Enfolded in an undulating montage of verdant vineyard-clad hills and wooded valleys, the ancient city of Trier rises from the banks of the Moselle River in tier after tier of Roman red brick and Romanesque façade. Right from the get go, this city of spires and crumbling ruins speaks of romance and enchantment; a veritable gem of the Hunsrück hills on the very cusp of Luxembourg and France.
On your way into town, stop by the stained and grimy Porta Nigra to witness the lingering remnants of the town’s ancient fortifications. Next, tick off Trier’s Imperial Baths, the largest Roman bathing house this side of the Alps, and head to the Basilica of Constantine that looms large over all else in the downtown before hitting the Hauptmarkt, a lovely place to embark on a pedestrian exploration of the streets that shelter a cathedral and Jewish quarter.
After you’ve had your fill of ancient history, quiz your Trier tour guide for the low down on the various Francophile eateries and wine cellars that pepper the banks of the Moselle Valley to the north and south, and head off to grab yourself some vintage or just a frothy German brew!