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Monday, December 10, 2012

Our World, cruising by the Rhine castles

Last week on Our World Tuesday, I mentioned "a castle on every hill" and I got that impression as we cruised the Rhine River last month on our Grand European Tour with Viking River Cruises.
Because the Rhine was, and still is, a major artery in European trade, each port had to be defended with fortifications and, when possible, the fortifications were on hilltops, so approaching enemies could be seen in time for all the people to get inside the fort, or castle.
Even in cloudy weather, often with a very unphotogenic autumn mist rising from the river, the castles are still impressive today, when the fortifications don't discourage approaching tourists at all.


Richard Schear photos,
November, 2012 





Richard Schear photos,
November, 2012  


10 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Great captures for the day and they did bring back memories of my time there!! Thanks for sharing your trip! Your photos are the next best thing to being there! Hope you have a great week, Kay!

Indrani said...

Impressive castles indeed. Grand sights!

Rajesh said...

Very impressive castle.

Black Jack's Carol said...

I wonder if you met Phyllis (Bill's sister) and Barrie on this tour. They are on their second Viking River Cruise, this one to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. How wonderful to see the world from its famous rivers! Love these castles!

Fun60 said...

I find castles so interesting to visit. These ones look so well preserved and full of history.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful shots of the Rhine castles ~

(A Creative Harbor) ^_^ aka ArtMuseDog and Carol

Unknown said...

Great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

WOW! Beautiful! I have always dreamed of having a writing room in a turret.

Jenn Jilks said...

I so love travelling with you!
I took a walk into the forest today and seem to have a pulled muscle. I am in bad shape!

Cheers from Cottage Country!

diane b said...

This is a great collection of ancient castles on hills. It brings back memories of our cruise there. It still remains the best ever trip we have done.