Kloster Eberbach International Easter Market
The Kloster Eberbach is a beautiful monastery located on the Rhine River and each year they hold an International Easter Market with over 80 vendors! Spring is coming soon and this market is an ‘egg-cellent’ way to kick it off!
This was my first time going to an Easter Market, so I was very excited! Also I was up for any reason to be able to go check out the inside the incredible Kloster Eberbach. The parking was located right outside of the monastery and there was no cost.
After a short walk through the courtyards of the monastery I arrived at the market!
The architecture inside alone already lived up to my expectations of what I envisioned to see at this gorgeous monastery. Then inside this picturesque room were rows of vendors, or shall I say, artists!
As I embarked on my stroll through this egg filled Easter Market, I had the same feeling as when I first started going to the Christmas Markets in search for the Christmas spirit. I was hoping this market would get me out of the cold, damp winter funk and be that glimmer of hope that spring in on its’ way! Bring on your fuzziest chicks, colorful flowers and neon eggs... I am so ready!
Every table was a new discovery of art. Each artist had a different style of egg decorating. You really wouldn’t think this is possible until you see if for yourself. From bright colors, to dipped in silver to hallow lace-like eggs, they really had it all.
Some of the artists were even working on the eggs at the table and you can see the intricate details and hard work that goes into their eggs.
It was not too crowded inside so you were able to really get a good look at each table. The prices of the eggs were generally not cheap, but there were some tables with more affordable ones. They also had a children’s table set up in the back with egg crafts for them to make and take home.
I walked around for a while and looked at every single table so I was pretty hungry at that point. Luckily they had a table with Easter goods for sale and also a café on the first floor. I had a delicious homemade cake and a cup of tea and it really hit the spot!
On the way back to the car, everyone was stopping at the winery gift shop.
The gift shop was informative, relaxing and they had very nice items for sale.
My first Easter Market was a very enjoyable and I even found a souvenir to remind of this lovely market!
Address: Bingerpfortenstraße, D-65399 Kiedrich
Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
Geierlay: Germany’s Longest Suspension Bridge
Opened in only October 2015, Geierlay is Germany’s longest suspension bridge and it a makes for a wonderful day out in the stunning German countryside! The suspension bridge is 360m long and 100m high… do you dare to cross it?!
When I added the town of Mörsdorf into my GPS I felt like I was about to journey through Middle Earth to destroy Frodo’s ring. After a beautiful drive through Rheinland-Pfalz we arrived at the Geierlay visitors center. There is a designated parking area that they want everyone to park in and not find your own spot in the small town. The visitor center is in a modern wood building which inside has a café and bathrooms. There are no bathrooms by the bridge so it would be suggested to use the bathroom before you depart! There is no cost to go on the bridge, the only fee you pay is for your parking which is only 2 euro for the day.
Other requests from the visitors center is that you do not try to drive to the bridge, and only reach it on the paths by walking or bicycle. Also to respect the beautiful landscape and picking up any trash you may make.
Time to head to the bridge! When you walk out to the road there is a sign post pointing to where you start the walk to the bridge.
You turn right on the main road, then you turn on a side road on the left which brings you out to the field. The walk to the bridge is 1,7km and the walkway is paved. I would suggest to bring a stroller or wagon for tiny legs that might get tired or else you will end up like me and have a child on your shoulders on the journey back! Strollers might not fit on the actual bridge but there is an area where you can leave it. The way to the bridge is actually a really beautiful walk!
When you turn the final corner of the path the bridge will be there and it is an amazing site! There is an area where you can sit and enjoy the view or just take a rest.
After we admired the scenery for a little bit, we were ready to walk across. We went on a weekday and there were not many people there that day, so the bridge was pretty much to ourselves!
The only thing surrounding the bridge is untouched, breathtaking forest. Chicken soup for the soul!
Walking on the bridge was very thrilling and I felt safe walking on it. The view was amazing and since we weren’t rushed we had time to take it all in.
They say it takes 6 minutes walking briskly to reach the other side, but with the snow and taking photos it took much longer.
For anyone looking to expand the walk home and make it into a hike in the woods, they have a trail map with all of the routes. There is one hike that you cross the bridge then walk down under the bridge then up to the other side. Sounds fun and we will definitely return to Geierlay this spring!
Address:
Geierlay Visitor Center
Kastellauner Straße 23Kastellaun Straße 23
56290 Mörsdorf56290 Mörsdorf
Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
Visiting the Mermaid of Lorelei
Driving along the picturesque winding road up the Rhine River is an unforgettable experience. River boats to your left, historic towns to your right and high above are several beautiful castles along the way.
Lorelei is a legendary mermaid who was brought to life in a ballad in 1801 by German author Clemens Brentano, then later adapted by Heinrich Heine’s poem, ‘Die Lorelei’. The story describes Lorelei as a siren sitting on the cliff looking over the Rhine, combing her golden hair while distracting the shipmen with her beauty and song and then causing the ships to crash on the rocks on this treacherous bend in the Rhine. Today, you can visit a statue of the mythical siren which is located at the end of a jetty, which makes for a very nice walk.
(Photo from Wikipedia)
Other famous sirens that Lorelei makes me think about are the sirens in the book The Odyssey by Homer, calling shipmen to crash into the rocks.
Or the modern twist on Homer’s Odyssey in the movie ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’.
This time my journey to discover Lorelei is not along the banks of the river, but rather high above looking down like a siren myself.
I’ve always visited Lorelei at her statue or just driving by on a scenic drive so this was all new to me and what a treat it was! On top of the Lorelei rock there is a lookout area with everything you could possible want for a great experience. They have telescopes and seats along the lookout for you to really take in all of its’ beauty.
There is also a rock carved into a chair, which I later realized its’ use and called it the ‘selfie-chair’.
Romantic couples that want to leave a piece of their love in Lorelei can bring a lock and attach it to the fence to symbolize their strong long-lasting love for each other.
The lookout allows you to get a perfect 180-degree view of the river and see the sharp bends the boats must overtake. During the time of the Lorelei myth, there was much more rock from the mountain sticking out in the river, which later was blasted away to make less of a sharp turn.
They view is spectacular and I really loved watching the boats going up and down the Rhine from such a height.
In the lookout area there is a restaurant that is open in the spring and summer. I will surely come back when the sun is shining and have lunch outside looking at the Rhine Valley.
Directly below the lookout point but on the other side of the river is a restaurant and gift shop that is popular for tour buses, but you can find some nice Lorelei mermaid memorabilia.
This area is great for hikes, they have an open area concert venue and also a summer toboggan!
I loved my day visiting the mermaid of Lorelei and I guess you can say this siren called me in with her captivating beauty!
Address:
Auf der Loreley
56348 Bornich
Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
