Germany is renowned for its charming small towns From the half-timbered buildings of Quedlinburg to the medieval allure of Bamberg these towns provide a perfect backdrop for a tranquil weekend retreat Did you know that Germany boasts over 25,000 castles Whether you're exploring medieval streets or soaking in serene landscapes these towns make for an unforgettable escape from the everyday hustle A lovely weekend retreat in Quedlinburg is ideal if you hope to experience a mental reset from the hustle and bustle of your current reality you’ll have access to a short and sweet list of pleasant attractions is an old structure that can be traced back to 1310 visitors and locals alike are welcome to admire the centuries-old building Other museums and art galleries worth exploring in Quedlinburg include the Lyonel-Feininger-Galerie and the Schlossmuseum Anyone aiming to feel a little more connected to their faith during a weekend retreat in Quedlinburg can visit Stiftskirche St which is a church that was consecrated in 1129 The stunning Medieval appearance of the church is as picturesque as it gets A weekend retreat in a town that doesn't have incredible resort-style hotels wouldn’t exactly be worth it That's why Quedlinburg is a winning choice to make Some resort-style hotels you can book nearby include the Naturresort & Spa Schindelbruch If visiting a place like Rome without spending the same amount of money appeals to you, then Bamberg should be on your radar. This beautiful German town is often compared to Rome thanks to the structure of its buildings and the fact that Bamberg's roots trace back to the Middle Ages Sites like the Bamberg Cathedral and Michaelsburg Abbey are a prime example showcasing intricate architecture dating back to the 11th century Depending on your taste for alcoholic beverages Bamberg could be the ideal destination for your weekend getaway since it’s highly revered for its long list of incredible breweries Some of the best places adults of legal age can order tall glasses of beer include Aecht Schlenkerla A weekend getaway in Bamberg only gets more perfect with the right resort-style hotel room to unwind in and the Weinhaus Messerschmitt are undoubtedly worthwhile Lounging on the sandy beaches of Rügen is a wonderful way to relax and unwind during a calming weekend retreat Wellness enthusiasts who hope to remain active have access to gorgeous hiking trails in Rügen including the High Bank Hiking Trail Loop From Ostseebad Binz and the Great Forest Trail Loop From Hagen Hotels with spa areas for an undeniable resort-style vibe include NiXe Boutique Hotel & Spa Some travelers are convinced that a weekend retreat in a town like Marburg is reminiscent of stepping into the pages of a German fairytale That’s because the architecture in Marburg is so similar to what you'd see in old-school folklore Some buildings visitors and locals can visit include the Saint Elizabeth’s Church The botanical gardens in Marburg are also breathtakingly divine After originally being founded in the 1800s Marburg’s botanical garden is consistently in full bloom and greenhouses that keep the greenery lush and healthy and it is the legendary pathway that reminds fairytale lovers of their favorite Grimm stories ever Grimm fairytales have been circulating for centuries visitors can relax with a spa at hotel options such as the Vila Vita Rosenpark Heppenheim is a lovely German town to set your sites on for a weekend getaway thanks to its welcoming ambiance toward tourists wine lovers think of Napa Valley when roaming through the streets of town People can schedule wine tastings at one of around 400 wine-grower stops along Hessian and Badische Bergstrasse vineyards The local wine culture comes to life during the Bergsträßer Weinmarkt in late June This event is a bustling wine market where one can smell and buy their favorite drinks to take back home Sipping wine isn’t the only way to relax on a weekend getaway in Heppenheim Adventure lovers will enjoy laying eyes on the Rodenstein Castle Ruins and the Sea of Rocks a bizarre collection of rocks perfect for an outdoor hike Travelers will have much to explore if they select Brandenburg as the German town for a weekend getaway or retreat This destination is perfect for folks who appreciate eye-catching architecture and structures that have been standing for many centuries Spending a day in Brandenburg means seeing breathtaking buildings like the 1165 Brandenburg Cathedral Anyone filled to the brim with curiosity to learn more can absorb facts about the history of Germany at one of Brandenburg’s many museums These include the Industrial Museum Brandenburg and the Brandenburg State Archaeology Museum Outdoor activities such as boating and swimming are also quite common among locals and visitors in Brandenburg Top-notch bodies of water in Brandenburg include Schwielowsee As far as luxurious weekend getaway stays go the hotels in Brandenburg are also top-of-the-line If you only had 48 hours and had to choose one small town in Germany to spend your time in and the hotel options to stay in are all sublime the Meissen Cathedral on the Elbe River has a fabulous reputation for being incredibly aesthetically pleasing The oldest castle in Germany is located in Meissen Guests are welcome to take self-guided tours through the castle to lay eyes on all of its wonder and allure Dining at restaurants like The Golden Anker and Sophienkeller Im Taschenbergpalais guarantees guests the opportunity to taste authentic German food during their mini vacations A few upscale hotels where folks can rest their heads at night in Meissen are the Dorint Parkhotel Meißen the Romantik Hotel Burgkeller Residenz Kerstinghaus and the Hotel Wellness Goldenes Fass Meißen There are a handful of pleasant things to do in Cochem for travelers who need a blissful weekend getaway or retreat If you’re hoping to lay eyes on structures that will remind you of the fairytales you read as a child be sure to visit Cochem Imperial Castle as part of your itinerary Stepping inside the Moselland Museum gives guests the opportunity to understand what life was like for people living in Germany during the 1950s and 1960s Walking along the Moselle Promenade is a beautiful thing to do if you enjoy seeing lush greenery and gentle river water flowing The luxurious hotel options are impossible to ignore as well Some top names in the region are the Moselromantik Hotel Kessler Meyer and Moselstern Hotel Brixiade & Triton which have comfortable room rentals to select from If a weekend retreat in a small German town like Quedlinburg excites you with its historical charm Rügen offers a haven for those seeking spa experiences and true relaxation Wine enthusiasts will find their perfect escape in Heppenheim while Meissen's dining scene adds another layer of delight to your retreat Germany is a treasure trove of charming small towns each offering unique experiences for an unforgettable weekend retreat photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Cochem will be all about the blossoming of the MoselWeinbergPeach when the MoselWeinbergPeach Blossom Market takes place on Endertplatz the stalls offer a wide variety of products such as tea chocolates and other delicacies made from this delicious fruit which you can sample here to your heart's content Visitors will also be offered many suggestions on the many ways to use and process the fruit how to plant it and how to look after it properly An event organised by the town of Cochem in cooperation with the association "Interessengemeinschaft MoselWeinbergPfirsich e A house with a basement vault full of money sounds like the storyline lifted from the pages of comics featuring Scrooge McDuck more than half of the country’s currency reserves were once stored beneath residential homes The Cold War nuclear bunker of the Bundesbank the bunker was transformed into a museum open to the public It seemed like a perfect activity on a cold and cloudy day so a shuttle brings visitors from downtown to the museum We walked instead and after about 20 minutes we arrived at a concrete-and-glass entrance at the end of a hillside cul-de-sac Behind the ordinary facade of the building was the original bunker entrance The camouflage was so effective that the buildings were never suspected of harboring billions in what might be one of the world’s most unusual basements To explain the heavy foot traffic at the site until its closure in 1993 the government designated it the official training and recreation home of the Bundesbank The bunker itself was accessed via a secret tunnel from inside the house Visitors today can stay in the former camouflaged buildings at “Hotel Vintage,” which maintains the site as a bed and breakfast But why was it once necessary to hide money in this sleepy neighborhood Nazi agents planned to influence the British pound with fake currency created in forced labor camps Operation Bernhard was intended to cripple the United Kingdom’s wartime economy by devaluing British cash reserves “That can be very destabilizing very quickly.” Fearing similar threats from the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War West German planners wanted to be able to replace a weakened German mark quickly in case the country were flooded with counterfeit money Should the public lose faith in the validity of the marks in their wallets the federal reserve would have rolled out all-new Bundesbank-Series II bills Germany need a secure location for the reserves of “BBK II.” One fear was the looming threat of nuclear attack “This location along the Moselle seemed particularly protected (from attack),” Moonsen said “One thought that a possible atomic pressure wave during the Cold War would simply sweep across the deep river valley.” Cochem’s proximity to the Bundesbank headquarters in Frankfurt and the West German capital also was deemed ideal for the reserve cache Construction of the bunker began in 1960 and was completed in 1965 costing what would be almost $99 million today When residents complained about the construction noise they were they told that the structure was an air raid shelter they would be able to use in case of war as many shelters were built during those days,” Moonsen said the federal bank began transporting freshly printed bills via hundreds of truck deliveries the vault stored about 15 billion marks for more than two decades visitors enter the airlocked corridor through blast-proof metal doors equipped with a mannequin in full protection gear highlights the drab vision of the doomsday scenario the bunker was prepared for: a nuclear attack on Germany Unlike the treasure in Scrooge McDuck’s money chamber this one had no coins or gold bars to dive into It was all paper money in various denominations stacked floor to ceiling in shipment-ready boxes in a humidity-controlled underground chamber Only replica boxes now remain to show visitors the extent of the stash while imitations of the BBK-II replacement series can be bought as souvenirs the money was usually not guarded by more than three men of the site management and custodial staff so as to not arouse suspicion the alternative bills weren’t valid anyway were kept at the Bundesbank headquarters in Frankfurt,” Moonsen said the authorized staff had to travel from Frankfurt to check on the facility.” As electronic finance and security requirements changed over the decades By the time the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and long before the arrival of the euro all money in the bunker had been removed and destroyed leaving an almost untouched historical site vacant The hills of Cochem provided a wonderful view of the town and the Moselle River before we headed home Hours: The bunker must be visited as part of a tour tours are available once per hour from 11 a.m Cost: German language tours through the facility start at 13 euros per adult and 7 euros for children under 17 Pre-booked English group tours are available for a 30-euro additional fee The German Mosel-Saar-Lahn Navigation Office confirmed that operations on this key waterway will remain suspended until at least March 2025 carrying approximately 1,500 tonnes of scrap metal and the vessel itself sustained no significant material damage The fire brigade successfully intervened to prevent oil leakage and confirmed no water had leaked onto the ship The circumstances leading to the collision are still under investigation Initial reports suggest that the lock was not fully prepared for the ship's entry and the vessel was unauthorized to proceed at the time of the incident