Do you enjoy traveling? Do you have a bucket list? Is a cruise down the Romantic Rhine on your list? Recently, 21 people from Poplar Bluff, and the surrounding area, cruised the Rhine River, stopping at Strasbourg, France; Speyer, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Boppard; with a detour on the Mosel River to Cochem, Germany, then on to Cologne, Germany, and finally, Amsterdam. The tour was planned by Rob Callahan, First Midwest Bank's GOLD Club Coordinator.
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Their adventure began with a coach ride to St. Louis, an overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland, where they were met by a waiting motorcoach for the transfer to Lucerne. With a seven hour time difference, those who slept during the flight may have been better prepared for the afternoon and evening ahead. Some waited in the hotel lobby for the rooms to be ready while others set out to explore their first destination before they all came together for dinner. Their itinerary called for nearly two full days in Lucerne, a charming town, which was once a simple fishermen's village. Located in the heart of Switzerland, Lucerne offers majestic mountains, alpine landscapes and fields of edelweiss.
Those who elected to join the tour the next morning walked along the Reuss River to the Chapel Bridge -- the symbol of Lucerne -- which was originally build in 1333 to protect the old town. Jim Harlan explained, "There is an octagonal water tower behind the bridge which has been used as a prison, a torture chamber and a treasury. Also, the bridge is known for the paintings hanging from its ceiling which depict life in Lucerne during the 16th Century."
The bridge was damaged by fire in 1993 and two-thirds of the original paintings were destroyed or severely damaged. Copies were made. After a $2.1 million reconstruction, the bridge was reopened in 1994.
The group continued on to Kapellplatz where they saw the oldest church in Lucerne -- St. Peter's. From this location, they enjoyed fantastic views of Mt. Pilatus and the Chapel Bridge. Wandering through old town, they came upon Kornmarkt Square the site of a Renaissance building with masonry dated back to 1602 and a beautifully painted Pfistern guidhall before returning to their hotels. The remainder of the day, they were on their own to explore as they pleased.
Before leaving Lucerne, an optional excursion was offered the next morning to Mt. Pilatus -- one of Switzerland's most majestic mountains. "When we left Lucerne," Carol Parks said, "the sun was shining. Even before we reached the top of the mountain, we encountered a snow storm, hampering our view. Still, it was beautiful -- snow storm and all." The gondolas, which only held four passengers, were just the start of the ascent. At Fräkmüntegg, they transferred to an aerial cable car which completed the journey to the top. Even though the snow storm clouded the view there was still plenty of free time for photo opportunities and frolicking in the snow. Some claimed to hear cow bells in the distant fields. The gondola ride whetted Dorothy Davidson's appetite for heights. Throughout the rest of the trip, she said, "I jumped on every ski lift I could find. It was such fun!"
That afternoon, a motorcoach took them to Basel, Switzerland, where they transferred to the MS Emerald Star. For the next seven days, they cruised the Rhine River with a detour up the Mosel River.
Carol Parks highly recommended the boat cruise vs. a cruise liner. "There were probably no more than 180 people on the ship making it much more enjoyable. The service is more personalized." She had hesitated about making the trip. "Most of our travel has been independent, so I wasn't sure about traveling with a group. Although we began as strangers by the end of the cruise we were family. I highly recommend it. I think this was the best trip I've ever taken." Much of this was due to the hospitality of Rob and Donna Callahan. Davidson concurred, "This tour was outstanding. Rob and Donna took great care of us."
In the early evening, The MS Emerald departed for their first stop, arriving in the capital of the Alsace region, Strasbourg, France, in the early morning. Carol Gross recalls, "On Thursday morning, I went with the tour group into Strasbourg. We drove past where the European Counsel meets and saw stork nests. Their flower gardens were beautiful and everything was clean and fresh looking!" The walking tour took them by the towers which were part of the wall that dated back to 12 A.D. Gross said, "We toured the Palace de la Cathedral which is regarded as one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in France." The present cathedral was completed in 1284 but the spire was not standing until 1439. Gross added, "The beautiful stained glass windows were removed during World War II to protect them, and later returned to the cathedral." On the wall of the cathedral was a memorial to US Military, which states, "In memory of the American officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers who gave their life to free Alsace!" Throughout the walking tour, they passed half-timbered houses dating from the end of the 16th and 17th Centuries, which were formerly occupied by fisherman, tanners, and millers.
Back on board the ship in time for lunch, they resumed the cruise headed for Speyer, Germany. The scenery from the ship was breathtaking. Miles and miles of beautiful vineyards. Mary Braden, who was traveling with her daughter, Debbie Clark, explained, "This cruise was an experience in European culture and history, like no other for me! The Rhine River cruise was an amazing way to see so many famous and historical places. As we stepped off our ship for daily land tours, we actually felt and were acquainted with the history and the way of the people and area, from current time to centuries ago. We learned and viewed the importance of the Rhine River, as an 800-mile long trade route (starting in Switzerland and flowing into the North Seas) as well as being important for the tourist industry."
