Day 22: Trier - Wiesbaden

Today was mainly a travel day. We were up and out of the hotel early and traveled back through Koblenz and then along the Rhine River to Mainz, where we made one more train transfer to get to Wiesbaden. This section of the Rhine is packed with vineyards and castles. The terraced landscape of the vineyards is a testament to lengths people will go through to grow grapes wherever the climate is right. Apparently some wine connoisseurs can even taste the difference between the various micro-climates produced by the twisting river and the steep banks which trap the humidity. The castles, though mostly rebuilt in the 1800s helped us to visualize the fragmented German kingdoms that existed throughout most of the last millennium. We had a quiet afternoon in the hotel - homework and some time at the pool.
In the evening, we visited the Christmas Market in Wiesbaden, which is called the Sternschnuppenmarkt (shooting star market). We all enjoyed more traditional German foods, including Reibekuchen - a deep fried potato pancake.

This market had the most beautiful carousel that we have ever seen - elaborately decorated and a two-story set up! That was the extent of our adventures for the day - hopefully we will be well rested for exploring Wiesbaden tomorrow!