Rüdesheim, Germany - Quaint Town Streets and Drosselgasse

This is a very quaint town and is busy year long, not just at Christmas.  The beer gardens hang a sign when they are open so that you can tell from down the street before walking all the way to the door.

 I confirmed with the tour guide that these bells were made in Meissen.  Kudos to me for paying attention to another tour guide five years ago!

 This is the famously narrow Drosselgasse wine alley.  It is pedestrian only and is lined with restaurants, normally packed and music flowing out of the buildings.

 The places are packed all year long.  Well, not at 9am.

 The booths are starting to open.

 Rüdesheimer Kaffee - not enough time to sample while I was there so I need to make it at home.  It was invented in 1957 by German Television chef Hans Karl Adam.  Asbach Uralt brandy and sugar cubes are added to a cup.  (Rüdesheim has specially designed cups for this coffee, of course.) The brandy is flambeed and stirred until the sugar dissolves.  Strong coffee is added and topped by thick whipped cream sweetened with vanilla sugar.  Chocolate flakes are sprinkled on top.

 This tree is interesting.  It is made from branches.

Kitchen linens in a shop.

 Warm hats, scarves, gloves.

At this point the guide said farewell. We could stay in town for another hour or so or head back to the boat.  He pointed out the bank with the ATM.   I looked around a little and then began the trek back to our docking spot...#1.