European vacation NGC

[charlie b]

So, after retiring, and in a couple of years, the wife and I will visit Europe.  We lived in southern Germany in the 70's and always wanted to take a river cruise.

Since some of you live over there and others have traveled there I figured I'd ask.

I was leaning toward a Rhine cruise but wondered if any of them are worth the time/money.  We'd probably want to spend an extra week or two on our own anyway so we could go back to visit our home area from back in the day.

So, cruise or no cruise.  If a cruise which river/area.  We loved the Rhine, Main and Mosel river areas when we lived there.

And, no, motorcycles are not even considered.  Wife hates riding.

[pebra]

I've never been on a river cruise myself (or any other cruise), but I think a cruise on the Donau sounds more exciting than on those German rivers.
There are fine German cities to visit by train, Berlin and Leipzig (edit: Actually I meant Dresden, but Leipzig too is nice!) come to mind and of course München.
You'd probably enjoy traveling in Germany by car, both in the south where you lived, and in the Rhein / Mosel area.
I'll recommend spending some days in the Mosel area getting about on rented bicycles.
Belgium, too is nice to visit. Compact, beautiful towns, great beer.

[charlie b]

We traveled all over Germany by car when we lived there.  Up to Bremerhaven a few times.  We used to do the wine sampling thing along the Main river, visited Munich, Garmish, Black Forest, Switzerland border areas, etc, etc.  Wife went to West and East Berlin a few times and Italy.  We have a list of other places we want to see and places we want to revisit.

Just wondered about the cruises.

[giusto]

Charlie,

I wouldn't exactly call it a cruise...that conjures up images of too much food, alcohol and lounging on deck...not a fan...It's been a while but I'm sure they still have the river stop cruise up the Rhine...it was awesome...stopped and got off in several towns along the way and continued on the next day....saw many cool towns and ate well :) Went from Frankfort to Oberhausen...we took 4 days.
The views from the river are awesome and far better than by car or rail....your view changes enough to be very interesting but not too quickly.
Hope you have a great time

[BoatDoc]

Perhaps not what you are thinking of, but also perhaps something fun to consider! I've taken a few cruises and the one that was the most fun was chartering a bareboat narrowboat on a Welsh canal. I believe we paid about $600 a week for a 36-footer.

http://www.maestermyn.co.uk/

A little less difficult than riding a motorcycle. Going through tunnels and over bridges in the boat was a kick and you travel at your own, slow pace through fields, past castles, etc.

Regardless, have fun!

[azguzzirep]

the Rhine has the most castles and is the in wine region.

Should be a good trip!

I live on the Neckar river but it ain't navagatable past Stuttgart.

Tom

[Xlratr]

Living in Germany, I feel I should say something...
Unfortunately I have no idea what those cruises are like. But as you already know, the Rhein and Mosel areas do have some pretty scenery. And Wine! 

[charlie b]

Yep, Mosel wines are my favorite (I have a few bottles on the shelf right now).  I still remember visits to the gasthaus' and the server would offer a wine selection by saying, Rhein or Mosel.  :)

[alanp]

Charlie,

I wouldn't exactly call it a cruise...that conjures up images of too much food, alcohol and lounging on deck...not a fan...It's been a while but I'm sure they still have the river stop cruise up the Rhine...it was awesome...stopped and got off in several towns along the way and continued on the next day....saw many cool towns and ate well :) Went from Frankfort to Oberhausen...we took 4 days.
The views from the river are awesome and far better than by car or rail....your view changes enough to be very interesting but not too quickly.
Hope you have a great time

This is a good suggestion.  there are now (maybe have been for a long time?) large boats that almost operate like trains up and down both the Rhein and Mosel.  You can get on/off at many locations and spend the day or the night as you see fit.  I would think this would be much better than a dedicated cruise whose schedule you are bound to.  My wife and I did a bicycle trip along the Mosel, Saar and Rhein last year.  We used both trains and boats for some segments, as we travelled both up and down the Rivers.  The Saar and Mosel were much more relaxed and "quiet" - smaller towns, less development and better scenery IMO.  Renting bikes is a good option if you are up to it as it is a great way to see the countryside.  the town of Saarburg was one of our favorites of the entire trip. 

