Rhine
5
Day Itinerary •
Germany
Five days in the Rhine Valley and its tributaries gives you the full extraordinary depth of Germany's most romantic landscape. Beyond the UNESCO gorge and the Rheingau lie the perfectly preserved Moselle wine villages, the oldest city in Germany at Trier with its Roman gates and baths, the extraordinary Burg Eltz hidden in its forest valley and the most romantic castle ruin in Germany above Heidelberg's baroque old town. This route extends from the Rhine gorge and the Rheingau wine country through the Moselle valley to the Roman capital of Trier, then east to Wiesbaden's spa baths and Heidelberg's extraordinary combination of ruined castle, baroque streets and Germany's oldest university. Five days covering the most extraordinary concentration of medieval, Roman and natural heritage in western Germany.
Best Time To Visit
May to October
Getting There
Train to Koblenz from Frankfurt or Cologne, 1 hour
Getting Around
KD ferry, Rhine railway, car for Moselle and Burg Eltz
Budget Per Day
Approx 65 to 275 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, river walking and vineyard trails
DAY 1
THE RHINE GORGE
MORNING
COLOGNE CATHEDRAL AND THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GOTHIC INTERIOR IN GERMANY
Cologne Cathedral is the most extraordinary Gothic building in Germany, its twin 157-metre spires the tallest in the world when completed in 1880 after 632 years of construction, its extraordinary interior containing the Shrine of the Three Kings, the finest medieval reliquary in northern Europe, and the Richard Richter stained glass window of 11,263 coloured squares creating extraordinary abstract light. The tower climb gives the finest view of the Rhine. Entry to cathedral free, tower approx 6 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
THE MARKSBURG CASTLE, THE ONLY UNDESTROYED RHINE CASTLE
Marksburg above Braubach is the only Rhine gorge castle never destroyed or significantly altered, its extraordinary medieval fortifications intact from the 12th century including the great tower, the great battery and the extraordinary kitchen and armaments collections. The view from the ramparts over the Rhine gorge and the Loreley bend below is the finest from any castle on the river. Entry approx 9 euros. Accessible by ferry from Boppard. Train/Travel: 20 min ferry
AFTERNOON
THE LORELEY ROCK AND THE RHINE GORGE VIEWPOINT
The Loreley slate rock at St Goarshausen is the most famous viewpoint on the Rhine, a 132-metre cliff above the narrowest and most treacherous section of the river where the siren of German legend lured sailors to their deaths. The extraordinary viewpoint platform gives the finest panorama of the Rhine gorge, the vineyard terraces and the castle-studded cliffs. The visitor centre tells the Loreley legend. Entry to viewpoint free, centre approx 4 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bacharach Postenturm, a medieval watchtower in the vineyards above Bacharach accessible by a 30-minute walk from the town, gives the finest view of the Rhine gorge from above the vineyards, with the Stahleck castle ruin, the Gothic Werner Chapel and the entire medieval town visible below in the river bend. Almost entirely unknown to the cruise ship tourists in the town below. The walk through the vineyard terraces is extraordinary in September during the harvest. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Reichard, Cologne Outstanding breakfast at the finest traditional cafe in Cologne. Extraordinary river terrace facing the cathedral. | Lunch: Weinhaus Weiler, Boppard Outstanding Rhineland lunch. Local Riesling and the finest Rhine salmon in the gorge. | Dinner: Zum Goldenen Pfropfenzieher, Bacharach The finest wine tavern in the Middle Rhine. Outstanding local Riesling and Rhineland food.
DAY 2
RHEINGAU WINE COUNTRY
MORNING
RUDESHEIM AND THE RHINE WINE ROUTE
Rudesheim is the most famous wine town on the Rhine, its extraordinary Drosselgasse lane of wine taverns the finest concentrated wine drinking experience in Germany, its cable car to the Niederwald monument above the vineyards giving the finest view of the Rhine bend at Bingen and the extraordinary Rheingau wine country beyond. The Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet is the finest museum of mechanical musical instruments in the world. Entry to museum approx 12 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
BINGEN AND THE HILDEGARD VON BINGEN HERITAGE
Bingen is the most extraordinary small town on the Middle Rhine, its extraordinary Museum am Strom containing the finest collection of Hildegard von Bingen manuscripts and medical instruments in Germany, the extraordinary Mauseturm toll tower on its Rhine island and the remarkable Rochusberg pilgrimage chapel with its extraordinary Rhine panorama making it the finest hidden town at the junction of the Rhine and Nahe. Entry to museum approx 5 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
AFTERNOON
KOBLENZ AND THE DEUTSCHES ECK, WHERE THE MOSELLE MEETS THE RHINE
Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle is the finest city in the Rhineland-Palatinate, its extraordinary Deutsches Eck promontory where the two rivers meet, the Ehrenbreitstein fortress above the city on its extraordinary 118-metre basalt rock, the cable car crossing the Rhine to the fortress and the extraordinary Florinsmarkt medieval square making it the finest city base for the Rhine gorge. Entry to fortress approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Ehrenfels Castle ruin on the Rhine cliff opposite Rudesheim, accessible only by boat from Bingen or by a steep footpath from Assmannshausen, is the most dramatic and least visited Rhine gorge castle ruin, its extraordinary position directly above the Mouse Tower island and the Binger Loch rapids creating the finest view of the upper Rhine gorge. The complete absence of facilities and visitors makes it the finest hidden place in the Rheingau. Boat from Bingen approx 8 euros return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ruedesheimer Schloss Outstanding breakfast in the finest hotel in Rudesheim. Rheingau Riesling breakfast Sekt is extraordinary. | Lunch: Historisches Wirtshaus im Stift, Bingen Outstanding Rhineland food in a former monastery. The finest lunch in Bingen. | Dinner: Da Vinci, Koblenz The finest restaurant in Koblenz. Outstanding Italian-German fusion with extraordinary Rhine terrace views.
