Well, yes, for me Germany was and will always be very surprising. One of the best proofs is a simple and pleasant "recipe": you book some days in spring or autumn, you pick some villages on the Moselle river valley, for example, and you just go, eager to explore beautiful views, culture and famous wines. Success guaranteed! The valley of this river is perhaps less well-known but extremely enchanting, especially for the numerous colors of the medieval towns, houses and nature, for the hills streaming the area, for the traditional castles and steep grapes - the leitmotif of the journey.

 

 

1. In the fancy Cochem it seems that all the typical German elements have come together. It's perfectly located somewhere up the picturesque Moselle river valley and it is full of... pastels. Discover it slowly, among its colorful houses, narrow and charming alleys, the Town Hall building of baroque inspiration and culminating with the wonderful and ultra romantic Reischburg castle that dominates the entire area. Needless to insist on the eternal beauty evoked by the whole landscape…this is why the town of Cochem is one of the most visited in Germany.

2. And we continue on the valley of the Moselle River with Beilstein, a quite small village but full of history and charm. Its old Marktplatz, dating back to the 14th century, boasts lovely cottages; the Carmelite monastery of St. Joseph here also deserves a visit for the super original interior. The multitude of vineyards in the surroundings gave birth to a very cool wine bar, Zehnthauskeller, a former cellar that now has a modern air and where you can enjoy a wide variety of wines.

3. Bernkastel invites you to...day dreaming. Located also on Moselle, with an ancient center that will remain in my memory forever, and with most of the old houses full of colorful flower pots attached to the windows, it seems taken from the Grimm brothers’ stories. Peace, Quite and Beauty, that's how I can briefly describe it, so try to spend at least a day here so you can be carried into another world. The blend of tones and architectural materials, baroque and Renaissance reminiscent or superbe panoramas with vineyards make it an ideal spot for some complete escapades.

 

4. Perfect for Instagram pictures: Burg Eltz - a real fortress but as depicted in the most beautiful fairy tales ever about the Middle Ages, located obviously, also on the Moselle River, near Wierschem. From the 850-year-old castle that can serve any king, count, and every possible royal rank to the surrounding nature that seems to have been super preserved from the past, it's a magical place to check in when you get here.

5. And again we have wine, cultural enthusiasm, pure nature and romantic experiences, in a word - Traben. If you want to taste the the town at its most you can choose to lose yourself in an art-nouveau building, enjoy a traditional spa or thermal waters, but especially (in case you are not tired of good wine) to take advantage of the typical culinary delicacies accompanied by a royal Riesling.

 

6. Zell is another small but splendid village along the river, with many Gothic cave buildings, but especially with medieval views.

 

7. The last on my colored list would be Trier, the oldest German city and although I did not like it as much as Cochem I must admit that the 2000 years of history preserved here so well does not leave anyone indifferent. The Roman remains, the Dome, the cathedrals, the museums or the thermal baths, all breathe amazing architecture, many of which are UNESCO heritage.