The trip
There are cruises that are almost 883 mile waterway that has the flow (has a total length of 1.320 km), but this time we make a stop in the German region of Rhineland-Palatinate. The region is famous for its white wine, el Riesling, leaving prints of vineyards wherever the eye can see, and have a collection of castles from which part of the past was built north of the old continent. 32 Germanic emperors and kings traveled these waters from Frankfurt to Aachen to be crowned. You can do the same route that they, even sail from the Swiss city of Basel to its mouth in the North Sea.
We started our journey in the town of Boppard, in the valley of Lorely, where the river has its most important corner. There, in the fourth century, the Romans built a fortress with 28 towers was struck by the Germanic tribes. There are few remains of this fence is just about lifting part of the medieval wall. City, that preserves its historic, has managed to merge with the slow pace of wealth. It's worth staying there to sleep in one of its spas.
From Boppard, and roadside, the B 42 y B 9, flow range depending on the flow, and following the course of the river inverse, run into tens of spectacular castles. Each of the three kilometers, Our eyes face a new strength. Some are torn down and others are still in good condition. Some are at the top of the mountain and others in the river or close to it. Why? "Because the flow rate was for centuries a major highway, whereby ships carried merchandise half Europe. Each castle belonged to a feudal lord, who charged a toll for each boat to protect their possessions by step ", We explain.
A fortified islet
Among the castles stand out for their originality or their particular history, Pfalz tower, linked to the castle of Gutenfels. The tower, white, is located on a small island in the Rhine. A post full of history. There, eg, are proud of the siege of more than six weeks before the troops resisted the mighty Landgrave Wilhelm of Hesse and the sixteenth century.
A few miles down, decided to stop at the castle of Rheinstein. Its medieval battlements hang from a huge rock. It was built in 900 and his appearance, even worn, is majestic. And 1282, Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg presided there a lawsuit against the unruly knights of Reichenstein, Sooneck y Ehrenfels. The three places mentioned have a spectacular fortress overlooking the waters of the Rhine. As I said the picture is constant visual and historical.
The tower, white, is located on a small island in the Rhine. A post full of history
After eating in the city of Rüdesheim, where you have to take the cable car that flies over a sea of ??vineyards, find, near the town of Bigen, call "Tower of mice" (Mouse Tower), also raised on an island in the flow. It was the watch tower of the castle of Ehrenfels, destroyed 1689 by the French, under one of the many conflicts between the Franks and Germans. Legend has it that the tower is named after a ruthless bishop who tried to save from being devoured by a plague of mice in the tower sheltering, in midstream. The rodent jumped into the water and ate inside the fortress.
We ended our tour in Mainz, what was the main Roman colony of Upper Germania and has an important artistic heritage. Between the eleventh and twelfth centuries were crowned in his monumental cathedral, built between 975 and 1011 with concepts similar to those of St. Peter in Rome, seven kings Germans. Visit the museum world if they can, where you will find an exact replica of Gutenberg's first printing press.
The tale castle Eltzbachtal
Outside the bed of the Rhine, now we must follow another river current, the Mosel, and detour to the castle of Eltzbachtal. Is, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful castles in Germany. It seems as if he had raised only to be admired. The stop at the castle car park, from which begins a one kilometer walk, lets not imagine what a lush valley hidden. A strength that it is unclear when it was built, although there are documents attesting to their presence in 1.157. Remains intact, explain the guides, "Since it has never been conquered". The first sight upon arrival is surprising, overlapping towers, stone on a frame, which are secured on a large rock at. Surrounding the fort is a lush forest. Shocking, as in the stories. Inside are the marks of its rich history: from medieval weapons, to bearskins hanging hunted by the lords or rooms with coffered ceilings. Worth a visit, although there is no guide to teach speaking Castilian castle.
The road
Lufthansa flies to Frankfurt from Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Malaga. There the best option is to rent a car.
A nap
(On this occasion, recommend the same sleeping and dining areas)
-And Zeltingen-Rachtig está un precioso hotel restaurante llamado "Ratsschänke Zeltingen". There are only three rooms, but they are fabulous. Addition, You can eat well, There are various wines and the owner speaks Spanish. Paste the Mosel. Modern Style. www.occasionally sounding-ratsschaenke.de
-Best Western Bellevue Rheinhotel, a Boppard. Right on the edge of the Rhine. This is a classic building, keeping the old flavor of the old European bourgeoisie. Gran hotel, with spacious and renovated, its charm is the large, old pictures of their former owners on the stairs or the bar that holds the decoration of the century. Good food. www.bellevue-boppard.de
-Weingast House Hotel, s Rüdesheim. Along the Rhine, the charm of this place is it allowable turisteo and fun to do on every trip. A man playing the piano, while waitresses dressed in traditional costumes serve plenty of food. German. The surprise is good and modern rooms for overnight. The owner, who speaks no Spanish, is a fun and friendly woman.
A table set
(On this occasion, recommend the same sleeping and dining areas)
– And Zeltingen-Rachtig está un precioso hotel restaurante llamado "Ratsschänke Zeltingen". There are only three rooms, but they are fabulous. Addition, You can eat well, There are various wines and the owner speaks Spanish. Paste the Mosel. Modern Style. www.occasionally sounding-ratsschaenke.de
-Best Western Bellevue Rheinhotel, a Boppard. Right on the edge of the Rhine. This is a classic building, keeping the old flavor of the old European bourgeoisie. Gran hotel, with spacious and renovated, its charm is the large, old pictures of their former owners on the stairs or the bar that holds the decoration of the century. Good food. www.bellevue-boppard.de
-Weingast House Hotel, s Rüdesheim. Along the Rhine, the charm of this place is it allowable turisteo and fun to do on every trip. A man playing the piano, while waitresses dressed in traditional costumes serve plenty of food. German. The surprise is good and modern rooms for overnight. The owner, who speaks no Spanish, is a fun and friendly woman.
Highly Recommended
-Make a white Riesling wine tasting at one of the many wineries near the Mosel and the Rhine. We recommend: Vinothek and Winn Inger Spital. Next to the central square, the owner speaks some Castilian. www.vinothek-winningen.de.
-It seems a good alternative a cruise on the Rhine. There is so much on offer, we prefer not indicate a specific company and seek you there are numerous internet pages.
