BillJ

We are planning a trip to Amsterdam Belgium next April May. The primary goal is to see the flowers. Many here have also steered us towards Brugge, Ghent, Delft, etc. I will also be driving up to Arnhem, Apeldoorn, etc. <BR>The other day on the internet I found this incredible sounding Castle Auf Schoenburg in Oberwesel on the Rhine (thanks, Nickie), Near where the Mosel joins. Before i go much further, is a trip over to this castle for two nights or so too far, or can it be driven by car, best to go by rail, etc? What about the weather that time of year? Just wondering if I can fit the castle into this trip, or wait for another time. I hope there are some well travelled folks out there that can help. This is our first time to northern Europe. Thanks <BR> <BR>BillJ

nickie

Hi BillJ, me again. I don't know from where you mean in Belgium, but from Amsterdam to Oberwesel it's about four and a half hours to drive on the autobahn. It's really amazing how quickly you can go through countries over there. Last year we were in Belgium, took a wrong turn, and we were in France! April/May should be a lovely time to visit, though you never know if you'll have rain. May last year there they had a hotspell and I didn't see rain until I got to Bavaria! However, most of the tourists are not yet on the Rhine by May, so that's very nice, I think. Be sure and book well ahead at Schonberg, it doesn't have many rooms, and request a view of the Rhine if you want that. By the way, www.cwlease.com has a great routeplanner. Good luck!

Myriam

I think you're mixing two countries: Amsterdam is in the Netherlands (Holland) and so are Delft, Arnhem and Apeldoorn. This is also the country where the "flowers" are. <BR>Belgium is a different country, south of the Netherlands, with cities like Brugge and Gent. <BR> <BR>When you want to see the famous tulip exhibition, this is in "Keukenhof" in Lisse, the Netherlands. There are many posts on this formum with more information on Keukenhof. <BR>

BillJ

Whoops, left out the dividers, like a "&" or a "/". Meant to say I would be in both Belgium and Netherlands.

Marty Michaels

We were just at the Auf Schonburg two weeks ago, and loved it. Two recommendations, provided you do decide to go there: take a side trip to Burg Eltz on the Mosel (fantastic castle to beat all castles) and have dinner at the Auf Schonburg. Probably the best meal of our trip, and wonderful service to boot.

wes fowler

Bill, <BR>It's hard to provide meaningful advice without knowing a couple of critical items. What city are you flying in to, Brussels or Amsterdam? Flying out of the same city? How many days will your trip encompass? Are you thinking in terms of overnight stays and then moving on or are you considering a central point or two from which your touring can radiate?

BillJ

Thanks for your interest, Wes. Flying into/out of Brussels. Length of trip: 2 weeks plus or minus. In formative stages of planning, but until castle idea came up, was thinking of round trip by car from Brussels, Antwerp, Apeldoorn (park / museum), Amsterdam (3-4 nights), flowers/Delft, Brugge/Ghent, back to Brussels and home. Nothing yet cast in iron, except that the flowers are the main goal. If I can steal a couple of nights over to the castle, it sounds appealing, but I can't tell from the maps if this is feasible. Previous post says 4 hr drive from A'dam, does not sound intimidating to me. Could be do-able? Thanks for any comments.

Myriam

Oberwesel is a bit out of the direction when you want to see Belgium and Holland, but it must be doable since you have two weeks. I would certainly advise you to drive. <BR>Since you're flying in and out from Brussels you might start or end your trip with Oberwesel which is about 300 km southeast of Brussels - say 3 hours drive on the highway over Aachen, Köln (Cologne) and Koblenz. <BR>

harzer

Yes, Burg Eltz is the castle to end all castles. And try to do the tour with the Dutch guide who speaks four languages superbly. He is fantastic. Did you know that Burg Eltz is the only major fortified castle (i.e. Burg and not Schloss) that is not perched high on a rock, but sits down in a valley. It has been inhabited by the same family for 800 years and is really something. If you are into hiking the walk up from the Mosel river takes about 90 minutes. You can leave from either Mueden or Moselkern, and the views are superb. <BR> <BR>When someone tells you that a trip on the autobahn takes a certain time this is usually the minimum, and only achievable in the early hours of the morning. Conditions on the autobahns are very much subject to weather conditions and traffic density and times can vary enormously, like a four-hour trip can become a ten-hour trip. Take this into account when planning your ETA in Oberwesel. Visiting Burg Eltz on the way to Oberwesel may be your best option but it's at least two and a half hours journey between them. <BR> <BR>I have to admit that seeing Burg Eltz and getting to Oberwesel all in the same day sounds like a big ask. You might have to choose between the two I fear. I was in this area for a week last May and the maps are very deceptive as to actual distances and travel times here.

