Floodplain landscape, apple trees and majestic birdsStork route

It's quite impressive: storks accompany us the whole way. They appear on roofs, search for food in the Rhine floodplains, we see their nests along the way and one even flies directly over our heads. We quickly realise that Bislich must be a true paradise for these majestic animals. We pass the ferry that would take us to Xanten and reach the old ferry house. The ideal place for a first rest. But we've only just set off and think it's still a bit early for a break. So we carry on - along the old dyke. On the left, a view of country houses and farms, on the right the Rhine meadows and the ships on the Rhine. A light breeze blows across our faces. It feels a bit like being by the sea.

Arriving at Neuhollandshof, we find ourselves in the middle of preparations for the upcoming Rose Festival at the weekend. Beer benches are being set up and roses for sale are being prepared. The farm itself is as wildly romantic as the apple orchard. A medicinal herb garden, a tree swing and a large table under a tree, where we take a seat and unpack our sandwiches, have been lovingly designed. We could linger here forever.

In addition to the Neuhollandshof, our hike takes us past farms and farmhouses that characterise the Lower Rhine landscape. Sheep, goats and horses graze on the pastures here. And it is not uncommon to see a stork sitting on the roofs looking for prey.