Into the dragons lair

Now that Spring is finally here it's time to start thinking about venturing outside again. If you haven't yet visited the magnificant Siebengebirge near Bonn, then Spring is a good time to go.  The Drachenfels mountain is 321 metres (1,050 ft) high, more of a hill than a mountain, and is relatively easy to climb, you just follow the winding path until you reach the top.  Once there you’ll find a  visitor centre and cafe with the most spectacular views across the Rhine valley.  A little further up are the ruins of the castle Drachenfels, which sit right on the summit of the mountain with even more spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and winding Rhine.  Legend has it that Siegfried – the hero of the Nibelungenlied – killed a dragon living in a cave in the mountain. After taking a bath in its blood, he became invincible. The dragon can still be found in a little glass box close to the visitor centre – it’s a must for kids.  Once you’ve had a coffee and enjoyed the view, you can always take the train back down, the Drachenfels railway slopes up and down the mountain from Königswinter and makes for a hugely enjoyable ride.
www.drachenfels.net