Koblenz - Day 6

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Koblenz is an absolutely gorgeous city and I wish we could have spent more time here. It is a city of 110,000 people, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. The Lahn River also flows into the Rhine here.

While cruising this morning we went through Bonn, the former capital which had some beautiful houses along the river.

Then we went past the pillars of the bridge at Remagen, which was the only bridge Hitler didn't blow up and which became a strategic route for the Allies. Ultimately, it was weakened and fell into the river and was never replaced. There is a peace museum on one side. It is also the bridge that inspired the movie by the same name.

We also saw a nuclear reactor that went out of commission 40 years ago  after less than a year in use -- turns out it is on a fault line and is still being dismantled.

As we approached Koblenz, we saw Schloss Stolzenfels towering above the Rhine. A former 13th century fortress, it was refurbished by Prussian King Wilhelm IV in 1845 as his summer residence.

After lunch we started our tour.

We took a bus to the top of a hill on the opposite side of the Rhine in the city of Lahnstein to the 17th century Fortress Ehrenbreitstein. It was once the residence of the powerful Archbishop-Electors of Trier.  Originally built over 1,000 years ago, it now houses several museums and a youth hostel.

From here we took a gondola ride down to the city center for our tour.

Our first stop was "German Corner," a sharp triangle that butts into the water where the Rhine and Mosel Rivers come together, seen as we descended in the gondola.

We stopped by the Basilica of St. Castor, 

The church of Our Lady which was also on a beautiful town square,

And the Town Hall and former Jesuit school on left.

We noticed there were beautiful shopping streets with boutiques unique to Europe and lovely little cafes.

Unfortunately, we only had 20 minutes after our tour, but I did manage to check out a fabric store and find a tiny treasure.

As we headed back to the boat, Ed and I got a photo with The Fortress behind us.

Tonight we went to the Chef's Table on the back of the boat for dinner -- a special tasting menu for about 28 people. The food was extremely gourmet with artistic presentations and we had delightful dinner companions.

Cologne - Day 5

Monday, August 27, 2018

The morning was spent cruising along the Rhine, but most of the scenery was flat and somewhat arid.

Before lunch we arrived in Cologne, our stop for the day.

Our tour started right after lunch and we had an amazing guide.

We started at Cologne Cathedral, which was started in 1248 and was not finished until 1880. 

Work stopped around 1520 due to money. Only part of the spires and the church at the right were done at that time.  

When Germany united to become one country in 1871, the church was completed as a symbol of unification. Interestingly, it was completed with designs from the 13th century.

The twin spires are 515 ft. high and, until 1884, the church was the tallest building on earth.

It is the most visited landmark in Germany and hosts 20,000 visitors a year.

The interior has some of the tallest naves I've ever seen at 142 ft. high.

Next to the church is a Roman-German museum. When they were digging the foundation for the museum they discovered the remains of an elite Roman home with one of the floors still perfectly in tact.

Our tour took us to the riverfront where we saw a sculpture made from pieces of buildings bombed during WW II.

Then we walked to the location of the old fish market in the Allstadt quarter with several buildings repainted to appear as in bygone days.

Nearby was the Romanesque church of St. Martins dating to the 12th century.

Then we had free time. Ed and I went to the beautiful outdoor Cafe Reichard across from the cathedral and had Kolsch beer, which was really good.

Afterwards Ed took the first bus back to the ship and I visited the Chocolate or Schokoladen Museum, built on an old fortification along the river.

It was huge with a very comprehensive history of chocolate from discovery to present day marketing. It was definitely the best one I've ever been to. There were lots of interactive exhibits for children, a factory setting where they made chocolate, and a chocolate fountain with cookie dipping. 

Here is replica of old chocolate shop.

One could have a personalized a candy bar made with a choice of 4 ingredients in 35 minutes.  I could easily have spent an afternoon here but was glad I spent an hour. So delightful. And only 10 euros.

The accompanying chocolate shop was overwhelming. Even had chocolate combined with Jack Daniels.

