I am taking my elderly uncle to Germany next month to see his children and grandchildren. My cousin's live in Köln and they are renting a villa in Unkel for all of us. There will be 5 adults and 23 month old twins. My uncle and I will be flying into Frankfurt and I plan to rent a 7 passenger van for us to use during our week there. My uncle is physically fit, but tires easily. I'm sure this will be the only trip he makes. He has Alzheimer's and I want to take him now before it gets worse. His doctor has approved the trip. If anyone is familiar with that area, I would appreciate any suggestions for things to do. He particularly enjoys attractive landscapes and small towns - the reason we aren't staying in Köln! One idea my cousin mentioned was a K-D boat trip. Thanks for any help!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32746 posts
Hi Andrea
Just south of Unkel is the small town of Linz am Rhein. Just west of the ferry on the other side is the small-but-long joined town of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. It will obviously be too early for the Christmas market but just to say I really liked the Christmas market in the western end of this little town. It is a really pretty little town square with a pretty nice church (parking under the square) and an old tower, and a waterwheel, and two train stations. I'm pretty sure there were vineyards too, but they were sleeping when I was there.
The eastern part of the town has a municipal Therme too.
Unkel has a KD dock. An interesting way to make this trip is Unkel KD for 10 minutes on the boat to Remagen KD and then train from Bonn to Bad Neuenahr. Or vice versa.
Probably too much for your uncle, and the all train route is via Bonn and takes a while.
Oh well....
Posted by
Berlin
2230 posts
Worked in Bonn several years, made also workshops in Unkel which is a nice little town at the river. Whole area between Bonn and Koblenz is nice also in the backland, e.g. Bad Neuenahr / Ahrweiler. Bonn has interesting museums, Beethoven places and also the former parliament building of Germany.
Along the river you will find places like Königswinter (with Cafe Breuer, a real good bakery with delicious cakes). Also places like Drachenfels castle ruin are easy to visit by a cable car.
From Erpeler Ley you have a nice overview along the Rhine with former bridge of Remagen.
Of course boat tours from KD (e.g. castle tour) but also oher ship companies such as B-R are a nice experience to explore Mid Rhine Valley.
Posted by
San Francisco
14507 posts
I would suggest Bonn and Bad Godesberg.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10221 posts
Nigel, a few years ago I did a Rhine River boat trip with my cousin from Bonn to Linz am Rhein. It's a very cute town. It's good to know that Unkel has a KD dock. I will check out your other suggestions.
My cousin used to work in Bonn and I've been there. I suspect it may be a little too busy for my uncle to spend much time there.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10221 posts
MarkK and Fred, thanks for your interesting suggestions. I've bookmarked them for consideration. If my uncle isn't up to doing too much I may leave him with my cousin's and go see some of these places on my own. ;-)