One of the few words we picked up in Germany. We enjoyed plenty of sunshine, fairytale legends of the Rhine Valley and a few delicious German desserts like apple strudel and a very strong coffee, liquor drink with Asbach brandy that is heated with a flame – wow!
Our journey with the Taylor padres began in Den Haag. We welcomed them to a typical summer day – sun, cool, rain, wind, sun, downpours, and sun again. I guess you can say it’s a small taste of climate confusion here. Luckily, the weather cleared up on Sat morning as the journey continued to wonderful Brugges, Belgium. How can you not enjoy the beauty of wonderful Brugges?!? It was our second time there and it was just as magical and the chocolate was just as delicious.
After Belgium, the next few days we stayed in Holland and toured Delft (Mrs. T’s favorite), Amsterdam and a bit of The Hague.
Then the fun continued in the Rhine Valley, Germany!
We had an early 4am morning start for our venture to Germany so we caught up on sleep on the train. We started in spectacular Rudesheim where there are plenty of stay awhile cafes, beautiful vineyards, and a narrow shopping street called Drosselgasse where the German outfits, music and shops add to the German ambiance of small town, Rudesheim.VINEYARDS
We took a scenic cable car ride up the mountain, over the vineyards and castles and landed on top of the town overlooking the castles in a distance, river and valleys - it was fabulous.The next day we took the boat tour up the Rhine River to small town, St. Goar to find Europe’s largest cuckoo clock and the Rheinfels castle.
Scott and his dad enjoyed every bit of history, every window, cave, and tower of the Rheinfels Castle while Diane and I pretended we were Rapunzel on top of the lookout tower – then we headed to the shops! “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, so that I may climb the golden stair.”
RHEINFELS
CASTLEWe later heard all the trouble the men caused at the castle ruins.
That night we played very competitive games of Rummy where the Taylors really know how to cheat! Scott developed a speech impairment with an “s” whistle sound that only he can do so well and Jessica’s winning chant “bow, chicka bow wow” made the games of Rummy thrilling through the week.
The next adventure started early Saturday morning. We were off to Burg Eltz. It was a long day but to some it up – after 5 train rides, 1 ferry ride, and a 3.5 hour trek through a tiny village, up, down, and up over the mountain, we finally saw the most famous, family owned castle of Burg Eltz! It was like OZ sitting on top of the mountain.
It is still owned by a branch of the same family that lived there in the 12th century. It lies in a romantic setting surrounded by a moat and is inviting and majestic at the same time - like a fairy-tale castle come to life. You will find history cast in stone and you will feel yourself immersed in the spirit of the medieval past.But once the tour was over….. it was time to trek back!
After the Burg Eltz, we endured the mountain hike and through the tiny villages, 3 more train rides and a ferry ride, we finally reached our hotel at last! We enjoyed a very nice dinner and deserved every bite! Oh – and also enjoyed icecream somewhere inbetween the travel layovers – Mr. T’s 6 euro bowl with a variety of flavors – you can say hunger and language barriers don’t always mix well.
Our 11 day tour through the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany ended on Balistraat to celebrate Terry’s birthday with cheese and chocolate fondue and more well deserved ice cream!
http://picasaweb.google.com/taylorsinholland/TaylorVisitRhineGermanyBelgiumNL
Must See/Do in Rhine:
Rudesheim – cable car to monument
Boat Tours
St. Goar/Bacharach
Castles and Vineyards – can’t miss them!
Delicious, sweet Riesling wine
Christmas shops/markets
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment