Cochem Castle

For President’s Day Weekend we decided to check out a Centre Parcs Resort. They are popular in Europe and often have last minute deals if you book late. The Flake’s researched it and found that Parc Eifel in Germany just two hours north of us had openings for families our size. It turned out to be a great weekend where we could relax, play games, and enjoy the indoor pool and Kid Factory filled with climbing structures, pool, fuss ball, cars to ride on etc. At night we would walk between the two cottages (right across from each other) and play games. Usually the big kids Carter, Hanna, Sierra, Landon & Jake in one cottage and the grown ups and little ones in the other. Many games of Dominion, Settlers, Ticket to Ride were played by all ages! We even shared dinners to help out with less time in the kitchen.

It was truly a vacation and not a sight seeing trip. The only thing we ended up doing for sight seeing was on Sunday since church was too far away, we headed to view Cochem Castle right off the Mosel River. It instantly became a family favorite. We are already making plans to go back when it is not Winter!

The Flakes have a family very similar in ages to ours. They also have five kids.  Only, they have four girls and one boy who happens to be the second born just like our girl is our second born.   We knew them in Medical School through a mutual friend, but never really got to know them until recently when we both moved to Germany last Summer.  Its been so fun to get to know them better.  They are an amazing family with all the right priorities. 

 

Cochem village is nestled right on the sides of the Mosel River.  We were amazed at how much this castle actually looked like castle from the outside.  So many neat archways, turrets, and the stone work was impressive.  It was rebuilt so only a little of the original remains. 

   

Some cool things happened on this day that made it feel special.  We drove through a snow storm on the way to the castle wondering if we would even be able to see it or enjoy the outing.  When we got there, seriously within a minute, the skies parted blue sky appeared and the sun came out.  Next, we were able to join a tour that started 15 minutes after we got there, and lastly the guide was an American so even though the tour was done in German he summarized everything into 2-3 English sentences in each room.  The inside was just as fun as the outside.  The door in the picture below was actually a fake that matched one on the opposite side of the dish hutch because it was popular to have symmetry at the time this castle was rebuilt.  One other cool thing about this castle is that it actually had secret passage ways up to the rooms and down through tunnels connecting to the city.  They have since been closed off.   

Most of the kids….Sierra, Carter, Hanna, Landon, Jake, Kelsey, Josh, Sadie, and Cole.  Not pictured:  Karley sleeping on her mom. 

   

Not too far from Cochem is the famous BURG ELTZ castle.  It is currently under construction and no tours are being held during Winter, but still really fun to check out since everyone talks about it.  (Rick Steve’s is a big fan).  It is located in a valley and has never been attacked.  It was seemed like an odd place for a castle compared to others in Europe.  It was cool because it has a real MOTE all the way around it.  Our weather did not hold and by the time we had walked down to the bridge leading up to the main entrance, the snow was back in full force.  On the bright side however, it was the most beautiful snowfall ever.  Giant snowflakes floating gracefully to the ground…..and all over our car.  It was quite the storm.