Rudesheim will host a Harley Davidson festival - 19 - 22 June 2014

 Magic Bike Rüdesheim

One of Europe’s biggest Harley Davidson rallies attracts thousands of bikers from around the world to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley world heritage region. It includes a programme of entertainment and other events, plus spectacular firework. www.magic-bike-ruedesheim.com

Harley enthusiasts on this cruise may choose to return for this rally.

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT RUDESHEIM:

Population: 9,788 (in 2009)

Average Temperature third week in April: High 57

                                                                   Low 40's

Rudesheim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located at the southern entrance to the Lorelei Valley. This wine-making town on the right bank of the Rhine has some of the finest wines of this district. The town is the home of Asbach Uralt Brandy and one of the signature beverages to sample in Rudesheim is: Rudesheimer Kaffee, a flaming coffee drink. Asbach Uralt brandy, in the coffee, is set on fire.

After you sample Rudesheimer Kaffee, you can purchase a souvenir boxed set that includes special ceramic cups and saucers and extra long spoons that allow you to stir your flaming coffee without getting burned.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN RUDESHEIMER:

1. Niederwalddenkmal: A monument constructed to commemorate the foundation of the German Empire at the end of the Franco-Prussian War represents the union of all Germans. The first stone was laid in 1871 by Wilhelm I. The monument was inaugurated on September 28, 1882.

This monument is located on the right bank of the Rhine on a hill. Vineyards lead up to it. You can reach the monument by gondola or by walking paths.

This monument depicts Germania wielding an imperial sword and holding a shield that sometimes has the image of a black eagle on a gold field. Each part of this monument is symbolic. 

Broken chains symbolize being free

Her breastplate with an eagle is a symbol of the strength of the German empire

The oak leaf crown represents heroism

The sword stands for power and the hemp branch around the sword shows a willingness to make peace

A black, red, and gold tricolor flag is the flag of the 1848 liberal nationalist party, a party that had been banned by the dukes of the German state 

Rays of a rising sun demonstrate the beginning of a new era

2. Drosselgasse (means 'choke alley') Approximately 3/4 miles long, this pedestrian lane in Old Town features beautifully decorated restaurants that feature live bands and DJs day and night in the summer. Winestubes and open-air taverns serve beer and wine as well as locally distilled brandies along the Drosselgasse. This part of old town is Rudesheim's most famous tourist attraction and is usually busy. It has been rebuilt after bombing in WWII destroyed most of this area. You can buy Christmas ornaments year round.

3. Bromserburg This castle, built in the 10th century is a wine museum. A collection of wine presses and other wine-making paraphenalia are displayed. The castle has walls that are two meters thick and displays 1,000 year history of wine-making. This castle is the oldest castle in the Rhine River Gorge. Reisling grapes grow around it.

4. Asbach Distillery Premium German brandy has been distilled here since 1892

5. Eagles Niederwald Founded in 1968 by Kai Gilles, Eagles Niederwald treats injured birds of prey and owls. These kings of the sky are released once their health has been restored

6. Rudesheim Toy Museum One hundred years worth of children's toys commemorated. A 20th century model railroad fills an entire room. The model train travels from Rudesheim to Koblenz

7. Siegfriede Mechanistics Musikkabinett Four centuries of self-playing music and instruments includes self-playing stringed instruments and the Hupfeld Violina Orchestra and more

8. Mittelalterliches Follermuseum Torture museum - instruments of torture 

9. Remains of the Heindenburg Bruche The bridge was destroyed during the Second World War- Allied bombing, November 1, 1944

10. Ebingen Abbey Founded by Hildegard von Bingen, Benedicton nuns dedicated to a life of work and prayer live here. It is a place for quiet contemplation. You may hear the nuns singing (you won't see them, though) and you can visit the abbey gift shop which features finely made crafts.

