cochem was a really neat little town. it sits in the Mosel valley along the Mosel river. there are grapevines growing all along the sides of the mountains. I love the small town feeling of this place... still lots of restaurants and shops and touristy things to do.
yesterday we took a train to another small town about 15 minutes away. then we walked through the town following a little babbling stream... so pretty. we got to the edge of town and started our hike up to the castle. the weather was great... 70's and sunny so we didn't get too hot! the wooded area opened up and then you saw this huge castle. it wasn't along a river like most castles in this region. (castles were put along rivers so people passing through would have to pay a toll to continue on... otherwise they would sink your ship. the burg eltz castle sat along a trading route. same concept of collecting a toll only on land rather than water.) the castle had 3 wings and each wing housed a family. they said this was a living castle not a fighting castle. it is a 500 year old castle that was never attacked thus preserving it more so than other castles. it came under siege at one time during its history. the people inside remained there for 5years until they didn't have any food left... thus surrendering to the siege.
we ate a picnic lunch of cheese ham and soft pretzels.... ohh and Mosel valley wine. we had a great view of the castle. (only bummer was that the castle is under a huge renovation and has been for a few years. parts of the castle have scaffolding and are covered up... they also have a huge crane above it. not the most ideal, but hey... a castle is a castle.
we came back and went out for a vin-probe ( wine tasting) at a cute place along the river. I liked a certain wine and asked the waitress about it. she tried to explain and then said that the grapes were actually grown right across the way. so we took a picture of me drinking the wine with the background being the grapes growing on the mountainside right across the river! how neat!
today we are headed to Munich by train. the train is cool because we are in 1st class and have our own little cabin room with a table and big seats.
auf wiedersehen... that is good bye in German! (after my mess up in Paris I decided to practice my German as to not make the same mistake again.)
I am so glad you guys are back online! I have been checking the past couple of days and was disappointed that there were no new stories!!
ReplyDeleteAmy - in Germany they also say "Tusch" for a casual good-bye (it sounds like "shoes").
Have a Wiessbier for me!
Love the stories..keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat experience with the castle.
Is the winery like Shamrock?
Sounds like you are getting to eat some gooooooooood food! Very jealous.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to say hello to our parent company, "Mother" Munich Re while in Munich. I'm still waiting for my big promotion when they send me over there for a visit!!! :-)
Have a great time in Munchen (why do we call it Munich?) The pretzels and beer there area great. I am sure you will visit the famous beer hall there - crazier than than Haufbrahaus! Did you visit the bell tower in Karlplatz (I think that was the place)?
ReplyDeleteI am getting so jealous with all of the Germany talk. Okay Amy & Josh, I will be flying over tonight and getting into the airport around 10:00. You don't mind me tagging along do ya? Haha I do that enough when you are here. Hope all is well. Love the stories! Keep 'em coming!
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