The walls of the defensive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress tower impressively above the glittering Rhine. Down below on the river, the boat rocks gently on the water as you stand on the deck and gaze up at the defiant structure above, with the cable cars gradually wending their way up between the trees to the mountain station. The view of the former Prussian military building on the rocky plateau high above Koblenz is breathtaking. You can imagine this imposing sight has cast a mixture of awe and fascination into the hearts of the many people who have travelled this way before you. Especially given the Ehrenbreitstein complex forms just part of the fortifications in Koblenz, in some parts of the city you can almost hear the sabre-rattling and the officers shouting orders. Against this fascinating backdrop which could be taken from a painting, you feel almost a part of that time when up to 1,500 soldiers in Ehrenbreitstein protected the people of this city from attack!
The medieval Marksburg Castle in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley Romantic Rhine
The trip through the river landscape leads past many castles, palaces and quaint villages, Romantic Rhine
You set off on the boat from St. Goar at around midday and have just arrived in Koblenz. Smiling, you remember the trip along the river, passing all the castles and palaces along the way. One moment you were admiring the Marksburg towering high above the river at Braubach, and just a few seconds later, the magnificent Stolzenfels Castle hove into view on the other bank. It was like that for the whole journey, with at least one spectacular new sight around every bend in the Rhine. Nowhere else is there such a density of castles as there is here in the Middle Rhine Valley.
Enjoying the view with a glass of chilled regional Riesling, Romantic Rhine
View of Koblenz, the Rhine and Stolzenfels Castle, Romantic Rhine
You have now headed back to the stern of the boat to order a last glass of wine before you disembark. You turn to your companion, who is gazing cheerfully towards the shore, then you look into each other’s eyes and clink your glasses with a smile. The well-chilled Riesling is a real gem grown in the excellent conditions prevalent along the banks of the Rhine. Young, highly-motivated winemakers are giving the wines of the Middle Rhine whole new qualities and a surprising variety of flavours.
View of the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), Romantic Rhine
The boat has now made a complete turn in the middle of the river and is now rocking gently at its mooring. You look at the shore opposite the fortress and admire the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle meet around a monumental statue of a mounted figure. You chat for a while about your plans to wander around the old town of Koblenz before spending the night on the banks of the Rhine. You have deliberately booked a room on the Rhine so you can enjoy the gentle rumbling of the ships passing by. Glasses empty, you leave the boat and wander companionably towards the nearby old town.