Repairs to the lock are expected to take several months with the earliest completion projected for late March 2025 the disruption has stranded around 70 vessels traveling along the Moselle toward the Rhine left and Minister President Anke Rehlinger speak to local residents as they visit Kleinblittersdorf Scholz has toured flooded regions in the southwest where rivers have swelled and caused flash floods and landslides after heavy rain and severe weather German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets the emergency services who were deployed to help with the Saar floodings in Saarbruecken The highway entrance to the A620 in Saarbrücken is flooded as heavy continuous rain has caused multiple floods and landslides in Saarland A man makes his way through a flooded road in Lebach centre left and Minister President Anke Rehlinger visit Kleinblittersdorf Three motorcyclists are traveling on the B49 road The German weather service lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly The Moselle river overflows its banks in Cochem The floodwater of the Moselle river stands in the old town of Cochem BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday toured flooded regions in the southwest Scholz canceled his attendance at an election campaign event in Saarland and instead wore rain boots as he walked on a partially flooded road in the village of Kleinblittersdorf together with regional Gov Emergency services have responded to thousands of requests for help in the state capital of Saarbrücken Several buildings in the city had to be evacuated as houses and cellars were flooded Cars were partially submerged and streets filled with water The city set up alternative accommodation in schools and established a hotline for those affected There was no immediate information about the exact scale of the damage The Moselle and Bas-Rhin regions of eastern France that border Germany also saw rivers burst their banks flooded streets and roads severed by floodwaters after heavy rains Scholz assured the state of Saarland of the federal government’s solidarity it is not the first time that we have to manage a big natural disaster and therefore we will of course look at what needs to be done here now and what is necessary,” he told reporters Saarland has already implemented first steps to release financial support The German weather service in the meantime lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly Authorities in Saarland said such flash flood only happen every 20 to 50 years It feels as though the entire country transforms into a winter wonderland While many of us in the Wiesbaden and Kaiserslautern areas plan far-off trips to check off seasonal bucket lists head off the beaten path along the Mosel River where there is still plenty of frosty fun and shenanigans to be had Cochem lies along the western flanks of the Rheinland-Pfalz approximately two hours north of the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) and an hour and a half west of Wiesbaden The town has a fascinating history dating back to the Celts and Romans Once an imperial outpost fit for kings and archbishops Cochem suffered severely during a plague outbreak beginning in 1423 the town was invaded during the Thirty Years War but not officially conquered the French burned down the castle in 1689 and declared victory the city returned to Prussian control and became part of what became Germany After mounting devastating losses in the historical district during World War II the city was meticulously rebuilt into the lovely town you see today Cochem comes alive with holiday spirit and cheer The Altstadt is usually transformed into a charming menagerie of alpine huts and twinkling lights for the Cochem “Weihnachtsmarkt” during the holiday season spiced lebkuchen and warm glühwein waft through the streets it’s still worth wandering through the cobblestone alleyways and along the riverbank The impressive half-timbered houses lend a fairy-tale charm especially when covered with a light dusting of sugar-fine snow Muster up your strength (and your euros) and make the trek up the hill to Cochem Castle Overlooking the Mosel River valley and the picture-perfect town below it’s easy to feel as though you’ve been whisked away to another time and place Walk along the mighty fortress walls or head inside for a guided tour if it’s a bit cold don’t let the dormant rows of grapevines fool you This area is known for its award-winning wines so head to a local winery and warm up with some world-famous vintages With medieval flair and friendly residents it’s easy to see why Cochem is a popular stop on river cruise itineraries It’s a stunningly beautiful place to visit any time of year and is even more mesmerizing during the late fall and winter as the summer crowds fade away Take a stroll through the charming old town and promenade along the river Escape the ordinary for a quick getaway or a long weekend It’s worth the trip and one of Germany’s notable highlights One consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a revival of fears that another “hot war” will expand to other parts of Europe cited an Agence France-Presse news service story that said interest in access to the safe haven of underground bunkers was on the rise in the region in a residential area of the small western German town of Cochem is now a museum with an important link to currency perhaps informed by its experience with Operation Bernhard when the Nazis used concentration camp prisoners to forge English bank notes in an attempt to ruin the enemy’s economy were fearful the Russians would do the same to them The Bundesbank as a countermeasure to this eventuality printed and hid away 15 billion deutschemarks worth of emergency currency codenamed “BBK II” deep in a nuclear bunker directly under Cochem It was such a highly classified secret that no one in Cochem knew about it for years about 11 billion Deutsche marks were stored at the bank headquarters in Frankfurt and 100-mark notes that ended up filling 18,300 boxes in 12 floor-to-ceiling cages in a space accessed via a secret passage from what was called an employee training and development center The faces of these bank notes were almost identical to the real ones then in circulation as the Cold War neared its end and bank note technology became more sophisticated the secret currency no longer met Bundesbank security standards all the never-used money had been destroyed All such notes today are said to be facsimiles the bunker became the property of a regional cooperative bank and then a real estate fund It was bought in 2016 by German couple Manfred and Petra Reuter who turned it into the Bundesbank Bunker Museum that is still open to visitors Paper Money World Coins Germany — The vision of ravenous wild boars feasting on succulent grapes in the family’s vineyard along the Moselle River gives Stefania Ring’s husband The proprietress of Weinstube Zum Kapuziner points toward the opposite bank of the river where Ulrich tends by hand the 40-year-old vines clinging to six acres of terraced ground in the Cond District my husband looks out the window and sees the wild boars eating our grapes,” she says so they grow fat in our vineyard.” Fortunately the Rings still have plenty of grapes at harvest to produce a variety of Riesling specialty wines which are offered for tastings in their upstairs tavern and sold by the bottle in their street-level wine shop on Moselpromenade Stefania brings a flight of white wines and a tray of finger food to the small table on the outdoor balcony where Doug and I are admiring the Moselle and watching white tour boats packed with boisterous passengers motor past and a honey-like riesling spatlese — while nibbling on salami “The steep slate slopes make this wine-growing area special,” Stefania says “The old stone contains minerals you can taste in the wine where the sun is low and not very intensive The steepness of the slopes increases the sun’s intensity and warmth The Moselle Valley’s abundance of water and wine established Cochem as a thriving viticulture and wine trade center centuries ago and continues to attract an estimated 2½ million visitors annually But history has not always been kind to the town The storied medieval settlement on the riverbank and its imperial castle were ravaged in 1688 by French troops under the monarchy of Louis XIV Decades of painstaking work were needed to rebuild Cochem according to a medieval ground plan and re-create its Old World craftsmanship and architecture we stroll to the boat pier and board the Stadt Zell for an afternoon cruise We find seats on the sun-dappled upper deck and order two Bitburger Pils beers The tour boat glides beneath the scalloped Moselle bridge and wends its way past rainbow-colored townhouses and steeple-topped stone churches We scan the vineyards stitched into the slopes hoping to see a wily wild boar or two We see farmers pruning vines high on terraces and cyclists pedaling along a bike path by the river The Stadt Zell’s tour guide regales us with historical tidbits about towns along the route where the boat lets passengers on and off is famed for its wine-making and the jagged ruins of Coraidelstein castle rests upon the site of a Stone Age settlement and contains the ruins of a Roman temple and villas were shaped by shifting political and religious tides over the centuries a bustling market town during the Middle Ages encircles a Late Gothic church while Karden is known for the three-towered church of St which preserves part of a Romanesque cloister tells us she canceled an earlier Rhine River cruise after heavy rainfall and flooding prevented tour boats from navigating the waterway because we’re able to see the scenery along the river,” she says the Reichsburg beckons to us from atop its vineyard-clad pinnacle We disembark and enter the Altstadt through a low archway one of seven remaining stone gateways from the town’s 14th-century fortifications Our somewhat circuitous path up to the castle takes us past Cochem’s Town Hall on Marketplace Square and the half-timbered Schiefes House (crooked house) on Herrenstrasse that seems poised to tip over on unwary passersby Mud-spattered Dutch cyclists hoist their beer steins for a picture in front of the Old Dutch Cochem We reach Schlossstrasse and begin climbing up the steeply angled street leading to the Reichsburg we stop to catch our breath at the Walter J tells us the low-vaulted-ceiling cellar dates 600 years and has been owned by his winemaking family since 1780 After fortifying ourselves with a taste of crisp riesling and fruity Bacchus wine we continue our upward climb to the castle entrance Nearly 180 years after the castle was burned down by the French the ruins were purchased for 300 gold marks by Berlin merchant Louis Ravene He restored it in a romantic neo-Gothic style we marvel at the rich oak carvings in the grand dining hall the savage-looking boar’s head in the hunters’ room the checkerboard town and deeply shadowed Moselle appear like a splendid tapestry bathed in golden afternoon sunlight Church bells clang as we scurry back down Schlossstrasse to the Moselpromenade stopping to buy a replica antique Masonic sword at the BelMondo gift shop A local oom-pah band pumps out familiar German tunes on Carl-Fritz Nicolay Platz and tantalizing aromas fill the early evening air Wild boar meat is listed on the menu boards at several restaurants giving some assurance that vintner Ulrich Ring will sleep a little sounder tonight Claudia Capos can be reached at capocomm@sbcglobal.net. