Hi-
We will be in Germany for a little less than a week (flying in and out of Frankfurt). We want to go through the Rhine Valley and the Mosel River Valley as well as a day trip to Rothenburg and Koln.
First - is this trying to pack too much into 6 days?
Second - should we base ourselves somewhere and do daytrips? If so where?
We want to use the train as much as possible so we can partake in the beer and wine.
Thanks!
Not sure if you have 6 nights or 5 nights and six days.
You can do this with some careful planning.
WHEN are you going? That makes a huge difference. Many of the less urban areas are virtually deadsville in the off-season, sights and tourist services inaccessible.
I'd suggest 2-3 nights on the Rhine (by train, St. Goar is the best spot), 2-3 nights on the Mosel (Cochem) and 1 night in Rothenburg (too far for a daytrip.) It would be possible to daytrip on both Rhine and Mosel for 4-5 days from Koblenz, but Koblenz isn't as scenic or interesting a base as the other towns. Still, in the off-season, Koblenz might be better since it's a real city and will have some services available to you.
You may be able to end your trip on the Rhine; from St. Goar or Koblenz it's not far to FRA. Just depends on when your flight is. If that doesn't work, stay in Mainz on your last night - just 20 minutes to FRA from there.
Thanks...
We are getting into Frankfurt Airport on 11 Nov and leaving 17 November (I think you helped us make the decision to go there rather than Zurich). We definitely want to go to the Mosel area (we are into wine and found a great guesthouse in a vineyard) but we want to see the sights as well since it is our first trip to Germany.
We want to use the train as much as possible and have thought about St. Goar or Bacharach as a base (you also suggested Mainz).
Any additional help would be appreciated.
I just visited Rhine and Mosel in August, it was excellent. We rented a car at Fra airport as it gave us more flexibility and espec ease in visiting Mosel area and seeing castles. We stayed in Bacharach 2 nights at Pensione Lettie excellent and in Beilstein 2 nights. I think considering you will have jet lag and want to use public transit you have too much planned. my opinion however but if you will not visit castles then with a car you could prob squeeze it all in. It would be a whirlwind.
Hi Connie ...
... Assmannshausen-Rudesheim is a short train ride from Frankfurt. Check out the attractions you may find at this link: ...
http://www.roesslerlinie.de/rhine_assmannshausen_rudesheim.htm
Have Fun! ... P.
Connie, here's a possible itinerary that would include all the areas you mentioned.
November 11-arrive Frankfurt; overnight Bacharach
12-to Rothenburg; overnight Rothenburg
(train 4 1/2 hrs)
13-to Koln; overnight Koln or go to Cochem
(train 4 1/2 hrs)
14-Koln to Cochem; overnight in?
(train 1 1/2 hrs)
15-Cochem to Beilstein or ? (train 20 min)
16-back to Bacharach; overnight Bacharach
(train 1 1/2 hrs)
17-Bacharach to Frankfurt Flug; fly home
(train 1:05 to 1 1/2 hrs)
Staying in Bacharach on your 1st night gives you time to relax and enjoy a great German dinner with Wine! Going to Koln is a bit out of the way. The cathedral is great, however, I'm not sure if I would stay there. I would have reservations for that night if you are travelling on to Cochem, Beilstein or wherever. I would go back to Bacharach for your last night, if that's possible. Have fun
Thanks to all of you...this infor has been very helpful.
This is what we decided so far..since we are "cheap", we are using some FF miles converted to points to stay at a couple hotels which is dictating where we go. Fortunately one of the places that was on our "future" list is also on the "points" list..Strasbourg, FR. The plan is that we will get off the plane and hit the train to Strasbourg/Colmar for a couple days (2.5 hours). We'll spend Sun. afternoon, Mon. and part of Tues. around there. Then we will train to..?? (haven't gotten that far with the itinerary however Bacharach/St. Goar, Colchem, Rothenburg are all on the short list) where we thought we would base ourselves at a B&B for the rest of the week and do short day trips. Fri. night we would travel to Mainz where we would spend the night (again - points and easy train to the airport on Sat). We are really torn between the Wine area and Rothenburg/Wurzburg. We just don't know if we can do both and still relax a bit.
You mentioned Wurzburg--easy trip by train from Frankfurt and lots of wine to drink. We have a condo there, and I swear that every time we stay there, there is a winefest. It is also just 45 minutes from Rothenburg.
You'll unfortunately miss Cochem's Federweissenwest (young wine from fall harvest) on 11/9 and 11/10 :(
but I think the Rhine and Mosel regions will still be worth your time. Koblenz would make for a good base by train - it's the region's train hub and you shouldn't need to change trains that way for most destinations and will find restaurants etc. easily after returning from outings. Suggest you find a place not far from the main station. Burg Eltz will be shut, but Marksburg Castle is open and offers a very good look at medieval life - head south to Braubach. Cologne is a good daytrip - head north. Travel south along the west bank to see the Rhine villages of Boppard, St. Goar, Bacharach. To the north are Linz (nicely preserved old town) on the east bank and Remagen (near Bonn, great WWII museum) on the west bank. And if you head east, you can visit Cochem and Trier on the Mosel.
