07/11/2024
On day four of our 8-day Rhine Getaway river voyage, we wake up in Koblenz, a traditional German city, founded more than 2,000 years ago.
This former trading settlement rests on a massif of the Middle Rhine Highlands. Its cobblestone streets, wood-beamed houses adorned with flowers, ancient market square and medieval churches recall the fairy-tale Germany of old.
After a morning of exploring, head back to your Longship and set off sailing down the scenic middle Rhine. This section of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive.
Splendid castles line the banks, all of which have stories to share, and the Lorelei Rock presides at a dramatic curve in the river. This infamous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet.
Next you will dock in Rüdesheim, where you can explore the area’s center of winemaking.
The famed Drosselgasse, a cobblestone street lined with taverns that pour local vintages and spill music into alleyways, attracts locals and visitors alike. Half-timbered houses, narrow warrens and old inns lend the town a medieval flavour.
Castles once provided security for the region, including the 9th-century Brömserburg Castle, the oldest on the Rhine.
