A foggy start

We awoke to fog in Bernkastel.  It just seems to be the norm at this time of the year.  Bernkastel is actually two communities on opposite banks of the Mosel River.  To start our guided walking tour of the Old Town, we need to cross over the bridge.  There's a town out there somewhere, we just can't see it.

Once across the bridge, the buildings of the town are visible beneath the fog.

Manuela leads us through the streets to admire the half-timbered houses that date back to the 17th century.

The Rathaus (Town Hall) was built in the late 13th century.

We are in the Marktplatz, which is considered to have the best-preserved medieval buildings in Germany.

 

The statue in the marketplace.

 

Manuela demonstrates how chains and handcuffs were used to publicly shame offenders.

The most photographed site in town is the Spitzhäuschen (Pointed House). Built in 1416, this half-timbered, pointed-roof building is among the oldest structures in Bernkastel.  The house is the smallest on the ground floor and then spreads out in the upper floors.  This was a way to pay less tax, which was calculated on the ground floor footage.

This square is all set up with little cafes for outdoor dining.

The Mosel is Germany's wine region and Berkastel produces some of the very finest Riesling wines available, from vineyards on the steep slopes above the small town.  We visit a local winery for a little tasting.

First we learn a little about the wines...

and then we taste.

Here's what we sampled.

The guided tour is over so we set out to explore the vineyards a bit more.

It's still foggy; can't even see that there is a castle on the hill above the town.

We decide to head up to the castle anyway, hoping that we could see something.  It's a half mile up a quite steep hill.

Up close we could see the castle

But looking down at the town, we could see nothing but the fog.

So back down we went with the thought that the fog would burn off by noon and we could try again.

We returned to the ship for lunch.

And sure enough, it was not long before we could start to see the castle emerge from the fog.

We set out again and cross the bridge to hike up the hill to the castle.  It's looking promising.

We climb the steep hill through vineyards and can see the town below.

Once again we are up to the castle, which is the ruins of the 9th-century Landshut Castle.  It was once the home of the archbishops of Trier.

We walk around the perimeter of the castle and we have the most amazing views of the town below.

We sat and admired the view for awhile

 

And then started the trek down

Here's the tower in the town we could not see this morning.

Soon it was time to sail away.

During the afternoon, we were guests at a special recognition party for those who have traveled several times with the company.  Our program leaders, Manuela and Jorn are raising a glass along with the ship's captain, Richard Schork.

We are headed back to the Rhine River....full of castles on the right and left banks.

To continue reading, scroll down and click on "Newer Posts".  You will meet up with us in Boppard, Germany.