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information Thanks to its long history, rich culture, and well-established traditions, Germany is home to some of the most interesting places to visit in Europe Dotted across the country are countless small towns that each boast their very own charm and character and each of which offers curious travelers no end of fun things to do and see From picturesque small towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Lindau with their well-preserved medieval architecture and fairy-tale ambiance to the scenic setting of Cochem on the Moselle River together paint a compelling picture of a Germany that thrives on its uniqueness The charming island town of Lindau on Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Bavaria is easy to get to from Munich and its international airport it is connected to the mainland by a bridge and a causeway used by vehicle traffic Lindau’s recorded history goes back as far as the 9th century and it’s known to have been fortified by the Romans at one point The town’s picturesque Harbor Entrance is unique for its lighthouse (Neuer Leuchtturm) and the Bavarian Lion statue (Bayerischer Löwe), which stand as guardians over the town and boat traffic that come and go. In addition to the spectacular views over Lake Constance and the Alps in Austria and Switzerland it is a great place to hop aboard a tour boat or simply sit at a café and watch the world go by this elegant spa offers visitors a ritualized bathing experience that promotes wellness and relaxation A more contemporary take on thermal bathing can be enjoyed at Caracalla Spa and steam baths set amidst beautiful gardens Other quirky things to do in Baden Baden include visiting the Kurhaus an architectural marvel housing the old-school Casino Baden-Baden; and the Festspielhaus Europe's second-largest opera and concert house Quedlinburg’s location, mid-way between Hanover and Leipzig, makes it a great destination for a day trip or overnight getaway. This UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of an impressive 52 in Germany all told) is worth visiting for its large collection of over 2,000 well-preserved half-timbered houses and landmark buildings spanning six centuries The Fachwerkmuseum im Ständerbau museum is a must-visit and delves into the history and construction of these half-timbered houses The centerpiece of this amazing architectural collection is Quedlinburg Abbey this Romanesque masterpiece sits atop Schlossberg Hill It houses the tombs of the first German King which contains medieval art and religious artifacts Other must-visits include Quedlinburg's Market Square (Marktplatz) and its Renaissance Town Hall (Rathaus) Usually referred to simply as “Rothenburg,” Rothenburg ob der Tauber is every inch the traditional German fairy-tale town. Located on the spectacular Romantic Road scenic driving route in the heart of beautiful Bavaria it is a delightful town to explore on foot a yellow half-timbered house at a fork in the road along with the fountain in front and the Siebers Tower and Kobolzeller Tower framing the scene is one of the most photographed spots in Germany The Market Square (Marktplatz) serves as the heart of Rothenburg Photographic highlights include the Town Hall (Rathaus) with its impressive Renaissance façade and tower (be sure to climb the tower for its views); St home to the Holy Blood altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider a masterpiece of wood carving; and walking the old town walls Two quirky museums to visit include the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum) and the Christmas Museum (Weihnachtsmuseum) which celebrates the town's year-round Christmas spirit Known as the "City of Towers and Gates," Ravensburg is an often-overlooked gem that should be included on any Southern Germany travel itinerary The townscape is blessed with 10 historic towers and many able to be visited as you explore the Old Town (Altstadt) area were part of the town's original fortifications and today offer panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside Ravensburg’s role as an important trading and market center is evident in the Marienplatz, the main square, which is surrounded by historic buildings, including the Waaghaus and the Rathaus (Town Hall). The town’s quirkier side can be explored at Museum Ravensburger, a fun attraction dedicated to the history of the iconic board game and puzzle maker Its stunning Moselle Valley setting makes Cochem a must-visit in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. This picture-perfect small town, a regular stop for passing river cruises, is home to the spectacular 12th-century Reichsburg Castle Perched on a commanding hilltop overlooking the river and the town guided castle tours paint a fascinating look into the times of knights and nobility Exploring Cochem's old town center is a must for its half-timbered homes and market square (Marktplatz) Martin's Church and the Baroque town hall (Rathaus) Cochem is a gateway to the Moselle wine region with numerous vineyards and wineries offering tastings and tours Another quirky attraction is the Cochem Chairlift (Cochemer Sesselbahn Talstation) which transports visitors up to the Pinnerkreuz lookout point for panoramic views of the area While much of Friedrichshafen’s town center was destroyed during WWII due to its industrial importance there is a very good reason for tourists to want to include this interesting Baden-Württemberg destination on their list of top places to visit in Germany that the very first Zeppelin took flight… and it’s here that tourists can experience the thrill of flying in a Zeppelin airship for themselves  Zeppelin flights are available from the town’s airport and boast breathtaking aerial views of Lake Constance and the surrounding region Whether before or after a flight, a visit to the Zeppelin Museum is a must. Housed in the former Harbor Railway Station (Hafenbahnhof), this fascinating attraction features the world's largest collection related to airship travel and the history of Zeppelin aviation, including details of the ill-fated Hindenburg disaster of 1937 famous for its Sun Organ (Sonnenorgel); constructed in 1703 this elegantly decorated instrument is still in use for recitals that are open to the public and provide a somewhat quirky musical journey back in time Exploring the town’s picturesque Lower Market Square (Untermarkt) is time well spent the oldest Renaissance building in Germany and home to the interesting Silesian Museum with its displays relating to local history and culture Boppard sits along the picturesque Rhine River in the Rhineland-Palatinate region and is the closest community to the spectacular Rhine Loop Best seen from the vantage point of the Vierseenblick (Four-Lakes View,) just a 30-minute walk from the town center this panoramic bend in the Rhine gives the impression you are looking at a series of interconnected lakes rather than a river The town is also famous for the Boppard Chairlift (Sesselbahn Boppard) which carries visitors up to the Gedeonseck viewpoint for even more views of the Rhine Loop as it has been designated part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley Exploring the quirkiest towns in Germany offers a superb opportunity to experience a journey through some of Europe’s most impressive countryside and historic landmarks From the well-preserved half-timbered houses of Quedlinburg to the fairy-tale streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber these charming communities embody the spirit of a bygone era and invite adventurous travelers to venture off the beaten track and explore Germany — Russia’s monthslong war in Ukraine appears to be swaying Germans’ stance on storage of U.S nuclear weapons after decades of staunch advocacy for removal of NATO’s most powerful deterrent a majority of respondents in a recent survey supported maintaining U.S with some favoring the modernization and expansion of those munitions German national and international news service Tagesschau reported earlier this month a TV magazine of German public broadcaster ARD surveyed 1,337 eligible voters from May 30 to June 1 asking what they would like to see done with the nuclear weapons still believed to be stored in Germany’s Eifel region In a 2019 NATO parliamentary assembly report the alliance accidentally published the locations of U.S the location of the weapons had long been considered an open secret expressed support for keeping the weapons in Germany while 12% said the munitions should be modernized and augmented nuclear warheads are stored at Buechel Air Base a German installation near the city of Cochem about 43 miles from the U.S.-operated Spangdahlem Air Base and German governments will disclose precise numbers and locations for security reasons has deployed a limited number of B-61 nuclear weapons to locations in Europe The move is seen as strengthening Germany’s role with regard to NATO’s nuclear deterrence policy Air Force’s 702nd Munitions Support Squadron which falls under Spangdahlem’s 52nd Fighter Wing overseeing reserve munitions in support of the German air force and directly supporting NATO operations The ARD poll results contrast sharply with surveys taken as recently as two years ago A 2020 public opinion poll taken for the Munich Security Conference found that 66% of Germans believed “that Germany should completely abandon deterrence with nuclear weapons,” according to an excerpt of the October 2020 Munich Security Report Of the 31% of respondents who at the time supported Germany’s continued reliance on nuclear deterrence a majority said the country should rely on France and the United Kingdom for such measures rather than the U.S. Germans’ move away from pacifist tendencies as a result of Russia’s unprovoked invasion has been mirrored in the government Chancellor Olaf Scholz steered $107 billion to modernize the military and put it on a better footing among NATO counterparts Scholz’s government has come under intense criticism for failing to deliver promised weapons to Ukraine in a timely manner The war in Ukraine has reignited fears in Europe and the U.S Russian President Vladimir Putin has at times threatened to use nuclear weapons to express objections to U.S and NATO military assistance provided to Ukraine Under a “nuclear sharing arrangement” with allies if NATO conducted a nuclear mission in a conflict the weapons would be carried by allied aircraft and supported by conventional forces across the alliance The lady of the castle stands on the battlements of her fortress and surveys the sweeping lands at her feet her loyal servants at her side with swords and shields in their hands to keep their mistress safe Enemies could be lurking in the thick forests or they could attack by boat along the river if only … but before you can finish your thoughts bringing you back down to earth with a bump Your children have charged on ahead in their knights’ costumes and your wife has also managed to tear herself away from the fascinating view – it is so easy to get swept away by the fascination of times gone by in the castles palaces and fortresses of Rhineland‑Palatinate Our six castle adventures in Rhineland‑Palatinate are all places you can take your whole family on a voyage of discovery into the past Reichsburg Castle in Cochem on the Moselle Dine as in the Middle Ages at the Knight's Gasterey for the whole family at Reichsburg Cochem The wonderful views you could hardly bear to drag yourself away from come from your visit to the fairy-tale Reichsburg Castle in Cochem the castle stands on a rocky outcrop high above the Moselle surrounded by the steep slopes of the river valley while the dense tree-covered hills of the Eifel and the Hunsrück creep towards it from the right and the left You are currently enjoying the special guided tour following in the footsteps of Ravené to mark what would have been the 200th birthday of the architect overseeing the reconstruction of the Reichsburg You have also signed up for the ghost tour later which will allow the little ones to explore all those hidden corners of the castle said to be haunted by ghosts You have also heard good things about the Rittergasterey an evening event in the castle vaults including a rustic meal just like the knights of old would have enjoyed with music and games to transport you back to the Middle Ages!  