Where to go for short visit to Germany with 9 and 12 year old?

>"Unfortunately, the area of Germany that would provide the most logical stop-off point would seem to be the least fitting for the interests you have described, the lower Rhine/Rhur Industrial region of Nordrhein-Westpfalen." Not necessarily. Instead of the A1 she could also take the A7, which is the slightly longer (50km), but more interesting route... and she wouldn't have to cross the Ruhr region.
On this route are: Celle, Wolfenbüttel, Goslar, Einbeck, Hann. Münden, Fritzlar, Marburg, Alsfeld and Fulda. And Wartburg castle is a 50km detour.

I'd opt for the Mosel. On the way, pay a visit to Linz am Rhein (well-preserved old-world town with towers, half-timbered buildings and the like) and/or Remagen (ferry across the Rhine from Linz, very good WW II museum housed in the supports of the former "Bridge at Remagen.") LINZ REMAGEN'S PEACE MUSEUM Cochem is a gorgeous old-world town near Burg Eltz with many options for a 2-night stay; apartments are plentiful. See the FREE-FLIGHT falconry show at Reichsburg castle there (no show on Mondays): FALCONRY photos

I assume I have no chance of talking you out of this 16-hour drive with expensive gasoline in favor of the train! Hamburg, Bremen, and Cologne are the obvious answers. Cologne in particular has enough for a family to do without having to take the car out of the garage for two days. Your route also suggest for children, the suspended subways of Wuppertal (otherwise a gritty city) and the UNESCO WHS coal mine. Berlin or Cologne are for me the obvious choices for a first trip to Germany. Trier is also on the Google Maps route, but I think it's not varied enough for two days. But it has the virtue of being much smaller than Cologne, but loaded with sights, including Roman ruins. Reading between the lines, it sounds like maybe you want a tiny town and to use the car every day. How about one of the many half-timbered towns? Or if you stay in one of Rick's favorite Rhine towns, like Bacharach or Bingen, you could take a boat ride to see (outside) many, many castles. (Cologne is too far North for castle-boating.) I have nothing against Burg Eltz, but it's a single sight, good for a few hours at most. And the lived-in part of the castle has a sophisticated-family feel, not a medieval feel (which the outside certainly does.) Otherwise, I think your kids are too young to find the Mosel interesting. My vote is for Cologne, but I like big institutions, like the museums and the botanical garden and zoo.

Can you please clarify? Do you mean you have two days to spend in Germany not including the drive from Denmark to Lyon, or does this include the drive? Because, according to Viamichelin, depending on your departure point from Denmark, you're facing anywhere from a 12 to 17 hour drive. You wouldn't have time to do much besides drive most of the two days and stop somewhere for the night in between. Rothenburg odT is completely out of your way (and not nearly unique enough to justify such a far detour). The Mosel Valley might make more sense for your route, but seeing Burg Eltz would still be a little bit of a diversion- you wouldn't arrive until well after the castle closes for the day. My thoughts are that you should probably redirect your research towards northern Germany. If you wanted to see a good substitute for Rothenburg, consider visiting Lübeck, although this wouldn't be a good halfway point. Hamburg also has plenty of kid-friendly sites (and it's a gorgeous city), but it wouldn't really fit your route for an overnight stop. Unfortunately, the area of Germany that would provide the most logical stop-off point would seem to be the least fitting for the interests you have described, the lower Rhine/Rhur Industrial region of Nordrhein-Westpfalen.

Tim writes, "Trier is also on the Google Maps route, but I think it's not varied enough for two days. But it has the virtue of being much smaller than Cologne, but loaded with sights, including Roman ruins." Trier is indeed a good option if you have a full day - if you're interested in Roman history. A daytrip there from Cochem is quite easy if you have the time.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. To answer questions: we have 2 days in Germany, not including the drive. We'd typically take a train--the car is a long story.

Also, most of our trip to Europe will be in large cities, so we are wanting a smaller town for our short visit in Germany. Half-timbered towns like Tim suggested are exactly what we have in mind. I like the idea of the boat ride for castle viewing in Bacharach. Are there castles near there we could tour?

"I like the idea of the boat ride for castle viewing in Bacharach. Are there castles near there we could tour?" St. Goar's Rheinfels Castle (ruins) is fun. It's several miles north of Bacharach and you tour it without a guide. Marksburg Castle in Braubach is further north and across the river and offers a guided tour. KD Cruises: You would typically board south of Bacharach in Bingen, and cruise north from there to St. Goar, or beyond to Boppard, returning to your base town by train (or a VERY slow southbound boat.) But your idea about visiting the Mosel is just as solid as visiting the Rhine. Cochem has a fabulous half-timbered old town. Burg Eltz is tops. Cochem's Reichsburg Castle is good too - especially with the falconry show. And river cruises are possible there as well. The Kolb line runs cruises from Cochem to Beilstein, Traben-Trarbach and beyond:

Thanks Russ, I'm think I'm leaning toward Cochem, or at least the Mosel, now. That sounds like a good fit for what we're looking for. Off to research...

OK, if you have two full days, then the Mittelrhein makes sense. I would suggest taking the A61 Autobahn, which parallels the west bank of the Rhine (although the river isn't visible from the road). There's more than enough castles for you to explore. Also consider a stop-off at the nearby abbey of Maria Lach. And if you want a walled, preserved historic town as a substitute for Rothenburg, you can visit Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. Although it's mostly a modern town, it still maintains a historic core surrounded by a nearly intact defensive wall. Also, it sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by terraced vineyards. Worth at least a quick look and easy to reach from the Autobahn.

Thanks Tom, I will look into the places you suggested. Those sound great. I think you've helped me on every thread I've started--thank you!

Hi Jessica, I'd also go with Cochem on the Mosel. Beutisul half timbered old town, pleasnt riverside walks plus Burg Eltz. Yes, it's worth only a few hours, but it's amazing to walk up and see this in person. Like stepping back in time. It was the highlight of our 4 days based on the Mosel. http://www.worldisround.com/articles/338870/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/338874/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/338906/index.html Paul

I think you would be happy with Cochem, on the Mosel. You can use the daypass on the regional trains to explore the area or drive. Cochem also has a local castle: https://www.google.com/search?q=cochem+castle+pictures&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=C4EmUZefDs3y0wHA44GIAw&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1326&bih=933 (sorry for the long link) Possible day trips from Cochem include: Trier, a great small city with outstanding Roman ruins. Burg Eltz, the walk from Moselkern to Burg Eltz, through the woods, is easy and very pleasant. You can also daytrip to Rheinfels castle ruins above St. Goar on the Rhine from there. I love the fact that you can explore on your own (including the "mines") at your own pace.