Introduction to Taunustein
by
Barbara Stimpson |
Merged since 1972, Taunusstein, with a population around 29,000, is the name given to a group of ten communities in the Rheingau-Taunus district in the State of Hesse, Germany. These small towns lie in a beautiful forested area of hills, surrounded by farmland. A twenty minute drive will take you to Wiesbaden, famous for its hot springs, where there are many lovely historical buildings, colourful markets and a great shopping centre. Across the river is Mainz, another large modern city with plenty of restaurants to enjoy. Not far away are historical towns and villages.
The river itself, the Rhine, has a life of its own – you could watch its traffic all day long: large modern cruise liners, huge heavily laden freight ships, barges, sailboats, even a few canoes along the banks. This is the Rheingau, one of the well known wine growing areas of Germany. Here there are miles and miles of vineyards, rows and rows of vines facing into the sun, a spectacular sight.
If you’re lucky enough to visit in the winter, you can enjoy the Christmas markets in November and December. These spring up like small villages within the cities and for occasional weekends in the small towns too. Smell the delicious aroma of hot mulled wine, roasting nuts, potato fritters, applesauce....., see the traditional decorations for your home, wooden toys, all sorts of beautiful crafts. These are all on offer at the little log-cabin style stalls nestling in the town squares.
Frankfurt itself is only a 30 minute train ride from Wiesbaden, its beautiful, traditional buildings contrasting with the modern skyscrapers.
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| Photographs © copyright to and by courtesy of Daryl & Barbara Stimpson |
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