DAY 3
NAHE VALLEY AND BURG ELTZ
MORNING
THE RHEINGAU WINE REGION AND SCHLOSS JOHANNISBERG
Schloss Johannisberg above Rudesheim is the most extraordinary wine estate in Germany, a Benedictine monastery converted to a wine estate by Napoleon and given to Metternich in 1816, its extraordinary hilltop position above the finest Riesling vineyards in the world giving a view over the entire Rheingau wine region. The wine tasting in the extraordinary historic cellars is the finest in the Rhineland. Entry to tasting approx 12 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE NAHE VALLEY WINE ROUTE AND BAD KREUZNACH
The Nahe Valley between Bingen and Bad Kreuznach is the finest and least visited wine valley in the Rhineland, its extraordinary terraced vineyards of red porphyry rock producing the finest mineral Riesling in Germany. The extraordinary salt springs of Bad Kreuznach, the Roman brine baths and the extraordinary bridge houses built directly over the river Nahe are remarkable. Entry to baths approx 15 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BURG ELTZ, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARILY PRESERVED CASTLE IN GERMANY
Burg Eltz in the Eltz valley near Mosellkern is the most extraordinary and best preserved medieval castle in Germany, its extraordinary cluster of towers belonging to three noble families who have owned it continuously since the 12th century without ever fighting each other. The interior with its extraordinary treasury of medieval armour, silver and paintings is the finest in any castle in the Rhineland. Entry approx 12 euros. Accessible only on foot or by shuttle.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bacharach Stahleck Youth Hostel occupies the most extraordinary building of any hostel in Europe, a 12th-century castle ruin perched above the Rhine gorge above Bacharach with extraordinary views over the river and the vineyard terraces. The castle's great hall, the tower rooms and the extraordinary terrace are all available to overnight guests. Entry as a hostel guest, beds from approx 30 euros per night. The sunset from the castle terrace over the Rhine gorge is the finest view in the Middle Rhine.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Schloss Johannisberg restaurant Outstanding breakfast at the extraordinary wine estate before the vineyards open. Rheingau honey is remarkable. | Lunch: Wirtshaus an der Nahe, Bad Kreuznach Outstanding Nahe wine valley food. Local Riesling Spaetzle and the finest Nahe Pinot Noir. | Dinner: Burgrestaurant Eltz area Outstanding Rhineland dinner near the extraordinary castle. Local venison and Moselle Riesling.
DAY 4
TRIER AND THE MOSELLE
MORNING
TRIER, THE OLDEST CITY IN GERMANY AND THE FINEST ROMAN TOWN NORTH OF THE ALPS
Trier was founded by Augustus in 17 BC and was briefly the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 4th century. Its extraordinary Porta Nigra, the finest surviving Roman city gate in Europe, the extraordinary basilica of Constantine, the Imperial Roman baths, the amphitheatre and the Karl Marx birthplace museum make it the finest Roman and medieval town in Germany. Entry to Porta Nigra approx 4 euros. Train/Travel: 1.5 hours train
MIDDAY
THE MOSELLE VALLEY FROM TRIER TO COCHEM
drive The Moselle Valley between Trier and Cochem is the most extraordinary wine river valley in Germany, its extraordinary steep slate vineyards clinging to almost vertical slopes above the winding river, its extraordinary wine villages of Bernkastel-Kues, Zell and Beilstein and the extraordinary Reichsburg castle above Cochem giving 70km of the finest river scenery in the country. The B53 riverside road is the finest driving route in the Rhineland. Train/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
COCHEM AND THE REICHSBURG CASTLE, FINEST SMALL RHINE-MOSELLE TOWN
Cochem is the most extraordinary small town on the Moselle, its extraordinary Reichsburg castle rebuilt in neo-Gothic style in 1877 perched on a 100-metre cone above the town, its extraordinary half-timbered market square and the cable car to the Pinnerkreuz viewpoint giving the finest afternoon in the Moselle valley. The Moselle wine tasting at the Weingut Ernst Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues is the finest on the river. Entry to castle approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Beilstein village on the Moselle, 14km from Cochem, is the most extraordinarily preserved medieval wine village in the Moselle valley, its tiny market square, the extraordinary Carmelite monastery ruin above the village, the complete absence of modern development and the extraordinary Burg Metternich ruin giving it a theatrical perfection unlike any other village on the river. The village has no bank, no supermarket and no traffic. Accessible by boat from Cochem in summer. Entry to castle approx 3 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Porta Nigra cafe, Trier Outstanding breakfast at the cafe facing the finest Roman gate in northern Europe. | Lunch: Alte Gutsschaenke, Bernkastel-Kues Outstanding Moselle wine estate lunch. The finest Riesling Auslese tasting in the valley. | Dinner: Lohspeicher, Cochem The finest restaurant in Cochem. Outstanding Moselle fish and local game with extraordinary river views.
