German Wine Towns to Love: Bernkastel-Kues

I swear, Germany just oozes cute towns...and I've got another adorable one to share with you guys! Bernkastel-Kues is one of those towns that you'd probably never know about unless someone mentioned it to you. Heck, we didn't find out about it until I asked a friend if she knew a fun wine town to visit. Nestled into the hills of the Mosel River Valley, Bernkastel-Kues is quite unsuspecting just driving by it along the river road. At first glance from the river, Bernkastle looks a bit lackluster...but as you make your way through the winding cobblestone streets and pop out at the city's quaint Marktplatz, you'll be transported into half-timbered heaven. Like most towns along the Mosel River, wine is its main economic staple (and thank the Lord for that!). You can find local vintners and their signature bottles on just about every street corner. We spent the morning popping in and out of various winery stores, sipping their grape and stocking up on bottles to ship back to the states with us. We also had some beyond delicious Italian food at a little restaurant right on the Marktplatz called Pizzeria Italia Badstube (great pizzas and baked pastas!). Just before leaving Bernkastel, we decided to wander across the river to see if anything fun caught our eye. It was a leisurely Saturday after all. We stumbled upon the greatest wine-lover's paradise just a short walk from the bridge. More on our divine wine find to come! :)

Cochem, Germany

So, this little day trip happened months ago. I'm talking September of 2012. I had to go back in my calendar to actually remind myself of the date it happened on because I'm THAT far behind in updating you on our travel adventures. I mean, I'm still not even done recapping Paris yet. And Paris happened a whole month before this day trip happened. Like, it's embarrassing. I'm almost afraid to really sit down and write out all the things I still need to blog about because it will probably send me spiraling into a panic attack. I lie awake at night editing photos and writing blog posts in my head. Do you do that? Please tell me all bloggers do that. No? So, I'm crazy then...and this blog will be what puts me in a home, as far as my husband is concerned. 

Well, until the day they drag me off to the looney bin, I guess I will show you these photos of Cochem that somehow got edited (I'm sleep editing now maybe?), but never got posted. When I opened up this folder full of pictures on my desktop I thought, "Wow. Why can't it be fall again? Or year round for that matter." Germany is so gorgeous in the fall. And this ADORABLE wine town along the Mosel River is no exception. Normally I post about trips D and I have taken along the Rhine River (mostly because we live in the Rhine River Region), but we decided to give the Mosel River Valley wines (and scenery) a try, just to be well-rounded travelers, of course. I have to say, I'm so glad we did! It's just as breathtaking as the Rhine and the wine is equally as delicious. I wish there was wine-o-vision so you guys could taste what I mean. They'll invent that right after I die, I'm sure of it.

  

{Reichsburg Cochem}

This castle was by far one of my favorites we've seen here in Germany. It's been rebuilt and well-preserved, still has the original furniture and fixtures inside, and has gorgeous views of the Mosel River from its vast balconies. I especially loved all the vines growing up the castle walls. They definitely added to the rustic, medieval castle ambiance.

Even though we're living in Germany, the land of sausages and schnitzels, we don't always have to eat those kinds of things. Thankfully Germany is hip to quite a few international delights. Mexican food is sadly not one of them. But, Chinese food is! On our way back down from the castle we happened upon Lotus and decided to stop for dinner. The place was virtually empty but the menu was right the opposite. It was filled with all kinds of Asian treats I'd never tried before, so we ordered the usual egg roll and took a chance on a sampler platter. When the egg roll was placed on our table, I almost died. It was the biggest egg roll I'd ever seen! It was delicious, but practically a meal in itself! And then the sampler platter made its appearance. Holy wow. An entire cafeteria-sized try full of yummies. If you ever find yourself hankering for Chinese food while exploring Cochem, go grab a seat at Lotus and DIG IN!

After touring the castle and filling our bellies, we took a walk along the water and crossed the bridge to the opposite side of the river for some stunning views of Cochem at twilight. We then ended our lovely day on the Mosel with a few night caps at a wine bar right on the river. I must admit, Cochem gave my beloved Rhine River Valley a run for its money! I'm excited to give a few more Mosel Valley towns a try this summer!