Tom & Jennalee arrived from Vietnam on Thursday (after
nearly 3 mo of travel)
and we were off on Friday morning at 5am to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt wasn’t much to write home about and
wouldn’t
put it on the top of your list,
but we had fun anyways –
especially when we found a fun pop-up roof top pool bar
on top of a parking garage (English term - car park).
The following day we were off to the countryside for some
delish wine tasting –
First stop was a quick walk through Eltville and then
onto the first winery
Robert Weil in Rheingau.
Robert Weil had the most modern and stunningly beautiful
property.
It also had some pretty amazing wines including a dry Riesling
sparkling
and some incredible sweet (and dry) Rieslings.
We were completely blown away and
it changed our opinions
of Riesling (and German wines).
(if you find dry Rieslings from Germany - try them - really, it's worth a shot...
we were pleasantly surprised with each glass we tried.)
After our incredible tour and tasting (which by the way
was FREE),
we found a random sign that said “bur fest”,
which happened to be
another winery having a mini festival.
Had another bottle of yummy wine and then explored the
vineyards –
Yes, we could drive through the vineyards! It was insane
(and gorgeous).
Then off to our hotel in Bacharach, which is right on the
Rhine.
It is in great little village with cobblestone
streets,
restaurants and near all we could want.
(one negative – many cities on the Rhine have crazy
train tracks through them = LOUD)
We drove to Marksburg Castle - more than 700 years
old.
And then took a really great gondola ride for an
incredible view.
Next stop was another winery, Johann Stahl, in Oberwesel.
Walked in, they gave us a glass and sent us down to their
cellar (alone)
and let us taste anything and everything we’d want – once again, for
FREE!
The wines were really impressive with nothing more than 8e (to take home).
One of our favorites was a Mittelrhein Grauer Burgunder.
(We'd never heard of the varietal but it was impressive - sorta like a Pinot Noir.)
This winery also had a great and affordable restaurant!
Boys shared wild boar goulash and girls split roasted chicken.
Bike riding along the Rhine came next and we did a 4+
hour ride
stopping in small villages (climbing serious hills)
and had a picnic of meats,
sausages and cheeses.
Perfect last day.
The small villages had typical German architecture, friendly people
and good wine
and food.
(all we could ask for in a holiday)
Germany stole a teeny place of our heart
(even the weirdness of Frankfurt).
It was a much needed country break from that madness of
London
and extra happy to share it with some of our faves!
xx
the mcgees
