I was wondering what everyone's opinion is about staying in one place to visit both locations. They dont look far on a map. Our plan was to stay in St.Goar for 3 nights and visit the Rhine, Mosel Valley, Burg Eltz... But we can move to stay in Cochem or Belstein for a night or 2 and 2 nights in St Goar. Help please- 1st trip to Germany. Danka.
In 2004, I stayed in Boppard for six nights and visited Bacharach, St. Goar, Braubach, and Koblenz from there. Then in November of last year, I stayed in Treis-Karden for four nights as a base and visited Bernkastel, Zell, Cochem, and Beilstein.
I'm considering going back to that area with some friends sometime to see both Rhein and Mosel sites. I think I would stay the entire time in Braubach to avoid moving. It's kind of central to everything.
You can easily do the Mosel Valley as a day trip from St. Goar. It's about 45 minutes from St. Goar to Burg Eltz, then another 25 or so to Cochem.
I am going in April 2010 and plan to do that as well.
If you plan to visit Trier, you'd be better off basing in Cochem, probably, since it's a pretty long trek from St. Goar to Trier. That's what I'd do. Otherwise, St. Goar would work, or Braubach, as Lee suggests, if you want to see the Marksburg.
They aren't that far apart but I think you would enjoy it more if you were staying close. Regional trains, with a connection, can take up a chunk of your day.
I would pick Cochem for the Mosel and Burg Stahleck above Bacharach for the Rhine.
Visit Trier as part of your Mosel Valley itinerary. It's a nice town and the Roman ruins are some of the best outside of Italy.
Burg Eltz was nice. One of my favorite parts was the hike up to the castle. It was through a nice forrest along a stream, only very slightly uphill until you approach the Burg.
Rhinefels is one of my favorites.
Have a great trip.