Day Trip to Koblenz and Cochem
Trip Start
Dec 18, 2010
1
6
13
Trip End
Dec 29, 2010
Cochem, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Today’s scenery from the train windows was much different than on the previous day trips as today we traveled down the Rhine and Mosel rivers. River towns sprang up like miniatures off of a Christmas mantle while fortified castles hovered on the hilltops above. Even more picturesque were the terraced vineyards covered in snow etched into the passing mountainsides. These areas of Germany are known for their wines (especially the white Riesling variety) and even in snow-covered winter, their beauty did not disapoint.
After traveling for over an hour, our first adventure was the medieval town of Cochem nestled along the banks of the Mosel River. Very sleepy and closed-up during the off-season, we essentially had the entire town to ourselves. Our two objectives for the afternoon: to hike to the castle and to have lunch. RS describes the hike to the castle as a 15-20 minute walk up a gentle sloping hill. Of course, as is typical for our travels, we missed the "gentle sloping" route and ended up steep stair-ways and steep roads leading to the behemoth castle. After about a 30 minute aerobic boost to the heart and sweat pouring down, we made it to the castle – a highlight of the day and well worth the hike! Although we knew that the castle would be closed for tours in December, passing through the gates, we could immediately imagine the castle’s original life and had fun playing out scenes of battle and triumph. Several fabulous photographic moments later, we said good-bye to the castle, made our way back down the hill (we found the gentle slope on the way down!) and eagerly started looking for a place to have lunch.
With the town closed for the season, we did not have many options, and the options we did have were almost closing for the lunch hour. We had to decide quickly or miss our opportunity for mid-day refreshments. Stopping at the first place we saw, all but Heidi were willing to go in and give it a try. However, listening to our wise travel companion, we kept going and happened upon the next highlight of the day – lunch at Zom Stuffje. The joint was empty and we had just mere minutes to spare before the kitchen closed for lunch. Sometimes when one is not given time to make decisions it results in the best decisions of all…lunch for all 5 of us was outstanding! We enjoyed local red and white wine, and enjoyed classic German food. We ordered toast Hawaii (German Hawaiian pizza), meat patties covered in grilled onions with peas, goulash soup, onion soup, veal cordon blue, fries and local potato dishes, all of which were amazing. For a hurried decision, what an outstanding discovery, and a much needed break.
After lunch we had to make fast time back to the train station…just enough time though to purchase some local wines for a night cap back at the hotel. We made our train back to Koblenz with minutes to spare. When we arrived back in Koblenz we walked across town to the Rhine River and continued down river towards the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers at the Northern tip of town. We arrived at the point where the two rivers join and found a huge statue symbolizing German political power and a piece of the Berlin Wall. We continued on our walk into the Alstadt to enjoy the Christmas markets and experience an evening in a smaller, less hectic city. After walking and enjoying the sights we made our way to the train station and caught the hour long train back to Koln. The train ride went by rather quickly with a beer and reminiscing about the day’s adventure.
Back in Koln we went out into the Christmas market to gather a cheese and garlic on toast treat, then up to Scott and Heidi’s room for some wine, food and fun. As we settled inside for the evening it began to rain. We are hoping for snow tomorrow, rain just does not have the same uplifting Christmas feeling. After sharing three bottles of delicious local wine, the night continued on to the hotel’s bar for burgers (Casey can always find her favorite no matter where in the world she is), more wine and a piano player playing American classic piano bar songs as well as a variety of Christmas music.
We said good night at around 11pm for a good night’s rest. Tomorrow is an open day to relax, shop in the Christmas markets, and check out the Koln Chocolate Museum.
Cheers!
Casey and Dan
Comments
Chocolate Museum?!