DAY 5
WIESBADEN AND HEIDELBERG
MORNING
WIESBADEN AND THE FINEST SPA TOWN IN THE RHINELAND
Wiesbaden is the most extraordinary spa town in Germany, its extraordinary Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme Roman baths operating since the 2nd century, its extraordinary Kurhaus casino and ballroom, the magnificent Marktkirche and the extraordinary Neroberg with its Greek Orthodox church above the spa gardens making it the finest city base in the Rheingau. The extraordinary Hessisches Staatstheater is the finest opera house in the Rhineland. Therme entry approx 16 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
HEIDELBERG AND THE MOST ROMANTIC CASTLE RUIN IN GERMANY
Heidelberg Castle above the Neckar is the most romantic castle ruin in Germany, its extraordinary red sandstone ruin above the finest baroque old town in southern Germany, the Heidelberg Tun, the world's largest wine barrel, and the extraordinary Philosopher's Walk viewpoint above the river giving the finest combination of ruined castle and university town in Europe. Entry to castle and tun approx 9 euros. Train/Travel: 45 min train
AFTERNOON
THE HEIDELBERG ALTSTADT AND THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN GERMANY
Heidelberg's Altstadt is the finest baroque old town in southern Germany, its extraordinary Hauptstrasse pedestrian zone, the Heiliggeistkirche at the market square, the extraordinary student prison where students were imprisoned for duelling and drinking and the magnificent Karlstor gate making it the finest historic city experience in the Rhine region. The Heidelberg University founded in 1386 is the oldest in Germany. Entry to student prison approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lorelei rock viewed from the river by the KD Rhine cruise ferry is an entirely different experience from the viewpoint above, the great slate cliff rising vertically from the water with the extraordinary current visible in the narrows below. The KD ferry route from Boppard to St Goarshausen passes the Loreley at river level, the viewpoint, the Katz castle and the Maus castle in the finest 30-minute river section. The evening cruise from Rudesheim to Bingen passes the entire UNESCO gorge. Ferry approx 25 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Blum, Wiesbaden The finest traditional cafe in Wiesbaden. Outstanding Hessian breakfast and extraordinary Kaffee und Kuchen. | Lunch: Zum Roten Ochsen, Heidelberg The finest student pub in Germany since 1703. Outstanding Palatinate food and Heidelberger Pils. | Dinner: Simplicissimus, Heidelberg The finest restaurant in Heidelberg. Outstanding creative German cuisine. Book ahead.
Where To Stay
Bacharach, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Altkollnischer Hof or Stahleck Castle Hostel. Approx 30 to 180 euros per night. Koblenz, Night 3 Skunst Hotel. Approx 70 to 140 euros per night. Cochem, Night 4 Hotel Lohspeicher. Approx 80 to 160 euros per night. Heidelberg, Night 5 Hotel Zum Ritter or Der Europaeische Hof. Approx 100 to 250 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Trier Porta Nigra: arrive before 9am. The Roman gate in morning light before the tour groups is extraordinary.
2. Beilstein village: arrive by boat from Cochem in summer. The most perfectly preserved Moselle village, entirely car-free.
3. Schloss Johannisberg tasting: book ahead at weingut-schloss-johannisberg.de. The finest Riesling estate tour in Germany.
4. Heidelberg Castle: book the English tour. The Heidelberg Tun wine barrel holds 221,000 litres and is extraordinary.
5. Bad Kreuznach bridge houses: the only inhabited medieval bridge houses in Germany. View from the Alte Nahebruecke.
6. Rhine in Flames fireworks: five Saturday nights in summer. The finest fireworks display in Germany from the river.
Total Budget
65 to 270 EUR/day