Cochem

Cochem needs 1 day: the Reichsburg, a medieval castle rebuilt in the 19th century on a hill overlooking the town, and a walk through the old town along the Moselle River. May-October is best for touring the sloped vineyards surrounding the town, some of the steepest in Europe. It's cheaper than Rhine destinations like Rüdesheim. It's the unofficial capital of the Moselle Valley and the classic starting point for exploring the wine region, famous for its Riesling whites grown on slate slopes as steep as 65 degrees.