View of the old walls of Kastellaun Castle Hiking to the fairytale castle of Eltz near Wierschem After your adventures in the wooded hills of the Hunsrück, the next step is the pretty Eltz Castle deep in the forests below the Maifeld picture-perfect sweeping valley of the Elzbach This castle was once occupied by multiple branches of a noble family at the same time and as every family wanted to build their own tower the result was the fairy-tale castle we see today sitting on a clifftop high above the stream below who offer you and your loved ones not only traditional tours through the faithfully restored castle but also special guided tours for children guaranteeing an authentic castle experience with a real medieval feel Berwartstein Castle boasts a similarly remote and idyllic setting sitting in a winding side valley surrounded by the countless hills and serried ranks of trees in the Palatinate Forest Set just a few kilometres from the French border it is one of the only castle complexes in the Palatinate that is still lived in today You can even feel like a real nobleman of old and stay the night before you start exploring You can follow in the footsteps of the former castle owner and infamous robber baron Hans Trapp and find out about his misdeeds during the exciting and informative tours through the torture and weapons chambers into the underground vaults it is said that they only reveal their secrets by candlelight The wonderful viewpoints affording vistas as far as Alsace in France and the leisurely child-friendly tour of Berwartstein Castle make your excursion to this robber baron castle a lovely bucolic experience Knighthood at Berwartstein Castle on a family adventure in Rhineland-Palatinate Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in the Romantic Rhine region With the family on a voyage of discovery at Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz After the tranquil scenery of the Palatinate Forest, our next step takes us to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress one of the cultural centres of the city of Koblenz This imposing and surprisingly modern-looking complex stands guard over the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle It has its roots in an 11th-century castle but was converted into one of the largest fortresses in Europe under Prussian rule in the 19th century You take the cable car from the Deutsches Eck up over the Rhine to the citadel and as both attractions are certified under the ‘Reisen für Alle’ accessibility scheme Once you get to the striking castle at the top the first thing on the agenda is a voyage of discovery not to mention the impressive giant cannon the ‘Time Express’ takes you on a trip through the past with interactive timelines where the children can have fun finding about the nearly 5,000 years of Ehrenbreitstein as a settlement Visit to the butterfly garden at Sayn Castle with the whole family, Romantic Rhine A unique landscape of castles can be found along the Romantic Rhine. Many of them are home to restaurants, museums or hotels. Spend a night like the lord or lady of the castle. Tulips And Belgian DelightsLeaving from: Amsterdam →+6 ports 18 Nights  Europe - AllRomantic Rhine & Moselle With SwitzerlandLeaving from: Amsterdam →+14 ports 14 Nights  Europe - AllRomantic Rhine & MoselleLeaving from: Amsterdam →+13 ports 2026(5)Scenic RiverCruise Critic FavoriteScenic Amber14 Nights 14 Nights  Europe - AllRomantic Rhine & MoselleLeaving from: Zurich →+14 ports Amsterdam & The Dutch B...Leaving from: Amsterdam →+6 ports 2026(2)Riviera TravelGeoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer7 Nights 2026Scenic River.css-ad1o0y{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;height:-webkit-max-content;height:-moz-max-content;height:max-content;margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-6);}Scenic Jasper14 Nights 2026(3)Riviera TravelViking GefjonViking GefjonViking GefjonViking Gefjon9 Nights 9 Nights  Europe - AllTulips & WindmillsLeaving from: Amsterdam →+9 ports 2026(5)Viking River CruisesViking VeViking VeViking VeViking Ve9 Nights 2027(10)Viking River CruisesScenic Jasper14 Nights Though now known as something of a shopping destination Arnhem has a rich World War II history to explore Be cautious of vehicular and bicycle traffic when you're on foot -- pedestrians do not have the right of way A stop in Arnhem makes for a lovely day of wandering through historic sights within walking distance of the city's main shopping district as well as the Battle of Arnhem Information Center at the foot of the John Frost Bridge There are a handful of restaurants in the immediate vicinity and on a sunny day their terraces are a nice place to sip a drink and look out over the water you'll need to walk about 10 minutes further into the city it is imperative that you watch out for bicyclists and cars when walking around Pedestrians do not have the right of way in the Netherlands This is especially true where bicyclists are concerned They do not slow down and they can come from any direction unexpectedly so be sure to look every which way before stepping onto a bike lane cars and trucks will drive on many of the narrow streets -- and even in squares -- so always keep an eye and ear open for oncoming traffic Most of Arnhem's main attractions are too far afield to walk; an organized tour is your best bet as most itineraries do not spend a full day in the city and so your time is tight A short walking tour through the city will take you past the Historic Cellars and St If your riverboat doesn't have bikes and you're interested in renting one for a few hours head 10 to 15 minutes into the city to the central rail station and look for the "Fietsenstalling" sign where you can rent a bike for the day The Netherlands is part of the European community While credit cards are accepted in many stores in almost all cases you need a card with a chip and pin including two ING banks (just look for the bright orange lions on the sign) with ATMs; the larger of the two is on Willemsplein about two minutes away from the information center Dutch is the official language of Arnhem but almost everyone speaks English Just say hello first and you'll be greeted in English Only riverboats can visit the small city of Arnhem with all boats mooring along the Lower Rhine (or Nederrijn) between the Nelson Mandela Brug (Bridge) and the John Frost Brug (what was once the "Bridge Too Far") There are no port facilities and no parking lot a small street dotted with Turkish and Indian restaurants right along the water From here you can make your way by foot further into city center There are no buses in the immediate vicinity 1fr));}@media screen and (min-width: 576px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(1 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(2 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(3 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1284px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(4 Viking IdiViking IdiViking IdiViking Idi7 Nights 7 Nights  Europe - AllRomantic DanubeLeaving from: Regensburg →+6 ports 2027Viking River CruisesCruise Critic FavoriteViking IdiViking IdiViking IdiViking Idi7 Nights 7 Nights  Europe - AllRomantic DanubeLeaving from: Budapest →+6 ports 2027Viking River CruisesViking IdiViking IdiViking IdiViking Idi11 Nights 11 Nights  Europe - AllCities Of LightLeaving from: Prague →+13 ports 2027(47)Viking River CruisesViking IdiViking IdiViking IdiViking Idi11 Nights 11 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas On The Main & MoselleLeaving from: Paris →+12 ports Viking IdiViking IdiViking IdiViking Idi11 Nights 11 Nights  Europe - AllCities Of LightLeaving from: Paris →+11 ports 2027(44)Viking River CruisesViking IdiViking IdiViking IdiViking Idi11 Nights 11 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas On The Main & MoselleLeaving from: Prague →+13 ports Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings Rates are in GBP and valid for UK and Ireland residents only please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of 6th May 2025 7 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas Markets On The RhineLeaving from: Basel →+7 ports 7 Nights  Europe - AllEnchanting RhineLeaving from: Basel →+7 ports 7 Nights  Europe - AllBest Of Holland & BelgiumLeaving from: Amsterdam →+7 ports 7 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas Markets On The RhineLeaving from: Basel →+6 ports 7 Nights  Europe - AllEnchanting RhineLeaving from: Basel →+6 ports 2025AmaWaterwaysCruise Critic FavoriteAmaPrima7 Nights 7 Nights  Europe - AllEurope’s Rivers & CastlesLeaving from: Nuremberg →+7 ports 2025(4)AmaWaterwaysCruise Critic FavoriteAmaPrima7 Nights AmaWaterways Romantic and Honeymoon Cruises AmaWaterways Cruises for Disabled Passengers Emerald StarEmerald StarEmerald StarEmerald StarEmerald Star10 Nights 10 Nights  Europe - AllDanube Delights & Classic PragueLeaving from: Budapest →+6 ports 2026(3)Emerald River CruisesCruise Critic FavoriteEmerald StarEmerald StarEmerald StarEmerald StarEmerald Star10 Nights 2025(3)Emerald River CruisesEmerald SkyEmerald SkyEmerald SkyEmerald Sky10 Nights 10 Nights  Europe - AllClassic Prague & Danube DelightsLeaving from: Prague →+6 ports 2026(4)Emerald River CruisesAvalon Impression9 Nights 9 Nights  Europe - AllDanube Dreams With 2 Nights In PragueLeaving from: Prague →+6 ports 8 Nights  Europe - AllChristmastime On The Danube With 2 Nights In Pragu...Leaving from: Vienna →+5 ports 2026(2)Avalon WaterwaysEmerald Dawn20 Nights 20 Nights  Europe - AllParis To Prague & Splendours Of EuropeLeaving from: Paris →+14 ports 2026(3)Emerald River CruisesEmerald Dawn8 Nights 8 Nights  Europe - AllPrague To Budapest & Christmas Time On The DanubeLeaving from: Prague →+3 ports 2025Emerald River CruisesEmerald LunaEmerald LunaEmerald LunaEmerald LunaEmerald Luna10 Nights 2025Emerald River CruisesScenic Jasper20 Nights 20 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas & New Year With Paris & PragueLeaving from: Paris →+13 ports 2026Scenic River.css-ad1o0y{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;height:-webkit-max-content;height:-moz-max-content;height:max-content;margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-6);}Scenic Opal20 Nights 20 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas & New Year With Paris & PragueLeaving from: Prague →+12 ports 17 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas & New Year With PragueLeaving from: Prague →+11 ports 8 Nights  Europe - AllBudapest To Prague & Christmas Time On The DanubeLeaving from: Budapest →+3 ports 2025Emerald River CruisesEmerald Dawn10 Nights 9 Nights  Europe - AllDelightful Danube & PragueLeaving from: Prague →+6 ports 2026(9)Uniworld Boutique River Cruise CollectionAvalon ExpressionAvalon ExpressionAvalon ExpressionAvalon ExpressionAvalon Expression8 Nights 8 Nights  Europe - AllChristmastime On The Danube With 2 Nights In Pragu...Leaving from: Prague →+5 ports Many cruises that include Prague also feature a couple of days in the city so you can dive deeper Ships don't actually dock there; Prague serves as a jumping-off point for river sailings From Prague Castle to Old Town and the Jewish Quarter Prague is one of a number of European cities that serve as departure and arrival points for major river cruises Passengers meet at designated hotels and are bussed to their embarkation points a number of local Vltava River trips -- some with dinner and music -- originate at the Charles Bridge Visitors who come a few days early would do well to reserve a room at one of the hotels right in the center of Old Town where it's only a few blocks walk to theater (Major cruise companies usually book travelers at international hotels which are a long trek from the historic center.) it is important to keep an eye out for pickpockets Men should not carry wallets in back pockets Many women wear the straps of their bags crisscross over the front split into several areas that span the Vltava River There's the Castle perched high up on the west side with Lesser Town (Mala Strana) cascading down beneath it An eight-minute walk away on the east side of the water -- and on flatter ground -- is the Old Town (Stare Mesto) with Old Town Square New Town (Nove Mesto) with Wenceslas Square and Republic Square is south and contains the National Museum and the main train station By Metro: Even if you don't use the metro system check out a subway station just to ride the escalator and have become featured fodder on YouTube Go to YouTube and enter Prague escalator in the search bar You cannot buy tickets onboard but typically you can purchase tickets at hotel concierge desks they are sold from the yellow machines at metro or at tobacconists or newsstands -- just look for the Tabak and Trafika signs allowing you to travel for 90 minutes; it can also be used on buses and streetcars Don't forget to validate your ticket by inserting it into one of the yellow boxes before you enter the station Subway stops most utilized by tourists are Mustek You can also buy tickets that are valid for 30 minutes available online and at the tourist bureau can be used for both public transit and entry to Prague's major sights By Taxi: It's best to take a cab from your hotel or taxi ranks The official unit of currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (Kc Although it is possible to pay in euros for certain services and in many shops and restaurants (especially those near Old Town Square and the international hotels) it is better to get some local currency for a stay in the Czech Republic ATM machines are spread around the city and give the best exchange rates The Currency Exchange offices charge