What was slated as a 4-day pack-up/move-out processes turned into a fairly successful 1.75 day whirlwind of cardboard and packing paper. So, what does one do with 2+ free days, nowhere to sleep, and only the possessions that fit into a suitcase?! Travel!!

We headed for the Mosel River Valley, which is similar to the Rhine Valley, except with less tourists and more wine!!

The Mosel River Valley

First we toured Burg Eltz, which might be my favorite castle in Germany. I loved it because it was in the middle of the forest. No hordes of crazy tourists, no knick-knack shops in sight, not even a parking lot. Just a cool old castle, surrounded by trees and a river.

Burg Eltz

Then we got to the wine!! We stayed in Cochem, which has a Weinstube (wine tavern) around every corner!

We sampled Mosel wines from nearly every Weinstube, including an Erdbeerboule, which was basically a bowl of strawberries swimming in wine. Eat or drink? Both!

Unbeknownst to us, there was a Weinfest taking place just 4km upriver, in the town of Ernst. The Walls never pass up a Weinfest!! Here was the best part: the easiest way to get there was by boat…which was also a Weinstube! Sign. Us. Up.

Ernst macht Spaβ…especially with a full glass of wine!

Waiting for the boat back to Cochem.

If only moving went like this every time!!