Day Six Rhine River Gorge, Castles, and History OH MY!

Oh my goodness - this view was all they promised and more. We alternated back and forth between the front deck, our room, the lounge, and all around. Ilko, our wonderful cruise director, narrated some explanations over the outdoor loud speakers. We also had an app where we could set our phone and a narrator would give some information about various castles and towns and history. 

Just FYI - The Rhine River Valley Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sides have been terraced for vineyards for over 1000 years! This is from the UNESCO website, "As a transport route, the Rhine has served as a link between the southern and northern halves of the continent since prehistoric times, enabling trade and cultural exchange, which in turn led to the establishment of settlements." There are 40 castles and many small villages.

The view was truly spectacular and steeped in rich history.

I loved seeing the steeples in the middle of little villages. If the cross has a rooster on top, it is a Protestant church (Peter denied Jesus three times before the cock/rooster crowed).

I want to live in one of these fairytale villages -- real people live there and work there.

I zoomed in too much - this is a vineyard.

Look at this little village - isn't it adorable?

We were cruising down the Rhine in the second half of October and the fall foliage was especially colorful and beautiful.

I love all of the colors - pinks and blues and reds and yellows.

There was a wind break on the front of the boat which was nice. Mark and Werner staked out their spot very early.

It was so windy and a tad chilly! You can see that my coat is closed as high up as possible!

During part of the morning, I had to do some homework but I sat in the lounge so that I didn't feel as if I was missing out. I was able to put an ear piece in and listen away - while the gorgeous trees and scenery passed by right outside the floor to ceiling windows.

Castles, castles, and more castles - all so amazing!

The castle below may be the one that belongs with this story. Local legends always fascinate me!

Another sweet little village. . .with vineyards on the hillside

The one below might be the legendary castle I mentioned above. Also, sometimes as the river meandered along, you could get different views of the castles.

More vineyards -- they planted them on the hill and the rows were vertical - something about the ability for rain to water all of the plants. I cannot imagine the back breaking work needed to stand at an angle all day to pick grapes.

I love this photo - this is one I may have enlarged for our travel wall upstairs. The way you can see the sun trying to pierce through the clouds . . . such glorious beauty in God's creation.

Three views of the same castle below - blue skies, leaves of gold -- once again - such beauty!

Thanks for cruising through the Rhine River Gorge with me. I took A LOT MORE pictures than I shared :-). Next up is Rudesheim, Germany - or officially Rüdesheim am Rhein - a German winemaking town.