When I need a dose of quaint cobbled towns and storybook castles while in Germany, I drop into the dreamy Mosel Valley. The Mosel, located near Germany’s western border, is the Rhine’s peaceful little sister.
The main tourist town of Cochem, tucked between steep vineyards and the river, boasts picturesque medieval streets. Stroll the delightful riverfront promenade, play life-size chess, or just grab a bench and watch Germany at play. To join in the fun, take the Sesselbahn chairlift up to a hilltop (and restaurant), enjoy the views, hike down, and end up at a wine-tasting at Weingut Rademacher….