I am travelling to Germany in October for 10 days. I am flying into Frankfurt, staying in Koblenz. We want to focus on primarily west and south Germany, and are looking at staying at some castles or B&Bs on the Rhine. Any suggestions on where to stay, what quaint towns to visit...this is my first trip there, thanks!

Hi! Just read your posting. October is agreat time to visit, most of the American tourists are gone and it is warm enough yet to enjoy an outdoor cafe during the daytime. Must visit TRIER the oldest city in Germany and former seat of the Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire. The city ius known for its Porto Nigra, the black port of entrance to the former imperial city. Roman bathes, great sites. If you are going to that part of Europe think about AAchen in Germany, Maastricht in the Netherlands part that juts out into Germany. Great sites to enjoy there. Many years ago we traveled on the Mosel to Koblenz. Really nice area. These places are all in the southwestern part of Germany except for Maastricht, which is not far from Trier. enjoy alan

As long as you're staying in Koblenz, why not consider a trip down the Mosel to Trier. It's prettier than the Rhine, there are some very nice little towns like Zell and Piesport along the way and the wine is nicer. Trier is an interesting city with Roman roots. It was Constantine's capitol for a time. <BR>

Sarah: The previous posters are correct about Trier and the Mosel River. <BR> <BR>I still prefer the Middle Rhine region between Koblenz and Mainz/Wiesbaden. There are some great towns such as Boppard, Bacharach, Assmanshausen, St. Goars, and the popular Rudesheim among others. We spent several days there last May, two days of our honeymoon in July, '97 as well as countless visits when I lived in Frankfurt in the mid-80's and never get tired of the area. <BR> <BR>In 1997, we stayed at Villa Rheinfels at St. Goars and it was very nice. It's a hotel attached to the castle ruin. Very nice, but pricey. Breakfast and/or dinner on the veranda above the river is spectacular. <BR> <BR>Do a search on the "Middle Rhine" and it will come up with a website with hotels, castles, wine tours and just about anything else connected with visiting that area, including Villa Rheinfels. <BR> <BR>Make sure that you visit the Deutches Eck in Koblenz and take the cable car ride above Rudesheim and the grape vineyards. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Hi Sarah! In May I stayed on the Rhine at Oberwesel at a really nice castle hotel called the "Auf Schonberg". The hotel is surrounded by the ruins of the thousand year old castle, and has a great view high on a hill of the Rhine. Very comfortable, lovely antiques, good restaurant. It is an easy drive to points of interest. I have to agree with Lee, I much prefer the Rhine over the Mosel. It is a lot of fun to take a cruise - especially on the paddlewheeler - for that stretch of the Rhine between St. Goar and Bingen or Rudesheim. There are so many castles to see! If you are driving, the Marksburg castle at Braubach I think is the best one on either the Rhine or the Mosel, but many people like the Burg Eltz on the Mosel. You can't stay at either one, though, but they're fun to visit. I very much enjoyed taking the ferry across the Rhine to the little town of Wellnich, right by St. Goarhausen, hiking up a hill, and seeing a falconry show set at the castle Maus (you can't go inside the castle, but sitting outside, it's a lovely view of the Rhine)- for description I've posted previously. If you are going into the Heidelberg area, there are some really interesting castles along the Neckar river, especially Burg Gutenberg, where you can wander through the three floors of the castle at your leisure. I personally don't like Trier, because it's such a busy city and a pain to drive in, but it does have fascinating history. If you're at all interested in cathedrals, Koln has an outstanding one. Feel free to e-mail me if you need more information. Have fun, Germany is a wonderful place!