a small alleyway

The names are placed on the plaque and remembered

In another village, markers are placed in front of the home.  this mother and daughter resided here

But the home is no longer there.  These are called stumbling stones.  

During the year, school children learn German history & polish the stones to keep their 

Memories alive

And so we remember with them

Streets Of Small Germany Towns

I love walking the streets of small towns!

Colorful flowers

This day was a bank holiday so not many people were on streets, just

Us tourists 

A map of town!