My family and I will be in Germany in late May. Leaving from Strasbourg, we will spend a day and night in Rothenburg. The next morning we will drive to Wurzburg via the Romantic Road and stop to see the Residenz. Then, on to Bacharach were we will stay the night. We plan to drive the Rhine rather than a boat trip. Leaving Bacharach the next day, we'll head on to the Mosel Valley with a quick stop at Burg Eltz. Our plan is to continue driving on to Paris, knowing that we will arrive late in the evening. Here are my quesitons, <BR>1. Is this itinerary doable? <BR>2. Anyone been to the Residenz? Burg Eltz? <BR>3. Any opinions on not doing a Rhine cruise? <BR>4. Other advice? <BR>Thanks for your input. <BR>Barbara

Barbara: Like yourself, we will also be in that area (Rhine, etc.) in May. <BR> <BR>From Strasbourg, I would imagine the Rothenburg trip to be 3-4 hours. You'll like Rothenburg, make sure that you take the evening "Nightwatchman's Tour" that your hotel can give you info on. <BR> <BR>The trip from Rothenburg to Wurzburg is not long at all. You'll like that city, also. The Residenz and the view are beautiful. <BR> <BR>From Wurzburg, you can travel autobahn A3 right over to Frankfurt. You can avoid traffic by heading to the "Frankfurter Kreuz" autobahn intersection just north of the airport. On A3, you can head over to the Rhine, but get off to start your drive at Rudesheim. There, you can drive the 65 Km to Koblenz and then cross at the bridge and drive the "Left Bank" to Bacharach. I suggest this rather than a ferry crossing because you can see the little towns close up and maybe stop at the Lorelei on the "Right Bank". The river cruise is a rather long trip and I just prefer being right there. This is a great drive. The "Rhine on Fire" boat trip is the lone exception, but this only happens a couple of times each year. <BR> <BR>The trip over to Cochem is a nice trip from Koblenz. Burg Eltz is quite a place. You will enjoy these and the Mosel Valley. <BR> <BR>You will be quite busy and it's too bad that you couldn't stay the night at maybe Trier on the German border. You will be trying to fit a lot into a short time, but it's possible to do it. If you could add just one more day, it would be easier and you'll see more. <BR> <BR>Good luck and have a good trip! <BR> <BR>

The Residenz in Wurzburg is splendid. Remember, it was all smashed to smithereens in the final months of WWII in Europe. I have a friend who grew up there, and he and his family lived on the river bank for weeks because all else was gone. Kaput. Marvel at the beauty but also marvel at the painstaking reproduction of such a wonderous masterpiece of architecture and human culture.

As other people have already suggested, it will be quite a rush. Burg Eltz is great but it is on the major autobahn and it takes some back country driving to get there. The parking lot is also some distance from the castle itself and will take some walking (there are some slopes) but I think there is a shuttle service. However, it will probably be faster if you walk. Also, Burg Eltz is quite popular and expect to see a lot of people. I was there two years ago in Oct and there was a lot of people and I did not get the kind of "romantic or mystic feeling" usually associated with castles. Rhine cruise is worth it if you have the time. I did the cruise from (forgot the name of the city but is half way in between Koln and Koblenze) to Koblenze and took me an entire day.However, the trip can be done by car since the road just runs parallel to the Rhine river but since you are the driver, I doubt you will be able to enjoy much by yourself. Trier is also worth a visit if you have time.

Barbara, I was at Burg Eltz this past summer. IT was very enjoyable since everthing is original. Note the fresh flowers in the rooms, placed their by the family. There are a few different parking lots to the castle, if you are rushed locate the one closest to the castle. Bacharach is a very nice small village on the river, it is getting a bit touristy though, but still enjoyable. I agree in Rotherburg, you should take the night watchmens tour. Check the tourist office, I believe that the tour was at 7pm. Take the walk to the top of the tower, the view is pretty good. On the river cruise, you can take a short 2 hour cruise. You can take the boat from burg Rhinefells to a couple towns below Bacharach and take the train back up. It really gives you the heart of the castles. Have fun !! Glenn