2019 Germany

The Moselle River calmly flows at a peaceful pace, at least compared with the Rhine. There is much less commercial traffic and the scenery is spectacular. The sun was out in force which inspired an early opening of the bar. Sipping our bloody Marys we were enthralled by the steeply sloped hillsides with terraced vineyards. Workers somehow navigated the slopes as they tended the vines. In Cochem we visited Koll Winery where we were told that grapes for a couple of the wines we tasted came from vineyards with a slope of 68 degrees, the steepest in the world according to our host.  Ladders and railings were strung every few feet to facilitate moving people and equipment up the hillsides.   As we sailed closer to Cochem, terraces gave way to just trellised grapes marching to the sky. Guiding the boat through the locks with just inches to spare on each side. We waited three hours at this lock.  Add cap Rv campgrounds were ev...

Having some issues with the blog app, but will carry on. In Rudesheim the Lafayette's entertainment director Lea guided us through the packed, narrow streets up to our first stop, Adolf Storzel winery, established in 1647. There Hans put on an over-the-top explanation of the wines to the delight of everyone in the dimly lighted cellar. Hans had clearly entertained many tourists before us. For me the highlight of the day was a fascinating look at the unbelievable music machines at a museum next to the winery. In a house where some of the rooms dated to the 1200's, we experienced music from 100 year old machines that were tecnical marvels even by today's standards. Particularly impressive was the machine that played string instuments. Riding a tour "train" we wound our way through unbelievably sreep vineyards at the top of which we enjoyed the view of Rudesheim and the winding river. More pictures to follow when I can figure out how to add them.

Rhine Our arrival to begin our trip came with no problems. We marveled at the silence on the packed train from the Frankfurt airport to the main train station - much different from the boisterous Americans we see every day. First order of business was a beer - a very nice dunkelweise, then on the bullet train to Strabourg. Jan saved our bacon at the taxi stand in Strasbourg explaining in French where we needed to go.  Aboard the Lafayette, we joined our 80 fellow passengers to enjoy a tasty aperitif while neeting the crew - both operational and service. The captain speaks no English (and why should he) and welcomed us in French, introducing us to his assistant captain who seemed to be 15 years old.  We awoke Thursday to a nice sunrise. After stuffing our faces at he breakfast buffet wevheaded up to the sun deck for some much needed exercise - stretching followed by many laps around the deck.  The scenery along the banks of the Rhine varied from ...

Passports ready. Euro's bought. Bags waiting to be packed. 48 hours before take–off. Obviously we are excited to begin this latest adventure. We'll be on the MS Lafayette for a week touring the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. There will be much to report along the way and, with the aid of good German wine and beer, there may even be some posts about the trip.