Jim Mohundro

Our short German itinerary is almost nailed down nailed down. We're using trains and would travel from Franfurt to Bingen (or Rudesheim) by train to stay one night and begin a short(one day)Rhine cruise journey northward (downstream) and return upstream to Bingen (Rudesheim) by train from the last picturesque town and landing/train station to stay a second night in the same hotel (its also a place to stash our luggage while go boating), <BR> <BR>We're a bit confused about the trains and sides of the Rhine (west and east). Is it better to take the Franfurt-Mainz train and stay on the east (Rudsheim)side the night before the cruise (we've tentatively selected the Hotel Krone if it's Rudesheim), or take the train to Bingen and stay on the west side (say at the Martinskeller) before and after the cruise? <BR> <BR>We would hope the day after the cruise to return down (northward along) the Rhine--this time by train--to Koblenz and then by train southwest to Trier where we've already booked a hotel. Is it possible to take the train to and from Bingen (cruise day and the following day) on opposite sides of the river for variety of scene?

Russ

I believe trains are frequent on each side, perhaps a bit more so on the left (west) side. You can cross the Rhine by ferry either north of Bingen between Lorch and Niederheimbach, or upstream between Rüdesheim and Bingen (requires a little backtracking.) For schedules on each side, go to www.bahn.de -- both sides arrive in and depart from Koblenz, so no river crossing is required there. <BR> <BR>I prefer Bingen as a base -- less touristy, less expensive, and superior views of the Rhine gorge. There's also a fairly short, beautiful hike through the Bingen city forest northward along the Rhine cliffs to Burg Rheinstein Castle, where you can take a short, self-guided tour and enjoy the great view.

Lee

Jim: If you are traveling from the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, then Rudesheim would be closer. The Hotel Krone is actually located about 5km "upstream" at Assmanshausen and is a beautiful, but expensive place. It is a lovely old structure with plenty of character and class. We toured the hotel last year while staying down the street at the Hotel Cafe' Post. The Krone is right on the river on the main street adjacent to the river road and across from previously mentioned Rheinstein Castle. <BR> <BR>Rudesheim is very touristy, but Assmanshausen is not so busy. You didn't mention where you are cruising to, with only a day, it must not be too much farther than Koblenz, I would think. The Rhine has a swift current and one direction is much slower going than the other, although you'll be going with the current, not against. <BR> <BR>If you are going to Trier, you will be on the Mosel River, the Rhine and Mosel converge at Koblenz (the Deutches Eck). Mainz is on the same side as Bingen, while Weisbaden is on the same as Rudesheim. The trip from Rudesheim to Koblenz is a good one and along the other side, from Koblenz to Mainz is as well, but a bit longer. You can take the train on either side and as mentioned, ferry across at various spots. The ferry from Neiderheimbach (same side as Bingen, Bacharach, etc.) to Lorch is easy to do with Lorch being quite close to Assmanshausen. <BR> <BR>It sounds like a nice trip. The greatest concentration of castles is in this middle Rhine region. You won't be disappointed. Have fun! <BR> <BR>

Jim Mohundro

Now that we've returned from our trip, I'll answer my own question. Based on a response, above, we stayed at the Hotel Cafe Post, in Assmannshausen, about 4 minutes train ride west of Rudesheim. The hotel, the rooms in which seem to run about $50 to $100 less than in the handsome Krone (about 150 meters west) was a great, small, family-owned and run establishment. <BR> <BR>Our Rhine-view room had three (count 'em--three!) modern sinks as well as a large bath with tub, and a sitting room. The dinner was cooked by, apparently, the son of the family, and was excellent--wiener schnitzel and a pork filet in an exquisite mushroom sauce. Our breakfast places were set out for us and we were personally served instead of lining up for the typical European breakfast room buffet. The Rhine boats were all just outside the door (the KD [Koln-Dusseldorf] boats are included in the Europass price). It was a thoroughly enjoyable stay and we'd recommend it. <BR> <BR> <BR>Jim Mohundro

Monica

Hi Jim! Did you stay in room #3? Corner room on the 2nd (European 1st) floor? You described our room, which we stayed in early June. Loved the place and enjoyed the food prepared by Herr Hotger's son. We had the same meal! I have a photo from our room at my travel page: http://sites.netscape.net/monicapileggi/travel