commissions tend to be the least expensive way to obtain local currency English is fast becoming the mainstream travel language as there are tourists from so many European countries Most restaurants have menus in several languages Shopkeepers usually know enough so that they can make transactions Concierges in the major hotels and restaurants are usually fluent in English and most waiters usually know enough to take an order from an English menu with some pointing most young people are comfortable with the language and will be delighted if you try such basic words as Hello (Ahoy) or Thank you (Dekuji; DICK-kwee) No need to enroll at Berlitz before you visit Prague serves as a transfer destination for river cruises Passengers frequently overnight for one day or more in Prague before journeying by bus to meet their ships Although Germany is still taking the pandemic a little more seriously than much of Europe (masks are still required on public transport in many places the country is fully open to visitors after two years of on-and-off restrictions Though often overlooked in favour of the savoir vivre of France or the dolce vita of Italy this vast country has plenty of first-class holiday options from island-hopping or beach-bumming along the Baltic coast to hiking or cycling the Alps and visiting lakes View image in fullscreenMoselThe German part of the Mosel River runs for 150 miles from Perl fairytale hilltop castles and the odd art nouveau villa have been grown here for centuries by Weingüter many of whom still use the labour-intensive methods of their forefathers Hikes range from a riverbank saunter to hard slogs through terraced vineyards The Mosel Cycle Path runs from Perl to Koblenz – it can also be picked up at Trier for a shorter ride Many Mosel Valley boat tours start and end at lovely towns and villages such as Cochem which maps out the valley’s most interesting wine estates and villages; the region is alive with wine festivals in summer and early autumn The region is crisscrossed with almost 5,000 miles of well-signposted trails – some named after poets such as Goethe and Heinrich Heine who roamed the region centuries ago – that range from short scenic loops to the 37-mile Harz Witches’ Trail the Brocken; a surreal place with fabulous views and a museum about the division of Germany The mountaintop once had a Stasi listening post for spying on West German politicians the Harz offers skiing (downhill and cross-country) and sledging in winter – at its best around Braunlage and Hahnenklee – plus rock-climbing and 1,000 miles of mountain biking routes View image in fullscreenThe seafront in Rostock Photograph: volkerpreusser/AlamyGermany’s north coast stretches for about 1,500 miles between the Netherlands and Poland and hosts a wealth of attractions – fishing villages spa resorts – that are barely visited by international tourists is in the state of Mecklenburg Vorpommern – Meck-Pomm to locals – and although not as sun-drenched as the Med and stately resort architecture that includes handsome 19th-century promenades and piers There’s plenty inland to explore too, from the two former ducal residences of Ludwigslust and Schwerin, to the Müritz national park further south, which overlaps with the Mecklenburg Lake District – the largest landlocked lake district in Europe it’s a veritable paradise for water sports enthusiasts fine wines and a terrace in the woods of Heiligendamm View image in fullscreenThe reflection of the Rakotzbrücke creates a perfect circle Photograph: Chalabala/Getty ImagesThis eastern state may be known these days as the heartland of the far-right AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) party and abundant coronavirus-denying Querdenkers but there’s no denying Saxony’s natural beauty and historic panache From picturesque hilltop castles and state capital Dresden to the “Saxon Switzerland” mountains and the winding Elbe river There’s plenty beyond the main sights to explore, including pretty Leipzig, which offers cutting-edge art (see the transformed industrial complex Baumwollspinnerei) and clubs as well as oodles of tradition. The Ore Mountain range (Erzgebirge) by the Czech border is a ski region in winter and now also a mountain biking mecca View image in fullscreenZwinger Palace, Dresden. Photograph: travelbild-germany/AlamyThen there are Instagram hotspots such as the town of Görlitz, whose medieval charm and architectural landmarks have featured in a slew of films (Grand Budapest Hotel, The Reader, Inglourious Basterds), and Kromlau Park with its landscaped gardens and the Rakotzbrücke whose reflection in the lake below creates a perfect circle with its array of hiking trails and climbing routes View image in fullscreenThe Zollverein Unesco world heritage attraction Photograph: Jochen Tack/Stiftung ZollvereinWestern Germany’s Ruhr region is the largest urban area in the country and primarily known for its industrial heritage That may not sound ideal for a family holiday but in recent decades some of its infrastructure has been creatively (and expensively) transformed into new and unusual attractions Visitors can go mountain biking on spoil tips The largest such project is the Zollverein, a Unesco world heritage site near Essen that was once the largest coalmine in the world – it closed in 1986 – and is now a symbol of the Ruhr’s regeneration. Today there are woodlands and exotic plants, the Red Dot design museum, swimming pools and ice rinks, and the Casino Zollverein which offers regional cuisine with a contemporary twist in a suitably industrial setting with rollercoasters and regular movie-themed shows For an overview of the region, hike, cycle or drive the 250-mile Industrial Heritage Trail, which takes in former industrial sites, panoramic views, and company towns, and can also be split into themed sub-routes (miners, beer brewing, allotments). The Ruhr Topcard is worth considering as it gives free entries to more than 90 places View image in fullscreenRock formations at Tüchersfeld Photograph: FooTToo/Getty ImagesAlthough Bavaria is one of Germany’s better-known destinations not many travellers are aware that the northern part is a distinctive sub-region known as Franconia (Franken in German) with its own cultural and linguistic heritage – indeed East Franconian is one of the German dialects with the highest number of speakers one of the few five-star biking routes in Germany running along the Tauber Valley between Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Wertheim Hikers and rock climbers will enjoy the Spessart and Frankenwald forests and the Fichtelgebirge and Hassberge mountains as well as the “Franconian Switzerland” (Fränkische Schweiz) – a fairytale sub-region with otherworldly rock formations dramatic castles and charming cities (Bamberg Local culinary delights range from top-notch Franconian wines and beers (smoked beer is a speciality) to venison hunted from local forests thanks to its chic restaurant and wine cellar Extremely cold temperatures compounded by gale-force winds and snow wreaked havoc across the Nordic region Thursday leaving thousands without power while others braved the cold for hours stuck in their cars along clogged highways France and the Netherlands again caused floods in regions that have seen persistent flooding in the last two weeks The deep freeze disrupted transportation throughout the Nordic region amid reports of traffic chaos following closures of sections of highways and major roads Problems with rail service have also been reported Electricity was cut to some 4,000 homes in Arctic Sweden where temperatures plummeted to minus 38 degrees Celsius (minus 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit) motorists were stuck in their cars or evacuated to a nearby sporting complex where they spent the night police urged motorists to avoid unnecessary trips as wind and snow battered the northern and western parts of the country recorded the country's lowest temperature this winter on Thursday at minus 42.5 degrees C (minus 44.5 degrees F) Meteorologists are forecasting even colder temperatures the rest of the week A ferry sailing between the capitals of Norway and Denmark finally docked in Copenhagen on Thursday after some 900 passengers spent the night aboard the vessel which had been idling in the Oresund straight between Denmark and southern Sweden weather hampered the Crown Seaways vessel from sailing into the Copenhagen harbor heavy rain has resumed in regions that have seen persistent flooding over the past two weeks Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday plans to make his second visit this week to inspect a dike and a sandbag-filling facility in the eastern town of Sangerhausen After several days of rain and rising waters several towns in northern France were left under water Thursday Hundreds of people have been evacuated in recent days The area was also hit by flooding in November and December Government ministers are traveling to the area on Thursday A 73-year-old man was found dead in his partially submerged car near the city of Nantes He was reported missing Tuesday after he left his home to buy bread and didn’t return and was found Wednesday as waters began receding in the area a driver died after a tree fell on his car in western England and in the Netherlands police in Eindhoven said strong winds may have played a role in the death of a 75-year-old man who fell off his bicycle late Tuesday which also faced extremely high water levels in rivers and lakes said it would send pumps to France to help it tackle widespread flooding which means that the water in France can no longer be drained properly In many places rivers have already burst their banks That is why it is important to help each other get rid of the water as quickly as possible,” Infrastructure and Water Minister Mark Harbers said in a statement The Dutch emergency pumps can each process 5 million liters (1.3 million gallons) of water per hour Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris Mike Corder in Amsterdam and Jari Tanner in Helsinki contributed to this report a global network of grassroots antimilitarist and pacifist groups peace activists in Germany will begin a peace hike from from Büchel Air Force Base in the Eifel hills to the Wöllstein prison in Rhineland-Palatinate The hike will begin with a vigil in front of the main gate of Büchel Shortly after the peace hike one participant – Gerd Büntzly - will begin his substitute prison sentence following an action against Büchel in 2023 The runways at the Büchel air base are currently being extended to allow for new aircraft to replace the Tornado jets currently housed there "better" nuclear bombs will also be delivered from the USA which will increase the danger of nuclear use activists will take part in civil disobedience actions similar to those undertaken in Büchel in 2023 citizens were held in a German prison for several months after they refused to pay fines following actions of civil disobedience at the base will begin her substitute prison sentence at the same time has been sentenced to 90 days in prison; he expects to go to prison for 45 days under a new law that came into force in February This will be the fifth time Gerd has gone to jail instead of paying money The current conviction is due to an action on May 8th 2023 when he occupied the Büchel military site together with six other people another person from the group was also in court explained in detail their motives for the non-violent action they took part in Gerd said he would no longer defend himself and would simply remain silent in court He said that the courts had now heard the arguments against the base enough times but had not taken any notice of them He also argued that the court had rejected their requests to include evidence related to the activities taking place on the base The activities on the base have been raised several times in German courts; the Koblenz Higher Regional Court has also already judged on the matter as a high authority but all requests to include this evidence in court cases related to civil disobedience have been rejected: “It doesn’t matter.” The activists have always found this behaviour to be ignorant and arrogant; the courts seem to treat the issue of nuclear weapons as like any other and that acts of civil disobedience at Büchel are no different to breaking into a private garden The peace hike from Büchel to the prison in Wöllstein-Rohrbach starts on 30th May 2024 with a vigil in front of the main gate in Büchel and leads to the destination in five