Passau, Germany .. and onward to Vilshofen

We're in Bavaria!   Can you believe .. another beautiful medieval town with churches, a monster cathedral, fortress, Roman ruins, bishop's residence, and, of course - Christmas Market ?

Here we are arriving at Passau .. early in the morning, docking on the 'old town' side  (one of 52 churches in a town of 50,000, only 800 live on the old-town peninsula!)

Passau is located at the confluence of three rivers ;  DANUBE, INN, ILS.   It's sometimes known as the 'Venice of Bavaria'.    It has been inhabited for over 2000 years.   Here's a map of this area :

Here's our group with guide starting to wind our way up cobblestone streets :

looking across the Danube at the Fortress 'Veste Oberhaus' (circa 1219)

we turned back around to walk up more cobblestone narrow roads to get to the top of the town .. guide stopped us at the medieval executioner's building, yikes!

walking up towards .. St.Stephens Cathedral

re-built after a fire swept thru town, in 1668-1693 .. Italian architects

one of the largest pipe organs in the world!   17,774 pipes, 233 registers

and just outside its doors .. would you believe .. is another Christmas market!

we didn't have time to go to the world's first dachshund museum .. !!

time to get back to the ship  ..  hang on !

Time for a Bavarian lunch as we sail on to Vilshofen.  yummy .. sausages ++

look like a wizard ?   :)

We attended an interesting lecture, later in the afternoon, on Bavaria by a local college professor.

view from our deck .. of Vilshofen and a cute Christmas Market

We were bussed up to an abbey to enjoy some beer and pretzels at an Oktoberfest celebration.

Back down to the town.   Walked back through town to the ship.

good shot of the ship with its lights festooning the guard rails .. behind is a newer bridge over the Danube ..

Last dinner is over, now back to the room to pack up.   Tomorrow, Sunday, we get bused to Prague (Czech Republic) via Regensburg.

Sad to leave such a gorgeous new boat.  Lots and lots of amenities!   AmaWaterways really spoils you on these river cruises.   They employed great informative guides for all of the excursions.   Looking forward to another historical gem and grand European city!