Europe - German Castles

Next stop on the tour was a visit to Germany. We took a train from Amsterdam to Koeln (Cologne), where we visited the main attraction, its Gothic Cathedral. To say we were impressed is an undestatement. Started in 1248, it was not completed until 1880, and houses the golden shrine of the three magi (remains of the 3 wise men).

After Cologne, we hopped in the Robinson's car for a trip to Burg Rheinfel in St. Goar Germany. After touring the castle ruins, we took a ferry down the Rhein to see numerous other castles. The Kohn-Dusseldolf ferry was a wonderful way to travel. The adults relaxed on the deck, enjoying the sun and drinking German beer as the kids played on the slide.

After an all too short ride, we talked the kids into getting off in a small, picturesque German town right out of a story book. We walked around for a short while before jumping on a train back to the cars. Last stop for the evening was a to Moselkurn. The next day morning, we hiked to Burg Eltz, which is one of the best preserved castles in all of Europe. Construction started in 1157, it has been in the Eltz family since. It is still occupied by the decendents of the original owners. It looks like something right out of the sound of music.