Is it possible still to ride the local <BR>trains along the Rhine? I would like to avoid riding the "high-speed" train from <BR>Paris to Amsterdam, and travel (in a round-about way, of course), and take local trains north to the Rhine(from Paris), then continue as far as possible along the river, until I have to start heading west to Amsterdam.

The route you describe is quite possible, though it would take pretty much an entire day. For instance, you could leave Paris at 7:49 a.m., change trains at Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, and Duisburg, and arrive at Amsterdam at 6:57 p.m. You can play with the schedules at <BR> <BR>http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/det...in/query.exe/e

This is certainly a novel way of travelling from Paris to Amsterdam, but not without some merit. <BR>Jahoulih's suggestion of train from Paris to Strasbourg, and then across the border to Baden-Baden is a good one. <BR>There are trains at least every two hours from Baden-Baden to Amsterdam, most involving only one change. However the 1441 from Baden is a direct train. <BR>One word of warning. Not all of this route is highly scenic; in fact the best scenery is only from Mainz to Cologne, and even the "local" trains as you call them are moving at pretty fast speeds. The train window views are exhiliarating on this stretch, but it really is a long way round for just an hour or two great views.

thanks for your responses. Steve

Steve: I'd try to route such a trip through the Mosel Valley on the way to the Rhine, travelling via Saarbrücken then Trier on the way to the Rhine, which is not only your most direct route to the most scenic part of the Rhine but also a very scenic journey in itself. In Germany, you'll want to ride the RE, RB, SE, and S trains for the "mail run"- the RB are probably the slowest since they stop at every little hamlet. The Mosel Valley route takes you to Koblenz, where you should ride south to about Bingen. You can ferry from here across the Rhine to Rüdesheim and continue north along the east bank of the Rhine for a somewhat different perspective of the river, then, once in Koblenz, pick up a fast train to Amsterdam. I'd guesstimate such a journey at around 12 hours from Paris, but it could be more. If you can manage it, stay a night in one of the towns along the Rhine - you'll not regret such a detour.

I think Russ has a very good idea. Another variation would be to follow Russ's plan as far as Bingen, and then go by boat to Koblenz, then back on the train to Amsterdam. You can find boat schedules at <BR> <BR>http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...e/boot0000.htm

thanks again for all your input-very <BR>good suggestions. Steve

I too like Russ's suggestions. The train route along the Mosel/Rhine is what I think many envision when they think of the castles along the Rhine. I would also second staying a night along the way if you can. Though at the begining, Trier is a facinating town with incredibly well preserved Roman ruins. St Goar is another much smaller but charming town n the Rhine and of course Koblenz would be a great stop. <BR>Enjoy!