days via Cochem The walks will use the opportunity to make contact with peace activists across the region andto remember the resistance in the Hunsrück hills 40 years ago (when 200,000 people protested against the deployment missiles armed with nuclear warheads) Local activists have promised to hold a vigil in front of the prison at least once a week The following court dates have been set this year: You can write cards or letters of solidarity: Stay up to date with our international antimilitarist activism Sign up to our email lists here This article is not yet related to any publications The facts: The Moselle is the second-largest tributary of the Rhine yet it is an unfamiliar and uncharted waterway as far as many river cruisers are concerned it is a quieter and narrower river that meanders through spectacular countryside in the heart of one of Germany’s most famous wine regions A growing number of Rhine itineraries branch off to take in the Moselle and it’s well worth recommending a sailing on the Rhine’s ‘little sister’ is running a new seven-night Rhine and Moselle Christmas Markets cruise with wine tastings in this year’s winter season will sail round-trip from Strasbourg on a new seven-night four-rivers cruise that visits the Moselle A-Rosa also has a new week-long Main and Moselle cruise sailing round-trip from Cologne Amadeus River Cruises is launching Amadeus Taste shore tours including a visit to a winery in Cochem for a tour and tasting Tui River Cruises’ newly refurbished 190-passenger Tui Ria joins the fleet to sail on the Rhine and Moselle Emerald Cruises’ new Emerald Astra will also sail on the Moselle The highlights: Cochem is one of the prettiest towns on the Moselle The charming old town is filled with half-timbered black-and-white houses along with an imposing castle – the highest on the river– perched on a 90m hilltop Quirky attractions in the castle include a giant suit of armour and a mermaid lamp said to bring good luck when you touch it situated on both banks of the Moselle and connected by a bridge the Pointed House is a striking example of a 15th-century wine merchant’s home river cruise lines are usually happy for passengers to bring back wine to enjoy on board This makes the Moselle an ideal choice for wine aficionados in one of Germany’s oldest and largest wine regions Target repeat clients: Even for river cruisers who have sailed the Rhine previously adding the Moselle makes for a very different experience and a good alternative to other European rivers such as the Danube The wide choice of itineraries also makes it easy to source a cruise with Rhine destinations they might not have visited before Jacobs Media is a company registered in England and Wales Publication date 14 March 2022 | 21:09 ICT the residents of the leafy town of Cochem in the German Rhineland went about their daily business with no idea they were living on a gold mine the German central bank stashed away almost 15 billion marks’ worth of an emergency currency in a 1,500sqm nuclear bunker beneath the town the currency was codenamed “BBK II” and intended for use if Germany was the target of an attack on its monetary system the bunker passed into the hands of a regional cooperative bank and then a real estate fund it was bought by German couple Manfred and Petra Reuter with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stoking fears of nuclear conflict “Many people we know have pointed out that we have a safe bunker and asked whether there would be room for them in case of an emergency,” said Petra Reuter “questions are naturally asked about the current situation” which feels like “a leap back in time 60 years” long corridors lead to decontamination chambers and offices equipped with typewriters and rotary phones some 18,300 boxes containing millions of 10 50 and 100 mark banknotes were stored up to the ceiling the banknotes were almost identical to the real deutschmarks in circulation at the time the notes were delivered to the bunker by hundreds of trucks over a period of about 10 years with no one suspecting a thing – not even the East German Stasi secret police The bunker was accessed via a secret passage from what was ostensibly a training and development centre for Bundesbank employees in a residential area of the town located about 100km from the border with Belgium and Luxembourg was chosen because it was such a long way from the Iron Curtain “The citizens of the community were astonished to discover this treasure which had been hidden for so long near their homes,” said Wolfgang Lambertz Along with the 15 billion marks stored in the bunker just under 11 billion marks’ worth of the alternative currency was also stored in the vaults of the central bank in Frankfurt this added up to around 25 billion marks – roughly equivalent to the total amount of cash circulating in the German economy in 1963 Perhaps an extreme measure to ward off a merely hypothetical attack but the German authorities had been guided by lessons from history the Nazis had launched “Operation Bernhard” in which prisoners in concentration camps were forced to manufacture counterfeit pounds with the aim of flooding England with them “The most plausible explanation was probably the fear that counterfeit money would be smuggled through the Iron Curtain in order to damage the West German economy,” according to Bernd Kaltenhaueser president of the Bundesbank’s regional office for Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland But creating a backup currency today “would no longer make sense because there is less counterfeit money in circulation and there are fewer cash payments” with the Cold War winding down and technology evolving it was decided that the replacement currency no longer met Germany’s security standards all of the notes had been taken out of the bunker Airlines Cancel Flights to Israel After Missile Strike Near Airport Bowman’s Travel Brief: Avoid Newark Airport Mastering the Art of Group Travel Bookings Fiesta Americana Travelty Celebrates Travel Advisors The Top 24 Most Powerful Travel Agencies of 2024 The Strategic Art of Pre-Planning Luxury Vacations: A Perspective for Travel Advisors Photo via Flickr/Jiuguang Wang As Rapunzel said in the movie "Tangled," "I've been on this incredible journey and I've seen and learned so much." It's one of the reasons why we all can't help but love Disney movies-the fact that they are a means of escape taking us on these magic carpet rides to whole new worlds Who wouldn't want to attend a ball in Arendelle or hang out with anthropomorphic mammals in Zootopia or even explore the underwater world with Ariel The best part is while we know that most of these lands are the stuff of imagination here are five places to visit that helped inspire our beloved Disney movies Many of Disney's animated films-Snow White for example-are based on the stories of famous German storytellers who in turn were influenced by the German folk tales and dreamlike landscape So it makes sense that the Disney animators behind the movies would often look to Germany to serve as their muse Germanic influences are especially strong in "Tangled," "Snow White," "Pinocchio" and "Cinderella." "Tangled" and "Snow White" both boast half-timbered houses popular in the state of Bavaria, while "Snow White," "Pinocchio" and "Cinderella" were heavily influenced by German expressionist films. In addition, Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps is said to have been the inspiration for the "Sleeping Beauty" Castle Traces of Germany's storybook past are still seen today. During your visit, get on the 370-mile Fairy Tale Route, which takes you to several attractions connected to the Brothers Grimm and their legendary work. Be sure also to explore the mysterious Black Forest, and drop by some of Germany's most astounding castles including Cochem Castle sand-filled Polynesia may not be the most obvious setting for a fairy tale "Moana," proved that storybook fantasies could be told from anywhere Although it helps that the islands are just naturally photogenic and the Polynesian culture has its own fascinating stories to tell the movie drew inspirations from Polynesian mythology and customs Another Disney movie that was inspired by the islands was "Lilo and Stitch," the very first animated feature to take place in the Hawaiian Islands choosing Kauai as the film's setting actually helped define the entire movie and its fundamental theme-the concept of 'ohana are the most obvious Polynesian destinations But did you know that New Zealand and the Easter Island are also part of the region Other more off the beaten path places include American Samoa Many might argue that "The Little Mermaid," written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen But to make the underwater kingdom of Atlantica more appealing and colorful several Caribbean elements were brought in which then influenced the overall musical style of the film the colors Atlantica's residents are sporting are definitely of the tropical variety Some even think that former Danish Antilles territory USVI might just be the setting for this fairy tale favorite there's the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series which is supposedly set in the paradisal region drew inspiration from those legendary pirate exploits in the Caribbean even calling on famous pirate seaports like Port Royal in Jamaica and Tortuga in Haiti "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Beauty and the Beast"-these are three of the most popular Disney movies that actually take place in the French Republic It's hard to not be inspired by this beautiful country whose architecture language and landscape are inherently romantic There's also the fact that all three are based on fairy tales written by famous French novelists Other movies based in France include "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," DisneyPixar-producedd "Ratatouille" and "Aristocats," all of which are set specifically in Paris The artists behind "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" even spent three days exploring the passageways towers and secret rooms of the Notre-Dame Cathedral so that they could capture its essence which looks very identical to the kingdom of Corona in "Tangled." England and Scotland are certainly two of the most idyllic destinations on this list with their rolling green hills The United Kingdom is also one of Disney's favorite settings for its storybook movies Many of Disney's popular features are set here They include "Brave," "101 Dalmatians," "Peter Pan," "Robin Hood," "Alice in Wonderland," "Cars 2" and "Pocahontas II: Journey to the New World." "Brave" takes place in the Scottish Highlands; "Robin Hood," of course takes place in Nottingham; "101 Dalmatians" and "Peter Pan" are both set in London particularly explore the fascinating Scottish Highlands For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter Collette - Expertly Crafted Tours for the Modern Traveler Cross Border Xpress Mexico: What Travel Advisors Need to Know Michelle Rae Uy is a Los Angeles-based writer photographer and traveler with a bad case of wanderlust GermanyEstimated to have been built around the year 1000 the castle was first mentioned in writing in 1051 It was destroyed by French King Louis XIV's army in 1689 then rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style in the 19th century GermanyKing Ludwig II built this castle as his private refuge in 1886 ItalyDocuments place the creation of this castle in the first half of the 12th century and today the structures have been fully restored inside and out this castle was one of Walt Disney's inspirations for Cinderella's own Patrick converted the King of Munster in the fifth century IrelandThis 12th-century castle is the home of knitwear and porcelain designer Cyril Cullen and his family The former stables have been converted into a design studio FranceThe structure standing today comprises segments built in different centuries While the original castle dates from the 12th century FranceLike many of the other castles on this list the Château de Beynac was built in the 12th century The well-preserved castle lies in the commune of Beynac-et-Cazenac officially classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France GermanyThis 12th-century castle was built by King Maximillian II and was the childhood residence of his son King Ludwig II Explore some of Germany’s most underrated towns historic architecture and cultural heritage abound… Even as one of Europe’s largest and most powerful