Rise above the German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein by means of an aerial cable car, and drift over a patchwork of vineyards. After a visit to the Niederwald Monument and its scenic vista, descend by chairlift into the village of Assmannshausen. From there, ride a riverboat up the Rhine and back to Rüdesheim, getting a glimpse of a few castles along the way... Rheinstein, Ehrenfels and the Mouse Tower.

Camera by Kirk Thompson.