Hoping for some help with ideas for the Cologne leg of our trip. I know Cologne is not always regarded as the best vacation destination, but we would like to experience all that the city and area has to offer. We will be there July 13th - 17th. We will visit many of the main Cologne attractions (Cathedral, Museum Ludwig, Roman-German History Museum) on Wednesday afternoon and evening and Thursday the 14th. On Friday, we are hoping to head down the Rhine by train and then make our way back up by both train and boat. The boat portion would end around St Goar or Boppard. Then we would take the train the rest of the way back up to Cologne stopping at some sites, maybe Marksburg Castle or Bonn for example. My first question is, how far should we travel down by train before heading back towards Cologne? My original thought was Rudesheim or Bingen, but is this too far? We would like to make our way back up at a good pace, but not have to rush at each stop to catch the next train because our day is overbooked. However, we do not mind returning to Cologne in the late evening after a full day of exploring the Rhine. Thoughts? What to do Saturday is where I am also vexed. We are group of 7 people. Our interests are wide ranging but include history, art, architecture, design, good food, German culture and music. We could take a day trip outside of Cologne (I would like to see Aachen). I would appreciate any and all suggestions you may have.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33848 posts
You're not going to the Chocolate Museum? Yes, Aachen is very nice. Its a bit of a hike from the station on the south side of town to the centre. I'd advise a bus.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
The center of Aachen is nice, but it doesn't take too long to see. The Dom here is one of my favorite churches in Europe, mainly because it looks and feels so different from the usual. If you're interested in that whole spa scene that Mr. Steves extols, Aachen has one of the largest complexes of baths in the country. I've only driven through the Rhine gorge, so I have no idea how long it would take by a train/boat combination. How far you travel upstream is up to you, but I would say Bingen is probably a reasonable choice, as this is the southern end of the gorge. At the time of year you're visiting, it doesn't get dark until around 10 pm anyway, so you have plenty of time.
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Hi Sean. I liked Aachen a lot - it's a pretty town in and of itself. The Dom is cool but the main attraction is Charlemagne's Palace Chapel, inside the Dom. This was completed in 800 and modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Charlemagne's bones supposedly lie in the reliquary inside the chapel. This is a great site for lovers of history, art, architecture, and (medieval) German culture.
Posted by
Ramona, CA
63 posts
On Saturday you could do Trier and/or Burg Eltz. Take the train from Cologne to Koblenz, then transfer to Trier. On the way to Trier, get off at the little station at Moselkern and take the hike through the forest up to Burg Eltz, an intact castle in the forest uphill from the the Moselle river (see Rick's guide book). Most of the Rhine castles are burned out hulks by comparison, and you're not going to see them up close anyway on the boat. If there's still time you can continue on to Trier and visit the palace and garrison town where Constantine grew up when his father was one of the tetrarchs. The basilica is very well preserved and still used for concerts and services.
Posted by
OP
North Arlington, NJ, United States
19 posts
Thank you for the suggestions. Here's a rough itinerary I put together. Appreciate any more feedback anyone can provide. Wednesday Arrive around 4 PM Tour Cologne city centre Cathedral German beer hall and/or Good dinner suggestions? Thursday Explore Cologne Museum Ludwig Chocolate museum Roman-German History museum Parks on outskirts Other Museums Friday Open time Burg Eltz? Aachen? Can we do both? Cologne at night Saturday Explore Rhine River valley by train & boat St Goar Bacharach River cruise From where to where? Train From where to where? Bonn on way back? Sunday Breakfast
Depart around noon