Amadeus river cruise and post cruise Germany

Amadeus River Cruise 2023 and a week post-Cruise

We left home at 1000 and ate at Shelby Campbell by the Best Western in Elk Grove where we parked the car for 2 weeks $132. Took the shuttle at 1 p.m. to the airport and flew Lithiswaian through United. Had a 4 pm flight and went to United Lounge to spend time Left at 4 pm and arrived in Frankford at 6 am. Jim slept 7 hours I slept 0. Michele our tour travel agent provided a guide to get us tickets for the train. He met 18 of us and tried to help us at the machine but had difficulty so took us to a booth. Finally, we all purchased tickets and caught the train with all our luggage to Cologne. the train was very crowded and we had to split up in different cars. Only 1 hour ride and we were off to find ship to leave our luggage until we could board. The map we had was confusing and took us a while traipsing all with luggage. All is good it is a sunny day and we found our ship. They were kind enough to take our luggage.

Jim and I Have been to Cologne (German Koln) before so we went off on our own exploring. We could see the Hohenzollern Bridge crossing the Rhine This bridge can be crossed by foot or 3 train tracks, Since 2008 couples have put padlocks on the fence on the bridge

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After walking along the bridge we strolled the waterfront of Old Town we visited a traditional Brauhaus to sample a Kolsch beer, I had the best gulash and Jim said he had his favorite brat of our trip.

We got to board Amadeus at 4 p.m. Had a lovely dinner and to bed at 0930 traveling day is always a long day, Our handsome Captain was Kapitan Dan Balan

Thanks to Michael for the picture I borrowed of captain.

Day two Tuesday, Sept 26,

Today we started up on deck enjoying the romantic Middle Rhine valley and seeing some castles.

At one we took the little train to Drosselgasse in Rudesheim is known for its winemaking, especially of Riesling wines.

Drosselgasse is a cobblestone street lined with shops, taverns and restaurants

Thursday, September 28 Miltenberg-Weertheim Ht Miltenberg we had a city tour of the high-gabled timbered houses, The Tour ended at the fountain of three men peeing oddly enough right by a bathroom.

Due to a delay in locks arrived late at 1 p.m. Miltenburg

Tonight Michele had planned a speciality dinner from the Executive Chef Cornel Turcu. Michele had negotiated to have this included withour cruise. Is usually a hundred dollars a person. She always goes the extra mile for her customers.

We started in the lounge with a singnature drink Amadeus
It was presented with a flair. On the menu

We had an Aperitif drink that I did not get the name of, We also had red and white wine

Marinated Gravlax & Honey Mustard sauce

beetroot carpaccio, young cucumbers, chive oil

Duck Consomme

quail egg, duck confit rolls

Pan seared Jumbo Praun

lemongrass lobster bisque zucchini risotto

Veal Tenderloin filet

fondue potato, green asparagus, king trumpet mushroom, Barolo jus

Coconut creme Brulee

Friday day 4, September 29, Wurzburg.

We had Stephanie a superior guide

The stairs to enter were magnificent. You were supposed to float up the stairs in large hooped dresses and heels.

We started with a tour of the Wurzburg Residence a masterpiece of the southern German Baroque style, Former residence of the Wurzburg prince-bishops its design is over the top luxurious.

The central staircase with frescos by the Venetian Tiepolo and the imperial Hall are impressive They show the Four Continents beneath a central heaven presided over by Apollo. The allegorical figures on the cornice represent the four continents.America, Asia, Africa and Europe personified by regal female figures

America with the alligator and cannibals

African camel and pearl traders

Asia the obelisk and slaves

Europe the elaborate arts of

We then did a walking tour of Wutzburg which looks down on the broad stream of the Main River and is surrounded by hills on all sides. The old town features a marketplace, the Killian Chapel the Maria Chapel, and the old Main Bridge.

Romanesque St Kilian Cathedral is located in the center of the ancient city and is one of the oldest churches built in 1040, It has marks of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. The story goes the duke hired two barbarians to murder Kilian and his two companions. In 752 the first bishop of Wurzburg had a cathedral built on the spot where they were executed. Their remains are placed in the crypt, On 8th July St Kilian's feast day the relics are paraded through the town and put on display in the cathedral.

Maria Chapel built in Gothic style in the 14th century

market area

The old Main Bridge was built in the 18th century. It provides panoramic views of a fortress and surrounding vineyards.

We then walked back to Amadeus along the Main river.

We chose Medieval Rothenburg is referred to as Germany's well-preserved Jewel of the Middle Ages with its ramparts, city gates, and Gothic influences shaped the town. Towers, city gate walls, and half-timbered gables all have remained unchanged since the Thirty Years' War.

We were lucky to get Stafanie as a guide again this afternoon.

We had a short tour and then time to shop we chose to walk along the wall of part of the city

30,

Saturday, September 30. Day 5 Bamberg

On the main river, we went through so many locks. We were supposed to get to Bamberg at 3 p.m.

We got in early so chose to get a taxi to explore before our tour at 3, Shared a taxi with Doug and Michele. We went in church and walked around. There was a yard sale going on in town. It was a holiday weekend and very busy. Bamberg is known as the Frankish Rome< It has a historic old quarter, churches bridge narrow streets and squares, its half-timbered houses, and baroque facades. It is a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO The former fishing district is now known as Bamberg's "Little Venice"

Little Venice

Rathaus Cultural Heritage Monument.

local beer

Bavarian night on ship

Sunday, October 1 Nuremberg

The Nazi party's rallying grounds are in the southeast of Nuremberg, where Nazi rallies were held from 1933 to 1938. To this day, the remains of the buildings with their immense proportions are a vid testimony to the megalomania of the National Socialist regime. The rallies were staged here to demonstrate their power.

Nuremberg

Ringed walls towers and and castle provide a vivid image of the town as it may have looked in Middle Ages. When it was popular to tear down walls they did not have money to do so. Now it is part of the charm that makes it so popular. During the devastation of the Second World War, they chose to rebuild the style of the old town was maintained.

Nuremberg Castle is a group of medieval buildings. It represented the power and importance of the Holy Roman Empire.

Our guide had told us about Bratwursthouse where get three Brats on the best crusty bun with horseradish and mustard. We shared as a snack and it was so good.

Monday day 7 October 2 Regensburg

Mainly spared the ravages of war and time. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, Among its architectural gems are churches monasteries the town hall, and one of Europe's oldest bridges that has spanned the Danube since the 12th century.

When we got back to ship for lunch the captain was pacing on deck. The water was drastically dropping and if we did not leave soon he was afraid we would not be able to leave today. We got off and they bused us to the Weltenburg Abbey. This Benedictine abbey in lower Bavaria is located at the mouth of the romantic Danube Gorge. The abbey was founded about the year 620 by missionary monks and is the oldest monastic settlement in Bavaria.

the walk-in along the river was beautiful and our guide Analice was spunky and fun

The end of our Amadeus cruise we had left the ship and 0900 and boarded our bus for the land portion.