Rhine River Cruise-Germany; Heidelberg & Cochem

Two of our favorite cities in Germany were Heidelberg and Cochem. To visit Heidelberg, the cruise ship docked at Mannheim, Germany, then transported travelers by bus to Heidelberg. The city is best known for its Heidelberg University, founded in the 14th century, the gothic Heiligeistkirche church towers over the Old Town square (Altstadt) and, last but far from least, Heidelberg Castle. This castle fortress sits high on the slopes of Mount Königstuhl above the Neckar River. The first mention of the castle is from the year 1214. Since that time, wars, fires and lightening bolts have damaged sections of the castle. In the midst of that destruction, the castle has been expanded and rebuilt multiple times. Today, the castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. On another day, our ship detoured away from the Rhine onto the Moselle River (a tributary of the Rhine), where we experienced the striking scenery of the Moselle wine valley. Our destination was Cochem, home to yet another castle, the Reichsburg Castle. (Hmm... perhaps my favorite cities had something to do with the incredible castles we visited). In any event, the castle's imposing complex sits on rugged terrain high above the town with impressive views of the Moselle valley, the town and its beautiful vineyards. The city itself has narrow and winding streets and a unique, millennia-old wine culture.