german adventures

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).

frankfurt fun

roof top pool bar

view from the roof top bar at night - frankfurt

eltville

first rose spatburgunder (1 litre - not the typical .75)

robert weil

old barrels

new barrels

vineyards, vineyards and more vineyards

1 litre beer (HUGE!!!)

pretty little german villages

gondola ride to the top - amazing view of Rhine

self-guided wine tasting, johann stahl winery

bike riding & skipping rocks

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