Tag Archives: River Rhine

Cruise the Rhine and Mosel Wine Regions

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Experience a Wine Cruise along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers

AMA Rhine and Mosel Wine Cruises are designed with wine connoisseurs in mind. However, did you know the historic beauty of the Rhine River makes this trip a Germany Castle Cruise as well? Take the Rhine River Cruise for the castles and the Mosel River Cruise for the vineyards – AMA combines the two treats in one deluxe package.

Cruise and Visit the Wine Villages of Germany

Ships docked on the Moselle RiverExplore the world’s oldest wine Road, the German Wine Route. Tour around the wine villages in Germany looking for the biggest wine barrel in the world, large enough to house a restaurant. Try pronouncing “Gewurztraminer” while you enjoy this crisp, spicy wine in Germany’s oldest vineyard. Wine villages in Germany are surrounded by castles, palaces and Roman ruins. Keep your camera handy to snap shots of romantic corners in these picturesque villages.

Wine Cruise

The wine cruise meanders along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, waterways famous for their scenic views. A Rhine River Cruise includes castles surrounded by emerald green landscape. The Mosel River Cruise offers a vineyard-rich countryside. Step off the luxurious vessel straight into the heart of an ancient village, host to local wineries. Towns that boast over 1,000 years of wine history beckon with the promise of medieval marketplaces and fountains surrounded by quaint town squares.

Wine Tasting

In addition to delightful excursions to museums housing self-playing musical instruments as old as 300 years, the wine cruise offers, well, many chances for wine and even beer tasting. Enjoy sampling wines at the Bergweiler Winery in Bernkastel. Kick your heels up at a medieval wine festival in Zell. Admire the historic Cologne Cathedral before enjoying tastings of the city’s famous beer, Kölsch, at the Früh Brewery. Explore narrow alleys lined with wine taverns and indulge in tastings hosted by local vintners.

Starting in legendary Paris, take an exciting high-speed TGV ride and embark on your river cruise. The Rhine offers a Germany Castle Cruise while the Mosel is nestled into twisting landscapes of vineyards and villages. The cruises feature gourmet dining, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks and musical performances. Enjoy informative lectures and cooking demonstrations or explore on one of many culinary excursions or daily tours.

AMA Cruises along the Rhine and Mosel rivers offer guests the experience of lavish travel and site-seeing opportunities that create lasting memories. Castles, medieval villages and vineyards hosting wine tastings are waiting.

For more information contact us at 888-869-7907  or jan@europeanbarging.com  to learn more about our wine themed river cruises in Europe.

The Medieval Marksburg Castle

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Marksburg Castle is one of the principal sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge and holds the distinction of being the only hill castle on the Rhine that has never been destroyed. The castle was built to protect the town of Braubach and was used mainly for protection rather than as a residence for royal families.

Marksburg Castle Stands The Test Of Time

Marksburg Castle is one of Germany’s prominent historical sites and stands as a rare example of history virtually undisturbed by the passage of time. Lived in for over 700 years, this castle has survived through the ravages of time to be one of the best examples of medieval architecture in Germany. The fortress has undergone several additions and developments over the centuries, growing into its present day shape. The only serious damage the Marksburg Castle ever suffered in hostilities occurred near the close of WWII when it was shelled from the west bank of the Rhine River.

One of the most important Rhine castles, the Marksburg Castle stands atop a hill rising above the town of Braubach on the right bank of Rhine River, upstream from its junction with the Mosel River. The unusually slender keep of the castle towers above the surrounding courts and ramparts.

Dating back to the construction of the keep in the 12th century, the fortress has been ever-changing and growing into its present shape through succeeding centuries. In the Middle Ages, the strengthening of the castle’s defenses became indispensable and urgent by improvements made to firearms. Certain significant changes were made during this period such as the huge outworks as well as the conversion of a gateway in the outer wall to a strong bastion. It was mainly due to these additional defense works that the castle could be protected from serious attacks many times. During peaceful times, Marksburg Castle was used mainly as a state prison.

You would be enthralled to visit this most original castle and the entire valley of the Loreley. This wonderful castle, home of the German Castles Association which is set up to preserve such ancient monuments, presents a host of captivating artifacts coming alive from the middle ages.

Visit Marksburg Castle on our select Rhine River Cruises!