Updated on December 13, 2023 by Angelika

Welcome to my last "12 out of 12" for 2023. Unbelievable that the year is almost over again ...

I've been visiting Trier since Saturday, mostly in bad weather, but I still enjoyed my trip because I went to see lots of churches and museums. In the evenings, I strolled around the Christmas market to take some photos. I don't like the crowds, but I do like the color that Christmas markets bring to the winter grey. The weather forecast for the Moselle valley was a little better than for Trier, so I decided to drive to Cochem today and get an impression of the area, which I don't know at all yet. Despite the gloomy weather, I was surprised with some great views. It must be simply wonderful here in late summer. I'll definitely be back!

Google Maps Moselle Valley map on my iPad - angiestravelroutes.com
I plan my route precisely on my iPad, because I want to drive along the Moselle and don't want to take the fastest route, but the most beautiful one. It later turns out that my plan doesn't work out due to roadworks.
View of the small village of Piesport with the church of St. Michael - angiestravelroutes.com
Winter is certainly the worst time of year to drive through the Moselle valley. The upside is that there really isn't much traffic on the main and country roads. At Piesport, I stop at the side of the road to take a photo of the small village reflected in the river.
View on the footpath from the parking lot to Landshut Castle - below the castle, on the other side of the Moselle, lies Bernkastel-Kues - angiestravelroutes.com
Near Bernkastel-Kues, I drive up the narrow winding roads to Landshut Castle. I have to walk a little way from the parking lot. Shortly before I arrive at the castle, I can already enjoy beautiful views over the vineyards to the castle, into the Moselle valley and over Bernkastel-Kues. How wonderful it must be here in late summer, when the grapes are hanging on the vines and hopefully the sun is shining brightly!
View of the Moselle valley from Landshut Castle - a blooming red rose at the bottom right of the picture - angiestravelroutes.com
The mild climate doesn't just seem to be good for the wine. There is even a rose blooming here.
Landshut Castle - inner courtyard with tower - on the right part of the modern panorama restaurant, which has been cleverly integrated into the old walls - angiestravelroutes.com
There is a Christmas tree in the castle courtyard. Unfortunately, the panorama restaurant is only open at weekends in winter. I would have loved a cappuccino with river view.
Cochem Castle above the old town of Cochem - View from the Skagerak Bridge - angiestravelroutes.com
It's already 2:30 p.m. when I park my car in Cochem. I say goodbye to my plan to visit Cochem Castle. It is only open until 3 p.m. and I would first have to climb the mountain on which it stands. I decide to look for a good photo spot, which I find on the Skagerak Bridge in the middle of the town. The wafts of mist give the castle an almost mystical appearance ...
Old Town Cochem - Café Flair - Apple strudel with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream and a large cup of cappuccino - angiestravelroutes.com
I take a break at Café Flair. The interior is obviously from the 1980s, but the cakes here are delicious and homemade. I can't remember the last time I had such a good apple strudel.
Cochem market square with Christmas tree and St. Martin's fountain. The fountain is decorated with fairytale figures (Snow White and the seven dwarfs) - angiestravelroutes.com
The market square in Cochem is beautiful. The pretty half-timbered houses are home to small stores and cafés - it's certainly lovely to enjoy a glass of Moselle wine here on a warm summer evening. St. Martin's fountain is decorated with Snow White and the seven dwarfs during the Christmas season. This also delights the adults.
Half-timbered houses on the market square of Cochem - angiestravelroutes.com
Many beautiful half-timbered houses are grouped around the market square. Fairy lights and red baubles on the Christmas tree create a festive atmosphere.
Cochem - Christmas market on Endertplatz - the fountain is decorated with an Advent wreath with red baubles - angiestravelroutes.com
On the way back to my car, it starts to rain again. As a result, there's not much going on at the Christmas market on Endertplatz. I think it's nice that the fountain has been decorated with an Advent wreath.
Recording TV screen - Weather map and presenter - angiestravelroutes.com
After the weather forecast - which doesn't look too good for tomorrow - I pack some of my things, because tomorrow I'm going back home.
Packing cubes - packed with sweaters and scarves - angiestravelroutes.com

I want to set off early tomorrow as I've planned a few side trips on the way: In Trier, I want to visit the church of St. Paulin with its magnificent baroque interior by the Würzburg court architect Balthasar Neumann see. Then I'll drive up to the Marian column on the Markusberg and see Trier from above. On the way back in Saarland, I will stop off at Germany's oldest monastery, the Benedictine Abbey of St. Mauritius in Tholey. Since 2019, the monks have been naming three stained glass windows in the main choir of the abbey church by Gerhard Richter The artist donated his last major work to the monastery. 29 further windows, also new, were created by the Afghan artist Mahbuba Maqsoodi. What an exciting combination! I have to see it! From Tholey, it's only a few kilometers to St. Wendel, where, next to the late Gothic Wendalinus Basilica, there is supposedly the most beautiful Christmas market in the Saarland. Let's see if I can manage this program!

12 of 12 info

If you enjoyed this glimpse into my day and have a blog yourself, join in the fun!

The photo project 12 of 12 was initiated by Caro from Draußen nur Kännchen. On the 12th of the month, you take lots of photos throughout the day, and in the evening, you pick 12 of them to write a short description about. Under Caro's 12 of 12 posting you will find a list in which you can enter your own 12 of 12 blog post.

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