Baden-Baden or Rhine Cruise?
 

I am travelling in July, and have much of my trip nailed down, except the last two days. I am trying to choose between Baden-Baden and a cruise on the Rhine from Bingen to Koblenz. I don't think I will be indulging in the thermal spas in Baden-Baden. My reason for thinking of the spa town is the scenic Black Forest. But the Rhine cruise sounds interesting too. From what I understand, it would be way too hectic to do both in two days. I will be in Meersburg before I have to head out to one of these. So, simple question: Should I go with Baden-Baden or the Rhine Cruise?

Baden Baden is a large, fairly expensive city, not much forest there really. Only reason to be there is to gamble or to get a mud bath, etc.

The "Rhine Cruise" is only part of the experience on the Rhine. You should probably tour a castle as well, taste some wine, and wander around several of the attractive villages.

Cruising from Bingen to Koblenz takes nearly 4 hours - too long really, especially if it's hot or the boat is crowded, and the approach to Koblenz after Braubach is much less scenic than Bingen to Braubach. I'd get off in Braubach after about 3 hours instead and tour the terrific Marksburg Castle there; alternatively, start in Bacharach to shorten the cruise to about 2 hours:

www.marksburg.de

Bacharach, Oberwesel, St. Goar, Boppard, and Linz, in that order from south to north, are probably the most scenic villages north of Bingen. Linz is actually north of Koblenz. You can see all these places by train; train lines run along both sides of the river and connect in Koblenz. Boppard has a nice chairlift ride to a nearby peak with cafe/bars and a gorgeous view of the river. St. Goar has the most scenic spot on the river, perhaps, with 3 castles visible from town, Rheinfels, a ruined castle, that you can tour.

The best strategy? Maybe stay in attractive Bacharach. Head there first, drop bags at hotel, then catch the cruise boat there or take the train south to Bingen Stadt station and start the cruise there. If you tour Marksburg that same day, return by connecting in Koblenz or take the train south to St. Goarshausen and ferry over to St. Goar, then take another train south to Bacharach.

Yes-I would agree with Russ. I love Baden Baden, but I go there for the thermal services. It also is nice in that it is mostly a closed pedestrian only center and the shopping and restaurants are pretty good. But if the thermal stuff doesn't interest you then you may have more fun on the cruise.

I cannot help but wonder why people waste half their precious time on such short trips to travel long distances instead of chosing options of equal quality and interest at the doorstep of where they are staying.

Instead of the Rhine cruise, for example, add a day to Meersburg and do a lake cruise, stop at Konstanz to see an authentic medieval town, continue along the lake Rhine to Reichenau island to see the three medieval abbeys (UNESCO World Heritage), then continue to Stein am Rhein. This is a full day but you can use the full day instead of losing long hours on the way.

quokka: I would agree with your comments generally, but in this case tippanni is ending the trip and appears to be flying home from FRA or somewhere further north anyway.

Thanks Russ, Jpie, Quokka for your thoughts. Russ is right. I will be going to baden-baden or the Rhine from Meersburg, where I am spending two days. And then I head out to Paris. Will it be very hot in July for the cruise?