Does anyone know of a short term cruise, maybe 2-3 days, where we could sample the Rhine River and see some Castles?
We are not interested in a Viking Cruise or anything of that level of luxury, just a sample of the river. It may not be possible, but I thought I'd put it out there.
Timing would be April & early May.
Thank you!
Susan & Barry
I would suggest that the product you describe (cruise) does not exist. No one can make money cleaning and turning around a sleep-aboard river boat every three days. However, if you use the Search box (top center, desktop version of this board) you will read about various easy, "independent" options (many from Frankfurt) to stay a few nights on the Rhine, in some lovely towns, and to sleep wherever you want. I believe there have been some posts about sleeping in castles, although that wouldn't be my own first choice.
Like many others, we have used the KD line (which is invariably referred to as a river "cruise", although it is a day-boat line), to see the Middle Rhine, the only portion of the river that is really scenic. That only takes around two hours on the water, and is more efficient taken downstream, or northward. There are many, many posts here on that topic.
Thank you so much! That sounds like a great solution!
I appreciate it!
Susan & Barry
Here is a website that I saved. Have never booked with them. But please check out www.leboat.com. There is a 3 day cruise listed in Germany.
There is a 3 day cruise listed in Germany.
Some of those look interesting, Debbie, if one is up to managing a rental craft, but none of the itineraries are for the Rhine. :O(
Like Tim suggested, we've done the KD as well, from Bingen to Koblenz, but there are multiple options for getting off the boat you'll see if you browse the forums on the subject.
Keep in mind that April/May can be problematic because of spring rains and run off raising river levels to heights that prevent boats from getting under bridges. The better time for river cruising is closer to the fall when river levels are low and more dependable.
Even though its on the Mosel River, you might consider touring Burg Eltz. Was there back in September and spent one night on the Mosel in Cochem, toured Burg Eltz next day, then trained to Bacharach on the Rhine for two nights. Loved touring Burg Eltz but wish we had more time on the Rhine.
Castle stay on Rhine -
Oberwesel - Auf Schoenburg
Bacharach - Burg Stahleck youth hostel
I know absolutely nothing about this company but ran across this cruise while searching for something else and thought of reading your post. It appears that, apparently to Tim's surprise, what you were originally interested in finding does indeed exist, but doesn't start until mid-May. You can look at it, but you may still be most interested in the KD line trip. Happy travel planning!
I'd agree with using the KD line for your transport and focus on the area between Bingen and St. Goar. I'd also ditto the caution about high water during April/May. I was there in late May 2016 and there had been record rainfall and the river was nearly flood stage and not terribly scenic (brown water). Still beautiful, though. The KD folks offer a "nostalgia" trip on an old school paddle boat called the Goethe - not really a "cruise" but one way to take in the river in a unique way.
I don't have suggestions for castle to stay in, but make sure to visit Marksburg Castle in Braubach. There are English tours at 1 and 4 p.m., but you can join any tour with the aid of an English language handout. It was a highlight of my Rhine visit.
I'd highly recommend the Rheinhotel in Sankt Goar, right across from the KD boat dock. The proprietor is wonderful and the location can't be beat. Splurge on a river view room - so fun to watch the river traffic. The only down side is the hotel is open seasonally and may not be available in April.
Also, if you haven't already read it, check out the information in the Rhine Valley section of the Germany info on this website.
