Travel around the world: Western Europe Trip

Cochem - Central Square

Today we plan to visit the Mosel Valley which while less renowned than the Rhein Valley is also well worth visiting for the castles, wineries and sheer beauty of the area. However to get there proves to be difficult from Luxembourg even though the Autobahn in Germany is supposed to be close. We get lost a few times, detoured by construction a few more but finally after we get on the Autobahn it is smooth sailing (driving) to our first goal, Burg Eltz, one of the more impressive castles on the Mosel. But first we have to find a parking spot and then it is a hike down to the castle as we decide to skip the bus for now. After walking for 10 minutes we glimpse for the first time the castle and it is as impressive as we remember.


Lots of visitors at Burg Eltz	Starting the descent


First sight of the castle - like in a fairytale	Close up view of castle

We continue down - this castle is the only one I can think off that is in a valley and not on a mountaintop - and soon arrive at the impressive entrance. We enter the castle and walk carefully through the interior areas, it is drizzling and it is slippery but we manage. There are flowers everywhere and it is quite beautiful.


Entrance to the castle - very defensible	Side view of the castle


Inside of castle	Flowers inside the castle

The interior of the castle is quite imposing even though we are just walking through the interior gates and examining the surrounding area. We decide to take a short stroll through the forest afterwards in memory of a longer trip we did quite some time ago. It is great to walk between all the greenery however with the drizzle it has the unfortunate side effect that we get a bit dirty and wet.


Burg Eltz - interior entrance	Really impressive


There are hiking trails near the castle	Signs pointing everywhere

As we return from the hike we get a few great views of the valley and of the castle but after taking a few pictures we have to hurry as the rain is starting in earnest and we still have to hike up the road to the parking lot. Overall it was a great visit and the castle is highly recommended if in the area.


View of the valley below the castle	Burg Eltz from the hiking trail


Another side view of the castle	Close up of the many towers of Burg Eltz

Our next stop is supposed to be Cochem a well preserved medieval town on the Mosel however on the way there we find another castle that we stop to visit, Burg Pyrmont. While it doesn't seem that we can enter the castle proper we view it from the nearby hill and also enjoy all the wildflowers in the forest.


Burg Pyrmont View	Another view of Burg Pyrmont


Flowers near Pyrmont	Employee parking - not really loved here:)

After Pyrmont we find the road to Cochem with some difficulty as some roads are closed and sometimes it is not clear which direction to go on the narrow country roads. We notice a lot of weird signs with speed(?) limits for tanks and it also seems that windpower is popular in the area besides of course wine. And then we arrive in Cochem which right from the beginning captivates us through its charm and well preserved downtown area.


Windmills on the way	Not sure what this means - signs were everywhere


Cochem inner city tower gate	View of Cochem

The central square of Cochem is beautifully preserved with the City Hall and a few wealthy merchant houses lining up the square. It is also full of tourists enjoying the area and shopping at the many stores selling souvenirs and food specialties.


Cochem - Central Square	Very pictoresque


City Hall	Cochem emblem

One of our goals in Cochem was to at least see the Imperial fortress so we walk up trying to get to the top of the hill to catch a glimpse of the fortress. As we walk away from the main area the crowds thin out but the houses are still well maintained and quite old. Finally just when we intend to give up we see the castle in the distance, it looks impressive and we decide that we will have to visit it when we will come back to the area.


Climbing to see the castle	Narrow street going up


Finally a view of the famous castle	Close up of castle

But the castle is not the only thing that can be seen from the top of the hill. The whole of Cochem is spread in front of us as well as the winding Mosel and the grape fields that produce the well known Mosel wines.


Modern side of Cochem	Vineyards were everywhere


Nice view of the Mosel Valley	Cochem city wall

All this hiking made us very hungry so after getting back to the downtown area we buy some comfort food from a take out restaurant right in the central plaza. The food is cheap, simple and delicious just as we like it. Satiated we return to the car but not before first making a stop at a bridge across the Mosel where we see lots of semi tame waterbirds. And then we drive back towards Trier and then Luxembourg stopping only at a supermarket to buy provisions for the next days.