Must-See Sights Along the Moselle River

Perched on a hill overlooking the town and vineyards below, Cochem Castle looks like it leapt straight from the pages of a fairytale. Constructed sometime around 1100, today it’s home to medieval tours, festivals and feasts. Strolling these timeworn stone halls with a glass of locally sourced wine is bound to have you feeling, well, royal. And if the wine doesn’t achieve this, the tower’s view of the surrounding countryside certainly will.

Nestled along a bend of the Moselle River, Bernkastel-Kues radiates a “life is good” energy; the pace of the town demands that you slow down and savor each minute. While there’s plenty to see and do when visiting, you’d be forgiven for simply spending the day lounging at a café in the alstadt, or old town. The old town square is one of the best-preserved in the country, with gabled half-timbered houses providing an ambiance seemingly undisturbed since the 17th century. After a long relaxing meal at one of the many sumptuous cafes or restaurants lining the square, you’re ready to tackle a pleasant walk exploring the town … or not. After all, much of the city’s delicacies are available right where you’re sitting!

Castle Frankenstein requires a quick explainer: no, there was never a monster roaming this estate. But, there once was an eccentric “alchemist” named Johann Konrad Dippel. Dippel’s career high was attaching his name to the highly questionable universal cure-all “Dippel’s Animal Oil,” and his career low was probably dying of a stroke after claiming to have discovered an elixir that would keep him alive until the ripe old age of 135. While his scientific experiments did little for his legacy, it has been theorized that he was the inspiration for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Of course, these are only three of our favorites — there’s an entire river of wonders to discover. Getting around could be quite the undertaking … or it could a sumptuous river cruise. Avalon Waterways has made a reputation for themselves in the world of cruise lines: with suites 30% larger than the industry standard and home to the only actual Open-Air Balcony^®, you can rest easy and well in some of the most luxurious rooms on European rivers. And, with scores of onboard and onshore activities and excursions, no two cruises are the same, even when it’s two people on the same cruise. Just another way Avalon Waterways is dedicated to allowing you to chart your own adventure and curate your own list of favorites in the process.