Hi! I was enchanted by Rhine/ Mosel Valley back in 2004, and plan to bring my mother back to the region 27th Nov to early Dec. I especially wanted to bring her to Burg Eltz. However according to the travel guide most of the sights/ cruises/ accomodatons/ restaurants are closed in these regions from mid November, and Burg Eltz is completely closed. Does anyone know if the Rhine& Mosel are worth visiting in late Nov/ early Dec, or will it be like ghost towns?
I noticed on my previous visit to Burg Eltz there was a nice piece of grassland surrounding the castle. since burg eltz itself is closed, i'm considering bringing my mother to the grasslands just to admire the exterior of the castle. Does anyone know if the roads leading up to the castle and the surrounding caslte grounds will be accesible during this period, despite the castle being closed? Thanks!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19100 posts
I was on the Mosel in early November last year. Burg Eltz was closed, but the Reichsburg in Cochem and the Marksburg in Braubach were open. The Marksburg is open year-round but has reduced hours in the winter. However, the Marksburg shuttle only runs when the K-D boats are running (not in Novermber). The Reichsburg is closed in December.
Excepting Burg Eltz, virtually everything on the Mosel and on the Rhine around Koblenz is easily accessible by train or bus, and for a lot less than the cost of renting a car. I wouldn't bother with a car just to see the outside of Burg Eltz.
All thing considered, I don't think I would bother with that area that time of year.
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
Fuan, I think Marksburg Castle is very worthwhile. It's a steep 20-30 minute walk from town, not so great if Mom is elderly, but with a car, you can reach their parking lot and it's just 5 minutes from there to the castle gate; I imagine you can get a taxi from the station if you plan to travel by train.
It will be very quiet in the smaller villages of the region, but I still think it's worth a trip; Trier is great at any time of year, and the villages of Bacharach, Bernkastel and Cochem are still charming. Just stay in a larger place like Trier or Koblenz if you want a choice of eateries and evening activities, as the villages may be just too dead.
Posted by
Brangwin, Wa, USA
349 posts
To see the vineyards glueded to valley walls are always intersting to me.