Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
We levae in the morning. We land on time and immediately rent a car to go to Frankfurt. It ‘s cold and cloudy. We park close to the cathedral, but during our stay in the city we have to go back to the car several times to pay for parking (the maximum time is rather limited). Firstly we visit the cathedral inside, then we reach the nearby Romerberg where there is a market.
After wandering a bit between the stalls and after lunch, we reach the Eiserner Steg (a bridge) from which we can admire the city skyline. Back to the car, we drive to Heidelberg. Our hotel is near the station, but far enough away from the center. By now the darkness descends. The lighted city is very beautiful, we walk through the pedestrian streets, visiting some churches, and we go to the Alte Brucke. After a short break at the hotel, back downtown for dinner. Before going to sleep, we take some pics of the town, and climb up the castle to admire the view from above.
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
When we get up it rains. We climb to the castle and visit it.
After the visit, we go to Speyer, a near city. By car, we see some planes: the museum of technology, we stop to admire planes and boats close. Leaving the museum, we reach the center with its impressive cathedral. When we exit from the church, the sun rises, there is a beautiful light, and even the cold seems diminished.
Our next destination is Worms, another near town, important for the cathedral. We visit only this monument and we leave for Mainz. In Mainz there are many people, streets and pubs are crowded and there are several Christmas markets. For the night we booked a hotel in Bingen on the Rhine, but when we arrive we find the town almost deserted.
We have difficulties to find a place to dine, in the end we choose what seems to be the only one with some customers. After dinner, as in Bingen we find nothing to do, we go to Bad Kreuznach (choose at random on the map). After walikn a bit (also here there is nobody), we go back to the hotel.
Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Day on the Rhine, there is a bit of sun. We start going to Rudesheim, we climb to the monument (being restored) and we stop somewhere along the road. Then we reach Koblenz and we visit it quietly. Even here there are many people, the city is pretty and we pass the time pleasantly.
Then we drive along the other bank of the Rhine and we stop to Boppard and Oberwesel (we will also rise to the castle, but it is closed). Finally we reach Bacharach where we want to stop for dinner, but we are very disappointed when we realize that all the restaurants are closed. For the night we booked the hotel near the airport in Hahn (the flight will be the next day at 6.30), so we decide to stretch a bit the road and back again to Mainz, where we eat very well and we spend a nice evening.
Finally we reach the airport and deliver back the car. Then we go to the hotel.
Friday, December 9th, 2011
We wake up early, we have breakfast at the airport and at 6:30 we have the flight.
