My husnabd and I are planning a long weekend in the Rhine valley in late June. It's our first anniversary and I'd like to stay somewhere special. We'll be driving between Cologne and Mainz. Can someone recommend a place to stay and few must-sees?<BR><BR>Thank you!

The castle-hotel "Auf Sch&ouml;nburg" in Oberwesel is probably about as special as it gets. The once ruined fortress high on a cliff above the Rhine has been transformed into a very, very nice place that gets rave reviews from those who've been. My in-laws were there a week ago and said it was perfect in every way. They had a meticulously appointed tower room with a sitting area and a balcony overlooking the Rhine for $135, a price that includes a breakfast buffet and all taxes. I had a peek at the room myself - really nice. <BR><BR>Must-see: Marksburg Castle tour, across the river (ferry at St. Goar) and north a bit. Never destroyed, it's a very rustic castle - really feels like the Middle Ages. I'd also suggest a walk through Bacharach, St. Goar and Boppard (some Roman ruins there and a cool chairlift ride to a nearby peak, great view of river) and a hike along the trails atop the cliffs between St. Goar and Oberwesel. If you have time to leave the valley briefly, drive over to Burg Eltz, near Moselkern on the Mosel River, for a marvelous castle tour with all the trimmings.

Russ, <BR><BR>Thank you very much -- the hotel sounds perfect and I appreciate your sightseeing tips.<BR><BR>Thanks again!

Russ, thanks for the info. We are booked at the Auf Schonburg next month. It looks very nice on their website, but having your (inlaws') confirmation helps.

Hi Panvan,<BR><BR>You might want to check out the Burg Colmberg Castle Hotel for a romantic dinner and a room.<BR><BR>Reserve a room overlooking the Rhine.

Hi panvan,<BR><BR>Oopps, skipped through my trip notes too fast . . . I should have said Auf Schoenburg vs Colmberg Castle. Sorry.<BR><BR>Agree with Russ, it is special. We had the Falcon room there - it was great.

IF THE AUF SCHONBURG IS FULL,WHAT IS SECOND. THANKS

Joe, get a day when they are not full. Seriously, my wife and I spent 2 very special nites at Schoenburg last spring. I consider it a must for a "special place on the Rhine." Absolutely no question. The owner, Herr Huettl, told us that if we could only see one castle, it should be Marksburg. so we drove to St Goar, took the ferry across, drove up to Loreley for the views, then up to Marksburg, spending a little time in each little village as we went. A great day, capped off by an outstanding gourmet dinner at "our castle on the Rhine."<BR>The rooms look out over the Rhine valley. You can have wine/beer on patios with killer views. The rooms have 4 posters, seating areas in the huge windows, a cd player with Beethoven and Mozart cd's, honor bars, all the comforts.<BR>Just do it!

We stayed at the Hotel Krone in Assmannshausen. It is an ancient, beautiful, very well-kept hotel with a nice restaurant. It has half-timbering and geraniums spilling from the window boxes. The narrator of the boat tour on the Rhine points out the Krone and extols its history and hospitality. We had a room with gold plumbing and heated bathroom floors and a canopied bed, also a small balcony to sit and watch the barges go up and down hte rhine just across the street. It's a very special place.

We are staying in the Rhine for 3 nights in July. I was able to book Schonberg for 2 nights but they were booked for the Saturday night. I was able to get a booking at Castle Leibenstein. Has anyone had any experience with this hotel?