Taking the scenic route, not going on the Autobahn, would take longer – but more rewarding in terms of what I would be able to see from the car as the route followed the river valley the entire way.

It took a while before it finally clicked that I was on the Autobahn, in an unrestricted section. What on earth was I doing trundling along at 120km/h – the speed limit of the Dutch A76!? I put my foot down and slowly increased the speed.

A view along the Rhine looking towards the centre of Boppard.