Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Germany
Black Forest
Oh yes who can resist the extravagant cream filled, kirsch laced gateaux?
The region named after the gateaux in south west Germany is pretty tasty as well with stunning scenery, beautiful fairy story villages with their timbered houses - Hansel and Gretel anyone?
Craftsmen producing cuckoo clocks and other wooden carvings.
Stretching from Baden Baden in the north to the Swiss border in the south the semi mountainous area is riddles with scenic routes with many turns producing wows as new vistas appear.
If exploring by car the local tourist board has several suggested (and well signposted) routes - choose a theme and off you go.
For ultimate decadence there is even a 270 km Spa route.
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The prize for the most unpronounceable town must go to Freiburg im Breisgau, home to an impressive 13th century church and if you feel fit then climb the 116 m high tower for impressive views of the town. The area around the church is virtually unchanged with narrow streets and arcades. If you want your birds eye view to include the church then a funicular will take you up a hill giving another impressive view of the town.
Due to its mineral spas Baden Baden has attracted visitors since Roman times and the baths are still the main attraction of this beautiful city.
Even if the spas don't interest you the city is worth exploring on foot and there are plenty of cafés where you can sample a certain gateaux.
Other beautiful towns include Schiltach, said by many to be the most beautiful town in the area, where craftsmen have made wooden products since the 13th century. Set at the confluence of three rivers this is a must see town.
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Gengenbach is another beautiful town which is famed for its Christmas Market
Upper Rhine Valley
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The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is probably the most well known part of the Rhine as it passes from Rudesheim in the south to Koblenz in the north. The river meanders through valleys with fairy tale castles overlooking the river and pretty towns line the banks with vineyards clinging to the hillsides.
If driving there are main rods running parallel to both banks of the river, although some good planning is required as crossing points are rare. Where they do occur they are usually by means of ferries, so you may have a wait. Bridges crossing the river are as rare as hens teeth.
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A more sedate way of taking in the beauty is to take a river trip. I can highly recommend the trip from Koblenz to Rudesheim - it's an all day trip
Wiesbaden, located a few miles upstream from Rudesheim is a delightful spa town, with no fewer than 15 hot springs at a very warming 66 degrees Celsius.
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The impressive Biebrich Schloss is a baroque style building which appears a lovely near pink colour in the early evening sun.
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Rudesheim is a small town and a popular stopping point for river cruises. The narrow town centre streets are nice to explore, with plenty of eateries to choose from.
Meandering north several beautiful towns line either bank of the river.
Typical of these towns is Bacharach, on the west bank of the river.
Overlooked by a ruined castle and vine covered terraces the walled town has a combination of cobbles streets, small alleys and a square lined with restaurants.
The river passes through some deep gorges, the most impressive being the 200 m high Loreley Rock which forms a loop in the river - there are some sharp rocks in the river here and legend has it that Sirens on top of the rock distracted sailors. luring them onto the rocks.
The siren sounds to be heard nowadays will come from the open air concerts held on top of the rock at various times throughout the year.
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Other towns worth a stop are St Goar, St Goarhausen, Bloppard and Braubach
Koblenz is built round the point where the River Moselle joins the Rhine.
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This is one town where you can cross the river by bridge, several in fact.
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A more stunning way of crossing the river though is by the cable car linking the main city to the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which overlooks the city and offers stunning vies of the city and river gorge.
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The city is the starting point for boat trips on both the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
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The Old Town is great to explore on foot, with several square, most lined with cafés and eateries.
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If you are really pushed for time The Romanticum gives you the opportunity to take a virtual tour of the Rhine Valley.
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Round off your day with a meal overlooking the river.
