I'll be staying in Cochem in the Mosel valley for two nights. I plan on seeing Burg Eltz, and Cochem Castle. I wanted to get some advice on any other must see sights.
Anyone been to Burg Pyrmont, or Burg Aras?

Hi jimkp - One thing my wife and I really enjoyed was the boat trip up the Mosel from Cochem to Beilstein. Cost about 15 euros or so. It takes about and hour and goes through a lock. Beilstein is quite nice, with a few walks, including one up to castle ruins above the town (there's a wine garden up there, of course), and another going out into the vineyards and woods. Several nice restaurants for lunch. I think you can also bicycle there from Cochem if you're energetic.

Also, I don't know if you are planning to go to Trier while you're in the area. You can do it in a day from Cochem via train, though it's certainly worth a stay on its own. It's the oldest city in Germany, and served as Constantine's outpost in the area during the 300's I think. It has very interesting roman ruins, including an ampitheater, baths and the remnants of a gate dating from around 100. There is also a Basilica that was originally constructed as Emperor Constantine's imperial hall, originally built around 300 and then rebuilt several times. Also a very nice market square and many good restaurants.

I agree with Smetz. Beilstein was one the highlights of a Rhine/Mosel River Cruise we took a few years ago. We rented a car in Cochem for the day, and drove to Burg Eltz in the morning and then to Beilstein for the afternoon. And don't think you won't get lost no matter how easy it looks on the map! Cochem and Beilstein were so magical, I had to pinch myself to see if I was awake.....

There are several lovely little towns along the Mosel. From Cochem going towards Trier, we have visited or stayed in Beilstein, Bernkastel-Kues and Traben Trarbach. I also understand that Zell is quite nice but we've never been there.

Burg Arras is moderately interesting - small museum there - it's a hotel now, really. The walk up there from Alf (ferry from Bullay) is very nice and is connected by trail to the Marienburg hike, where you have a marvelous view of one of the prettiest parts of the Mosel. If you want a good walk/hike, I'd say this is a must. It's not extremely strenuous overall. There's a nice cafe atop the Marienburg as well.

This map shows you Burg Arras and the Marienburg in relation to Bullay and Alf:

http://www.ferienwohnung-mosel.com/i...chifffahrt.jpg

In Alf, the trail up starts very near the ferry dock.

In Cochem, the falconry show at Reichsburg Castle is a must - requires a separate admission ticket from the castle tour. Also, the chairlift ride to the Pinnerkreuz provides an awesome view of Cochem and the river valley (you can hike up, which I've done, but it really is mostly straight up, a maybe 500 feet climb in elevation. If you hike it, take some water and enjoy a drink at the outdoor cafe up top.

Cochem's chairlift:
www.cochemer-sesselbahn.de/


Falconry show photos:
www.falknerei-reichsburg-cochem.de/fotobuch.htm

jimkp, one thing to add - forgive my sounding like a lush, but one of the most interesting things to see in the area is the bottom of a wine glass! There are several great places to try wines in Cochem, including a number of wine bars along the Mosel promenade, and a great wine tasting both near the information center, under the bridge across the river. The latter is only open in the daytime, but you can sample a variety of great wines, including sparking wines, for one or two euros. I only drink dry wines at home (at the moment a carmenere from Chile), but I'll tell you, nothing tastes as good to me as a sweet spaetlese or auslese in the open German air.

Thank you all for the advice.

I do look forward to the beer, wine, and fresh air!!!

I was debating about taking the boat from Cochem to Beilstein, or driving. Sounds like the boat is the way to go.

I can't find too much information on the Marienburg. All I seem to find is that there is a nice view from the top. Is Marienburg ruins of an old castle, or is it reconstructed like Reichsburg Castle in Cochem?

Has anyone been to Burg Pyrmont? I'm not sure where I read about it, but I recall that it makes a nice side trip from Burg Eltz.

Add some wine tasting. Try the dry white wines (trocken or halb-trocken).

When you go to Burg Eltz be sure to take the hike up to the castle. It's slightly uphill through forest along a stream. It's a really nice walk.

Should also second Trier. Some of the best Roman ruins outside of Italy. If you want, you can also continue into Luxembourg.

"I can't find too much information on the Marienburg. All I seem to find is that there is a nice view from the top. Is Marienburg ruins of an old castle, or is it reconstructed like Reichsburg Castle in Cochem?"

It's not an important tourist site. It was once a nunnery and a church and is now some sort of religious educational facility. But what you go there for is the hike and the spectacular view of the vineyards, the river bend, and the surrounding hillsides. There's a lookout tower - I think it's called Prinzenkopf - that you can climb for the most elevated viewing position. There's also a nice indoor/outdoor cafe up there.

Word of caution: If you do take a boat to Beilstein, make sure the boat stops there! Some boats only go up to Beilstein, then turn around without docking.

Would doing the boat tour like Smetz and others suggested be feasible or desireable in early December?

jenblase: Boats to Beilstein run until mid-October. After that you can charter your own boat with the Kolb line, but I'm pretty sure you're out of luck otherwise - it's too cold for cruising as a rule. You can get ride bikes along the river path if the weather is okay.