Places to Visit

Wissen
This bustling little town is just 3 kilometers from Vine Cottage and has several good restaurants, and a street market every Thursday. During the summer there is a large outdoor swimming pool, set in a beautiful green area, giving plenty of space to relax and sunbathe.

Hachenburg
Hachenburg is only a half hour drive away and is a beautiful "old world" town with many beautiful halftimbered buildings surrounding the old town square.  Also on the square are many bars and restaurants. Every Thursday evening during the summer months live music, from rock to folk, is played from 7 p.m. onwards. The local Hachenburg brewery, who sponsor this event, does a highly recommended tour of the brewery every Sunday and is very good value for 5 Euros.

Hachenburg     Hachenburg 2
Soest

A delightful medieval town encircled by ancient walls.  There are plenty of quaint old houses in narrow streets in the centre.  There are 2 churches worth a visit; St. Patroclus and a short walk away the Wiesenkirche.  Pumpernickel, the rye bread is made in this town. A trip to Soest can easily be combined with a visit to the Mohne and Sorpe dams. (see the bikers page for more details).

Cologne

Cologne is one of the biggest cities in Germany and is easily accessed from Vine Cottage by road or rail. It is probably simplest by rail, there are two departures every hour from the local station of Au/Sieg. The cost by U.K. standards for the rail trip is cheap, a "Minigroup" ticket which is available from 9.30 onwards costs approximately 12 pounds fifty, this also covers all bus and underground travel in Cologne. There are many sites to see and visit with of course the cathedral, botanical gardens, the zoo, the chair lift over the Rhine and the many and varied museums, the bars and restaurants in the Altstadt down by the river, the options are numerous.
 
Then there are "brewhouses" that specialise in the local beer "Kölsch". This beer would meet every criteria of CAMRA, the beer is live, served straight from the barrel (no pressure), made from the finest ingredients, served in small 0,2 l glasses so that the beer is always fresh. It is very strong, although it does not taste it. These "houses" are very German and very "Kölsch", most serve good value quality food. Guided tours can be arranged.