2.5 days with Mainz as base-KD Rhine+Heidelberg--any other ideas?

On Day 2, after the Marksburg, you might train to St. Goarshausen and take the ferry across to St. Goar to see Rheinfels castle, then take the train back from St. Goar to Mainz. The first boat down the Rhein leaves Bingen at 9:30 and gets to St. Goarshausen at 11:05. The next train from St. Goarshausen leaves at 11.32 and gets to Braubach at 11:53. That leaves you enough time to get to the Marksburg for the 1 PM English tour.

thank you so much. I don't think we can get up and going that early, esp. with 6 hr time zone difference. We could make the KD boat @ 10:30, getting us to Braubach @ 12:53. I am guessing that is not enough time to get to the 1pm tour? I see that there is also a 4pm English tour for Marksburg. If we adjust for the 4pm tour, wondering if can adjust our plan to get off @ St. Goar @ 11:55, see Rheinfels and then get back on the KD boat for the 12:55 over to St.G? Or, is there a cheap ferry that goes back and forth all day, so we could get off and spend a couple hours at Rheinfels and then ferry over to St. G in time to train to Marksburg for a 4pm tour? How much time from the train station to M castle should we allow? Lastly, I see the Burg Eltz is RS fav. Is this just too far to go via public transport from Mainz? If not, how would you recommend getting there and should we do that the same day as KD or skip H and do that the 3rd day instead? thanks, again. Elaine

When in Mainz be sure to see the Roman ruins - they are under a shopping center but pretty cool. and the Chagall windows - so lovely. Mainz is a great town with a small old center.

It doesn't look like you are planning on doing any sight seeing in Frankfurt. This is one of the most historic cities in Germany, though it gets overlooked quite often. It was the site for the election and coronation for the Holy Roman Emperors since the 1100's, it was the center of Jewish culture in Germany for centuries, site of the 1st freely elected parliament in 1848, one of the oldest churches in Germany is located here, one of their neighborhoods is on the Half-Timbered Route, we have lots of festivals, about 40 museums of all varieties, great farmers markets, an applewine pub district, several medieval churches that survived the bombing of Frankfurt in the war. The Berlin Airlift was based here with a flight leaving Frankfurt every 3 min. 24 hours a day for a year as well as the currency reform in 1948. The Goethe University has close to 40,000 students and is considered one of the most beautiful campuses in Germany.

Tell me when you will be in the area and I can let you know what festivals are happening in the Rhine Main region.

thank you. Given our short stay prior to a 2 week trip, we thought it might be best to just concentrate on the Rhine area and one other town, such as H. But, we could train into Frankfurt instead of H for the day, or maybe store our baggage at the train station the last day before our night flight. We arrive June 25 for 3 days. I am open to suggestions for Frankfurt. thank you, Elaine

This is what is happening in Frankfurt and the Rhine Main region the end of June.

• 22 June - 1 July Opern Platz Fest, Frankfurt Alte Oper Plaza

• 23 June Old Town Fest, Limburg

• 24 June Johannisnacht Fest, Mainz

• 25 June Parade of Cultures, Frankfurt Inner City

• 25 June SATOURDAY, Frankfurt Free Museum Day

• 25 June - 8 July, Höchster Schloss Fest, Frankfurt Höchst

• 26 June Tal Total, Car-free day on the Rhine

I find personally that I can get overloaded on cute european towns. A day in Frankfurt might help ease that. Just remember no matter what you choose you won't go wrong.

hmm...does "26 June Tal Total, Car-free day on the Rhine" mean more crowds on trains/boats? should I go to Heidelburg on 6/26 instead to avoid crowds and then do the Rhine on 6/27?

Not sure if it will be more crowded on the trains and boats.
It is a unique experience that might be fun to see. Everyone will be skating, biking and walking on the roads along the Rhine.