River Cruises – The Romance of the Rhine

Water spirits, wild huntsman, dwarfs and gnomes: I was hoping to catch a glimpse of at least one mythical creature on my cruise down the river Rhine in Germany. I suppose I would have preferred a dwarf to a huntsman who chases departed spirits through the night sky, but I wasn’t fussy.

Nowhere in the world has such a rich tradition of folklore and mysticism than the Rhine region. Medieval castles, ancient forests and historic villages give the area a magical quality, and river cruises are the perfect way to experience it all just as so many explorers, leaders and warriors have done before.

River Cruise Rhine, Germany

The medieval town of Bamberg was our first port of call. Looking out into the distance, we could easily have travelled hundreds of years back in time (if it weren’t for the plastic frames of my glasses). The landscape here is wild and untamed, castles dotting the shore. I half expected to see the sun glinting off a knight’s armor, or hear merriment from a raucous banquet drifting on the wind. It certainly got me and my partner in the mood for playing maidens and knights.

Bamberg is a UNESCO world heritage site, and is beautifully preserved, avoiding all the negative aspects of modernization. The streets of the old town echo with history, leaning houses and weathered stone supported on painted wooden beams. Breweries and taverns occupy inviting medieval houses adorned with cute flower boxes, the four towers of the cathedral dominating the skyline. The famous smoked Raunchier is delicious, and best drunk from a pewter tankard, or golden goblet if you prefer.

This delightful town was the first of many on our trip. The villages we passed wouldn’t have been at all out of place in a book of fairytales, and indeed, this region is where many of the most enjoyed tales grew up. Milt Enberg’s half-timber houses are like something straight from the set of a medieval movie. These towns are best explored on foot, and Milt Enberg’s old quarter is the perfect size for this.

If asked where one might be able to enjoy a tour of a vineyard after a jaunt in a gondola, many folks might quickly proclaim, Italy! These are treats that can also be enjoyed on a Rhine tour during a trip to Wienerwald Heights. When I say gondola, here, I’m talking cable-car rather than boat, but it’s still just as romantic! Woodland, sweeping views, monuments and local ice cream ensured that this was one of the most memorable experiences on the cruise.

From the summit, we even got a photo of something small and bearded disappearing into a thicket of trees below. My partner, cynical as he is, has since tried to convince me it was a goat. Goats, my dear, don’t wear little red shoes…