Travel Fairy-tale castle In Cochem, the restored 11th-century Reichsburg (Imperial Castle) dominates the buildings and surrounding vineyards. From the castle, our panoramic views encompassed the Mosel and the town. Descending to the cobbled town square, we discovered half-timbered buildings with geranium-filled window boxes and a domed church steeple. Wine taverns and souvenir shops sold bottles of local Riesling wine. We sipped the crisp, white wine with dinner on board. After sunset, Cochem transformed into a magical town below the illuminated Reichsburg. Several passengers walked along the river, admiring the reflections of building lights in the Mosel. Others enjoyed the scene from the lounge as the on-board musician provided entertainment. Meandering Mosel In Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Mosel, we viewed a large equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I who unified Germany in 1871. Now called the Reunification Statue, the landmark protects three pieces of the former Berlin Wall. At Koblenz, we left the Rhine to travel along the Mosel for 200 kilometres to Trier. In the dining room, we constantly shifted our gaze from our plates to the windows framing fishermen, kayakers and campers who waved as we glided by. Church bells resonated from medieval steeples in winemaking villages below hillside vineyards. Cobblestone lanes Bernkastel, our next stop, was equally enchanting. Seated at outdoor tables and strolling along cobblestone lanes, we gazed at its medieval and Renaissance half-timbered houses, geranium-encircled fountain and fanciful signs. Views of the town straddling both banks of the Mosel were just as picturesque from the hillside vineyards. During a wine-tasting at a generations-old family vineyard, we learned about viticulture and watched workers tend the grapevines. CSANews | FALL 2018 | 23
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