Today I like to take You or a Little Journey with a lot of Pictures through the lovely Heart of Germany Follow me on Right by Train from the City of Aachen to the City of Mainz.
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Early morning at the train station. Everyone is in a rush to get his train on time.
Seems they parked wrong 😑 at the track in the middle between the platforms.
No, just kidding - this one was just waiting there.
Yeah,
Whenever you have to change trains in Köln Deutz aka Cologne Deutz you need to know the distance between some of the platforms.
I had less than 2 minutes and this means
Be prepared for a run
Before arriving, grab all your stuff, wait close to the door and RUN whenever the trains stops. Find the platform and make sure you double checked the way to run before you start.
Today I made it but it was again extremely exhausting for a lazy business traveler like me.
Now the nice part starts and I grabbed a window seat.
So, follow me along the river Rhine to the city of Mainz and enjoy my small adventure with „Big Views“
Some train rides just get you from A to B and then there’s the route along the Rhine to Mainz.
For me, every time I take it, it’s more than just travel. It’s a little moving adventure with guaranteed views. As soon as the train leaves Koblenz and starts hugging the river, my nose is glued to the window like a kid on a school trip.
On the right, the Rhine glides past; on the left, steep slopes, dotted with crooked little villages and timber-framed houses that look like they’ve survived a few centuries with nothing but charm and good wine.
And those castles! They perch on the hilltops like they’re keeping watch over the river, silently judging our modern ways from their ancient stone balconies.
One of my personal favorite sights along the route is Stahleck Castle, perched high above the little town of Bacharach.
Yeah, this place looks so medieval you half expect someone to greet you with a lute and a drinking horn. From the train, the view of the castle rising above the rooftops is pure storybook magic.
And the best part? You can actually stay there! These days, it’s a youth hostel – which I find absolutely brilliant. Young travelers sleeping in ancient stone walls, while the Rhine flows by below like it has for centuries.
Read more here: Stahleck Castle – Wikipedia
What makes this route so special?
For me, it’s the mix of storybook beauty and real, down-to-earth Rhineland vibes. Nothing’s staged here – the river flows, the vineyards stand proud, the villages snuggle into the hills like they know the river’s the real boss.
So, follow me further around the river
Now, if there’s one spot along the Rhine that truly made me do a double take, it’s Pfalzgrafenstein Castle. Unlike most castles proudly sitting on hilltops, this one is just chilling – quite literally – on an island in the middle of the river. No kidding. It looks like a fairytale battleship made of stone, and somehow it works.
Built in the 14th century, this little fortress near the town of Kaub was used as a toll station. And I have to say – if you’re going to demand money from passing boats, doing it from a tiny island in full castle attire is definitely the stylish way to go. No bridge, no secret passage – you had to come by boat then, and you still do today.
The whole structure is white with a striking black-and-red tower, and it stands there like a stubborn old knight refusing to retire. I loved how it breaks the landscape just enough to surprise you – like a bookmark left in the middle of a beautiful river novel.
See details (and some cool pictures) here:
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle – Wikipedia
And as a train passenger, you’re smack in the middle of the scene. No Instagram filter needed. Especially in the evening, when golden sunlight stretches over the slopes and the conductor casually announces, “Mainz in ten minutes.”
I swear I’ve seen people stay on the train a little longer just to soak it in.
There are so many different and unique stories but lazy Detlev will just show you some pictures and impressions of my views.
On my last ride, I met an older gentleman who takes this route regularly, just for fun.
“I don’t need a destination,” he told me. “The journey’s enough.” I
laughed – but he had a point. Sometimes you don’t need Patagonia or Nepal. Sometimes a train ride along the Rhine, a sandwich from the station bakery, and a window seat are all it takes to feel totally at peace.
Or just a big coffee with a lot of milk, like I got during my travel.
And then, after all the castles and train-window scenery: Mainz. Let me tell you – Mainz is one of those cities that makes you feel welcome the moment you step off the train. There’s something effortlessly cheerful about it, without being showy.
The old town is a charming little maze of alleyways, timber-framed houses, and cozy squares that practically beg you to sit down with a glass of Riesling and watch the world go by. I’m especially fond of the cathedral – it’s so massive and grounded that you instantly feel smaller just standing in front of it (in a good way). Mainz doesn’t shout for attention – it quietly pulls you in.
Read more here Mainz – Wikipedia
Mainz itself? A city that doesn’t shout but gently takes you by the hand and says, “Come on, let me show you something.” A charming old town full of cozy alleys, student life, and taverns where the wine is almost cheaper than water (almost).
And beyond that? Plenty to discover. Wiesbaden lies just across the river, the rolling hills of Rheinhessen are packed with wine festivals and hiking trails, and if you’re in the mood, just hop off at the next small Rhine-side station and wander through a sleepy village full of half-timbered houses and slow-cooked charm.
picture by lapping on Pixabay
Finally - I took another ride with a local bus to reach „Halle 45“ an old industry building which is our „event location“ for today.
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There we talked a lot about latest technology for „Audio and Video“ and as well about trends in „unified communications“ with so many exhibitors, visitors and friends and family from this industry like 
Hightech at the hall45
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In action with Michael at Sony booth
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@Detlev loves HIVE
