Cochem Off The Beaten Path

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We climbed to Kapuzinerberg (see Things to do Tips) from Endertstrasse and we came down the Kapuzinertreppe (stairs) on the other side. The sun was shining and you could feel the warmth of the stones. Halfway a man was busy with a broom. He commented that autumn was early this year. Many leaves had already fallen. We wished each other 'Schönen Tag'.

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Very busy little streets and also the Marktplatz was crowded with people. Nice houses all around, very uninteresting shops though. The fountain is of 1767 and in my Mosel guide I read that the Marktplatz is the first address to go to. But really, I thought it was so busy I was out of there in a flash!

at least i *think* this is off the beaten path. there is a great mustard mill across the mosel from the castle and most of the shopping. there is a wine cellar nearby (next door?) also, but we didn't go in there.

if you like mustard, or even just odd historical factoids, i think you'd enjoy this place. the tour isn't so much of a "tour" as walking into a room and having the tour guide explain how the make mustard... but it's still quite interesting. and the mustard is tasty! free samples are available and the staff is friendly.

no mean mr. mustard here! wolfgang steffens' historische senfmühle produces cold milled mustard. you'll find the mill on the river, across the mosel from the tourist-y part of cochem, just to the left of the bridge. for about €2.50 you can step into the mustard-colored room where they make the mustard, learn about the history, process and watch the mill in action. our 'tour' was in german, i'm not sure if it is available in english as well. it's an interesting little stop! free samples of 7 sorts of gourmet mustard. the mustard is sold in stoneware crocks which can be refilled. open from 10am-6pm daily, tours at 11am, 2pm, 3pm, & 4pm. group tours available upon request. in the basement is a wine cellar, also with tours i believe.

Burg Bischofstein is a nice castle high above the left bank of the river Mosel / Moselle, about 25km downstream from Cochem.
The castle dates back to the 13th century and was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century by a rich banker from Darmstadt. Today it is in private posession and may not be visited. It belongs to The "Fichte Gymnasium" , a school in Krefeld and is used by the pupils on a regular basis.

Traben-Trarbach is a small town with an interesting architecture, about 45km upstream from Cochem.
On my picture you may see "Brückentor" a gate built over the Mosel-bridge. On 1st floor you will find a restaurant called "Brücken-Schenke" with a perfect view on the river Mosel / Moselle and also the cars passing by underneath.
This restaurant is open daily from 11.00a.m.
D-56841 Traben-Tarbach - Brückenstrasse 33

Kröv / Kroev is a lovely village in the Mosel-valley, that nobody - including me - would mention If there would not be a very special , great wine ! It tastes simply great, despite it's strange name :

Nacktarsch - it will not be possible to translate this name into English, without parts beeing automatically removed...

n@cked @ss is the name in English and of course it is a registered wine-trademark and may be used ONLY by vinters in Kröv !!
You may click on my link below, when you like to read about where the funny name came from and also like to see the famous label of the wine-bottle.

Ediger-Eller is another lovely village about 25km upstream from Cochem. You will drive through that village on your way to Bernkastel-Kues and I think it is well worth a short stop-over. Already from the street you pass through you will see several beautiful halftimbered houses and plenty of places, where you may sit in a garden-restaurant and taste the famous local Mosel-wines.
All of these small villages are not yet overrun by tourists like Cochem and Bernkastel.