My husband and I are visiting friends in Dusseldorf (this will be our travel base) this summer and would like advice on some short day or overnite trips. We are potentially interested in relaxing, seeing a castle, the Alsace region, and enjoying the countryside & nature, possibly the Black Forest. We aren't terribly interested in spending much time in cities. We are on a budget, but want to enjoy ourselves - our values are relaxation, beauty, and quiet. Where would you suggest going if you had to pick 3-4 regions/areas to take a day or overnite trip? (recommendations on budget places to stay would be great!) Would you suggest a Germany-France rail pass? Would it be worth it to bring our bicycles along?
Thanks so much!
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
The Black Forest is a long trip. Cochem (or thereabouts) on the Mosel River would be ideal for a few days. Wineries, castles, beautiful river landscapes, inexpensive accommodations. You can take the regional train there as a couple from D'dorf for 40€ on Sat or Sun. On weekdays a Quer Durchs Land ticket lets you take the same trains for 48€ total. Bike paths along the river abound in this area. Many hosts have bikes available for free or at a low price, but there are rental shops too. Within the Mosel/Rhine region, you can take your bikes on the train for free (if you have a train ticket or daypass of course.) A 3-day mini-group daypass for the VRM area around this part of the Mosel and part of the Rhine costs 40€ - you could get around to the different villages and castles easily with one of these. http://www.vrminfo.de/en/tickets-and-fares/ticket-offers/leisure-ticket/ Bullay is a very sleepy town near Zell with nice walks through great scenery to nearby lookouts, Arras Castle, and with a ferry across the river. Good train connections too. We enjoyed our B&B stay here - enormous breakfast, simple room with balcony, walking distance to station, river and services. Prices start at 18€/person double for longer stays. http://www.gaestehaus-eberhard.de/gaestehaus.htm Contact info: http://www.gaestehaus-eberhard.de/ Other Mosel options (scroll down for Mosel): http://www.bensbauernhof.com/accommodationsrhinemosel.html
Posted by
OP
Burlington, Vermont, United States
2 posts
Thanks so much - we appreciate your suggestions and will look into them!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"and enjoying the countryside & nature" Ask your Dusseldorf friends about the Sauerland or Eifel regions.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2589 posts
Unless you are actually doing a bicycle trip, it probably isn't worth taking your bikes. I don't think bikes are counted as a free bag anymore. I have heard of bikes costing hundreds of dollars for transportation. For my next trip which I hope to do by bike, I am thinking of having my bike modified to fit in a (maximum allowable sized) suitcase. (if I do only do the one trip, that will end up being more expensive than paying the baggage fee - so I hope to do a few trips). Check out some trip reports at www.bensbauernhof.com (including some from Russ and me) - great, practical information