Luftner Cruise Line – Dave and Kay's Travel Adventures

Saturday, November 2, 2019

This morning we walked off the ship and met our guide for a walking tour of Speyer. Our first stop was the Speyer Cathedral, which is over 1000 years old. It opened in 1106 and was added as an UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981.

Looking at the town after visiting the cathedral.

The Old Gate is the medieval tower with the clock. It is one of the 68 original towers.

We also visited the Trinity Church that was built in the 1700s. The organ is in the middle in the front altar. The paintings in the church were done by local artists. The pews were double so you could see the front and switch sides and see the back of the church.

One of the trees I noticed with unusual fruit is called a mispel or as the local’s call it “dog’s ass”! The fruit is used to make schnapps and jam!

The Jewish Quarter was one of our stops. We saw the remains of a Romanesque Synagogue. It was built of sandstone in the late 13th century. There were two areas: the woman’s prayer hall and the men’s synagogue and it was used until 1490.

In the courtyard was a subterranean Jewish ritual washing baths.

Some free time was built into our day so we could explore the city on our own before returning to the ship and then sailing to Mannheim.

Lunch was on board as we traveled on the Rhine and it was raining. We’re hopeful that it clears up for our afternoon explorations.

This afternoon we visited the town of Heidelberg, Germany which is a university town. Our first stop was the Heidelberg Castle. Below are pictures of Heidelberg as we drive up to the castle!

Our guide was full of great stories as we walked around the castle grounds.

The arch pictured below was built in 1615 for Elizabeth as a birthday present by her husband Frederick. The arch was built in sections and erected overnight!

Frederich and Elizabeth

Elizabeth Gate

There were spectacular views from the castle looking down on Heidelberg.

After touring the grounds of the castle, we then went into town.

Hotel Zum Ritter built in 1592.

Many tried the Vetter Beer. We walked in but it was very crowded and warm. Instead we walked across the Old Bridge which expands the Neckar. On the right bank is the 2 km path on high ground which we could see from the castle.

We visited the Jesuitenkirche which is a Baroque style Jesuit Church. It was built during the 18th century.

After we visited the Jesuit Church it was time to meet our bus for our ride back to the boat!

Friday, November 1, 2019

We started our day with a bus and then walking tour of Strasbourg, France, the capital of Alsace. The weather was in the 50s and the rain was more of a drizzle. We didn’t see the sun at all today!

We drove by the Place de la République Kaiserplatz which is one of the main squares of the city in Strasbourg.

Place de la République Kaiserplatz

On our walking tour of Strasbourg we passed by the Janus Fountain which has also been called the Tomi Ungerer (its creator) fountain. It was built for the 2000th anniversary of Strasbourg in 1988. This fountain has a face on both sides which represents the city’s double identity with France and Germany.

Strasbourg is the formal seat of the European Parliament and is located close to the German border. Today is All Saints Day so many stores were closed and kids didn’t have school.

The streets were not busy because of All Saints Day.

Almost empty street.

Strasbourg Town Hall

War monument for Maréchal Leclerc at the Square Place Broglie.

the Opera House in the square.

Trimmed Sycamore trees

In the center of Strasbourg, we walked along the pedestrian street, Rue Des Orfévres.

We saw the outside of the Gothic Cathedral of Strasbourg. Because it was All Saints Day, mass was being held so we weren’t allowed inside. The church tells stories on the outside and is filled with many statues on the front! It was a beautiful church.

A model of the cathedral.

We enjoyed exploring this city where you experienced German and a French influence.

We boarded a boat for a ride on the Ill River. We saw medieval bridges and 16th century half-timbered houses.

Seat of the European Parliament

Another view of the European Parliament Building.

The town is beginning to put up its Christmas decorations to get ready for the Christmas Markets.

On our way to the ship we saw this beautiful flower market and country distance signs! They were fun to see how far we were from these other cities.

After our boat excursion we arrived back to the ship for lunch and then we headed back out to catch our bus for our afternoon trip. We drove through the Alsace countryside and some quaint villages. We caught the name of two of the villages; one was Roshime and the other was Boersch as we traveled to Obernai. We parked in the bus parking lot and then walked to the city center. In the town square is the St. Odile Fountain.

The Belfry on the left and St. Odilie Fountain is on the right.

We then had free time to explore some of the city.

Visiting Obernai.

part of Obernai’s medieval walls.

Half timbered houses

Corn Exchange Market

One of the many stork nests we saw in France.

This is called the Six Buckets Well from 1579.

How often do you see a cat sleeping in a store?

Bride and groom walking down the street!

Our last stop today was wine tasting at the Fritz- Schmitt Winery in the town of Ottrott. We tasted Crémont d’ Alsace Brut, Muscat, and Rouge d’ Ottrott Reserve. This area mainly produces white wines.