It’s my birthday, so come and join me on a walk through one of the most beautiful towns in Germany. We’ve been dropped off early in the morning to meet Andre, our professional guide from Portugal, along with a fellow German trainee guide, plus 10 other guests. The sun is bright, so we’ve got our shades on 😁, water (no orange whips Mum 😁), so let’s get onto the coach and head up into the hills.

We are dropped off at the Kappele Sanctuary, a stunningly beautiful 1700s church & pilgrimage site set high on the hillside.

We had 5 minutes inside before a mass started, so got to see the stunning interior and hear the organ play before exiting. Then we started the pilgrimage walk, in reverse, heading down to the river on a series of steps and terraces set amongst the trees.

Each terrace contained statues and areas to pray.

This was a delightful area and Andre provided a great commentary as we descended. We paused at St Burkard, another beautiful church, there are over 60 in Wurzburg ! A great town for sinners, as they can choose a different priest for confession each Sunday over a year.

OK we’re now ready to hike again, heading up to Marienberg Fortress set on top of a hill surrounded by steep vineyards.

Pausing along the way I got a shot taken of our group, quickly nicknamed the Viking Hiking Gruppen

The fortress is huge, dominated by the buttresses, and Maschikuli tower, with surrounding portals.

After walking around the fortress we descend back towards the town through Landesgartenschau Park. There a number of cottages scattered around, with free occupancy so long as the garden and your portion of grounds are kept up to a high standard. There is a 8 year waiting list….

We finish our hike by the Old Main Bridge , staring back in awe at the hillside and where we’ve been. Well done, you’ve done 15K’s, time to coach back to the ship, have a quick lunch and there’s a walking tour of the Wurzburg Residence and some free time in the old town.

Looking like a small Versailles , and built from 1720-1740 it is known for its painted vault roof, unsupported the fresco measures 18 x 30m and depicts the then known 4 continents.

The level of detail is amazing, this dog really stood out in 3D

Once up the stairs the White Hall features spectacular plaster work. How it stays up I don’t know, let alone survive WWII

After the magnificence of the Imperial Hall came the mirror cabinet….a whole covered in painted mirrors, guilding and beautiful furniture.

Rejoining our guide after a little free time for photos we wandered to town, again admiring the architecture.

Time to head back to the coaches, and have a rest ! Later on we are informed that due to a shallow stretch of water near Nuremberg we will have to switch ships, to an identical one the other side. A pity as we were just getting to know and interact with the staff. Later that night there was a big party to celebrate…..me, I was ZZZzzzzzz. It’s been a great day hasn’t it ?