A Magical Place...

"Sometimes we get caught up in our troubles and our problems and we let life slip away, but life is precious, all of life, and one must try to take in as much of it as possible." - Yanni

It's one of my many favorite sayings, and I love it. We don't know how long we are here.   My goal is to see as much as what the world and it's cultures have to offer.  A lot of poeple say that I have the soul of a gipsy. Could be.
 
The following is one of my favorite Burgs I recommend that you try to see at least once in your life

Every time I go to this Burg, I go in the off-season. The journey will take you off the autobahn, and wind you into quaint towns in the boarding Eiffel region.  You will easily find your way, as it's marked with many signs.  No problem there.  The journey itself - is quite breathtaking.  What Burg is this ...you ask?

Burg Eltz : http://burg-eltz.de/

The burg is a medieval castle which is nestled in the hills above the Moselle River (the German wine region).  This is between Koblez and Trier - about an 1.5 hours away from Köln.  I believe what makes it really amazing is the fact it's still owned by the same family that has lived there since the 12 century - 33 generation ago!!!  It's never been destroyed, and has been kept quite intact.


Many favorite castle websites/tv show documentaries - will show Burg Eltz within the top 10 castles to visit within Germany.  Watch Rick Steves's episode: https://youtu.be/mnaTBf2Izaw

Now, I'm not sure if it's MY favorite castle in Europe...as Steve says it's his...but it's definitely topping my list.

They are not lying.  I have never even toured this castle on the inside, but it's in my "Top Picks."  In my opinion - this even beats Neuschwanstein, and I took the tour at Neuschwanstein!!!!

You have two options during the "off-season." You can take the trail down OR *if it's in the off time* the concrete road - where the bus would noramlly travel in the "on-season."  My recommendation, if it's the off season, is to take the trail down first.  It will take you around 15-20 minutes to reach the castle by foot, so make sure you go with enough daylight left, and wear appropriate hiking shoes.   There is nothing like turning the corner, and seeing the right side of the castle.  It's amazing.

Continue down to the front. After viewing the castle, use the shuttle bus pathway to walk up into a beautiful overlook.    If you are lucky, the temperature will be right, and snow.   If you go in the off-season - most likely nobody will be there -

and if it starts to snow - it's just ....  well you can fill in the blank.  Just make sure not only you, but your car has also has appropriate gear.

Personally, I don't want to ruin the picture in my head with what Burg Eltz could look like in the peak season.  I love seeing it with nobody there.  It's beautiful, and serene.   I seem to go back - every year during the off-season.  It's ..romantic. =) I play Loreena McKennitt in my head. It's a 10/10.

I love the fact that I have been given this amazing opportunity not just to live and work in Germany, but to also be able to travel, and experience such amazing things.  I hope you, too, can experience - and with my recommendations - have an amazing time.

 

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