And, yes, to the idea that a boat trip to Cologne would not be the best use of time.>

But again don't neglect the Rhine day boats between Rudesheim/Bingen and Koblenz - drive to Koblenz and park near boat docks as much as possible and take train to say Rudesheim (where many few-hour cruises begin and best seats - outside up front -can quicly fill up and float back in a few-hours to Koblenz - pass the famous Lorelei and hear the Germans onboard start singing en masses that famous Lorelei song:


Bonn is another nice nearby Rhine town to go in foul weather.

While in the Mosel area the darling town of Beilstein is worth a few hours. It's beautiful!

Yes Beilstein sits also in one of the most beautiful stretches of Mosel - can take boats there from Cochem and other towns. And the Haus Lippmann there is a family-run hotel everyone raves about.