Mosel and Rhine

Hi Meredith, I did that same trip, more or less. I took the train from AMS, transferred in Koblenz where the Mosel and Rhein meet. At that point you could take the train west along the Mosel to Cochem (simply because once along the Rhine, you won't have to go backward to see the Mosel but can continue on to Colmar) and after a full day there, in which you could visit Burg Elz, get back on the train to the Rhine (you will have to transfer again in Koblenz. I stayed in a B&B in Cochem, and a B&B in Bacharach (which we really enjoyed). We visited Marksburg castle along the Rhine. We rented bikes in both towns. Marksburg and Burg Elz offer a nice contrast in castle 'type'. Once done on the Rhine you could just catch the train south, probably to Karlsruhe, and then on to Colmar? (we went to Karslruhe to see a friend and then on to Paris). We spent two nights in each, but you would need to calculate what you want to do in each and how much time you will need to decide which will get more. If you want to get all the way to Trier (which we planned on as well but found it too much to do for our schedule), you may want more time along the Mosel, but I have to say that 2-3 days for all of that is going to be rushed and thin coverage.

edited to add, we did not take a cruise and were glad with that choice (thought we would, changed our minds). We rented bikes instead and I felt I got a closer view of all the sites than from the middle of the river
The travel day from AMS was long!

Will you be using the train to reach and to travel along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers?

If so, and with your destinations, Cochem is likely a good base town for you. It puts you a short distance from Burg Eltz and makes Trier a reasonable day trip (direct train, 50-60 minutes.) Old-world Cochem is gorgeous and small, so any of the centrally-located hotels will put you within easy walking distance of the train station.

Cochem's Market square

Cochem sights and activities

State of Rheinland-Pfalz with Rhine/Mosel Railway map

It's not clear what your goals are on the Rhine, but a day trip there from Cochem is doable.

Alternatively, on the way from Amsterdam, you might drop your bags in some Rhine town on Day 1 for this area, then continue to Cochem for the evening. Braubach (Marksburg Castle,) or Boppard, or St. Goar (Rheinfels Castle) would be good sightseeing options that you could fit in with an en route stop.

I see luftmensch has suggested a Rhine cruise - that's also a possibility on your way to Cochem. You could see the best part of the Rhine by boat with a 1.5-hr. cruise from Bingen to St. Goar - and perhaps get in a little St. Goar sightseeing as well. Please note however that cruising Koblenz to Mainz or even to Bingen is impossible this year (and generally impractical any year, anyway, unless you desire lots and lots of time on the boat.)

Here is the "covid" KD schedule for July onward:

https://www.k-d.com/fileadmin/schiffstouren/KD_Fahrplan_ab_Juli_2020.pdf

Board the 14:15 boat in Bingen, and you can do as I suggested above.

Are you touring Amsterdam or just coming from there? I'd fly into Paris and go to Trier via Luxembourg. The Rhine North of Cologne doesn't have much to see - done it twice on river cruises. Mosel is beautiful the entire way and the Rhine from Koblenz down thru the upper middle Rhine is also worth seeing.

Clarification....we would have 2-3 days for Just Mosel & Rhine not for entire area that I mentioned.