Rick Steves Says This Town In Germany's Romantic Mosel Valley Offers Fine Wine & Scenery

While the nearby Rhine might be the most popular European river for cruises, Germany's romantic Mosel Valley offers the very best of fairytale Germany. Flanked by lush, verdant hills, the beautiful Mosel River winds its way past charming villages, ancient castles, hills covered in vines, and dark, Teutonic forests. It is a wonderful spot for sightseeing, wine-tasting, and outdoor adventure, and is home to one of European travel expert Rick Steves' favorite spots in Germany, particularly for travelers looking for a more peaceful vacation experience.

The Mosel Valley is a fantastic destination to avoid crowds in Europe, and Steves describes it as "the Rhine's peaceful little sister," highlighting the delightful town of Cochem as one of the best bases for exploring the region. With its "picturesque medieval streets...[and] delightful river promenade," it is a wonderful place to explore in its own right, as well as being perfectly located for hikes, boat trips, bicycle expeditions, and wine tasting tours.

Cochem is situated in a lazy bend of the Mosel River, just on the edge of the Vulkaneifel National Reserve. The nearest large town is Koblenz, around 35 miles away, and the nearest cities are Trier and Bonn, both around 50 miles away. Lucky for travelers, the nearest air hub, the Hahn Airport, is just 30 miles away, which serves destinations across Europe. But the main transport hub is Frankfurt Airport, Germany's busiest international airport, which is reachable by car in an hour and 45 minutes.

Cochem lies in the shadow of its dramatic fortress, the Reichsburg Cochem. There has been a fortification here since the 12th century, but according to Rick Steves, "though it looks majestic — rising dramatically from a hill right above town — Cochem's castle is better admired from afar". This is largely because it was destroyed by the French in 1689 during the Nine Years' War, and lay in ruins for over a century before it was reconstructed in 1868. The resulting edifice is mostly a facade, "more fanciful than authentic", according to Steves.

That's not to say that the town doesn't have plenty going for it. The riverfront is gorgeous, and there's plenty of exquisite medieval architecture to admire. Rick Steves says the best way to explore is to "take the Sesselbahn (chairlift) up to a hilltop (and restaurant), enjoy the views, hike down, and end the day sampling some of Germany's finest wines".

Wine is a huge deal in this part of the world, and many experts believe that the Mosel Valley is the best wine-growing region in Germany. Rick Steves certainly thinks so, and suggests that "sampling local white wines or Roter-Weinbergs-Pfirsich Likör — a cordial made from the small, tart "red peaches" unique to the Mosel Valley"  is one of the major highlights of a visit to Cochem. He recommends timing your visit to coincide with one of the many wine festivals that happen throughout the summer and during fall harvests, when the town comes alive with "oompah bands, colorful costumes, and dancing, powered by the good food and wine".

Beyond Cochem itself, the Mosel Valley is a delight. If the inauthentic facade of Cochem's castle disappoints, Rick Steves suggests heading to his favorite castle in Europe, Burg Eltz, "lurking in a mysterious forest about 30 minutes by car" from the town. This majestic, magical fortress was never destroyed and so offers a uniquely authentic experience, particularly as "the castle is furnished throughout basically as it was 500 years ago", per Rick Steves. 

Steves also recommends a visit to Beilstein, "the quaintest of all Mosel towns" and one of the most romantic destinations in Germany. This tiny spot is a wonderful combination of cobbled streets, ornate door knockers, and wonderful views over the river, surrounded by row after row of vines. With around 30 hotels and guesthouses, it is a fantastic spot for an overnight stay, offering the chance to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this little slice of Germanic heaven.

The two best ways to explore the Mosel Valley, according to Rick Steves, are by bike or by boat. There are plenty of boat trips that float gently up and down the river throughout the day, offering excellent views and a wonderfully relaxing experience. For the more adventurous traveler, the region has a superb cycling infrastructure, with smooth, flat cycle lanes separated from traffic that make two wheels the ideal way to get from village to village and enjoy the amazing riverside scenery.