This map shows the ports of call in the novella Death Cruise, the first of the Reiker For Hire trilogy. The Reiker For Hire novels are set in the 1890's, the late Victorian era, in Germany. A major route for trade and transport, the Rhine flows north from Switzerland to the North Sea.
Without spoilers, here's the itinerary for the steamship Agrippina II on the fateful Death Cruise of 1896.
First stop is Strasbourg. After the Franco-German War (1870-1), Alsace Lorraine became part of Germany, then known as the German Empire, until 1914. The German flag was black, white and red.
Then we come to Speyer with its famous Romanesque Cathedral. Next, up the scenic Neckar River for an overnight stop at romantic Heidelberg, a vibrant student town. Heidelberg has the oldest university and library in Germany, founded 1386, and one of the oldest hospitals.
Finally we arrive at Worms, the seat of the ancient Burgundian kings. Worms is central to the story of Siegfried the Germanic hero and the Queens Kriemhild and Brunhilde.
The Nibelungen bridge over the Rhine at Worms was built from 1897 - 1900. Before that, one had to take water transportation, or a train crossing at Mannheim. Although it's not mentioned in the novel, Mannheim is also the place Karl Benz invented his famous fuel-powered vehicles, publicized by his enterprising wife Bertha.
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