The seven of us (mom, dad, granpa & 4 kids) will be landing in Franfurt in late May. Will like to see a couple of castles along the rhine. May be catch a cruise from Bacharach to St. Gore. I noticed at least 10 castles listed in the RS book. Would like to hear your impressions on castles you have actually visited (especially with children). From here we will continue north to Amsterdam to catch our plane back home. As a side note, the main reason for the trip is to visit Venlo (about half way between Frankfurt and Amsterdam) to attend the Floriade. Our children range from 4 to 10 years of age. I am trying to keep our 1 week trip interesting for everyone. Thanks.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Rheinfels is a ruin, but it is the only castle I know of that kids can just run around in without being on a tour. And the castle has lots of tunnels and passages where the defenders used to live. I think that it would be the best for kids. Most of the castles on the Rhein/Mosel were destroyed by French troops in around 1800 and have been rebuilt with more modern architecture as hotels and hostels. I wouldn't really call them castles. The Rhein exception is the Marksburg, in Braubach. It's been preserved in it's earlier state by the German Castle Association. However, you can only go through it on a tour. Of course, Rick promotes Burg Eltz, which is the only other intact castle in that area. But it's lived in now, so I don't know how much you can see and how authentic it is. Again, only accessible on a tour. There is also the Reichsburg in Cochem, but it was restored in the late 1800s as a residence for a wealth Berlin businessman and can only be seen as a tour.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
425 posts
I second Rheinfels just above the town of St. Goar. Your kids will love it!
Posted by
Paradise
7070 posts
Rheinfels is a good choice. Reichsburg in Cochem is incredibly impressive when you first see it towering above the town. The tour isn't so impressive, BUT the real draw for kids AND adults is the excellent free-flight falconry show - 4 times daily at 11:00, 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00, dark on Mondays. Photos here: http://www.falknerei-reichsburg-cochem.de/fotobuch.htm
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1530 posts
Billy, I agree with Rheinfells. My son still talks about the underground passages. It was quite an adventure for him. I would suggest though that it (the underground passage) is probably only appropriate for the older children, and you would need flashlights.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Or you could spend a night or two in one of the many real castle hotels dotted in the area. http://www.rhinecastles.com/ Two of our favorites are: http://www.burghotel-veldenstein.de/eng_History.htm http://www.burg-colmberg.de/showpage.php?SiteID=1&lang=2
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2588 posts
You could also try to stay in the castle in Bacharach that is a youth hostel. However, the last time I looked at their website, it was booked months in advance. Take the boat ride. Do not allow yourself to be convinced that a train ride is the equivalent!!! Burg Rheinfels is my favorite castle outside of Scotland (Threave castle is my absolute favorite ). Your kids (and I'm sure you) will love it. Take a flashlight or two or three.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7161 posts
Hi Billy, I don't have information on castles but just wondering if you've read Tim's post on the "Trip Reports" section. It has great information about the Floriade, they just attended it.
Posted by
OP
Burlington, KY, USA
47 posts
You guys are a wealth of information. Thank you very much!