Page 179 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL EATING IBERIA

It was time to shake off the cold with a lesson on
constructing Rüdesheim coffee. A hands-on demon-
stration in the Aquavit Terrace proved that coffee,
brandy, dark chocolate and cream made quite a team.
A casual evening in Rüdesheim at Rüdesheimer
Schloss showcased German cuisine and live music. It
was an evening of Prost! with dancing and unknowns
stepping up to the shot-ski and throwing back clear
fire.

The morning ushered us into Heidelberg, one of
the oldest and most romantic cities in Germany. My
introduction to the city, Heidelberg Castle. Aban-
donedover300years,thecastleishometotheworld’s
largest wine barrel which today is dry. It was the view
from the castle of the village below that spoke of the
region’s beauty.
And it was storyteller Mark Twain, who was en-
amored by the city said, it was “the last possibility of
thebeautiful.”AndIcouldn’tleavethecitywithoutdin-
ing at The Red Ox Inn where he took many meals.
When in Rome, as they say, I took a risk and ordered ox
tails. A first and probably a last. However, I imagined
Twain dining with me, and I completely forgot about
the ox tails.

Clockwise: A history lesson from the
program director as Alurna drifts up the
Rhine River. The magical ice rink at the
Christmas market in Cologne, Germany.
Rüdesheim coffee to shake off the cold
and Shot-skis, the German way

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