Memory Lane: Cuckoo Clocks, Castles and Cruising the Rhine (Sankt Goar to Boppard)

Before the cruise, we made a quick stop in Sankt Goar to see what’s known as the world’s largest free-hanging cuckoo clock. It was one of those wonderfully random Rhine moments you don’t plan for, but end up loving. We even went into the shop, where a lovely lady explained the history behind cuckoo clocks and how they became such a classic part of German tradition, originally crafted in the Black Forest and later turning into one of the country’s most recognisable souvenirs. After the photos and a proper look around, we headed back towards the river ready to board the sightseeing cruise to Boppard.

After that, we boarded a Rhine sightseeing cruise from Sankt Goar to Boppard, with Burg Rheinfels towering above the town as we pulled away. Not long after, we were into the famous Loreley stretch, where the Rhine narrows and the scenery turns properly dramatic. We stayed up on deck for most of it, camera in hand, pretending we weren’t taking the same photo every five minutes. We passed steep vineyard slopes, castle ruins high on the cliffs, and little riverside towns like Oberwesel with its medieval towers still standing. By the time Boppard came into view, sitting on a curve of the Rhine, it felt like the perfect place to step back onto land.

By then we were more than ready for wine tasting in town and an easy overnight at Hotel Rheinlust, watching the Rhine roll past like it had all day.