Her daughter, Debbie, added, "We had some family who came from Germany and Switzerland (200 years ago or so) to the United States, so we have always wanted to make this kind of trip!! First Midwest Bank made this happen for us!"
In Speyer, the majority of the tour elected for the side trip by motorcoach to Heidelberg. The oldest university town in Germany which is located at the mouth of the Neckar Valley. Heidelberg has been fodder for poets, artists and composers. A highlight of this tour was a visit to the red-walled ruins of the 14th Century Heidelberg Castle -- the home to the Palatine Prince electors of the Wittelsback Family. There is much to admire about this castle from the courtyard to the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque facades of the "wings" constructed during different periods to the Great Vat built inside the castle in 1751. Jim Harlan noted, "The Vat has a capacity of 58,000 gallons of wine and is one of the largest wine barrels in the world."
Those who elected to remain in Speyer returned to the ship mid-morning and continued the cruise to Mannheim where they were reunited with those returning from the Heidelberg excursion. After lunch, the ship departed for Rüdesheim for a relaxing afternoon at leisure cruising on the Rhine River -- another opportunity to enjoy the fabulous landscape.
The ship docked in Rüdesheim overnight, which afforded everyone an opportunity to visit this charming village with its cobbled streets. Some enjoyed a taste of genuine German hospitality with a visit to a beer hall or a wine tavern. The next morning, there was more time to revisit Rüdesheim for shopping at the Market Square, and visiting the old burghers' houses, cozy restaurants, unique shops and wine taverns. Other options included visiting Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett (museum of music and musical instruments) or riding a gondola lift (could Dorothy Davidson be far away) to the top of the hill for fantastic views of the Rhine River.
Next stop was Boppard, which lies in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage area of the upper part of the Middle Rhine. Its history dates back to the Romans. This was a free day to tour or to catch one's breath and enjoy one's surroundings. Here the ship changed course and headed up the Mosel River to Cochem, Germany, a quaint town nestled among vineyards. The walking tour crossed the Mosel Bridge into Cochem which dated back to 866. A mini-coach was available to take those who were interested to the Reichsburg Castle -- a step back into the Middle Ages. The cruise of the Mosel River offers some of the most beautiful landscape in Europe thanks to the Romans who introduced the art of wine cultivation to the region some 2,000 years ago. Castle ruins dot the Mosel Valley which is known for its neatly terraced vineyards and its white wines.
The ship rejoined the Rhine River at Koblenz, but most everyone was too busy enjoying another delicious dinner. Later that evening, they were entertained by the ship's "Crew Show" in the lounge.
The next morning, the ship docked in Cologne for more sightseeing. Although Cologne offered a myriad of sights to see it was dampened somewhat by the weather. The highlight of this stop was the Ludwig Museum which contained paintings from the 14th through 20th Centuries including works of Piccaso. Carol Gross recalls, "We stepped inside one of the museums where one of the guards reacted because someone in our group almost touched the Renoir Venus Victrix bronze sculpture! There were flea market booths set up along the waterfront where the ship was docked, reminding me a little of our local 'sale barn!' I bought a children's book about the farm, which was in German with the German names of farm animals, etc. Our grandson loves the book and even took it to school for show and share!"
While enjoying a leisurely breakfast, the ship docked in Amsterdam -- the last stop! The morning excursions included a cruise of the Amsterdam canals via a canal boat or a visit to the Anne Frank house. "The light rain made it difficult to get good pictures," remembers Carol Gross, "but is was interesting to learn that a lot of people live in the canal boats." Upon learning parking costs as much as $6 Euros PER HOUR, it is no wonder people ride bikes!
Finally, in the afternoon, they arrived at the famed Keukenhof Gardens. The tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring flowers are artistically displayed throughout the park. "We are taught to plant tulips bulbs six inches apart," Dorothy Davidson said, "but they plant them on top of each other and at different depths which gives the illusion of a blanket of flowers."
"The variety of tulips was amazing!" said Carol Gross. "The colors and combinations were spectacular! I had fun taking pictures with an oversized wooden shoe, the flowers, and a windmill."
That evening, there was a farewell reception before another elegant dinner in the dining room. After breakfast, the river cruise ended and it was time to disembark. A motor coach transferred the group to Schiphol Airport for the flight home.
Carol Gross recalls, "One of the my favorite things about the trip was getting to make new friends."
"Rob Callahan organizes the most wonderful trips through the First Midwest GOLD Club," said Dorothy Davidson. "He has a tour going to Nova Scotia in July and I'm already signed up."
"My wife, Marty, doesn't like to fly," Jim Harlan said, "but we would both do this again. We were so well taken care of. Rob made it smooth sailing."
This wonderful trip is only one of the many trips offered for the First Midwest Bank GOLD Club members. Upcoming trips for 2017-18 include an Hawaiian Island Cruise, Grand Tour of California, Cape Cod,, and England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as interesting local adventures. For information about the GOLD Club, contact Rob Callahan @ 573-785-0044.