Scenic cruises has a new addition to their port tours – the chance to spend time with local residents, with an opportunity to get a personal glimpse into the real life of the area.
Today we separated into small groups to meet the locals. There was a good list of choices so each passenger could select an experience that would be meaningful – from cookie making, to hiking with a guide , from a bike ride around the city to a tour of a local butcher shop to taste homemade sausages.
My husband chose to visit a monestary, where there are only four monks left. The elderly monk who greeted his group showed them around the monastery and explained the history and the philosophy of this Franciscan order. They tasted beers, sausages and local hams.
He loved it.
I chose to spend the morning with a local artist, Rita Stern. She is a young and beautiful painter whose father is a well established abstract artist. We toured her studio, had tea and schnapps and then painted a watercolour of a local building, with her guidance..A relaxing yet stimulating morning.
Lunch was served in a medieval winecellar in the town, and we were entertained by a local singer, who also taught music at the high school.
Then we boarded our boat and set sail for Reudesheim, our next port.
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
