The Meandering Mosel

     The Meandering Mosel with its peaceful, sleepy, villages wanders between steep vineyards sprinkled with medieval castles and Roman ruins. Traffic is a trickle--be it by boat, train or car--compared to the robust Rhine.

Cochem on the Mosel
     The Mosel wanders 300 miles from France's Voges Mountains to Koblenz, where it dumps into the Rhine. The most scenic place of the valley lies between the town of Bernkastle-Kues and Cochem.

          The majestic medieval Reichsburg Cochem Castle towers above the easy to reach and busy village of Cochem. First built in 1027 it now is the finished product of imaginative 19th century restorer--a Berlin businessman, Ravené. Today it belongs to the town of Cochem. It is open to the public daily from mid March to October5 9:00-17:00 and is a 15 minute walk from Cochem. Be sure to pick up the free walking tour map and town's history at TI.

       Burg Eltz, one of Germany's finest castles, has managed to survive the ravages of war for over 800 years because of it's unique location in a mysterious forest. It is furnished throughout as it was 500 years ago. Tours of the castle are usually in German with an English fact sheet and are your only way to see the interior. If there are 20+ English speaking people in the court yard you can get an English Tour. Open April - October 9:30-17:30 daily. 9 DM

       Getting there. By Train. Get off at Moselkern which is 4 miles from castle. NO LOCKERS AT STATION. You can walk or check if the new mini bus (15DM) is running from Moselkern to Castle. Phone 02671/980-098 or ask TI.

       Getting there  By Car. Depart at Moselkern following the white "Berg Eltz Park and Ride" signs through the village of Munstermaifeld and Wierschem to the Hatzenport Lot. The castle is a 15 minute-down hill- film eating walk from the parking lot. There is a minibus that shuttles travelers to and from the parking lot.

More Berg Eltz Information

Burg Eltz Castle

          Beilstein is the Mosel's "Mini-Rothenburg" with narrow winding cobbled lanes and ancient half-timbered buildings and tastable wine cellars.

     Beilstein is topped by a ruined castle. Hike up and get some of the best vistas of the Mosel River area.

       

Zell Riverside Prominade

More Mosel Photos & Information on Next Page

Photos by:   Lisa Fujiwara

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