The Final Cities on the Rhine River Cruise

Well, my friends, I am finally on the last few days of my Rhine River Cruise. I think these final cities on our Rhine River cruise were my favorite of all the cities we visited. The cities were charming. Lots of flowers were displayed in the towns we visited on the cruise. My favorite town is the very last one we saw, not because of the tourist attractions. It’s because it was simply gorgeous!

Cities on the Rhine River Cruise

Day 5: Mainz and Heidelberg

Mainz is known for its old town, with half-timbered houses and medieval market squares, and Germany’s wine capital. We started our day in Mainz before we left for Heidelberg, Germany, to tour the ruins of the Heidelberg Castle. First, of course, I was drawn to the market square, which is still very active today.

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle is the most famous castle ruin in Germany. The majestic palace sits prominently on a hill overlooking historic Heidelberg. Heidelberg Castle has inspired poets for centuries. No wonder it is a huge tourist attraction and is well known worldwide.

We walked among the ruins and went down into Heidelberg’s charming town. The women on tour enjoyed shopping while the men, including my father, went to a Biergarten for adult beverages.

Day 6: Strasbourg,Marlenheim, & Obernai, France

We now visit the French towns along the Rhine River.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg sits near the German border, with culture and architecture blending German and French influences.

Cathedral of Notre-Dame

It was a rainy day in Strasbourg, so I appreciated the canal tour around the city.

The Gothic Cathédrale Notre Dame features daily shows from its astronomical clock and sweeping views of the Rhine River.

The Rose window and the suspended pipe organ were beautiful.

The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathédrale Notre Dame. Its main features, besides the automata, are a perpetual calendar (including a computus), an orrery (planetary dial), a display of the actual position of the Sun and the Moon, and solar and lunar eclipses. The main attraction is the procession of the 18-inch high figures of Christ and the Apostles, which occurs every day at solar noon, while the life-size cock crows thrice.

After visiting the cathedral, we had time to walk around Strasbourg and shop. Because it was raining, my first purchase was an umbrella!

French pastry shops were so tempting to walk in and purchase something delicious.

Arthur Metz Winery in Marlenheim, France

After Strasbourg, we went to the Arthur Metz winery for a wine tasting. Arthur Metz is the leading player in the vineyards of Alsace and the primary producer of the sparkling wine Crémant d’Alsace.

Sorry for the grainy photo. It was very dark in the presentation room. This photo was shot before the iPhone had night mode on their phones. Dad enjoyed this part of the river cruise the most! He wasn’t a fan of all the walking we did, which is something you must consider if you plan on taking a river cruise. You do a lot of walking!

Day 7: The Black Forest & Colmar, France

The Black Forest

The Black Forest is more than just the home of the classical cuckoo clock and the setting of many Grimm fairy tales. Most popular spots in the Black Forest are set far and wide, all between the eastern banks of the Rhine and the foothills of the Swiss Alps.

We visited the House of Black Forest Clocks Adolf Herr E. K. in Hornberg, Germany. Hundreds of cuckoo clocks filled the shop!

Consider your visit to the Black Forest incomplete without trying its eponymous cherry cake, which is also one of Germany’s most famous desserts. We were served this cake at the Cuckoo House after shopping.

Colmar

Colmar has got to be the most picturesque town on our river cruise. Its old town has cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings. Colmar is on the Alsace Wine Route, and local vineyards specialize in Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines.

Our Last Night on the Rhine River Cruise

Well, we checked off an item on my father’s bucket list. Taking a river cruise with my father down the Rhine River was very special for my father and me.

Our last night was full of goodbyes and hugs. I made lots of friends and created beautiful memories on the river cruise. 

I hope you enjoyed these posts about my trip with my father on the Rhine River. Also, I hope you get to take a river cruise sometime. It’s a beautiful way to see the world!

Until next time!