Out of the big city in Bacharach, Germany

While Berlin and Munich in Germany are both big cities with a lot to offer, it's sometimes nice to get away from the crowds and experience unspoiled old-warm charm at a more laid-back pace. A trip to Bacharach will give you the chance to sip vino in wine country, interact with locals, and relax right on the Rhine River.

Stay at:

IM Malerwinkel (shown right), a pension or bed and breakfast run by a very sweet couple, made me feel right at home. For a single room, you will pay about $51 for one night, for a double room about $41 per person for one night, and about $28 per person for one night for a triple. There are also apartments for two people that cost about $35 per person for one night. The longer you stay, the less you pay per night. The double room my friend and I shared was spacious with a TV, balcony, and en-suite bathroom which included a bathtub. Not only that, but the owner picked us up from the train station when we arrived free of charge. The breakfast that is included in the stay is set in a neatly set up private dining room and is enormous, including breads, meats, cheeses, eggs, cereals, spreads, juices, tea, and coffee. I also enjoyed relaxing in the backyard terrace, with its well-manicured lawns and tables.

If you're backpacking solo, you might want to opt to stay at Stahleck Castle, or Burg Castle, a 12th-century castle sitting high above the town that is now a youth hostel. The castle has a lot of history, including serving as a military hospital at one point as well as an internment camp from German youth who went against the Nazi party. Here, you'll be able to share a dorm with other travelers, making it easier to meet people. They are also very accommodating, as a friend of mine showed up there in the rain during peak season without a reservation. Although the hostel had no beds available they made room for him as they didn't want to send him back into the rain. For a dorm that includes breakfast and linens, you can expect to pay about $25 a night. There are also options to add a cooked dinner to your stay (about $35 total) or a packed lunch and cooked dinner (about $38 total). One warning: to get to the hostel you must walk up hundreds of stairs which can be a bit of a physical challenge, although if you can do it the views and the hostel itself are worth it.