Castles and rolling river scenery filled the day. I began the tour at Burg Pyrmont (Castle). This fortress dates to 1225 AD, when it was a much simpler structure. In 1524, it was part of the inheritance to the Graf von Eltz. It wasn’t built into a castle complex until 1712, when construction began under the Kurfurst Waldbott von Bassenheim. During the French Revolution, the castle was completely destroyed. From 1912 until 1963, work under architects from the Krause family restored the ruins for habitation and, in 1963, architects completed the restoration. The Burg Pyrmont has only been open to the public since 1990. After touring the Burg Pyrmont I ate lunch in the castle dining hall, where servants in medieval costumes added to the experience.

Afterwards, I took a drive through the scenic Mosel River Valley to Cochem, where the Reichsburg Castle is perched atop a hill 100 meters above the River. From there I took a walking tour through the town’s three fortified city gates, complete with gatekeepers and on to the dock. Where I boarded a yacht and enjoyed a cruise down the Mosel. And last but not least, I spent the last two hours enjoying the local wine and desert at one of the many café in Cochem.