Germany The Moselle Valley

Trier is most probably the oldest town in Germany, founded in 16 BC during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus. The river Moselle creates borders as it flows through three countries – France in the north-east, Germany in the south-west and Luxembourg in the east. It empties in Belgium – a fourth country! Trier, from Roman times, has always been the seat of a bishop and is one of the oldest dioceses in all of Germany. A tour of the city brings us in touch with marvelous historical monuments. The city is home to one of the oldest universities – yet one of the youngest! How can that be you ask? In 1473 the University was founded but closed in 1798 and in 1970 a new university was founded in its stead. 

What’s the common denominator between (1) the unforgettable famous Deutsches Eck, (2) Max and (und) Moritz, (3) the little boy that spits erratically at those who walk by, (4) the quote "Mr. Inspector, write a report that the man’s dog urinated twice on my husband." If you said the city of Koblenz – then you are right!  That is Koblenz – fun, interesting and beautiful and also on the list of UNESCO World Heritage site because of the riverfront area between Deutsches Eck and the Rüdesheim/Bingen. Koblenz is home to the playful, impish boys, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the tongue-in cheek statue Schangelbrunnen in front of the Town Hall with the plaque “Mr. Inspector” etc.

The picturesque town is surrounded by steep hills of quartz, blue and red slate and luscious vineyards, which makes one wonder how were the vineyards cultivated on these steep slopes. For the more initiated it is understandable that the sun plays an important role here, reaching the roots of the vines and as a result producing top grapes. And so, there are dozens of wineries offering the best quality of wines.

Traben-Trarbach is a town in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. city sights : Ruins of the Grevenburg, built about 1350, destroyed, after many sieges, in 1734 Starkenburg, 250 m above the Moselle with castle crags at the end of town going towards Enkirch. Mont Royal Fort (1687–1698). gigantic French fort built by Vauban.

Bernkastel-Kues is a well-known winegrowing centre in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district in Germany. The town is a state-recognized health resort (Erholungsort), seat of the Verbandsgemeinde of Bernkastel-Kues and birthplace of one of the most famous German polymaths, the mediaeval churchman and philosopher Nikolaus von Kues (Cusanus).