What is there to see in this area of Germany? <BR> <BR>Are there trains available there as in other areas? How difficult (or long) would it take by train to Fussen?

How are you getting to this area? Yes there is train service to Bachrach. It is a great place and it is along the Rhine. I can't answer the question about train to Fussen as we drove. Check out Rick Steves website about backdoor in Germany. ricksteves.com

On the Rhine, you'll find numerous castles, some tourable, castle ruins, quaint wine villages, terrific hiking through vineyards and pastures, wine tasting, incredible vistas, and more. Trains ply both sides of the Rhine Gorge hourly. Figure 6-7 hours to Füssen, but why go there to see the phony Neuwchwanstein when you can see the real knights' castles along the Rhine?

Thanks for the postings. <BR> <BR>The interest in Fussen is the Castle/Monastery there in the heart of town. Has anyone been through it in recent years?

The Bacharach/St. Goar area is very cute, but probably won't take a whole lot of time. I've been up and down the Rhein many times now and although I cringe to admit it, there's not necessarily a lot to those little towns except incredible cuteness and many tourist shops. Some of the castles, however, are very cool--you can climb or drive up to them, explore and/or have a great dinner; possibly even spend the night. We especially enjoyed the castle above St. Goar. <BR> <BR>In case you're considering it, I would NOT recommend a Rhein cruise--I've done it twice (both times to humor American guests who INSISTED that it would be the coolest thing...) and found it quite boring both times. It's much more interesting and a better use of your time to drive or train between towns, and ferry across the river when you want to. <BR> <BR>Regarding Fussen, visit this web site: <BR> <BR>http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/detect.exe/bin/query.exe/e <BR> <BR>to look up trains to Fussen. I think that most of the connections in the St. Goar area originate from Bingen, then through Frankfurt. <BR> <BR>Good luck!

I share Lori's impressions of the Rhine cruise. It's alright for a short run through the most scenic part between, say, Bingen and St. Goar, but try not to spend more than 2 hours or so on the boat (it goes more quickly from south to north due to the current!) <BR> <BR>I think there is plenty to do and see along the Rhine to spend at least two nights, three if possible. Unlike touristy-kitschy Bacharach, Boppard is a real town - larger than the others between Koblenz and Mainz and a good base for exploring from. There is an interesting set of Roman ruins in town, a couple of fine churches, and a very attractive old town with a large pedestrians-only center and lots of cafes. You'll see a chairlift at the south end of town leading to a lookout - take the time to head up there and enjoy the view of the Rhine Gorge from the outdoor cafe at the top. Across the river and to the north of Boppard in Braubach is the best preserved medieval castle on the Rhine - Marksburg. It was never destroyed by the French or anyone else, and it gives you a good feel for medieval life. Here's a link: <BR> <BR>www.roadstoruins.com/marksburg.htm <BR> <BR>In St. Goar, Rheinfels Castle ruins are moderately interesting (but the view is incredible) and the hike starting from behind the train station to the cliffs above, then south along the canyon rim toward Oberwesel, is one of the most scenic anywhere. Burg Maus Castle, across the river and to the north a bit, has falconry exhibitions in its courtyard twice daily. The Lorelei cliffs, immortalized in Heinrich Heine's poetry, are just south of St. Goar on the opposite side of the river (take your cruise through the stretch of the river that thwarted ancient sailors!) St. Goar also has a ferry you can use to explore St. Goarshausen, the town on the opposite side of the river. Do some winetasting in the old city tower at the south end of town. <BR> <BR>Oberwesel, south of St. Goar, is an old walled town that's interesting for a walk and a short visit. You can rent bikes there and ride along the paved path that follows the Rhine. Koblenz, the "big city" to the north, makes a worthwhile visit, and Remagen, north of Koblenz, is home to the Remagen Peace Museum, housed in the towers of the old Remagen Bridge, which chronicles the WWII battle for the Rhine and the bridge in this area (lots of interesting stuff here, and much of it in English - a must-see.) <BR> <BR>Hope this helps you with some specifics. Although I've been there / done that, I'm stopping back there again at the beginning of June to see what else I can find for 1-2 days after my tour through the Ardennes in Belgium.

Burg Reinfels above St. Goar is one of my favorite castles. I have always enjoyed the cruise on the Rhine - much more pleasant than driving.

For good rooms try Pension Lette in Bacharach, just inside the walls. Very nice lady owner (Lette), nice rooms, nic e breakfast, good rates.

I spent one night at the Castle Hotel Burgrheinfels and loved that (expensive) experience with fantastic views. I agree with the posters who said you don't need to spend much time along the Rhine. It was fun, but in later trips to Germany I saw things I adored much more than along the Rhine. <BR>Louise, I would make this one suggestion...note that Rick Steves always says...if you want what you think the Rhein experience will be, then go to the MOSEL River valley instead. I agree.

PS&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;The Rhein region has been industrialized for a long time and it shows. Besides hurting the beauty of the area, industrialization has hurt the air quality. It is bad, and I should know...I live in Houston and I still think the air there is bad! <BR>

I second the motion for "do the Mosel." Touring the Rhine after having been on the Mosel was a huge letdown. Absolutely despised St. Goar.

I've been away, and this is a tardy thank you. <BR>All of your comments are helpful. We have been on the Rhine once (in at Rudesheim), and the train and hiking should be better this time. <BR> <BR>I'm trying the link to Fussen. thanks again.