Cochem, Burg Eltz, and Beilstein...Oh My!

Day two of our family adventure continued with the castle theme, we were off to visit Burg Eltz, a family owned castle for more than 33 generations.   Our first stop along the way, Cochem, a quaint little town along the Mosel River valley with cobble stoned streets, a castle, and apparently a mustard museum.  Our house appears to be a geographical oddity*,  our destination was yet another two hour drive away.  By the time we arrived we were ready for lunch - the pervasive overcast and sporadic showers precipitated the decision to find a restaurant.  Being that Cochem is a small town, we almost walked the entire town-scape before deciding on a locale.  

After lunch, we continued to walk the streets, seeming as though we were traveling through a different period in time - only the stores and people served as reminders of the present.  We walked across the bridge to take more pictures and get a better view of Reichsburg, the castle in Cochem.  There are more restaurants on the other side of the Mosel and a Historic Mustard Mill (Historische Senfmühle).  The tour didn't seem to justify the cost, but there were samples of all the varieties of mustard made at the facility (highly recommend the Historischer Senf, seriously, buy some now).  The taste test convinced us to make some purchases, ending our visit in Cochem - it was time to go to Burg Eltz.  

Another two-hours 15-minutes in the car and we arrived at one of the few family-owned castles in Germany.  We parked near the castle for a nominal fee, but there is an option with free parking and it involves a 35-minute hike to the castle grounds - being that we aren't sadist, this was not an option.  Burg Eltz has a rich 850-year history and is one of only a few castles in Germany to have never incurred collateral damage through the wars.  The castle is uninhabited, but the Count and Countess use their property as a tourist attraction.  The tour costs nine Euro and is a rare insight through the history of a well preserved family-owned castle.  Pictures are not allowed on the tour (reason unknown), but somehow my camera would mysteriously take a photo when walking around.  The tour ends with an unguided walk thorough the family treasury and contains an immense private collection that would be an "Antiques Roadshow" appraiser's wet dream.      

Our day was cap-stoned with a visit to Beilstein, a picturesque town alongside the Mosel River.  Exploring the village of Beilstein is like walking through a fairy tale.  Half-timbered homes, cobble-stoned streets, and even has a castle, but unfortunately, Burg Metternich was closed for the evening.  We finished our day with dinner at Wirsthaus Alte Stadtmauer on the balcony overlooking the Mosel followed with some gelatto across the street.  

geographical oddity*

Cochem

Endert Gate Tower, remains of old town wall dating back to 1332

Pedestrian area of Cochem

Welcomed by singing street performance

Over the bridge to the Mustard Museum we go

Reichsburg overlooking town of Cochem

Burg Eltz

View from walking path

And another

Front gate

Inside castle grounds

Courtyard where we waited for tour

Armory room, first room entered on tour

Before being told pictures weren't allowed

Weapons rack

Low ceilings for tiny Eltz family

Beilstein

Burg Metternich overlooking Beilstein

Town across the Mosel

Vineyard along the river

Entire town looked like this

Pleasant looking balcony

Down a side-street

Small Restaurant in town

Wine Region indeed

End of town limits looking back towards river