I was planning to post regularly while on my vacation, along with pictures of what we’re doing, but alas, the internet is slightly hard to come by in hotels here.

All I have time to say is that I’m heading to Bali for a few days, then Kuala Lumpur, then back to Singapore.

Rough life, huh?

Sorry ladies and gentlemen, but we are off the market.

Heading off to a much-needed vacation to Singapore and Malaysia with my soon-to-be wife! That’s a picture of us getting our marriage license today at the court, in case any of you were doubting my ability to actually LAND a woman.

Anyway, going to try and blog as much as I can while there and throw up some photos. If it doesn’t work out (seeing as how my blog may be targeted by the Singaporean authorities), rest assured there will be plenty to see upon our return.

So, “Adios!” and I’ll see everyone in 2 weeks!

If you want to follow our trip progress, I’ll be making a valiant effort to Facebook it. Follow me.

Brian

Saint Goar sits along the bank of the Rhine River in the Mittelrhein (Middle Rhine) Valley of the Rhineland-Palatinate, an area listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region of Germany is famous for its lush hillside landscape as well as for being one of the top production areas of Riesling wine. The Rhineland is home to six out of the thirteen regions designated for quality wine in Germany. Of course, there is plenty of beer to go around as well.

Not-To-Be-Missed Sights

Saint Goar boasts spectacular views of the river and surrounding countryside. You can even find a bit of cultural history and even a few oddities in this tucked-away destination:

Burg-Rheinfels (Castle Rheinfels)

One of the largest and most formidable castles on the Rhine for nearly 500 years. In 1245 the castle was built by Count Diether V von Katzenelnbogen to protect the Saint Goar tax collectors. From that point on it withstood multiple onslaughts from some of the strongest armies Europe could muster. In 1692 it was the only fortress on the left bank of the Rhine that was able to defend itself against attacks by troops sent by Louis XIV. The turbulent history of the castle came to an end in 1794 when it was handed over (without a struggle) to the French revolutionary army. In 1796/97 the exterior walls and the castle were blown up. You can now tour the ruins either with a guide or on your own for a very reasonable price. There is also a very luxurious hotel attached to the ruins that can handle weddings, parties and more. Who wouldn’t want to be married in a castle?

Loreley Rock

This man-made cliff wall sculpture is so named for a particular curve of the Rhine River where numerous ships have sunk throughout history. Legend says a beautiful, naked, blonde woman would distract the skippers from their work via intoxicating songs and thus forced many a ship into the river wall and, eventually, to the bottom of the river. Reality tells a different story, and once you see the narrow curve of the river near the Loreley Rock (a cliff wall carved into the shape of the sultry siren herself) you can see why many a navigator miscalculated and caused shipping boats to crash and sink. Of course, with modern GPS navigation systems, there have not been any boat accidents for a long time.

Steam-powered Paddleboats on the Rhine

These authentic barges allow you to tour the Middle Rhine from town to town, for as long as you like. Koln-Dusseldorfer is the oldest pleasure-cruise line on the Rhine River and runs numerous boats from Mainz to Koblenz. The SS Goethe is one of the oldest paddleboat steamers still running and offers a full bar and restaurant on board, as well as plenty of deck space to view the surrounding countryside. You can head from Saint Goar to numerous towns and view the Loreley Rock en route. Then spend a couple of hours exploring your chosen stop while waiting for the boat to return. Be sure to ask for any deals at the ticket counter.

Stefan’s Wine and Christmas Paradise

An absolute find for lovers of craziness and kitsch. The store is chock-full of holiday decorations, strange little trinkets and a wide array of beautiful cuckoo clocks. Always remember to ask whoever is working for a taste of their wine, and they will set you up with a little set of wines from the local area.

Tips On Visiting Saint Goar or Surrounding Villages

If you plan on visiting any of the villages in the Middle Rhine Valley, here are some tips:

Fly Into Frankfurt-Hahn Airport

If you are already somewhere in Europe, try to take a flight into Frankfurt-Hahn, one of the area’s smaller, less crowded airports. The big airlines do not fly there, but that makes it even better in terms of cheaper flights and time saved. Ryan Air is one of Europe’s best discount airlines and they fly all over the continent. Once there, you can take a cab to Saint Goar for around $40 to $50 Euros. You can also rent a vehicle with a GPS system or follow the route below:

Fly Into Frankfurt-am-Main Airport

If you are flying direct from outside of Europe, head for the Frankfurt-am-Main Airport. From there you can take a short train ride into Frankfurt or straight to Saint Goar for a reasonable price. Be sure to plan accordingly, as there are usually only one or two trains heading to Saint Goar per day.

Saint Goar Hotels

The majority of hotels in Saint Goar are great and provide clean rooms and friendly staff. We highly recommend the Hotel Hauser for its staff, restaurant and overall cleanliness of the rooms. Be sure to ask for a river-view room and enjoy the complimentary breakfast each morning. Hotel Montag is a bit pricier, but you are right across the street from the world’s largest cuckoo clock.

Saint Goar Restaurants

Restaurants tend to close early (some at 8 or 9 PM) since it is a small, sleepy village. There are no bars or clubs open late, so be sure to grab dinner and an extra bottle for the room before you pay the check. The Hotel Am Markt is an affordable restaurant that serves up traditional fare, including game and fish. If you’re willing to make the hike up the hill and spend a little extra, try the Rheinfels Castle Hotel Restaurant.

Saint Goar is just one of many jewels along the Romantic Rhine River. Breathtaking views of German hillsides, a rich history and plenty of romantic activities make Saint Goar a great stop along the way to Frankfurt or Munich, or as a destination in itself.

• Hotel Hauser: Heer Strasse 77, tel. 06741/333, fax 06741/1464, www.hotelhauser.de, hotelhauser@t-online.de

• Hotel Montag: Heer Strasse 128, tel. 06741/1629, fax 06741/2086, hotelmontag@01019freenet.de

• Hotel Am Markt: Am Markt 1, tel. 06741/1689, fax 06741/1721, www.hotelammarkt1.de, hotel.am.markt@gmx.de

• Rheinfels Castle Hotel: Schlossberg 47, tel. 06741/8020, fax 06741/802-802, www.schlosshotel-rheinfels.de, info@burgrheinfels.de

• Frankfurt-Hahn Airport Information: http://flyhahn.com

• Frankfurt City Site: http://www.frankfurt.de

• St. Goar Touring Information: http://flyhahn.com/cities/st-goar-travel-guide.htm