I have been to Germany a number of times in the past, before but have never have had the occasion to visit the Rhineland area of Germany. So after leaving Stuttgart, I have plotted a route to take me into the heart of the Rhineland.
This is not the first time I have I traveller to the Rhine River. On a visit to Switzerland some years ago, I travelled to the headwaters of the Rhine River from were it first starts out in Switzerland. From its primary source in south-eastern Switzerland, the Rhine River flows north through the Rhineland and the Netherlands eventually discharging into the North Sea, a distance of over 1200 kilometers.
Going as far back as the times of the Romans, the Rhine and Danube Rivers marked the frontier boundaries of the Roman Empire in Europe. The Rhine severed as a trade route and means of communication across the hinterland regions of the Roman Empire. The Romans developed numerous forts and signal stations along the Rhine, and kept fleets of ships based along the river to maintain control over their frontier territories. Over the years many I important commercial towns were established on the banks of the Rhine River.
I was told by some local Germans that I met in Stuttgart that if I was interested in spending some time visiting the Rhineland I should visit the resort town of Boppard which is situated right on the Rhine River. Its a tourist town, mostly frequented by local Germans. Boppard is situated on one of the more notable sections of the Rhine River, along the Rhine Gorge, where the Rhine River is channel through a series of narrow valleys. This area with its unique physical geography, has been declared a UNESCO Heritage site.
I spent a couple days in Boppard. A very intersting little town. Lots of tourist facilities. Many of the cruise ship companies offer crusies down the Rhine River on these long and narrow barges and some of the companies make stopovers in Boppard.
I was surprised at the level of traffic on the Rhine. From my viewpoint along the riverbank in Boppard, there seemed to be at least a couple of cargo or passenger barges passing by at any one time.
The town was full of tourists when i was there, many semed to be here on a cycling holiday. One thing I observed about many of the cyclists who were here, is that many were riding these new ebikes.
Boppard… An interesting place to visit!!
Video of my ride along the Rhine River between Boppard and Koblenz in Germany.
View of my hotel in Boppard. Situated in a forest reserve.
Walking around backstreets in downtown Boppard
Along backstreets of Boppard
Market area in centre of Boppard Germany
In main market area of Boppard
In the main market square in Boppard Germany
Numerous restaurants in center of Boppard
Street scene in Boppard
Passing cruise boat along Rhine River near Boppard
Many of the cruise ship companies have their own private docks setup in Boppard
View of the boardwalk along the Rhine River in Boppard
There are numerous medieval buildings in Boppard. It has a long storied history
Passing cargo vessel along Rhine River. There is a lot ship traffic going up and down the Rhine River.
Another view of boardwalk in Boppard along Rhine River.
There several parks and gardens along the boardwalk. Very nice.
Another passing cargo barge
View of town of Boppard Germany
The Rhine River near Boppard passes through a gorge.
Many ornate building around Boppard
There are many outstanding private homes in Boppard.
Restaurant near my hotel
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