Who: Joachim Schulte-Altedorneburg of Montabaur, Germany; Crista Vesel and Ivan Pupulidy of Littleton.
Where: Mayen.
Best meal: Der Polcher Bahnhof (alterbahnhof.de), a beautifully renovated train station from the early 1900s that invites hikers and cyclists into its warmly lit interior and outdoor flowered gardens. Enjoy any dish made with potatoes, a specialty of the region.
Best deal: The best castle tour can be found at Burg Eltz, located on the Mosel river and privately owned by the same family since the 16th century. Visitors can get a true feel for historical details, from medieval weapons to some of the earliest toilets found in Europe.
Best time to go: The warmth and color of springtime.
Best travel tip: Western Germany is best seen by bicycle if you want to experience its history and culture in-depth and make local friends along the way. The extensive system of well-maintained paths is easy to navigate and is lined with beer and wine gardens. Bikes can be rented for the day at many hotels and train stations or you can plan a longer self-guided tour with the help of a website like bicyclegermany.com.
