My granddaughter is studying in Cologne this Spring and Summer. I plan to visit her in July, but would like to see other cities or towns of interest. We will have seven days. We will be using trains. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I want to create an itinerary.
Posted by
Paradise
6651 posts
I assume you have 7 days for the other towns and cities you mention.
Trains make this big country small. In 4.3 hours you could be in Berlin, which in some ways is its own little world. That would be a good place to stay for 4-5 nights. Stay longer and leave for a day trip to Potsdam, or perhaps somewhere else.
The Middle Rhine Valley south of Koblenz (much more to see/do than just a river cruise btw) + the Mosel Valley, including Trier and Mainz, would be about right for that period of time. Trains serve this area very well. I'd pick this option if you want to see some of old-world Germany and enjoy the outdoors.
Map of entire region (and more) with train lines shown
Mosel towns and cities
Trier sights
Eltz Castle
Walk to Eltz Castle from Moselkern
Reichsburg Castle (Cochem)
Mosel biking, hiking, vineyards
Mosel Map
(Note that one very popular destination, Bernkastel, requires a bus connection from Wittlich station.)
Middle Rhine Valley
Rheinfels Castle (St. Goar)
Marksburg Castle (Braubach)
Other Rhine Castles
Rhine Castle Trail
Rhine towns of interest
1.5-hr. Rhine cruise, Bingen - St. Goar
Mainz
I'd suggest St. Goar as a Rhine base town for train travelers - it's centrally located, and the ferry crossing there allows for easy use of trains on the opposite river bank. Cochem works well for the Mosel River.
Day passes (and a 3-day pass as well) are a good way to get around this region.
VRM day passes
VRM coverage map (light green)
Rheinland-Pfalz ticket day passes (see my first link above for coverage map.)
The Rick Steves sources for these areas should be only one of several sources you use for planning.