countries Germany remains one of the most underrated travel destinations on the continent especially when it comes to its historic towns that scatter the nation Whether you’re looking for fairytale castles natural hot springs or just a good glass of wine there’s never a bad time or season to explore one of these enchanting corners of the country the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lübeck was considered the ‘first western city on the Baltic Coast’ As the former capital of the Hanseatic League – a network of merchant communities in northern Germany – it prospered until the 16th century as a major trading centre much of its Old Town’s architecture remains intact and monuments – such as its famous red-brick gate of Holstentor Visitors to Lübeck can spend hours admiring its water-surrounded Medieval centre and educate themselves further on the city’s culture and heritage at its 13 museums and Buddenbrook House: the latter dedicated to the literary brothers Heinrich and Thomas Mann Augsburg was at the heart of the Fuggers trading empire The Fuggers were an affluent family of bankers and merchants who founded the Fuggerei social housing complex in 1516 – which remains in use to this day The Mozart’s were another famous family that left their stamp on Augsburg being the birthplace of Leopold Mozart – the father of Wolfgang The father-son composers are celebrated with the Mozart Festival every May along with a permanent small museum found in the centre But Augsburg’s history is perhaps best told through its architecture from its 1,000-year-old cathedral and Middle Age guild houses to its more recent and prominent Baroque Situated at the point where the Main tributary meets the Rhine River half-timbered houses and a history stretching back more than 2,000 years Mainz is often associated with literature and reading due to being the home of letterpress creator Johannes Gutenberg: his 15th-century invention transforming the way books were produced Travellers can dive in a world of printing history at the Gutenberg Museum get a taste of the city’s heritage by visiting one of its many traditional taverns that serve local wine produced in the vineyards of the surrounding Rheinhessen region Brandenburg an der Havel’s location on the edge of one of Europe’s largest wetland makes it a fitting location for nature lovers who can enter the surrounding wildlife-filled reserves home to rare species such as otters and beavers visitors can continue being active by exploring its Old Town and New Town by bike Architecture here reflects Brandenburg an der Havel’s importance as a former religious centre – especially the 12th-century Cathedral of St Further stories of Brandenburg’s history can be delved into at the National Archaeological Museum – with 10,000 artefacts housed in the 13th-century St Paulikloster Monastery as well as the Local History Museum in Frey-Haus – located within an 18th-century Baroque building Sitting on the outskirts of the Black Forest Baden-Baden was once considered the summer capital of Europe with its 12 natural thermal hot springs attracting the continent’s elite during the Belle Époque era it has been recognised as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe by UNESCO and designated a World Heritage Site a stunning casino that began operating in the 1820s Baden-Baden’s century-old Festival Hall is also worthy of your attention: the largest classical music venue in Germany was originally built as a rail station in 1904 and comes alive every May for the annual Whitsun Festival Cochem is one of the smallest towns on our list but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty Dominated by an 11th-century hilltop fortress Cochem is located within a meandering bend of the Moselle River with its traditional half-timbered houses lining the waterway the town’s location within the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region means travellers into their wine are also drawn here Cochem itself is surrounded by beautiful sloping vineyards with a a ride on the town’s cable car is the perfect way to take in all the views from above Meissen’s beginnings can be traced back to the 10th century but it’s the towns more recent history that has put Meissen firmly on the map Meissen became the first place in Europe where porcelain was manufactured and visitors can learn about its history as a ceramic cultural centre by taking a tour of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory in the town’s Triebischtal district Architectural highlights in the town include the dominating 15th-century Gothic Church which stands close by to Albrechtsburg – Germany’s first castle that’s sole purpose was to be a residence it’s the castle is home to a range of museums and collections many of which celebrate the Meissen’s great affinity for porcelain Sign up to our newsletter for free with the Wanderlust Club To Advertise Call: 0879384810 or  email: ddcrean@me.com News | Sport | Entertainment | from the County's Capital STUDENTS at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí are embarking on an exciting language cultural and sporting exchange programme with their fellow German students at partner school Martin von Cochem Gymnasium in the town of Cochem located in the Mosel region between Frankfurt and Cologne This new initiative won the joint support of Léargas the Irish cultural exchange promotion agency together with their colleagues at Erasmus+ the EU programme for education The Gaelcholáiste third year students are in the process of planning the exchange project now and will travel to Cochem on the Mosel River in October 2024 to experience full immersion in daily school and family life in Germany The programme also includes a series of events and presentations centred on Irish and German culture The centrepiece of the sporting element of the exchange will be a special GAA football tournament The Mosel valley is a highly scenic region terraced vineyards and home to the best Riesling in the world The town of Cochem is itself a picturesque German classic of half-timbered houses with a riverside promenade restaurants and inns huddled around a market square with the Reichsburg Cochem castle soaring over the town on a mighty crag above the Irish students intend to spread the Gaelcholáiste mission and this is a wonderful opportunity to teach the German students the cúpla focail and their families will host their German friends on the return exchange in April 2025 and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Let's connect on any of these social networks your daily source of news from the county capital entertainment and the other fun stuff in life keeping you informed whether you’re in Oakpark or Oklahoma We now consistently receive over 750,000 page views a month from over 70,000 unique users with over 32,000 Facebook followers for our page everyday moment in the small German village of Ediger-Eller that distilled the essence of the Moselle Valley."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"We were ambling along an alley in the medieval heart of the riverside hamlet — cobbles centuries-old timber-framed houses — when a chuckle from one side attracted my glance A short flight of stone steps led to a roofed porch where an elderly chap settled back into his chair with a sigh twisting it sideways then upright to frame the portrait to his satisfaction he beamed and boomed: “Riesling!”"},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Of course and"},"children":[]},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" käse"},"children":[]}]},{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" clearly doesn’t have quite the"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" same smile-spreading qualities Yet it’s telling that along the Moselle River there’s one word on everyone’s lips in pretty much any situation a long-distance waymarked trail launched last spring The path traces the river’s tight loops for 227 miles (365km) from the French- Luxembourg-German border at Perl to its confluence with the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) in Koblenz but the prettiest legs link the castle-crowned towns of Bernkastel-Kues and Cochem And that’s the stretch I was exploring with my girlfriend on a new self-guided supported walking holiday."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"True there are other ways to mosey along the Moselle (or MO-sel that by far the best option is shanks’s pony for the crucial reason highlighted by that photo call: wine Every other building is daubed with a legend Doorways festooned with wreaths or brooms indicate "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Strausswirtschaften"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" makeshift seasonal taverns serving that family’s own wines and snacks And every square inch of land that can be cultivated — plus much that looks far too vertiginous and inaccessible to tend — is striped with vines It’s time to lace up those boots and combine tippling with trekking."}}]},{"name":"ad","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The gateway city of Trier is where viticulture arrived making Trier reputedly the oldest city in Germany A day’s stroll around the World Heritage-listed city took in the vast slabs of the Römerbrücke (Roman bridge) that still carries traffic the blackened stone towers of the Porta Nigra the monumental city gate dating from AD160 and the arena."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"After admiring these ancient marvels we settled into Weinstube Kesselstatt opposite the cathedral This cosy wine bar serves a selection of traditional Winzervesper dishes concocted to accompany its selection of reasonably priced whites that quelled memories of 1980s-era Blue Nun Moselle wines have undergone a notable renaissance as that evening — and many subsequent tastings — confirmed; predominantly rieslings they’re fruity and often sweetish but never tart or sickly with characteristic minerality and thankfully modest alcohol content In summary: mmmm!"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The walking proper began next morning This russet-hued village is embraced by the valley and flanked by absurdly steep vineyards lined by dazzling yellow broom for an hour before descending to the Kloster Machern a former Cistercian monastery transformed into a brewery And it was over a cool drink here that we were enticed to stray from the straight and narrow."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The thing is that tracing as it does the river’s many meanders pre-existing footpaths and vineyard tracks branch off to provide countless temptations for off-piste wandering On this day we ditched the prescribed route notes and extended our hike farther to the twin town of Bernkastel-Kues."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"That extracurricular ramble typified the days that followed A steep zigzag up from the bridge alongside the monastery took us through an intriguing sample garden planted with all manner of aromatic and endangered herbs and fruits eyes sharpened for prey among the slate lining the hillsides and glimpses of red squirrels scampering through the undergrowth a medieval town watched over by a photogenically decrepit castle greeted us."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The Moselle is punctuated by a nonstop succession of hilltop bastions in various states of disrepair their construction and destruction mostly a result of the river’s border-country status; many were demolished by occupying French troops in the 17th or 18th centuries is at the more battered end of the spectrum but like its counterparts we’d visit over the next week it provides both a suitably romantic backdrop to and dramatic viewpoint over the settlement it protected."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The next day we looped and swooped along to Traben-Trarbach another twin-town spanning the river and crowned by an even more picturesque Turn-of-the-century Jugendstil architecture dominates Traben the town’s western lobe; a glass of kir moselle — Sekt (Germany bubbly) tinted with red vineyard peach liqueur — in the dinky art nouveau bar of the Bellevue Hotel is a must."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Our itinerary saved the best till last Beilstein is known to Germans as the Sleeping Beauty village shonky-walled houses clamped between a hilltop Carmelite church and the obligatory skeletal stronghold providing a location for numerous period movies winding forest trail emerged alongside the pentagonal castle tower just as early evening sunlight glinted off the slate roofs below Riesling."