Koblenz to Oberwesel

July 13, 2024

It was just a few short blocks to get back on the bike path.

Not many people outside for such a beautiful Saturday morning.

There was even less pedestrian/bike traffic after we left town.

For a second, I thought I was back in Iowa!

An hour and a half after our first lunch (if you can call ice cream "lunch"), we stopped for our second lunch (if you can call a radler "lunch"). A radler, half pilsner and half lemonade, is perfect for a hot day... or when it's only 70F and you're riding a bike through Germany.

Most English speakers associate this word with a sneeze, and I pictured it as a camp for people with severe allergies.

Wait... What?!? THAT'S our hotel??? Up there??

Just use a telephoto lens so it doesn't look as high. Our room is in the turret, with the pointed roof.

The grade reached 12%, but we made it the whole way. I think that's pretty close to my gradient limit with a loaded bike these days.

There was a rest stop just before the entrance to the castle/hotel.

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You can skip the next bunch of pictures because they're all of the castle hotel (Burghotel Auf Schönburg). I'm including them because it's the nicest hotel I've ever stayed at in my life, and possibly the nicest one I'll ever stay in.
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If you look at the head of the bed you'll see a cord. Pulling on it summons a dour, gloved servant to turn down the bed and remove the foil from the mint on your pillow. (Not really. It just turns the light on and off) Also, look closely at the item in the back left corner.

The decanter of sherry, as well as everything in the minibar, are included in the price of the hotel.

Fruit and sherry on the balcony. And also some apples. :-)

The phone doesn't appear to work. I tried pushing the numbers and nothing happened. :-)

There's even running water, unlike many of the places I stay when not with Heather.

I was curious about what's behind these doors, but they were locked.

The cost of the room comes with a 4-course meal. Our reservations were for 6:30.

burrata with yellow gazpacho, passion fruit, and basil

tomato, crème fraiche, croutons, and cress

Bavarian creme, cherry, cocoa, strawberry gelato, and coffee. Although the courses were fairly small, we were pretty full by the time we finished. It came with a wine pairing, which we shared.

Heather slipped off to the bathroom after dessert and upon her return she looked around to make sure no one could hear her and whispered excitedly, "You should see the bathroom sink!" So I took a look:

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This spray bottle was in our bathroom and I just want to show you how truly upper class I am. Upper, upper crust. Royalty, practically.

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My Garmin does this periodically (second time this trip), and I think I finally figured out how to prevent losing part of the trip. The jury's still out, however.

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The accurate one was transferred from Heather's.

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Today's ride: 29 miles (47 km)
Total: 201 miles (323 km)

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Gregory GarceauI should have read the rest of your post before posting that ridiculous comment earlier. I bet it took wild horses to drag you away from that hotel the next day. Or else, maybe we'll learn in the next few pages that you're still there.
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1 month ago

Bill ShaneyfeltBy the looks of this stuff, you could finance a whole tour for the cost of one night in that hotel!

I'd be afraid to touch anything! So fancy!
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1 month ago

Rich FrasierNice job on the accommodations, Mark! Robin approves.
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1 month ago

Jon AylingEpic hotel - what a balcony! If you plan on going to Spain at some point, I'd highly recommend the Paradores. Anything would struggle to compete with your room there - but those are castles, manor houses and other historic buildings that have been turned into (sometimes surprisingly affordable) hotels - and they have a similar sort of vibe.
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1 month ago

Mark BinghamTo Jon AylingI've wanted to stay in one of the Paradores since I read an article about them in the New York Times way back in, like, 2007 or so. I'll get there someday.... (heavy sigh).
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1 month ago