Europe River Cruise 2018 - Cochem

One of the best loved towns on the Moselle River, Cochem is dominated by the massive Imperial Castle (Reichsburg), whose bristling towers and battlements add a fairytale touch to the lovely surroundings.

The castle was destroyed during Louis XIV in 1689.  In subsequent years, Cochem regained its status as an important wine trading town and 2 centuries later the castle was rebuilt.

Again, Ellen and I jumped off the ship early, skipped the guided tour, and started walking to the castle.  It was quite an uphill walk.

Vineyards surrounded the castle. 

The entrance to the castle

We got there just in time to take a guided tour.  The tour was in German but she gave us a sheet in English to follow along.  We didn't understand anything she said but at least we got to go through the castle. 

Dinging room

Hunters room

These big tankards contain the amount on wine one monk was allowed to drink each day - 1 1/4 gallons. 

Weapons room. Notice the huge armor. One of the knights was over 7 feet tall.

This big wardrobe is the most valuable piece of furniture in the castle - early Renaissance dating from 16th century. 

The largest room in the castle - the Knights room

Views from the balcony 

The castle is on a steep hill, 100 meters above the Moselle.  

This well is 150 feet deep and is how they got their water.  Now the castle gets water from the public water works.

There was a wedding going on and this was the getaway car. 

Red ivy on the walls

Beautiful flower garden 

We visited the church of St. Martin, the onion church because of the onion shaped spire.

Here is Ellen on the pedestrian street with the onion spire in background. 

Very colorful stained glass in church

The Market square

This curiously shaped half timbered house was built in 1625 and is now an attractive inn.

We decided not to go back to the ship for dinner and had a very nice local meal at a small cafe.  

Much better than the boat.

Europe River Trip - 2018: Bernkastal and Mosel River

We arrived at Bernkastal-Kues around noon.  These towns are on the Mosel River.  We tied up by another ship again and had to walk thru their reception area.  Ellen and I decided to skip lunch and walk the town before our guided tour.  Beautiful town. We walked over the bridge that seperates the two towns.  

Vineyards on the hillside 

We walked up the hill to the right and saw some amazing vineyards, most with grapes still on them.  This area is very famous for their wine.

Th Marktplatz (market square) provides an outstanding overview of medieval German domestic architecture.  The Old City Hall (now a tavern) is a fine Renaissance building.

The Pointed House has been restored to its former glory.

The Landshut castle on the hill was built in 1277.  It was largely destroyed by fire in 1692.  There is a cafe for those who want to make the climb. Ellen and I choose not to climb today.

We went back to my our ship and took the 2:00 tour.  Our tour guide was an English gal who had lived in the area for 13 years.  Here, she is explaining about the different floods that have plagued Bernkastal.

We started our tour on the Kues side where the Nicholas Hospital and church are located.  This was a charitable institution for the poor and sick.  He housed 33 older men in the 1400's and gave them a glass of wine per day.  The building also houses a wine museum and a huge wine cellar where for 18 euros you can taste as many and as much wine as you want.  

Entrance to wine cellar

Wine cellar with all the local wines, mainly Riesling .

St. Nicholas church

On the Bernkastal side our guide walked us thru the little pedestrian only streets.  She told the story of 'Doctor Wine' which is a very good Riesling .  I had to buy a bottle - only about $28.

Story of Doctor wine 

Another shot of the market place.

The tower of St Michael is a 13th century tower that belonged to the town's defensive fortifications and now is attached to the Catholic Church.

I was amazed at the amount of swans and beautiful ducks on the river.  These were close to our ship.