Rhine castles from Kaub to Koblenz and Lorelei rock

Rhine Castles Pfalzgrafenstein Rheintal Burgen

We continue the story of the Rhine castles. In this part, we will explore the central and most picturesque part of the Rhine valley from Kaub to Koblenz, where the Lorelei rock is located. Here the banks of the Rhine become higher, and each castle has its own romantic history.

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Salzburg old town

Salzburg

Salzburg was ruled by prince-archbishops. Since they were archbishops, there are so many churches in Salzburg old town. But at the same time they were princes and led a completely princely and secular lifestyle. For wartime, they had the Hohensalzburg fortress, which was never taken and was only once surrendered without a fight to Napoleon’s troops. Below, under the fortress, they built the Residence for themselves, and then (obviously, it seemed a little crowded) the New Residence.

Across the Salzach River, a 15-minute walk, Archbishop Wolf Dietrich arranged for himself, his mistress and 15 children a “country” house – Mirabell with a garden. And an hour’s walk from the fortress, another archbishop, Markus Sittikus, built himself a “cottage” – the Hellbrunn Palace with a vast park and water play.

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Ticino guest cards and public transport Ticino

Locarno

In this topic, Ticino guest cards and public transport Ticino with maps of bus lines. Be sure to check the schedule in advance: buses in the gorges do not run very often, sometimes only a few times a day. In addition, some buses run only during the summer.

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Lake Lugano attractions map

Lugano lake Morcote Villa Scherer / Luganersee Morcote

Two posts combine Ticino sights on the maps. In the first there are lake Lugano attractions: the lake, the surrounding mountains and the Italian part between Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. Please note that it is possible to visit places around Locarno and Bellinzona from Lugano, but it is not as convenient and close as it seems on the map (dense population, traffic, narrow streets). Therefore, I would recommend two separate overnight stays.

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Bad Aussee Lakeside. Lake Grundlsee, Lake Toplitz, Lake Altaussee

Bad Aussee Lakeside Lake Toplitz / Bad Aussee Grundlsee Toplitzsee Wanderung

Bad Aussee lies as if in a hollow – such a feeling is created when you go down from the federal road. It would seem that from Hallstatt – a stone’s throw, but the roads are so exhausting that it’s the same as beyond the ridge. This is a completely independent resort town with a large number of tourists, despite the fact that the local two lakes are barely visible on the map compared even with relatively small Lake Hallstatt. True, depending on what to compare – in Styria, the Grundlsee lake is the largest.

At least one trip from Hallstatt region to Bad Aussee Lakeside (especially Lake Grundlsee and Lake Toplitz) is worth making – this is a very pleasant, calm trip with beautiful views, which will take you at least half a day and can easily turn into a full day.

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What to see in Saxon Switzerland and Osterzgebirge. Maps

Dresden Bastei rocks / Dresden Bastei Felsen

Saxon Switzerland is for those who like to climb rocks, and for those who just like to walk in the mountains without performing the feats. What to see in Saxon Switzerland? The mountains are not too high, but the landscapes with rocks of different shapes are amazing. As a cultural program, there is a fortress and a number of castles, and Dresden with its museums is within easy reach. Over the past decade, the entertainment infrastructure along the Elbe has also grown. And if you then go further north, then mountain holidays can be combined with water holidays – there you will find the Upper Lusatian region with many lakes.

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