It is the end of March in 2004, and it's early morning. There is still a little haze in the Mosel-Valley but it looks like it is going to be a very nice spring day. The sun is trying to break through the last few clouds and I am enjoying every minute of this morning.
The start of the day was really early though, about 5 o'clock. That IS an early start, but it is so amazing that you can travel all the way from Sweden to the Mosel-Valley just as a daytrip. But that's possible these days! Hahaha, and of course I couldn't let an opportunity like that go by.
Driving through the lovely Mosel Valley
Driving through the lovely Mosel Valley
Okay, I got a amazingly cheap flight to Hahn, which is located not far from the Mosel-Valley. Hmmmm.... but how to get around there for not too much money..... So we started to surf around for a good deal on a rental car and we found a great one! We used 'Sixti Car Hire' where you can hire a car (a 'Smart') as cheap as 5 euro a day! You have to read the fine print though, as there are quite a few things you have to pay attention to. But this can be a very cheap option if you don't need the car for a long distance and travel off-season.
Cochem
Cochem
After a nice drive through the Mosel-Valley, I arrived in Cochem. It hasn't been the first visit to this place, but the first view of it keeps surprising me. You can't visit Cochem without noticing the castle on top of the hill.
The castle is towering 100 metres above the city of Cochem overlooking the Mosel River. The silhouette of the towering hill seems to continue in the castle which creates a wonderful effect. I guess this castle is one of the main reasons that have made Cochem to the tourist village as it is nowadays. And yes, it is also the reason why I wanted to go here, to visit the castle!
Springtime in Cochem
Springtime in Cochem
Going to Cochem during the springtime is really nice. The trees were starting to bloom, the sun was shining nicely and there are not that many tourists around. During the summer it can be really crowded here, maybe even too crowded, so I can really recommend to visit this place during the spring.
An extra bonus for this trip was this wonderful 'spring' feeling. In Sweden it was still a bit 'winter-like', no spring flowers yet! And this touch of spring was so lovely; weather that we had to wait for a few more weeks up in Sweden, but I could enjoy it already for one day :-)
On top of the hill...
Cochem
The castle looks so wonderful on top of the hill. Hahaha, there is one problem though! You have to walk all the way up there to take a look at the castle! You can park your car in the village of Cochem, there are quite a few spots available along the river. Close to the centre it is paid parking, but if you follow the road a bit longer from the centre of the village along the river towards the castle, you can find some free parking spots as well.
Exhausted ;-))
Phew, climbing up that hill doesn't go easy! The first time I climbed it was about 15 years ago, hahaha, and I still remembered that hike up the hill very well. And yep, it didn't disappoint me!!! It was still as steep as the first time, lol.
But don't worry! Almost up to the top of the hill, with the castle in view, there is a little bench. Hahaha, the perfect spot to rest a bit, feel pity for yourself, hahaha, and pose for the camera like you are being sooooo exhausted, lol :-))
Exhausted ;-))
Almost at the castle
Cochem
The last little bit to the castle is a nice walk, hahaha, maybe especially because you know you are almost there. You can see the impressive castle on top, and on the side of the road there is a little vineyard. This early in the year the grapevines are just little sticks, still a long time away from the nice green plants loaded with grapes. But it is nice to see and realize you are in wine-country! But more about the Mosel wines in one of my later tips.
The enemy....
Cochem
It has been quite a climb up, but it isn't a coincidence that you have to climb up so much to see this castle. Cochem castle is the type of castle that is protected by height from its enemies. But the castle has nothing to fear these days from enemies, but more from the very location that is situated on. Erosion of the rock and cracks in it now seem to be its biggest enemy.