[charlie b]

Charlie,

I wouldn't exactly call it a cruise...that conjures up images of too much food, alcohol and lounging on deck...not a fan...It's been a while but I'm sure they still have the river stop cruise up the Rhine...it was awesome...stopped and got off in several towns along the way and continued on the next day....saw many cool towns and ate well :) Went from Frankfort to Oberhausen...we took 4 days.
The views from the river are awesome and far better than by car or rail....your view changes enough to be very interesting but not too quickly.
Hope you have a great time

This is a good suggestion.  there are now (maybe have been for a long time?) large boats that almost operate like trains up and down both the Rhein and Mosel.  You can get on/off at many locations and spend the day or the night as you see fit.  I would think this would be much better than a dedicated cruise whose schedule you are bound to.  My wife and I did a bicycle trip along the Mosel, Saar and Rhein last year.  We used both trains and boats for some segments, as we travelled both up and down the Rivers.  The Saar and Mosel were much more relaxed and "quiet" - smaller towns, less development and better scenery IMO.  Renting bikes is a good option if you are up to it as it is a great way to see the countryside.  the town of Saarburg was one of our favorites of the entire trip. 

I will have to look into these too.  Seems like the best of both.

[ccoli]

About to go take a river cruise up the Danube, down the Mainz, then up the Rhine. Vienna to Basel.  15 days on the rivers. Plan to spend about a week before the cruise visiting Budapest, Prague and Vienna.  Will be spending a week with friends in Karlsruhe afterwards. Can let you know what we think in a month or so.

[Frulk]

Most scenic portion of the Rhein is from Mainz to Koblenz to das Deutsche Eck. That's based on mine and my grandfathers opinion (who skippered barges up and down the Rhein for 40+ years (sometimes with me on board).

Mainz has numerous historical sites worth seeing. It's domed cathedral with 2000 yr. old roots. Several preserved churches on side streets in the old downtown, the Gutenberg museum and so forth. Catch one of the day tour boats that leaves frequently and it's more like a bus on water.

Go upriver to Rudesheim. known for the Drosselgasse and Germany's massive statue of Germania, also known as Das Niederwald Denkmal, which is reached by road or cable lift above Rudesheim and the vineyards. While there you can also go to the Asbach Uralt distillery.

Beyond there is the famed Rhein Gorge with numerous notable smaller historic towns such as Bingen (where I spent 4 years in residence as an indentured serf of the Catholic faith at a private school). If you make it to the top of the valley there be sure to take in the expansive views at the Rochuskappelle (another lesser know chapel but of significant historical and architectural worth).  Several castles of note (maybe all of them ) are on this stretch of the Rhein up to Koblenz. Burg Rheinstein is worth visiting and is well preserved and the times I was there allowed access to almost everywhere except the private living residence of the owner.  Bacharach is another smaller town of note and quaint charm. Die Loreley, whose legend is deep rooted in river lore is also on this stretch.  I could go on but you can pm if you need more info.

If it was me doing this trip: Not sure how much time you're looking at spending doing this but I'd rent a room in Mainz and take a day boat trip up the river to Rudesheim and Bingen or wherever else you have time to see, then come back and the next day explore Mainz. Later that afternoon I'd drive up and stay at a room in Bacharach and the next day catch another boat further up river see what I felt like seeing. I'd do that until I hit my time limit. But, if doing it on a traditional cruise ship which they do have on this part of the river, I'd be sure to know EVERY stop they plan on making and how much time is allowed as there is a lot to take in.

Edit: forgot to add. I would do this during the middle of the week if possible as this area gets a LOT of tourist traffic during the season.

[DCWCALI]

Have taken two river cruises on Viking.  Paris to Prague in 2015 and this year was Berlin to Warsaw, which we just got back from on Sunday.  River cruising is like a land cruise, however unlike a motorcycle or bus trip; on the river cruise you pack and unpack just one time.  I also like the river boats as it means smaller groups and they typically have smaller groups and they (at least Viking did) make arrangements for ability groups (wheelchairs, people with difficulty walking, ect.). 

Don't get frustrated by initial sticker price.  You will notice it can be pricey.  Please understand you are being offered an all inclusive trip (no nickel and dime pricing).  For example, excursions, free WIFI and a liberal bar are already included in the price.  You don't even have to tip unless you want to as that is part of the price of the trip.  The trick is to plan the trip at least 6 months to a year out and take advantage of discounts (up to 50%) and/or offer free airfare.

[charlie b]

Frulk, great advice and we will look up all of the stuff you mentioned and mark on our maps.

DCW, thanks.  We were looking at Viking as one option and the sticker shock is not bad for what you get.

We do not like packing and unpacking all the time so will either base ourselves on a cruise line boat or stay at some more central location.  Like I mentioned, we've seen a ton of the 'normal' places after living there for several years.  A few we want to go back to, like Heidelberg (for sentimental reasons), and maybe Rothenburg (separate from a cruise).  And we would plan our stops well in advance so we can maximize time at any stops.