Eltville-Rosenstadt- Bouget of Flowers and Fragrant Roses

Vineyards, forests, steep hills, castles and grandiose views of the majestic Rhine River, the beautiful region of Rheingau is famous for the production of variety of Riesling wines.

Many monasteries, castles and palaces have been since century an integral part of Rheingau. The small towns and villages of the region reveal the cultural diversity and the wine-making traditions of the region.  A nice example is the picturesque town of Eltville, which can offer something for everyone.

I was really impressed by the Electoral castle dating back to the 14^th century and idyllically located near Rhine River. The ensemble of castle, courtyard, bridge, and garden is very authentic and reveals the life in the Middle Ages.

The castle has a 24 meter high tower. Here is a museum representing the history of the press printing, invented by Johannes Gutenberg who lived at the castle.

Here is also an amazing rose garden with lovely fragrant all around.

I absolutely loved the garden and the magnificent views of the rose sea in the summer.

On the banks of Rhine River the rose splendor is particularly well-preserved.

On a sunny Sunday, the atmosphere here is relaxing and enjoyable. The entire complex is fantastically maintained and definitely worth visiting.

Nice views towards the vineyards and Burg Crass.

Discovering the hidden corners of the region we continue our tour to the hills around Eltville.

Here we pass many vineyards, castles and farms.

For hikers the Rheingau Riesling trail offers wonderful opportunities to discover the region with many cultural-historical sites.

Signs showing the Rheingau Riesling directions.

From Eltville the route leads to Kiedrich, this is how we get to know the Rheingau wine region.

Kiedrich is a small and charming town just 2 km away from Eltville. I was very impressed by the church and the half-timbered houses.

The organ in Saint Valentine’s church is one of the oldest in Germany.

Klosterberg vineyards are well-known for the production of high quality wines. The wine production here goes back to 1480.

Beautiful views and many opportunities to taste wines everywhere.

The tower of the former castle of Scharfenstein, built in 1160 by the landlords of Kiedrich who wanted to secure the trade road connected Rheingau with Limburg and from there with Cologne.

Rheingau provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, walking or small vineyards tours ending with a wine tasting in the open air. The region gives excellent opportunities to experience Rheinhessen cultural landscape.

Bad Vilbel, Town of Fountains and Springs

The small and charming spa town Bad Vilbel, like Bad Soden and Bad Homburg, is famous for its mineral water springs. The town is located close to Frankfurt on the banks of River Nidda.

The most fascinating attraction for me in Bad Vilbel is the water castle on Nidda.

The castle was built in 12^th century and used by the knights of Vilbel. This is one of the best preserved moated castles I have seen so far.

The idyllic location is an enjoyable way to discover one of the most beautiful corners of the city.

Around the castle and along Nidda extends a lovely spa park, where the large lawns are surrounded by typical trees and mineral water springs. This lovely area invites visitors to relax, play, walk or have picnic. Here are also the historical sandstone bridge and the Roman baths.

The town center of Bad Vilbel has several well-preserved half-timbered houses such as the old town hall.

The building is built in Franconian style with round arch portals and round arch windows.

The mineral water from Bad Vilbel is with proven natural remedy effects and is used as a cure for several diseases. 

The water has made Bad Vilbel well-known, not only in Hesse.

There are several springs in the town where the water can be tasted. The mineral water tradition is also presented by the fountain near the old town hall, showing Bad Vilbel’s history as a mineral water town.

Relaxation and recreation is an integral part of my everyday life and the districts around Bad Vilbel offer great opportunities to hike along Hohe Strasse, surrounded by hills and valleys, up to Frankfurt Lohrberg.

Hohe Strasse is one of the most beautiful regional park routes, which is a part of an old trade route connecting Frankfurt and Leipzig. During centuries people used this road as an essential link between the two metropolitan cities, not only as a way to transport trades but also news, stories, ideas.

Nowadays the road is so well-developed and offers many places to sit rest and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Following the road we reached the Lohrberger slope with the nice vineyards and magnificent views. 

This is the only vineyard within the urban area of Frankfurt and is used for the production of Riesling wines.

Panoramic views from Lohrberg.

Spring in Odenwald

Beautiful landscapes, legends and castles, Odenwald Forest in Germany is simply incredible and invites you to discover the beauty, history and traditions of the region.

Hills covered with mixed forest and wide open valleys, river streams and health air, Odenwald is a real treasure and an excellent recreation area.

The northern and western parts of Odenwald are located close to Frankfurt. The best way to get to know the region is to hike through the lush green slopes and hills and experience the magic around.

The trail starts with a narrow path through the beech forest.

The hiking tour here is a real mountain paradise.

The most beautiful viewpoints with fantastic panoramic views.

We visited Odenwald in the spring season and enjoyed the green valleys, hidden villages and blossoming trees.

In Odenwald is also the well-known hiking trial Bergstrasse. The road connects  Darmstadt and Heidelberg. The climate here is particularly mild and sunny. The good soil conditions contribute to the production of fruits, chestnuts, almonds, walnuts. This makes the Bergstrasse region so special.

We were astonished by the many blossoming almonds and cherry trees.

Lovely scenery surrounded by vineyards.

Hiking in Odenwald and Bergstrasse is a very pleasant way to discover the region.

Along the way explanatory signs describe the grape varieties and the development of the wine production in the region.

One of the many cities located on the hiking trial is the small and charming town Heppenheim.

Heppenheim is romantically surrounded by vineyards and hills.

On the top is the medieval castle Starkenburg, one of the many medieval castles along Bergstrasse.

A nice view over the Rhine valley. The cathedral of St. Peter, also known as the Bergstrasse Cathedral, dominates the townscape of Heppenheim.

I love old German towns and Heppenheim is gorgeous.

The center of the town is a nice place with the Cathedral, little square, cobble streets and traditional German buildings. It is a great place to sit and enjoy the views around. Enjoyable food and drinks are offered in here.

The town hall. 

 

Many historical sights, half-timber houses, castles,small towns offering big and relaxing experience, palaces make Odenwald worthwhile to spend a short and relaxing vacation

The Ionian Islands Part 2

Kefalonia is the diamond of the Ionian Sea. The island offers forested mountains, vineyards and infinite variety of natural surroundings.

Unforgettable is our visit to Fiscardo, the only village that was not destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake in 1953.

The port of the charming village.

Beautiful houses, tiny villas and gardens.

We continue our trip to the Odyssey’s island Ithaka. It has been always my dream to visit the island Homer has written about.

This is a truly unforgettable experience, the island is rocky with spectacular scenery, olive grove and wild mysterious forests.

Fabulous rocky scenery of the lovely little island.

The small island is unspoiled by tourism, it is calm and beautiful and perfect for relaxation.

The next stop of our delightful journey is the Cave of Papanikolis situated in the western side of Meganisi Island is the highlight of our trip.

This cave was used as a hiding place of a submarine during the Second World War.

Scorpio, the private island of Aristotle Onassis.Here he married Jacqueline Kennedy.

Madouri is the island of the Greek poet Aristotelis Valaoritis, who was born and raised here. This was also the place where he wrote some of its best works.

Going back to Lefkada, we stop at the small town of Nidri, which attracts many tourists with its bars and discos.

View of Nidri.

 

The Ionian islands are unforgettable with the crystal clean water and white beaches- just nature-nothing else but nature.