Scenic River Cruise: Scenic Opal part 2

Embarkation Day

We convened at the airport Movenpick Hotel in Zurich. Scenic Cruises had arranged transportation by bus from Zurich to Basel where we boarded the Scenic Opal.  An unexpected surprise was meeting someone from Boca Raton who was traveling with several family members.  Once on the riverboat, we met another couple from Boca Raton and I must say, Florida was well represented among many cities and countries.

After being escorted to our cabin, from the first greeting to remembering our personal preferences, our butler was always on hand to accommodate our every need.  Spoiled is an understatement.  With full access to a wellness area, massage services and a hair salon, a gym (though small), on board entertainment, Wi-Fi internet, e-bikes, trekking poles, and a luxuriously appointed suite, I just knew that this was my own private riverboat.  On day one I had yet to know how diverse and delicious culinary delights  would be. 

Day 2 was cloudy and cool.  We arrived in Kehl around 1:00 PM.  Cruise Director, Szilvia informed us during the lunch buffet that we had gone through 9 locks and still had four to go.  Myriad shore excursions (all are complimentary) happen each day and, believe me, this presents a big dilemma.  We chose the Alsace Wine Region

which included a visit to the Albert Seltz Vineyard situated in the heart of Mittelbergheim.  Albert, the 14^th generation owner took over from his father in 1980 when he was only 19 years old.  A passionate winemaker, he has converted the vineyard to strictly sustainable organic agricultural practices and he passed on his vast knowledge of how the soil affects the grape.    We sampled five different ‘whites’. I bought a Riesling Brandluft 2010 to bring home.  Reds are usually my choice but these were quite special.  A Strasbourg city tour, Shopping with the Chef, and a visit to the Black Forest area were on the list of excursions.  Time didn’t permit to do more than one.

Tonight we met the entire crew at the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and then enjoyed a Gala welcome dinner with many delicious choices on the menu. More decisions!  

Day 3 we docked in Gernsheim.  Our choices for touring were Heidelberg Castle, Sweet tastes of Heidelberg, and the Speyer Technical Museum.  Heidelberg nestles below the magnificent ruined Castle, which is one of Germany’s most-visited historic sights.  Mark Twain stayed in Heidelberg for several weeks in 1878, and his thoughts about the city and its surroundings can be enjoyed in the first part of “A Tramp Abroad”. 

Explored the historic university town of Heidelberg known throughout the world as a lively, loveable city.  Rightly so.  Located in the heart of the Old Town is a long-standing institution, Chocolaterie Knosel, Heidelberg’s oldest confectioner’s store.  Established in 1863, it became a popular meeting place among Heidelberg’s residents and the students of the university, especially the young ladies attending Heidelberg’s finishing school who loved Fridolin Knosel’s exquisite creations.  The students would flock to the store, hoping to exchange glances with the fairer sex but their ever-watchful governesses were never far away.  Ingenious as he was, Fridolin Knosel created a delicious chocolate delight which he called the Student’s Kiss.  It became a gallant token of affection that not even the chaperones could object.  Yes…it is delicious and I have one as a souvenir—never to be consumed.

We didn’t get to the Renaissance Castle as there was so much to see in the picturesque town and we were having an early dinner so that we could attend a private concert (preceded by a guided tour) at Mannheim Palace.  The castles seem as if they were lifted from a Hollywood movie set.  A lovely musical program in a magnificent setting…a perfect ending for a memorable day.
 

The Rhine is one of the biggest shipping lanes in the world.  Being a commercial passageway, traffic on the Rhine is so diverse:  all types of transport barges, oil tankers, tugboats, convoys of container ships, tourist boats, fishing boats, ferries—even one named HELENE.  During daytime, sleep is not on one’s itinerary.  Sitting and staring is enough entertainment as compared to ocean going vessels.

Many mornings we awoke already docked only to discover we were parallel to a public walkway along the river’s edge.  Architecture along the river banks ranges from castles to modern dwellings, RV parks, foliage, mountains, highways filled with cars of all sizes, cyclists, runners along the river walks, bridges, crops planted up the mountain slopes, churches and an area with flags of all nations. 

Yet to come: Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne and a few days in Amsterdam.  Gregory and I hope you’ll continue to sail with us…

800.248.8404 ~ www.reidtravel.com ~ mail@reidtravel.com