Myriam

<BR>For a trip of 300 km on the Autobahn from Brussels to Koblenz 3 hours is not a minimum, but rather an average as this is not a 'high density' highway nor a ringway around a city. I've never had a trafic jam overthere, there are not too many trucks and one can easily hold 120 km per hour or even faster once passed the border (120 km/hr is speed limit in Belgium). <BR> <BR>

nickie

While this may bring the wrath upon my head of Burg Eltz lovers everywhere, for a couple days in the region, I really don't think it is worth your while. Twenty years ago it was a good castle to visit, but when I went last year I was very disappointed that the tour has become so limited in scope to a few rooms. Marksburg I think has a better tour, and better furnishings. Just my opinion of course. <BR>But for only a couple days on the Rhine, I would forego either, and take a day cruise.

wes fowler

Bill, <BR>Congratulations for having the foresight to plan your Low Countries trip this far in advance! Here are some thoughts for you to consider in your planning. The last week in April and the first in May offer some opportunities to see some colorful and fascinating festivals prior to your visit to Keukenhof park and the adjoining tulip fields. On Ascension Day, Bruges, Belgium celebrates the Procession of the Holy Blood, one of the oldest traditions in Europe, dating back to the 12th century and the second Crusade. The procession proceeds around the outer perimeter of the city and then moves back into the center where the vessel containing the drops of Blood are returned to the Basilica. The pageant is filled with medieval costumes and a true sense of religious devotion. Mechelin, just north of Antwerp has a similar historic and religious festival, the Hanswijk Procession in early May. In alternate years, Ypres has a Cat Festival on the second Sunday in May featuring a procession with costumed giant figures, including "Cieper" the cat. The festivities end when stuffed toy cats are thrown from the town's belfry to the crowd below. The road between Haarlem and Noordwijk in the Netherlands is the site of a parade of floral floats on the last or next to last Saturday in April. <BR> <BR>An interesting detour on the way from Belgium to the Netherlands is a stop at Kinderdijk where 19 windmills of various type line the canal. One is open to visitors and gives some insight into the lifestyle of a miller's family. <BR> <BR>Brussels is a relatively expensive city due to its emerging importance in the European Union; Amsterdam a city devoted to cyclists and pedestrians. Neither warrant an auto. <BR>While both the Netherlands and Belgium have an extensive and efficient rail network (Belgium's was the first on the continent), the automobile is the best way to travel. Distances are short, roads are excellent and toll free and the auto offers far more flexibility that rail travel. There are distinct economic advantages to spending a few nights in a town such as Bruges or Amersfoort and using the town as a central point from which to tour. Hotel costs are considerably less than the larger cities and parking is neither a problem nor costly. <BR> <BR>From Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels or the north sea beaches are an hour or less away. Amersfoort is an ideal central point from which to visit Utrecht, Apeldoorn, Spakenburg, Arnhem, De Hoge Veuwe National Park and the kroller-Muller Rijksmuseum. <BR> <BR>If you'd like to stay in a castle or chateau, why not one in Belgium rather than Germany? The Chateau Du Pont D'Oye is set in the middle of the Anleir forest in Habay-la-Neuve in the southeastern corner of Belgium, not far from the Luxembourg and French borders and Bastogne. Check its website: www.chateaudupontdoye.be <BR> <BR>I've traveled through Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg over half a dozen times through the years. If you've got any questions, feel free to Email me directly. I may be able to offer a suggestion or recommendation or two. <BR> <BR> <BR>

BillJ

Wow! Thanks a bunch, gang. Lots of info to digest. I have just found that my airlines, American, also flies in and out of Frankfurt, soooo. . . can arrive in one city, depart the other. I'll keep you posted, and appreciate the invitation to email direct. Thanks again.