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Rhine Valley on New Year's Eve

HI All
We have a bit of a dilemma and are looking for some practical advice or recommendations (or a simple, don't try this it is bad timing!) from people familiar with the region - for the final 2 night portion of our trip which will have taken us through parts of France and Belgium.

We will be at Phantasialand (for my son - it's his dream) for a one night stay on Dec 30 and will stay at the park until about 18:00 on Dec 31.

We will then have 2 nights (Dec 31 and Jan 1) to figure out before we meet some friends for dinner/hotel (Jan 2) back in Brussels and then fly out morning of Jan 3.

I had thought we would spend the 2 nights in Cologne including NYE and maybe explore the area close by.

I'm now intrigued by trying to do Boppard and Rhine Valley - Do a night in Boppard, try and see the Rhine on the 1st, stay in Castle/Hotel Schonburg, then make our way to Brussels.

I guess I'm trying to figure if this is a wise alternative, or if the timing is just poor with holiday and no options for a boat cruise and then distance from Brussels meaning more time transiting on the 2nd. Talking me out of this would be very much appreciated!

If you were to stay in Cologne on these nights, what would be an interesting way to spend the time? We love day trips and such (again acknowledging the holiday).

Thanks all

Posted by
7015 posts

I would definitely give some consideration to Speyer, another city on the Rhine well to the south of Cologne, where, unlike the small Rhine towns and many other places in Germany, there's something to do. A night or two there would be about right.

Christmas Market: Open on January 1 from 13:00 - 21:00
https://theadventurelion.com/speyer-christmas-market-germany/

Technik-Museum Speyer: Amazing place. Open January 1 & 2 at 9:00 am

Speyer Cathedral: One of Germany's most important structures, UNESCO World Heritage status.

Cologne > Speyer should take about 2.5-3 hours by train. Not sure how long if you are driving.

Posted by
1414 posts

1800 on Sylvester (New Years Eve) it's going to have been dark for almost 2 hours. And the parties will be starting pretty quick after that. You don't have time to go to Koblenz or anywhere south of that. And why would you? Book a river cruise/party boat out of Koln for the evening. Good food, music, and the best seat for a great fireworks show. You'd have just enough time to check into a hotel and then get on the boat.