Sticking with the ‘cruise’ theme, here’s a throwback to a visit to Boppard, Germany a few weeks ago on the Europe Jewel tour. Taking a Rhine River Cruise is one of the best ways to see the region!
The Rhine River meanders through some of Germany’s most dramatic landscapes, and boarding a river cruise allows one to really see the best of it. Along with the craggy cliffs, hillside vineyards (the source of the region’s famous ice-wine) forests and idyllic villages, this stretch of the river is home to more medieval castles than any other region in Europe!
Although some stand in ruins, many of the castles have been lovingly restored, reminders of a time when cruising down the river was a far less tranquil experience. Back in the day, barons, bishops, knights and princes of the region extorted tolls from merchant ships, blocking the river with iron chains. Luckily you’ll have no such worries these days! The region was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
Admire the view of the castles, and keep a look-out for the terraced vineyards – later on you’ll have a chance to taste the region’s unique wine selection. The process of producing these wines is unique to the area, and there’s a good reason why it’s called ‘ice-wine’ (or ‘Eiswein’ in German): the grapes are left on the vines until the temperature is cold enough to freeze them; a process which alters the structure of the sugars in the grape, drastically changing the flavour profile too. So what one ends up with is a completely unique, sweet wine. Ideal as an aperitif or a dessert wine!
Enjoy a Rhine Valley Cruise on our coach tours of Europe!