Known as the 'Sybil of the Rhine,' Hildegard von Bingen (1098 -1179) had a vision of what she called living light as a child. She kept this vision secret for many years. At the age of 42 and seven months, Hildegard wrote SCRIVAS (know the word of the Lord). Hildegard von Bingen wrote: "How wonderful is the knowledge of God's heart, the image every creature has beheld. For God, as he looked into the face of man, saw all his work as a whole in human form. How wonderful is the wind that stirred people to life."

In addition to her contemplative writing, Hildegard wrote treatises about natural history and medicinal uses of plants, animals, trees, and stones. She was also a composer and she may be the first woman to write positively about sexual relations especially for women. 

Today, the general agreement is that she has migraines and that the visions she described were the result of what she experienced.

The Nazis expelled nuns from Ebingen Abbey in 1941. They returned in 1945.

Heidelburg stop

Did you know Rick Steves advises tourists to skip Heidelberg because it's too 'touristy?' Maybe we can assume visiting Yellowstone or Grand Canyon is a bad idea because they are too 'touristy.'

Heidelberg, population in 2012 at 149,633, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in all of Germany. Click on this link to access a photo:  http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/97528/Heidelberg-Castle-with-the-Old-Bridge-in-the-foreground-in?topicId=259532 Even though Heidelberg may be a tourist town, plan to experience the beauty and history of this city.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE in April: High - 60's Low - 40's

A bit of trivia (for Harry Potter fans): Heidelberg is the home of a professional Quidditch team.
The oldest intact public library in Germany is found in Heidelberg.

Almond and fig trees grow in Heidelberg, among the warmest German regions, in the country. Also, you may encounter a wild population of African rose-winged parakeets which can survive in Heidelberg.

Sites you can visit in Heidelberg in addition to the parakeets and trees:

Go to:
the Royal Wine Cellar where the biggest wine barrel in the world is located. Made from 130 oak trees, this barrel measures 7 meters (22.9 feet) wide, and 8 meters, (26 and 1/4') and holds approximately 221,725 quarts of wine.

Philosopher's Way (Philosophen Weg), a path that overlooks Heidelberg's 'Old Town,' will take you along a trail that leads to a park dedicated to the poet, Friederich Holderin - Thingskatte -  a now overgrown amphitheater built by the Nazi Party in the 1930's, and the ruins of St. Michael's Monastery (Michaelkoster). Friederich Holderin's poetry has been set to music by many composers - Brahms, for example, set these lines to music:
"Ye wander gladly in light

Though goodly mansion dwellers in Spiritland!"

Heidelberg Castle, a mix of styles from Gothic to Renaissance, is located on Mt. Koenigstuhl.  A Heidelberg Castle Festival takes place every summer here. The castle was struck by lightening in 1764.

Old Town (Hauptstrasse -  main street) for pedestrians only is one mile long. One of the longest shopping streets in Germany. Check out the old apothecary.

Old Stone Bridge was opened in 1788

Karls Gate (Karlstor), opened in 1781

Church of the Holy Spirit (Heileiggeist Kirche)

HEIDELBERG - WORLD WAR II:

From 1933 - 1945, Heidelberg was a stronghold for the Nazi Party. As early as 1933 a purge of non-Aryan professors began at the university. They were forced out. By 1940 most of the Jewish population had been deported and few survived.

In 1933, the Nazis built Thingstatte to host Nazi and SS events. Many Wehrmacht soldiers are buried here. The city was not bombed during the war; many speculate that Americans spared the city from bombing because the US Army planned to set up its headquarters in this beautiful city. Also, Heidelberg was not an industrial hub.

As the Wehrmacht departed from Heidelberg on March 29, 1945, they destroyed three arches on the "old bridge." The Third Infantry, Seventh Army, US, entered the city on March 30, 1945 and the civilian population surrendered peacefully. The university, which had been closed, reopened in 1945.

On December 9, 1945, General George Patton was injured in a car accident in Mannheim; he was brought to the US Army Hospital in Heidelberg for treatment. General Patton died at the hospital on December 21, 1945. A funeral at Christkirche in Heidelberg was followed by the general's burial in Luxembourg.

US Armed Forces has used Heidelberg as its headquarters since 1945. By 2015, the US Army will move from Heidelberg to Weisbaden. The barracks and housing areas will be handed back to the Germans.

