Info on Koblenz

Koblenz is the train hub for the area and an excellent base if using the trains; in winter when the river villages are nearly shuttered, it's clearly the best choice. But I'd pick somewhere outside Koblenz if using a car just to minimize in-city driving, and in summer, the villages are lively and worth a few extra minutes on the train if you're visiting the "other" river valley.

Koblenz itself is OK - it has a nice old town pedestrian area but this area is fairly distant from the train station. Try to locate something near the station. The Hotel Höhmann is reasonably priced and just across from the station. I haven't stayed there myself.

Michelin Green Guide and Lonely Planet Guide have sections for Koblenz.

I generally use the Michelin Green Guide to plan my trips; it has very good coverage of many towns and sights. RS guides are more in-depth on few places so I use them to augment the Green Guide and sometimes choose hotels. Lonely Planet can be sliced into German States, so it is handy to dismantle and take along just what you need.

Regards, Gary

The train station is quite a hike from the pedestrian town center and the river. It is a nice town but I'm not sure I would want to stay there.

Thanks to all that replied.

Russ - we will be in the area in Nov, and if the villages are "shuttered" perhaps basing in a big city like Koblenz would be a good idea.

Consider basing yourself in Mainz then instead.

I spent four nights on the Mosel in early November of 2008. The towns I saw (on the Mosel) were not shuttered. In fact, it was a major festival in Cochem (Federweissfest). Castle tours were going on. I was also in Berkastel-Kues and Zell, and they seemed quite open. Only in Beilstein did I encounter establishments that were closed for the season.

Burg Eltz was closed for the season.

I didn't get up to the Rhein that year, but I know The Marksburg is open for tours and I believe Rheinfels is, depending on weather.

The K-D boats will not be running that late.

You might consider basing yourself in Boppard between Koblenz and St. Goar. It's a larger town. I think the major hotels on the river walk (Bellevue and Rheinlust) are open all year long.

Lee-

What guidebook, if any do you use? You seem to be a wealth of knowledge on Germany, perhaps you should write one!

BTW - I enjoy your website on German travel.

Well, I've been there.

I have a pretty good memory for places. It's inherited; when my Grandfather used to come visit, he'd start talking to my Dad about traveling, and it wasn't very long before they had maps out.

I had read Rick's guidebook before I went, but on the whole, I do my own research. Today, everything is on the web. I get maps from the Verkehrsverbünde (transit districts). Every town, it seems, has their own website at www.town_name.de, with the best listing of accommodations and worthy sites.

I spent a day in Koblenz. Came in on the train from Boppard. My first priority was finding an Internet Cafe so I could send pictures back to family and friends. Then I walked to Deutsches Eck. I walked back to the station through the old town, with people out on a Sunday afternoon enjoying the sun in outdoor cafes in squares. I'm not a city person, but it was enjoyable. Got myself totally lost until I ran into a street I recognized.