It's our first time in Germany and we would like to have your recommandation. My husband and I will be there 5 days in April. <BR>Our transportation = train and boat. We arrive in Frankfurt and would like to visit the Rhine Valley between Bacharach to Koblenz and the Mosel Valley (Cochem). <BR><BR>Where should we do our reservation? Bacharach, Oberwesel, Goar, Koblenz or?????? <BR>Could you recommand me the name of a few inexpensive Hotel which also speak English ?<BR>We appreciate any comments at all.<BR>Thank you

I recommend that you spend your first night in Rudesheim - very cute town. I drove from Frankfurt but I imagine there's train. I loved the place I stayed but you really need a car to get there. You can take a cable car up to the Neiderwald monument, and then walk back down thru the vineyards (be sure to have a Rudesheimer coffee overlooking the town and river). We took a boat from there to other towns and St. Goar was my second favorite.

We have done that area a few times. Stayed at the KRONE in Assmannhausen one time to visit the Rhine area and it was nice. Located on the river. You walk across the street(through a tunnel) to get on the ship to take the day cruise on the Rhine. <BR><BR>Another place on the Mosel River that we enjoyed was in Cochem, THE ALTE THORNDECKE. People were very nice there and we used this town as base to explore up and down the Mosel area. This hotel is built into the old walls of the city and very quaint. We were there in 1997.<BR><BR>Having done both rivers I have to say that I enjoy the Mosel area as much as the more famous Rhine River. They are both pretty close together so with 5 days you will be able to see a lot. If you had a car it would be a breeze, but they do have ferry crossings all along the river to move from one side or the other.

I think you will be pleased if you go past Cochem to Trier. Trier is the oldest city in Germany and has a number of Roman ruins. A very nice small city that you would enjoy. Also do not miss Burg Eltz, one of the best castles in Europe!<BR><BR>The view from above the castle is worth the walk form the car parking lot!<BR><BR>US

A car would give you a lot more flexibility in that area; for example, there are a lot of neat villages on the Mosel that are not served by the train that you can reach by car, like Beilstein where we stayed. But you'll still have plenty to see and do by boat and train.

I also think a car is better.Along the rhine the train igood but along the mosel a car helps a lot.Burg Elz is the best castle I saw.We stayedin St.Goar at FrauKurz&gt;she has rooms above the river.Parking in front and walk to the river.About30-36Euros for double.She is a delightful lady.Nice breakfast.We used the shared bathrooms and they were excellant.St.Goar would be a nice town to explore.Castle high above.Tel-06741/459&gt;She speaks little english but we managed with no German.

Michelle - so much to see and so little time. I would rcommend that you stay at any number of towns along the Middle Rhine, either St. Goar or Oberwesel. From there you can take 1 day cruises south to Rudesheim and north towards Koblenz. From there I would head for the Mosel Valley toward Trier. Cochem would be a nice stop, but could be bypassed for more time in Trier as US suggests. Do not, however, bypass Burg Eltz! Don't worry about speaking English as most innkeepers speak some English, and if not their kids do. Enjoy!