Speyer has a basketball team --- BIS BASKETE

Speyer, located on the main European traffic routes along the Rhine between Basel, Switzerland and Mainz, Germany, has ideal river banks. They are high enough to prevent flooding and yet, river going vessels can dock close to the shore.

Temperatures in April: highs in the low 60's. Lows: high 40's - low 50's

HISTORY: The Romans captured Gaul in 50 BC and the Rhine became the border for the Roman Empire.

1061: Consecration of the Speyer Cathedral, the largest Romanesque church of its time. The Speyer Cathedral became the burial place for eight German emperors and kings. Today, it remains the largest Romanesque church.

WW II: The Nazis seized the city in 1933. For a few centuries, Speyer accepted a large Jewish population; it was considered a safe haven. However, in 1938, Kristallnacht, the Speyer synagogue was burned. The Jewish population was expelled and most were killed.

Speyer escaped most WW II bombing, though one bomb did destroy the train station. The German Army was headquartered in Speyer and as they retreated from the city, they blew up the bridge over the Rhine. The American Army took the city.

THINGS TO SEE:
The Main City Gate (built in the 13th century), one of Germany's tallest. Climb it for a view of Speyer's old town.

Speyer Cathedral: Constructed from stone, this cathedral has no stained glass windows. The cathedral has four towers. It took 80 years to complete this cathedral which is 133 meters long. You can visit the crypts of the eight German emperors and kings while you're there.

Speyer Technik Museum: This museum has a collection of airplanes, classic cars, locomotives, fire engines, a German U-9 submarine and a Russian An-22 transport plane that you can enter and explore.

Jewish Ritual Bath which was built before 1128.

Historical Museum of the Palatinate: View the Golden Hat of Schifferstadt. This thimble shaped artifact from the Bronze Age is covered with gold. The museum has the oldest unopened wine bottle in the world (dated from the 3rd century).

SPRING FAIR while we're on the Rhine: From April 10 - 21, 2014 - food stands, rides and more

Kings Square Market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Strolling through the city, you will find boutiques, department stores, restaurants.....

You can also pick up maps for urban hikes.

Koblenz - another stop on the cruise

Koblenz: Germany's most beautiful corner!
Where the Rhine and Mosel Rivers meet to create a fascinating landscape. The Romans named this city, Castellum aped Confluentes (Castle at the Confluence of Rivers).

Population: 106,000
Koblenz is 57 miles southeast of Cologne by train

Koblenz has a truly European history. The Franks captured the city; German princes chose the town as their residence; the French conquered it and the Prussians fortified it. 

Koblenz served as a World War II command post for the German Army. To view the destruction of the city, access this link to 1945 You Tube video of USA 87th Armoured Division in Koblenz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWyy58dHQ0E

The city, bombed heavily, has been restored.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN KOBLENZ TODAY:

In 2002,  the Rhine Gorge was named a World Heritage Site and Koblenz marks the northern end of this site. The World Heritage Site covers 67 kilometers (about 40 miles) and ends at Koblenz.

This site captures the epitome of Rhine Romance and is the most beautiful section of the Rhine. Over 40 castles, mansions, and fortresses line the river. You can walk along the Rhine in this area and stop along the way to sample regional wines of which Reisling is the star.

The World Heritage Rose: Magic of Lorelei might be encountered on your walk. If you don't want to walk, you can shop!

SHOPPING in KOBLENZ: Go to the historic center. Surrounded by history, you can shop at St. Florins Market (Florinxmarkt), move on to Muntzplatz (Old Mint Square), and make your way to Jesuit's Square (Jesuitenplatz).

Jesuitenplatz features a variety of pubs, restaurants, and winestubs. Queen Victoria and Thomas Jefferson enjoyed some of the local food including DeppeKooche, grated potatoes, bacon, and onion casserole - to be enjoyed with a dry reisling.

If you see a sign: Strau Burtschraft, it means that it's a winery or a winegrower's cottage that offers homemade food and wine. Give it a try.