Then I caught the 6:00 bus back to the boat. After a delicious dinner we went to the lounge where a duo named "Poppyfield" performed dance music. Lovely evening.

Amsterdam - Day 4

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Our boat stayed overnight in Amsterdam so we have another day to enjoy this beautiful city.

First up was a canal boat ride, something we had put off because the weather was never quite right.

It was a delightful ride along many of the areas we had already visited. 

Our boat started in the harbor where we saw the performing arts center with the city logo "I AMsterdam." 

Then we passed by the former Jewish marketplace with historic photos.

Out in the harbor we saw "the dancing sisters" - houses that are sinking and seem to be holding each other up.

More harbor scenes with men out for their daily constitution.

Looking through this arch, we can see the alignment of "7 little bridges."

We traveled through a very expensive residential area, with much larger houses.

Our canal tour ended at Museum Square where we had been yesterday, but it gave us an opportunity to see the park behind the museums.

 We saw the sculpture "Self Portrait of an Artist" by Joseph Kilbansky. 

And the other side of the Van Gogh Museum.

In a garden behind the Rijksmuseum was a water fountain. I am in the center and staying totally dry.

Then we boarded a bus. No time for a city tour because the Rhine water levels are low and we have to meet the boat outside of town.

We did go to see an old windmill which is also the place where Rembrandt retreated to sketch.

We boarded our boat along the Rhine and headed upstream (yes, the Rhine flows north - we are traveling south).

We relaxed this afternoon and were treated this evening to a string trio - 2 violinists and guitarist who are extremely talented.

Amsterdam - Day 3

Saturday, August 25, 2018

We awakened to another day of drizzle, but I would not let it deter me. I decided to go for a walk before the streets got crowded and see a few more things. Ed stayed in the room to relax.

Our hotel is by the train station, which is also near the waterfront. Thus a walk from here is the starting point for walking the old town.

The rain cleared so I was able to take some photos of popular landmarks. Here are some of the best:

The train station, built in the late 1880's in neo-Gothic style on reclaimed land that was once the harbor mouth.

Facing from the train station is Damrak Street, the main thoroughfare.

To its left is a docking area.

Some houses come straight down into the water.

Walking along are more beautiful canals with locks to control water flow.

Here is a good representation of the different gables along the rooftops that hide a pitched roof. These are simply decorative elements.

My walk took me into the Jordaan area, an older section of town. I was able to walk down 3 of the "nine little streets," which is a delightful shopping area. Good news - stores weren't open and I don't shop.

I ended with a photo of the Magna Plaza, the old post office with similar architecture to the old train station. Inside is now a major shopping center.

Then Ed and I checked out of our hotel, bidding goodbye to this great view from our balcony.

We caught an Uber to the Rijksmuseum, our event for the day.

We were very impressed with the experience.

Housed in a beautiful and sprawling 19th century neo-Gothic building, this art museum houses the best of Dutch painters such as Rembrandt, Steen and Vermeer. There were also some other surprises.

We had a delightful lunch in their cafe and explored the high points. They allow photography so here are some to share.

The most famous is Rembrandt's "Night Watch," 1642, which takes up the entire wall at the end of the "Gallery of Honor".

Other Rembrandt's are there including "The Jewish Bride," 1665-1669.

Johannes Vermeer is represented by "The Milkmaid," 1660,  and View of the House in Delft," 1660.

 Steen - "The Merry Family,"

Toulouse-Lautrec - his first poster for the Moulin Rouge, an instant success, 1891.

Monet - "La Corniche Near Monaco" -1884

Van Gogh - a self portrait - 1887

The only woman represented was Therese Schwartz - "Portrait of Lizzie  Ansingh," 1902

The final highlight for us were two very elaborate doll houses made for wealthy families in the late 1600s. They have survived almost 400 years in tact. They are noteworthy not only for their beauty but because they are perfectly proportioned.

Then we picked up our bags from the hotel and headed to our boat, the AMA Prima with AMA Waterways. We arrived in time for a lovely dinner and off to bed.