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carried electric-power-assisted bicy- I’d tell him about our adventures: about acacia in the town square at Miltenberg,
cles for those who wanted to pedal off dining on roast pig and celebrating sampling local ice creams, as our guide
and explore on their own. Additionally, medieval comedy at Marksburg Castle, boasted that locals have “always been
each passenger got a wearable “Tailor- about the wild collection of self-playing gentle and friendly. They did not burn
made” device that offered 600 recorded, pianos and violins at Siegfried’s Me- witches alive here; they drowned them
GPS-sensitive blurbs detailing sites and chanical Musical Instrument Museum first.”
attractions we passed along our route. in Rudesheim, about sitting under an
Each cabin also received a 430-page The Tailormade devices provided by Sce-
beautifully illustrated paperback guide- nic are hard acts to follow – and a few
book, produced by Scenic. guides didn’t measure up, especially
when excursions included lengthy bus
Most mornings, I scurried off the ship rides. A cooking class in Marktheiden-
to explore; I raced back in late afternoon feld, billed as an afternoon “with local
just as the gangplank was being raised house wives in a 300-year-old cellar,”
for departure. I’d find my husband turned out to be a one-woman show in a
where I’d left him – lying with a book hotel conference room: “German women
facedown on his lap in a chaise lounge don’t take cooking classes,” our instruc-
on the top deck. tor said, with a chuckle. “I cook only for
tourists.” (Guests’ feedback prompted
“It’s been a perfect day,” he’d say. “I feel
like I’m on my own yacht. Every half Clockwise from top left: A couple aboard the
hour or so someone from the crew Scenic Jade enjoys viewing picturesque villages
comes up to check if I want anything. A along the Rhine. At dusk, somewhere along
glass of wine? A snack? I read, sleep, sip the Main (pronounced MINE) River, a bicyclist
– and study the sun as it slips behind a pedals the tow path. Scenic passengers enjoy
cloud and comes out again.“ exquisite meals with fresh, regionally sourced
ingredients. Shore excursions include an after-
noon at the Deppisch Family winery in Bavaria.

Wine Dine & Travel Summer/Fall 2015 39