Princeton Class of 1969

Rheingau Mini-Reunion Itinerary

September 16-23, 2013

Monday, Sep 16:  Arrival in Wiesbaden. Relax in the afternoon. Optional visit to the spa thermal baths (Kaiser Friedrich Therme). Evening opening reception at Villa Clementine with Wagner presentation by classmate Sheldon Reaven, co-founder of the Princeton Wagner Society. Overnight in Wiesbaden.

Tuesday, Sep 17:  Tour of Wiesbaden in the morning, famed for its neo-classical architecture (the Kurhaus, Museum, Nassau Cathedral, City Palace and many villas). Lunch at Domäne Mechtildhausen. Tour of Mainz in the afternoon, including the Mainzer Dom (first constructed 975 A.D.), Gutenberg Museum, Roman Museum and Synagogue. Dinner in Wiesbaden at Schloss Biebrich.  Overnight in Wiesbaden.

Wednesday, Sep 18:  Bus to Worms in the morning including the Kaiserdom (12^th century, one of the three imperial cathedrals of the Rhine Valley and along with the cathedrals of Mainz and Speyer an important example of Romanesque architecture), Reformation Monument (site of Luther’s condemnation by the Imperial Diet), Jewish Quarter, Synagogue, Mikwe. Speyer in the afternoon including another Kaiserdom (this one 11^th century and the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe) and Altpörtel. Return to Wiesbaden in the late afternoon for finger food reception and concert at the Kurhaus. Optional visit to the casino at the Kurhaus after the concert. Overnight in Wiesbaden.

Thursday, Sep 19:  Yacht cruise on the Rhine. Stop for tour of Rüdesheim, a picturesque Rhine Valley village with traditional timbered houses, quaint streets and wine shops, Niederwald Monument (to the victory in the Franco-Prussian War and the foundation of the German Empire in 1870). Then back on the yacht ending up in Koblenz. Bus to Bad Ems for dinner and overnight at Häckers Hotel.

Friday, Sep 20 Tour of Bad Ems including Barock Spa Palace, Kursaal, Germany’s oldest casino and one of the world’s steepest funicula. Then on to Nassau and the original castle of the House of Nassau, with lunch in the Hall of Knights where a certain chorus may be sung. Dinner and overnight at Schloss Reinhartshausen in the Rheingau.

Saturday, Sep 21:  Visits to Marksburg and castles and vineyards in the Rheingau.   Lunch at Scloss Vollrads, one of the oldest wine estates in the region with a renowned gourmet restaurant.  Dinner on a river cruiser and viewing the Night of the Lorelei, also known as the Rhine in Flames, a spectacular fireworks display launched from the castles Katz and Rheinfels and from a ship in the middle of the Rhine, which concludes the week-long wine festival in the historic-town quarters of St. Goarshausen and St. Goar. Overnight again at Schloss Reinhartshausen.

Sunday, Sep 22:  Walking tour of Eltville with sparkling wine reception at the Elector's Castle followed by lunch at Burg Crass.  Walking tour and wine tasting at Eberbach Monastery (where much of The Name of the Rose was filmed).  Farewell dinner at Schloss Johannisberg, the oldest Riesling estate and residence of Metternich.  Overnight again at Schloss Reinhartshausen.

Monday, Sep 23:  Return to Wiesbaden, departure day unless you wish to stay longer. Leave from Eltville by train for Oktoberfest extension in Munich (optional).

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