A Romantic Tour of the Rhine
Koblenz and Rudesheim
By Ann Parenti
The Germans affectionately call their beloved river “Old Father Rhine.” The rain begins as a trickle in the Swiss Alps, and from these great heights, it flows 820 miles through several countries to the North Sea.
The upper Rhine carves out Germany’s borders with Switzerland and the breathtaking French Alsace. The Rhine offers an alluring view of beautiful forests, castles, and vineyards.
Castles and wine are its claim to fame, especially along the Middle Rhine. On the steep riverbanks, grapes have been harvested by hand for the last 2000 years when the Romans first introduced viticulture to the area. Today, the Rhine is renowned for its Rieslings, Chardonnays, and other vintages.
When we reached Koblenz, we had a perfect day. The weather was beautiful, and we took a charming and educational walk in the storybook-like city with our guide. We learned that in recognition of its status as one of the world’s oldest and most breathtaking landscapes, UNESCO declared the Upper Middle Rhine Valley a world heritage site in 2002, stating that it is of “outstanding universal value.”
We had a chance to leisurely stroll around the city on our own for some shopping and took time out for a tasty fresh bakery treat and some freshly brewed coffee. The pastries in Germany are something to be desired and feared at the same time. Ha! Saying no to one of their beautiful pastries is not easy; on most days, I failed miserably.
Sadly, we had to say goodbye to this beautiful little city and board the riverboat again for the rest of the day’s journey. If we had to say goodbye to such charming countryside, we were not sad for too long when we got to tour the Middle Rhine. These memories will stay in my mind for the rest of my days. I know now firsthand why it was given UNESCO status. My photographs will not do the justice it deserves.
Before debarking for the evening in Rudeshein, we learned how to make the famous Rudeshein coffee. It was invented by a popular German TV chef, Hans Karl Adam, in 1957. We then had the opportunity to walk around the city during the late afternoon and enjoy the parks and charming homes surrounding the area.
Again, another charming memory to keep forever.
We are off to our next adventure tomorrow! Speyer is our next stop!
