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Aeneas · 12-13-2007, 10:47 PM

You lucky man. There are many awesome things to do very close to where you will be. Paris and Amsterdam are great options, but if you want much closer things start in Koblenz. A boat trip from Koblenz up the Rhine to Bingen is great if you want a relaxing time looking at castles on the hills. Could also drive it, but cuts down on what you see. Also from Koblenz (kind of a second home for me) you could travel down the Mosel at least to Cochem, Trier if you have the time. I have travelled to Trier by Motorbike, car and train from Koblenz all have their benefits. If you have the car then you could make a stop at Burg Eltz, in my opinion the best castle in all Germany if not Europe. Some family still lives in it, but you can tour much of it. It's right on the way from Koblenz to Cochem. Yes, I've been to all 5 of King Ludwig's castles and I still like Eltz better. It's real.

Cochem is a pretty town with a massive castle high above.
Trier has great Roman ruins, great for outside of the Meditteranean area.
The drive itself on the Mosel is beautiful. Lots of castles on every hill it seems. Other than Eltz, I'd recommend Burg Thurant, and Ehrenburg for different reasons. Eltz is old but well kept, Thurant has a great river view and furnished rooms, and Ehrenburg is quite ruined (but I like that).

Those are two trips from Koblenz, but the city itself is quite nice. The historic center (1000 years old) has the massive fortress Ehrenbrietstien looming above the confluence of Rhine and Mosel.

If you are into Beethoven Bonn will be interesting. Attractive small city.

Koln has the huge cathedral of course. Took 800 years to build. A very long walk up. I think second only to Ulm in height. Not much else of Koln survived the war. Worth it just to stand at the base and look up if you don't want the exertion.

Dusseldorf is famous for it's 1 km stretch of bars and clubs. The area north of Koln is not so pretty as Dusseldorf Essen Duisburg etc. make up one huge city. If you like landscapes stay south of Bonn.

The only WWI and WWII museums I've been to in Germany were concentration camps, and none in this area. Never stopped in Remagen, but there may be some museum there due to Operation Market Garden.

If you are into castles, there are several close to Koblenz that I quite like: Stozenfels, Marksburg.

Good beer garden on the Rhine in Koblenz.

Hope something is of use.
Aeneas

ps Gunners will crush Chelsea Sunday.

12-13-2007, 10:47 PM	#12
Aeneas Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Exp:	You lucky man. There are many awesome things to do very close to where you will be. Paris and Amsterdam are great options, but if you want much closer things start in Koblenz. A boat trip from Koblenz up the Rhine to Bingen is great if you want a relaxing time looking at castles on the hills. Could also drive it, but cuts down on what you see. Also from Koblenz (kind of a second home for me) you could travel down the Mosel at least to Cochem, Trier if you have the time. I have travelled to Trier by Motorbike, car and train from Koblenz all have their benefits. If you have the car then you could make a stop at Burg Eltz, in my opinion the best castle in all Germany if not Europe. Some family still lives in it, but you can tour much of it. It's right on the way from Koblenz to Cochem. Yes, I've been to all 5 of King Ludwig's castles and I still like Eltz better. It's real. Cochem is a pretty town with a massive castle high above. Trier has great Roman ruins, great for outside of the Meditteranean area. The drive itself on the Mosel is beautiful. Lots of castles on every hill it seems. Other than Eltz, I'd recommend Burg Thurant, and Ehrenburg for different reasons. Eltz is old but well kept, Thurant has a great river view and furnished rooms, and Ehrenburg is quite ruined (but I like that). Those are two trips from Koblenz, but the city itself is quite nice. The historic center (1000 years old) has the massive fortress Ehrenbrietstien looming above the confluence of Rhine and Mosel. If you are into Beethoven Bonn will be interesting. Attractive small city. Koln has the huge cathedral of course. Took 800 years to build. A very long walk up. I think second only to Ulm in height. Not much else of Koln survived the war. Worth it just to stand at the base and look up if you don't want the exertion. Dusseldorf is famous for it's 1 km stretch of bars and clubs. The area north of Koln is not so pretty as Dusseldorf Essen Duisburg etc. make up one huge city. If you like landscapes stay south of Bonn. The only WWI and WWII museums I've been to in Germany were concentration camps, and none in this area. Never stopped in Remagen, but there may be some museum there due to Operation Market Garden. If you are into castles, there are several close to Koblenz that I quite like: Stozenfels, Marksburg. Good beer garden on the Rhine in Koblenz. Hope something is of use. Aeneas ps Gunners will crush Chelsea Sunday.