My mom and I were planning on arriving in Colonge via train from Amsterdan June 15th, pick up a rental car, and drive to Cochem. I just got an email from Andrew Bester (gemut.com) saying all rental agencies would be closed June 15th.... therefore we are unable to rent a car... any ideas at all?? This puts a major bump in our plans as I was going to confirm our Cochem hotel today.
What to do???

Try renting a car in lower saxony. It will be a detour, but everything is open in non catholic states.

Any cities you might suggest? I guess we would be taking a train from Amsterdam... Darn! I really wanted my mom to see Dom Cathedral.

Osnabrück may be your best alternative. It's close to the A1 and you're at the Ruhr in no time.

Take the train to Cochem instead of Cologne. You can pick up the next day or after that by taking a short trip to Trier or Koblenz, which you'd be wise to do anyway.

You'll be in Cochem during Mosel Wein-Woche - did you know that? It's a fun time with music and wine stands all around.

I thought about a train to Cochem- I guess I need to look into car rentals beginning the 16th, huh
I'll also check out Osnabruck... and any other towns one might be able to suggest!
Russ (or anyone), can you tell me more about Mosel Wein-Woche? I knew there was a wine festival going on, but I can't find much info on it.. We're planning on seeing Burg Eltz in the morning and enjoying the town the rest of the day.

Here is the quote I received picking up the car in Colonge. Last year we paid $260 for a Merc E class for 7 days.. this is much higher even though it is for 10 days. Do you think they would raise car rental prices for the World Cup? I know I am paying extra to pick it up at the Rail station.
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Here is the quote you requested...

6/15 - 6/24 Cologne Rail(you pay rail tax, but the offizce is open)

Compact(VW Golf or similar) // 4 door // auto // air
Avis $562.61


Intermediate(VW Passat or similar) // 4 door // auto // air
Europcar $530.61
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I am waiting to see what the difference would be in picking up the car in Osnabrück. But then of course I would have to take in to account the extra money to get to Osnabrück, extra time to drive to Cochem, and missing Dom. (I've seen it, mom has not). Thoughts?

TX: it's a low-level festival that runs this year from the 14th to the 18th. Local vintners set up wine and food stands on and near the main square in front of the TI by the bridge, just off the old town center, and there are several bands that set up and play traditional stuff, oldies, whatever, trhoughout the run.

We took the train from Brussels to Cochem with a stop for about 4 hours in Cologne to see the Dom. It worked very nicely and I am sure you could do something similar from Amsterdam.

We left in the morning, arrived about lunch time in Cologne where we stored our bags in their fancy underground storage vault, and then had lunch and visited the Dom. 4 hours was lots of time, the Dom is literally right above the train staion. We then got on a direct train to Cochem (only just over an hour IIRC) and were there before dark.

It worked very well - check the train schedules!

I just got a reply from Andrew Bestor- it is $85 cheaper to rent the car in Osnabruck. $85 over the course of a 10 day rental doesn't seem too bad, does it? I like the idea of taking a train to Cochem, but we will want a car first thing in the morning (June 16) to see Burg Eltz.. then we'll drive back and enjoy the wine festival (won't need a car). The morning of the 17th we will drive to Rothenburg...I guess we could take a train to Rothenburg and pick up a car there... but we like the freedom a car allows, even though we really won't need a car while in the towns. My mom has rhumatoid arthritis, and even though she'd never complain, I'd like to keep "bag dragging" to a minimum... anyone else see a possble solution that I am missing? The car is costing about $50/day...would trains be *that* much cheaper?

Again, many thanks for all your help, input, and advice!!

Difficult! Driving down the autobahn from Osnabrück will be fast and won't be a problem. It would also be worth considering how far the rental agency in Osnabrück is from the station. If it's comfort (bag dragging!) you're looking for a car in Osnabrück would be god choice. The train won't save you that much money after all.

I guess I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to save $85 and pick up the car in Osnabrück. It's $85 more to pick up in Colonge, but the rental agency is at the train station, plus my mom would get to see Dom, PLUS it is closer to Cochem- our ultimate destination.
We are coming from Amsterdam, there is a direct train to Colonge. Is there a direct train from A'dam to Osnabrück?
I think we'll pay the extra $85 and rent in Colonge...
I just hope this holiday doesn't make it too crazy!

There are direct trains to Osnabrück; the train to Köln/Cochem sounds sensible too! Remember there will be plenty of people at the Dom. And if it's anything like at home in Bavaria a huge procession on that day.