Showing posts with label Bavaria - Fichtelgebirg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bavaria - Fichtelgebirg. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Returning to the Rheingau


Well, I have not blogged for a few days. I have been ‘unterwegs’ (on the road) as we say here in Germany.

First, I drove from the Fichtelgebirge mountain region back to the Rheingau.  I still have not finished exploring the romantic side of the Rhine from Wiesbaden to Koblenz. I was hoping that I could do so when the sun was shining so that I could get some good photos. But that was not to be. Mid –March is still quite grey in the middle Rhein region.

Pinterest - Roaming - Bavaria Fichtelgebirg Natural Park Visited mid-Mar

At any rate, I decided to stay in Walluf (again!!)  … which is the gateway to the romantic side of the Rhinegau. I really like this little town. The houses are cute, the people are friendly, the town is very comfortable and when you need a big city Wiesbaden is close by. I stayed in a really cute little hotel (Zum neuen Schwan – the new swan). I saw on the internet that they had ‘small’ rooms at 48€ per night, so I sent them an email… no response. Then I decided to book through one of the online hotel booking services at 58€ per night for a larger room… without breakfast!! (I never do breakfast.. why should I spend the extra money for a couple of Brötchen (rolls), some butter and a small cup or two of coffee.   Instead, I just buy stuff to eat in my room or I stop somewhere to get a bite. )

If you are looking for an adorable, yet reasonable priced place to stay, I can highly recommend the zum Neuen Schwan.  It is furnished with antiques and it overlooks the Rhine. I could see the river from my room!! (Very pretty on a rainy night watching the ‘twinkling’ barges moving up and down the river.) If you want a closer look - sitting directly on the river - you can have dinner at the restaurant across the street . It is owned by the brother of the hotel proprietor. 


If you are looking for a place a bit cheaper (around 50€ per night) , try the Lok-inn pension / hotel. This place as I mentioned in an earlier blog is in the old railway station… Yes, the station is still active… trains roll past fairly frequently. But thankfully, you cannot hear or feel them as they roll past. Frau Burkhardt – the proprietress – recommended that – instead of opening the window for fresh air - I turn on this little air conditioner thing which is in the wall (not really like our air conditioners.. this simply brings in fresh air). The inn is still being renovated, so the entrance is a bit difficult to find and looks a bit dumpy, but don’t let that deter you,  the rooms are fine. They have all been redone.

The Lok-inn Pension / hotel

Saturday, March 16, 2013

a mile here,...a mile there (ok, kilometer)


Well today, I drove in the opposite direction. To my surprise just a few kilometers down the road there is a huge forest with all sorts of winter and summer sports…and a large health rehabilitation center…perfect for curing whatever ails you!!

What a great place…. lakes for swimming, hills for hiking, and skiing... all within minutes  of each other. Be sure to check out my 'Roaming Thru Europe' Pinterest boards on the Fichtelgebirge, Bayreuth and Coburg areas to see some of what I have seen over  the past few days.
 
Oh, and I also saw a cat sitting high in a tree, giving himself a bath... I guess it was too cold for him to sit on the snow covered ground!!


















Well last night I made the worst – Absolutely WORST – baby boomer travel mistake. I brought a corkscrew that I did not know how to work. As a result, I could not get my bottle of red wine open!! I had to put some clothes on and go to the restaurant to ask them to open it. I did not see the humor  in my situation, but the people I encountered on the way sure did.. all said ‘hello' and then knowingly smiled!!

Cutting this trip short


The weather here is beautiful. The sun is shining and it is not too cold.. except to Peugeot who once again is unwilling to start his day!! So here I sit in my hotel room waiting for it to get warm enough to go out and explore. As a result, I have decided to cut short this trip. I had intended to stay until Monday morning and then drive back to Frankfurt for meetings on Monday. So now I will leave Sunday around noon…temperature permitting… and arrive in Walluf in the late afternoon or early evening.