Down the Rhine

Eurailpass holders could also avail themselves of an included Rhine cruise from Mainz to Cologne. So that's where I betook myself next.

You can just make out a vineyard near the top of the photo. The sign tells us we are looking at Rüdesheim, and the Internet tells us it's in wine making territory so that must be right. :)

We passed many picturesque river towns. Given that the last photo was taken near Rüdesheim, this might be Bingen, a bit further downstream.

A search shows this is probably Pfalzgrafenstein Castle near Kaub, a ship of stone.

The Lorelei is a prominent rock on the bank that is a navigational hazard because of the strong currents due to the narrow neck of the river. It has given rise to the myth of a siren that lures sailors to their death.

The myth has been set to poetry and music so they played, nay blared, a distorted version over the ship's PA system as we passed.

Whew, we cleared it.

Sankt Goarhausen. Wonder how we worked that out. :)

On the hill is Katz Castle.