I will be staying 5 days in Koln mid December. Can anyone recommend day trips from Koln? I'm planning on Trier. Has anyone been to Bastonge Belgium? Seems doable for a day trip - any thoughts? I will have a rental car. I would like to do Amsterdam. Yes, I know it is pushing it, but would really like to try. Is this feasible? <BR> <BR>Thanks!!!! <BR>

Go to the main railway station and buy a second-class ticket to Koblenz. From the station there, take a cab down to the pier and get on the river boat headed upstream; destination...Rudesheim. You go past all those Rhine castles and tiny towns, the Lorelei rocks, etc. Get off and explore Rudesheim, have a good lunch in any pub or restaurant, then take the seilbahn (lift) to the top of the mountain, through the forest with views overlooking the Rhine, past the Niederwald Denkmal (a great monument), and down again to the tiny town of Asssmannshausen. Have a beer or more at The Krone Hotel, and get on the boat bound downstream to Koblenz. Retrace your journey and back to Cologne at nightfall.

I can heartily recommend visiting Aachen (Aix la Chapelle), the former capital of Charlemagne. The cathedral is small but gorgeous, a bit like a mini San Marco and the Schatzkammer (treasury) is full of beautiful objects. Visit the old town hall as well as a wander through the old town. It's only 1/2 hour from Koln so you can spend most of the day there.

Mary, <BR> <BR>Highly agree with your decision to visit Trier. Oldest city in Germany, it is a wonderful little city that reeks with Roman history. From Koblenz, intersection of Rhine and Mosel, take the train or boat, or by car and travel down the Mosel to Trier. Take time to stop at Burg Eltz, a real mideviel castle, unlike Ludwig's.Try tasting the nice white wines and enjoy your trip.

If you don't mind driving for a few hours you may go to Luxembourg. This nice city combines wonderful architecture, ancient buildings and catacombs and picturesque canyon where you can just walk around and relax. There is a tourist office somewhere in the center where you can get a city plan and a map with a 2-hour walking route.