Exploring the Mosel Valley Wine Region in Germany

Exploring the Mosel Valley Wine Region in Germany If you love wine and want to visit vineyards in Germany, today Rin will take you to the most outstanding region: Germany's Moselle valley. Germany has many wine routes. The most popular is the one near France, in the Alsace area, followed by the Rhine valley around Rüdesheim am Rhein, or the Romantic Road. Today, though, Rin would like to introduce another route that Thai travelers do not visit very often, perhaps because it sits outside the popular tours. In fact, it is not far from Frankfurt at all, and it is well worth a deeper look. This area is called the Moselle wine route, with more than 4,000 wineries. The views are filled with vineyards, old houses, church spires, green forests, the river and many hilltop castles. Charming villages line both banks of the Moselle, which is 545 kilometers long. It is one of the longest tributaries of the Rhine and forms a natural border between Germany and Luxembourg. The towns along this river have a long history of winemaking. Because the river is so long, it is divided into several sections. Tours from Thailand usually travel from Frankfurt only as far as Rüdesheim, but if you have one more day, just another hundred kilometers by car will let you explore this region in much more depth. The most beautiful bends of the Mosel Valley lie between Trier and the Rhine at Koblenz. This is the stretch you should come and check in to. Around Bernkastel-Kues and Cochem, there are old hilltop castles in the valley and many lovely little towns. Rin recommends the following towns, listed in visiting order. Driving from Frankfurt, head straight to the first town and finish at Koblenz, the last town on the route, where you can stay overnight. (Normally, though, this route deserves about 3 days.)

1 Trier This town came under Roman influence more than 2,000 years ago. It lies in the heart of the most beautiful part of the Mosel valley.

Attractions include Porta Nigra, the town gate and a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 2nd century, the Aula Palatina church (Konstantin-Basilika), the ancient Roman Imperial Baths and the Archeological Museum (Rheinisches Landesmuseum). 2 Piesport and Neumagen-Dhron

Piesport is full of vineyards. Visit the Rococo St. Michael church with its beautifully painted ceiling. Neumagen-Dhron, only 4 kilometers away, is a well-known archaeological town.

3 Traben-Trarbach and the Middle Mosel Museum Address: Casinostrasse 2, 56841 Traben-Trarbach Traben-Trarbach is an unusual small town with many old buildings and grand townhouses. One of the most important of these old mansions is the 18th-century Baroque Bocking House, once a favorite of Goethe and the kings of Prussia. The Middle Mosel Museum covers more than 20 rooms, with paintings by local artists as well as archaeological artifacts from the Roman era.

4 Zell and Zeller Hamm

The most beautiful photo spot of the Mosel valley is from the top of Marienburg, in Zeller Hamm. After that, we recommend visiting Zell, a popular tourist destination with many historic sites, including the old town walls, St. Peter's Church, built in 1792 (B.E. 2335), and an old castle built in 1542.

5 Reichsburg Cochem Castle Address: Schlossstrabe 36, 56812 Cochem

Cochem has an old castle towering above the town, giving it the most memorable photo views. Highlights include St. Martin's Church and many old houses. The castle was restored in the Neo-Gothic style in the 19th century, and guided tours and various activities are available.

6 Treis-Karden

A lovely town in the Rhine valley, with a charming Gothic church and old houses as well. In the village of Hatzenport stands a Late Gothic church with beautiful 15th-century stained glass windows, and just 5 km from Hatzenport is Münstermaifeld, home to the Stiftskirche of Saints Martin from the 10th century.

7 Eltz Castle Address: Castellans, 56294 Wierschem

Located in the small town of Wierschem, a drive from Trier or Koblenz, this is a beautiful medieval castle built in the 12th century and one of only two castles that survived the wars. Inside, it is decorated with rare 800-year-old furnishings and ancient weapons. English tours are available, and there are 2 restaurants in the castle. The castle is surrounded by the Eltz forest, a nature reserve that is lovely for walking. 8 Alken and Kobern-Gondorf

One of the most beautiful villages is Alken, a small community with many charming old houses and the remains of an ancient town wall. High above this village is Burg Thurant, built around 1200. Another unusual village worth a visit is Kobern-Gondorf, with the beautiful early Gothic church of St. Matthias. There are other interesting castles too, such as the Wasserschloss, the only castle in Germany with a road running through it, and Ehrenburg Castle. 9 Koblenz

The town lies at the meeting point of two rivers, the Rhine and the Moselle. It is a great base for exploring the Mosel Valley. Attractions Deutsches Eck (Address: Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer, 56068 Koblenz) is a viewpoint at the junction in Koblenz where the Rhine and the Mosel meet. Alte Burg (Address: Burgstraße 1, Koblenz) is an old castle from the 12th century, once the residence of the town's rulers. The Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein (Address: 56077 Koblenz) is a fortress 118 meters high, built between 1817 and 1828 (B.E. 2360-2371) and part of a World Heritage area. A cable car goes up, with views of the Rhine, the city and the two rivers. Stolzenfels Castle (Address: Rhenser Strasse 33, 56075 Koblenz-Stolzenfels) Standing 154 meters above the Rhine, it was built in 1259 to collect taxes from passing ships, was rebuilt in the 15th century and later became a summer castle of the kings of Prussia. It is reached by a 15-minute uphill walk and is one of the most romantic places to visit. Inside you can see the great hall and the royal family's sitting rooms, with a coordinator guiding the visit inside. Koblenz Old Town center (Address: Willi-Horter-Platz, 56068 Koblenz) Sights include the Town Hall (Rathaus), the Schangelbrunnen monument, Florinsmarkt and Altes Kaufhaus. The Electoral Palace (Kurfürstliches Schloss) is a neoclassical palace below the Pfaffendorf bridge, near the bank of the Rhine, completed in 1786 (B.E. 2329). It blends beautifully into the river landscape, and there is a lovely garden behind it for strolling.

Text by Netnapa Kaewsaengtham

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