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Thirst aroused we wound down to our hotel (with castle views naturally) among those emblematic looped stalks with a distinctive local flavour and a gently lingering aftertaste — it’s a vintage best savoured with a dash of walking."}}]},{"name":"inlineAd2","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Need to know"}}]},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Paul Bloomfield was a guest of Inntravel (01653 617001 "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"inntravel.co.uk"}}],"attributes":{"href":"http://inntravel.co.uk"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") on its eight-day Meanders of the Moselle self-guided walking holiday which costs from £680pp based on two sharing and including seven nights’ B&B Deutsche Bahn ("}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"bahn.com/uk"}}],"attributes":{"href":"http://bahn.com/uk"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") has train fares London-Trier and Cochem-London from €59 each way For local information visit "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"romantic-germany.info"}}],"attributes":{"href":"http://romantic-germany.info"}}]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"It was an innocuous castles and lots of vineyardsPaul BloomfieldSaturday April 16 2016 The TimesCochem in the Moselle ValleyMICHAEL RUNKEL/CORBISPaul BloomfieldSaturday April 16 2016 everyday moment in the small German village of Ediger-Eller that distilled the essence of the Moselle Valley We were ambling along an alley in the medieval heart of the riverside hamlet — cobbles and käse clearly doesn’t have quite the same smile-spreading qualities Cochem castle above the MoselleGETTY IMAGESMy encounter with the juvenile photographer came midway through a week’s walking along the most scenic middle sections of the Moselsteig advertising a Weingut (winery) or Weinprobe (wine-tasting) or Weinverkauft (wine for sale) Doorways festooned with wreaths or brooms indicate Strausswirtschaften It’s time to lace up those boots and combine tippling with trekking The gateway city of Trier is where viticulture arrived and extended our hike farther to the twin town of Bernkastel-Kues That extracurricular ramble typified the days that followed peeking out to reveal vistas over the Moselle on which pleasureboats and cargo vessels set the water sparkling with their wakes Plentiful benches and schutzhütte — shady shelters with invariably delectable views — made perfect rest stops to admire kestrels hovering a medieval town watched over by a photogenically decrepit castle greeted us The Moselle is punctuated by a nonstop succession of hilltop bastions in various states of disrepair it provides both a suitably romantic backdrop to and dramatic viewpoint over the settlement it protected The next day we looped and swooped along to Traben-Trarbach the town’s western lobe; a glass of kir moselle — Sekt (Germany bubbly) tinted with red vineyard peach liqueur — in the dinky art nouveau bar of the Bellevue Hotel is a must with a distinctive local flavour and a gently lingering aftertaste — it’s a vintage best savoured with a dash of walking the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany is steeped in history Volcanoes have shaped the landscape in the north and there are plenty of places for hiking or seeing animals in the region Here's a taste of what you can explore in the Rhineland region if you're looking for a weekend break close to home Gemstone trading built this town and in acknowledgement it still boasts numerous gemstone shops and museums including the wonderful Idar Oberstein Museum which houses a unique collection of minerals and a crystal hall displaying the largest gemstones ever brought to Europe from overseas You can also view a collection of gems related to the city's history and the fascinating fluorescence cabinet Explore the traditional way of life of the Rhineland regions of Eifel Experience the conditions in which school children had to learn in a 1912 classroom and stroll through houses and farm buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries rebuilt and furnished exactly as they would have been originally Life was hard in the old days, but thankfully you don’t have to bake your own bread, as there is a cafe on site. Visitor information on opening times and entry prices is available here Then this interactive museum is the place to immerse yourself in the history of fire fighting The journey begins with fire as an element and covers events that influenced the founding and development of the first fire brigades in the Middle Ages Walk through a space of 1,000 square metres to see how fire fighting equipment has developed over the centuries and feel how strenuous it was to work a historical hand-pressure spray You can also hear the stories of firemen from different eras The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 14.00 to 17.00 and on weekends from 10.00 to 17.00. You can download an audio guide in English here This box contains embedded content from YouTube that wants to read or write cookies In Koblenz old town, visit the Basilica of St Castor erected by the French in the Napoleonic era If you want to slow things down, head for the pretty wine-growing town of Bernkastel-Kues. Marvel at the timber-framed houses in the market square and the views over the town from the castle ruins. You can find out more here The majestic 12th century Eltz Castle sits in a secluded hilltop spot it is still owned by the same family 33 generations on Famous visitors have included French poet and writer Victor Hugo and British painter William Turner you can either take a gentle stroll down a 1.8km shaded path (buggy friendly) or catch a bus to the base of the castle Tours are available in English a vivid representation of a medieval kitchen largely unchanged since the 15th century hike the surrounding nature reserve which has plenty of pathways including the Eltz Castle Panorama Walk Visitors can only see inside the castle on a guided tour Drive around the 8km dirt road to get up close and personal with buffaloes, wild boar, ostriches, llama, deer and donkeys at the Daun Wildlife Park the walk-through monkey sanctuary allows you to get close to mother and baby monkeys The main centre features a giant playground including trampolines and enclosures for goats and rabbits and you can observe newborn ostrich chicks The Landesmuseum Mainz was renovated in 2010 and features art and history collections owned by the State You can purchase tickets on site or book online Other museums include the Natural History Museum and the Fastnachtsmuseum dedicated to the history and costumes of Carnival If you fancy a good scare, walk across this bridge constructed in 2015 which is 360m long and 100m above ground and sways as you walk You can park in nearby Morsdorf and take one of two walking routes to the bridge (1.2km from the visitor centre in Morsdorf) You can walk different signposted circuits around the beautiful countryside of the bridge The Geierlay loop is 6km, and if you don't dare cross the bridge, you can take a shortcut to get back to the starting point. You can find maps of all the circuits and hikes here. Family timeExplore Luxembourg’s best family walking trails in a new book Encounter nature with this new book from the creators of 201 circular walks, which contains 33 child-friendly interactive trails and is now available in English Day offMake the most of 1 May public holidayJoin in Luxembourg’s traditions – from the Labour Day festival and ‘Proufdag’ wine tasting to the season opening of Minett Park with steam train rides Architectural iconsDiscover the Art Deco windows of EschArt Deco and Art Nouveau rub shoulders in Esch-sur-Alzette, adorning city centre windows with roses, steelworkers and the Roman god Mercury. Take a walk to discover these treasures Tour Luxembourg Take your visitors on these trips outside Luxembourg’s capitalDon’t have a car? Don’t worry, you can take visitors to see many places in Luxembourg by train with these itineraries Discover LuxembourgAn afternoon out in Mondorf-les-BainsHead to this spa town for its aviation museum, some golf, boating, or a sculpture trail in the Domaine Thermal's gardens Family FunSiberian tigers or space capsules - try these family days out in GermanyLooking for some family fun in neighbourging Germany - try these zoos, animal parks, science museums, castle fortresses and treetop paths Leisure time Explore these enchanting castles in LuxembourgDon’t know what to do? Why not visit one of the Grand Duchy’s fairytale castles and step back in time Advertiser contentTreat yourself to a stress-free holidayDreaming of a worry-free trip What if the secret to a smooth getaway was simply good preparation and the right protection Advertiser contentReal estate: Why should you take advantage of the start of 2025 to begin your real estate project?The main things we remember about the housing sector over the past 12 months are the rise in interest rates and the fall in property prices Advertiser contentProperty: I've decided to invest!The various forms of government support for investment Advertiser contentThe Luxembourg Times BusinessRun is happening again on 18th September!On Thursday 18th September with the starting gun of the 11th Luxembourg Times BusinessRun fired at the Coque at 7 pm Share this with instagramShare this with facebookShare this with linkedinSections castellans and walking and cycle tour operators across the historic and beautiful riverine landscapes of the Rhine Palatinate known since 1946 as the German federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz But the new rail link is potentially even better news for British holidaymakers looking for a near-to-home break with a difference - one that can combine outdoor activities and sightseeing with Rhine or Mosel river cruises medieval inns or four-star hotels with distinctive cuisine and a dazzling choice of Riesling wines from the Mosel's vertiginous vineyards near Bernkastel-Kues on the Mosel – a "Weinromantikhotel" with a true sense of style as demonstrated by the presence of a classic (but sadly non-running) Adler motorcycle in the lobby The Richtershof's "gourmet" restaurant A set dinner menu comprised goose liver with chocolate and mango; stuffed scallops with fennel and crab; turbot with aubergine and tomato; roast pigeon breast with chanterelles and parsnip mousse; saddle of Eifel venison with apricots; and various fruits – each course accompanied by a local wine chosen by ace taster Kilian Rau Evidently the Richtershof is no economy break but arguably Long before tourism came to the Palatinate viticulture formed the basis of its economy – a tradition begun by the Roman garrisons that guarded the volatile river borders between Gaul and unconquered slate slopes above the Mosel at Hatzenport vast acreages of terraced hillsides were under intensive cultivation lower quality wines flooded the market in the 1980s But now the elegantly light Mosel Rieslings and other local wines are making a comeback Gietzen, who doubles as mayor of Hatzenport (population 660), and his wife, Maria, run the Winzerhof Gietzen guesthouse (doubles with breakfast from €28pppn) hearty menu is paired with their own wines from up the hill And Gietzen is only too happy to take guests on a tour of his domain on what he calls the "Wein Wetter Weg" (wine and weather path) Among the attractions is the 18th-century Graach Gate that features a plaque commemorating the town's lost Jewish population More vigorous exercise is freely available along sections of the Rheinsteig, a 320km trail following the right side of the Rhine from Wiesbaden to Bonn. The trail can be picked up at Osterspai, for example, and followed to what is possibly the Rhine's most famous landmark, Marksburg castle Cycling is encouraged along the Rhine and Mosel, with bike hire facilities abounding and beautifully maintained cycle paths. One memorably pastoral route – part of the Lahnradweg – follows the river Lahn 40km east from its confluence with the Rhine towards the spa town of Bad Ems and on to Nassau. Bike hire from Lothar Gebhardt, Burg & Bike Even if little else about the Rhine Palatinate appeals these walks on the wild side will get you out of your head This article was amended on 22 September 2010 the original stated that driving is the easiest way to get around