Day 1: The one-day excursion began with a tour of one of the famous Rhine River Castles, the Burg Reichenstein. The Burg Reichenstein is also one of the oldest castles on the Rhine River. This 11^th century robber knight’s castle has been destroyed and rebuilt at least three times. Perched on a rocky ridge, its mighty wall and defensive towers contributed to the strength of its position on the Rhine. Displayed throughout the castle were period furniture and an extensive collection of arms and armor.

Afterwards we stopped in Rudesheim, the best-known town along the Rhine. Here we enjoyed a wine and brandy tasting at a local shop. After many-a-tastes we were sold. We purchased a case of the famous ice wine and a case of mixed blackberry and peach brandy to be shipped directly to our home back in the states. We of course took a bottle of each with us, just to get us back to base mind you. With bottles in hand we stumbled through the world famous "Drosselgass.”

Afterwards we went by bus to the Rhine River where we boarded our ship. We enjoyed a two-hour cruise through the most scenic part of the Rhine Valley while the guides reviewed these historic sites and castles in English. Once we returned to shore our bus picked us up and took us on a picturesque ride to a regional restaurant. We enjoyed a typical German lunch, followed by, yes, another wine tasting of some of the famous "Rheingau" wines.

And last but not least, we visited the Bromersburg, built in the Xth Century, which now houses the Rheingau wine museum.