We will be in Nijmegan Holland the last week in October. We would like to see the Rhine and only have one day. I know the river boats are closed but we would like to take the train and stop over to see a couple of towns and maybe Markham castle. It looks like from my research so far Koblenz to Bingnam is the most scenic. Is there time to start at Koblenz and down one side and up the other? Which towns would be best to stop in?

You want to go Rudesheim/Bingen to Koblenz - or get off at Braubach -do Marksburg Castle and then take train to Koblenz - boats run all year now I believe - www.k-d.com for schedule - but you may need to book in advance for off-season floats.

Take train to Bingen from Koblenz. Check www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com for most on Rhine boats.

Go Bingen to Koblenz as it is quicker going downstream.

"I know the river boats are closed but we would like to take the train and stop over to see a couple of towns and maybe Markham castle."

It's not true about the river boats. You can travel the most scenic part of the Rhine, from Bingen or Ruedesheim to St. Goarshausen, by boat until Nov. 1 with Bingen-Ruedesheiemer cruises:
http://www.bingen-ruedesheimer.de/li...rplan/?lang=en

I suggest that you spend the night before your cruise in the Rhine Valley, not in Nijmegen. It will otherwise be too difficult to schedule Marksburg Castle (open 10-17:00,) the cruise, and stopovers in Bacharach and Oberwesel (on the west bank on the way to Bingen) or Ruedesheim (on the east bank.)

fuss -don't K-D offers year-round service no more? Was doing once a day last few years but maybe not this?

When I have time I'll check that out to update my info.

After Oct. 23, KD offers one daily trip... IF enough passengers pre-register on a given day, that is. But B-R cruises operate 3 cruises per day through the same stretch of river throughout the month. These winter boats do not normally serve Braubach.

Thanks again for the information

Thanks Fuss - so to get to Braubach you'd get off the boats at say St Goarhausen and take a local train to Braubach - that is where Marksburg Castle is, right?

Yes. It's a 20-min. train ride from St. G'hausen to Braubach.

and Marksburg is, it is said, the only intact medieval castle on this part of the Rhine - some kind of lift goes up there from the river level or a nice uphill jaunt.

"...some kind of lift goes up there from the river level or a nice uphill jaunt."

No lift. The Marksburg Express runs during summer months:
http://www.fahrzeugbilder.de/1024/st...2012-67578.jpg