we are planning a trip for July, 2010 and want to see this area. Getting off the plane in Frankfurt and renting a car, so this area will be our first stop. Would love to see Burg Eltz and the Rhine Valley, but unsure of how much time is needed to really get a feel of the area. We can spend two nights, but should one be in Bacharach and one in Beilstein, for instance? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I spent 5 mights in Boppard, on the Rhein, in 2004 and 4 nights in Treis-Karden, on the Mosel, in 2008. There is way more in that area than you can see in 2 days.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
425 posts
Jane, I just got back from that area last week. If you can spend two nights, do two nights in the same town. I think you get a better feel for it with the same home base. They are close enough for it if you have a car. I arrived in St Goar on one afternoon and the rest of the day touring St Goar and visiting the local beer garden. The next morning I toured Rhinefels Castle and hopped the 12:20 boat to Bacharach. Spent the afternoon at Bacharach then trained back to St Goar. The next morning I drove to Burg Eltz, from there I went to Marksburg and returned via the ferry back to St Goar. As Lee pointed out, you really can't do either place justice with just two days, but you can make the best of the time you have with some planning!
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
Hi Jane,
I'd spend the 2 nights in one place. I'd suggest Cochem on the Mosel. In 2007 we flew to Frankfurt (from NJ), landed around 7am, got our car and drove along the Rhine (Bacharach/St. Goar/Boppard), toured Marksburg Castle (Braubach) and then drove to Cochem (close to Burg Eltz). We arrived in Cochem around 2:30pm. We actually stayed in Valwig, just across the Mosel from Cochem. If interested, we stayed at and can recommend the Hotel Rebenhof in Valwig.
Paul
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I would choose one or the other with only 2 nights unless you are headed toward France. Then 1 night ea. Both areas deserve min. of 2 nights ea to "get the feel of area". Remember driving is slow espec on the roads in Mosel and Rhine areas. We spent 3 nights on Rhine and 2 nights in Mosel area 2 yrs ago, we had a car rental from Frankfurt airport(like your plan) went first to Bacharach then stayed in Beilstein and proceeded to Eastern France.