Bacharach, St. Goar, the Mosel River, Deutschland (Germany)
Awesome day. Got up and had breakfast with Donna and the boys and Sarah. Good conversation, good company. Donna decided to cut the boys loose for the day and so we decided to go on a drive in the country. Sarah headed back to London to return home and we wished her well.
I had to check out of the hostel because they were fully booked for tonight, but they told me to come back at 2:00 and see what’s available. Donna and I hopped in the car and drove up the Rhine and then down the Mosel River for a bit. We just enjoyed the scenery and all the little villages and castle after castle after castle.
On the way back, we stopped in St. Goar for lunch. It’s another of those story book towns and we walked down a narrow road trying to figure out where to eat. Without any real criteria to go on, we just decided to sit down at the place we were standing in front of. It was fantastic. An unusual salad, very tasty and a main of various cuts of the most tender pork I’ve ever had, cooked in garlic butter and a bowl of fries. Mmmmmm mmmm.
We then headed back to the Castle Stahleck Hostel and I was told I had a choice regarding my room. I could stay on a mattress on the floor in a big room upstairs or I could have a private room. Tough choice. After checking in, Donna and I headed back down the hill to see Bacharach. It’s more of a story book town than St. Goar. Just spectacular.
An easy evening at the castle reading and hanging out on the patio. I’m on the patio now writing this and the sun has dipped below the horizon and it’s cooling down nicely now. Donna and the boys just joined me with a bottle of wine. Sweet. Ian got a big ole hickey from a German girl named Paula at the Disco a couple of nights ago in Köln. I told him I’d put that in my on line journal and I don’t think he thought I really would. Neener neener Ian. I really like these guys, Donna is a really cool mom but she doesn’t believe it and despite scaring the little British kid, and his parents with his good natured boisterousness, Ian is a pretty good guy and funny too. Jared is the quiet cool cat.
After Donna and the boys turned in, the father of the scared British kid and I got to talking. Sweet guy. His name is Steve Young and yes, when he travels to the US he often gets confused for the 49ers QB, until they he hear his accent of course. We swapped travel stories and suggestions. He and his wife and little boy are camping through Belgium, Germany and Austria for three weeks.
It’s 11:00 and dark and I can see the well lit town up river from us. A beautiful site it is, but go to bed I must.
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- Burg Katz in St. Goarshausen, on the Rhine
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- The Rhine River
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- St. Goar
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- Bacharach church organ
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- Streets of Bacharach
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- Streets of Bacharach
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- Streets of Bacharach
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- Streets of Bacharach
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- Bacharach, that’s Donna by the sign and the hostel on top of the hill
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- Streets of Bacharach
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- In Bacharach – I have no idea
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- Streets of Bacharach
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- The church Bacharach
Hi Maggie, Seeing these pictures makes me want to move there. No wonder the Europeans are so laid back. If I lived in a town like this I’m sure not much would bother me either. I’m loving your journey.
Barbara
Hey You! I hope that you are finding your way around Europe enjoyable! We just got home, about 6 hours ago and its 4:00 am, I am sitting in the dark with the 2 cats, eating Trader Joe’s Chedder popcorn. Go figure! We had a great ‘rest of the trip.’ Meeting you was a highlight and a blessing. I love reading about all of your travels….and your pictures are the best! Take care and we will keep in touch…..
Donna
Another site that is high on my list to vist next year. There is a retired school master there that gives tours, Herr Jung. He was a child during WWII and is very informative on WWII in that area. Great pictures. I only have 18 days for my trip. You did it the right way.
Found your europe trip website….wow, i envy u…any advice on my short trip to europe and if i can really pack all this in?
London July 21-23
Paris July 24-26
Rhine Valley July 27-29
Back to London by July 30
Would like to drive all this but is it practical? are trains better? first time to Europe so very much a novice. Can i drive to Rhine Valley and drive back through Bruges to Normandy and then Back to London in 1.5 days and be able to at least see Normand and Bruges?
Hi Keith,
Thanks for stopping by. Wow, yeah, me thinks that is a bit much for two weeks and driving it would not be practical. It takes valuable time to get your car(s) and learn the European road system (Brits drive on the other side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side…). And, parking is always a hassle. I fear you wouldn’t be able to enjoy your surroundings, which is what you are there for, right?
I suggest dropping the Rhineland from this trip and focus on London and Paris, using the train to get between the two. The metros in both cities are awesome and are linked to the chunnel train so getting around is easy. And, on the train, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery. I wish I had used the train a little more often.
You’ll also be able to take day trips to surrounding areas easily on trains or buses and you would be able to do Normandy easily; two days would be good. You might find the time to work in a day trip to Bruges from Paris, but I wouldn’t bother with the car, it’s a boring drive and parking is tough in Bruges, you’re better off with the train. Get your Eurail Pass before you leave, you can’t get them in Europe. Check out ricksteves.com or many other websites for passes.
If you’re just itching to do some driving thoguh, I get that. Paris to Normandy and environs would be a nice pretty drive if you wanted to rent a car in Paris. While over there, you do Mont St. Michel too.
The Rhineland is awesome, but save it for next time and build on it with so many other neat options nearby. I hope you have an fantastic trip Keith, I’d love to hear about it when you get back. Let me know you have any other questions.
Cheers,
Maggie