Germany Trip Plan:
Explore the majestic Rhine, Moselle and Lahn valleys by bike

Promenade and Marina Brodenbach, CC-Dieter rogge
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 1: Arrival

Brodenbach, near Koblenz, is a nationally recognized resort town, located in a long sweeping bend of the Moselle River. On arrival, a fully equipped vacation apartment with a sunny patio awaits you in a quiet location of Brodenbach, and will be your perfect home from home as long as you choose to stay. Dive in local hospitality and explore the delicious cuisine, accompanied by a glass or two of regionally produced wines.

Ehrenburg Castle, GNU-Madinn
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 2: Ehrenburg-Castle and Castle Eltz

When you wake up the next morning you find yourself undoubtedly in one of the most enchanting landscapes in Germany. Through the wooded surroundings, the climate is particularly favorable and inviting for outdoor activities. That is why, after a hearty breakfast, take your rented bike and explore the region! Less then two miles away, on a rocky outcrop above the picturesque district Ehrenburg-Valley, stands Ehrenburg Castle, your first destination of today. Built back in the 12th Century it is nowadays a cultural monument, hosting numerous events and concert throughout a year. Stroll around and find out how live must have been back in the old days before continuing your day tour to the famous Eltz Castle, in about 5 miles distance from Brodenbach.

Eltz Castle is a medieval castle, nestled in the surrounding hills, standing strong on a 230 ft rock spur above the Moselle River. The castle is surrounded on three sides by the Elzbach River, a tributary on the north side of the Moselle. The oldest part of the castle is named Platteltz and is a Romanesque keep. Other parts were built in gothic style. About 100 members of the owners' families lived at the same time in the over 100 rooms of the castle! You can go on a guided tour and discover a cross section of eight hundred years of history reflected in the layout and architecture of each room, which includes a visit to the still intact late Middle-Ages Rodendorf-kitchen!

Old town Koblenz, GNU-Holger Weinandt
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 3: Koblenz, sightseeing City Tour

Especially if you are not an every day biker you might like to give your muscles a well deserved rest and instead take a boat, which embarks from a close location to your vacation apartment. Enjoy a leisurely Moselle tour, right into the heart of the old part of the city of Koblenz. This town is the gateway to the Middle Rhine UNESCO World Heritage site and situated on not one, but two world-famous rivers - the Rhine and the Moselle. The historic old town of Koblenz was carefully reconstructed and restored and the romantic lanes between St. Castor - Basilica and Liebfrauenkirche, the Church of Our Beloved Lady, represent for visitors nowadays the most popular part of Koblenz. Also of historical importance are the German Corner, with the statue of Emperor William I and the landmark of Koblenz, the Schängel-Fountain in front of the town hall. Culture and the best of entertainment are all year round in season in Koblenz and it wins the heart of hundreds of thousands visitors every year in August, when it is time for the Rhine in Flames festival.

Cochem with Castle Reichsburg, GNU-Holger Weinandt
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 4: River Moselle bike tour to Cochem

Todays trip actually starts in Koblenz's main railway station. You can get there easily by bike. Take your bike along on your train ride to the beautiful wine town Cochem on the Moselle River. Stroll through the narrow streets lined by half timbered houses and visit the, already from afar visible, castle above Cochem. Now follow the River Moselle, winding its way through a picturesque hilly landscape, dominated by vineyards. You will pass many lovely little villages on your way back to Brodenbach, inviting you to stop and rest for a while. If you like you can also choose a route leading directly through the vineyards, which is a bit more strenuous since you follow the ups and downs of the hills.

Altes Haus, market place Bacherach, GNU-Manfred Heyde
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 5: Middle Rhine UNESCO World Heritage site tour

Take your bike along on a boat, embarking near to your vacation apartment and change to a much bigger boat of the Köln-Düsseldorfer Schifffahrtsgesellschaft in Koblenz, at the landing bridge right behind the German Eck. Upstream enjoy the natural scenery along the majestic River Rhine to the wine town of Bacherach. You just passed the most famous stretch along the River Rhine, rightfully named the Middle Rhine UNESCO World Heritage site. You saw many medieval castles, the Loreley Rock and most beautiful situated vineyards. In Bacharach your boat trip ends and before you ride back to your starting point, take a stroll through the town of Bacharach with its many gorgeous have timbered houses and narrow lanes. Roughly 31 miles lie ahead of you, following the Rhine now downstream back to Koblenz, giving you another chance to admire the natural and man made wonders along the way. Make stops at any little town, restaurant or wine tavern and enjoy a glass of the so famous Rhine Wines.

Tip: If you feel tired or don't want to continue your bike ride, just take at any village along the way a train back to Koblenz, bringing you and your bike safely back to your home from home.

Bad Ems with Fountain-Tower, PD-Hans Buch
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 6: River Lahn Tour

After a good breakfast your explorer day starts again in Koblenz's main railway station. Today's rail ride brings you to Bad Ems, the old spa town on the Lahn River. This town is often referred to as the Emperor's Bath. In the days of Emperor Wilhelm I, Bad Ems became famous for its curative springs. Bad Ems is one of the few places in Germany, which have been a traditional spa town since the Middle Ages. The Baroque spa building and the house Zu den vier Türmen still bear witness to a boom, long before William of Prussia and his court was on its way to the Lahn.

Now get back on your bike and follow the Lahn River downstream, passing a very beautiful river-valley lined by inviting cozy pubs and restaurants. At the confluence of the Lahn and Rhine rivers continue your ride to Koblenz-Urbar, a town's district. Right beside the boat landing bridge is a nice garden restaurant where you can enjoy some local specialties, wines and of course other drinks. Then embark on a boat which brings you right back to the doorstep of your vacation apartment.

Brodenbach, CC-Klaus Graf
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 7: Departure

This lovely region of Germany holds so many attractions and therefore it is not surprising that already by the end of the 19th Century, tourism was also an important economic factor for Brodenbach. Besides the annually, always very impressive firework displays and the wine festivals, nearby Koblenz will host the National Garden Show 2011, with many preparations for the outstanding floral and cultural displays well on its way. Because of the large number of expected visitors, we advice you to make your travel plans and reservations well in advance! Bon Voyage.

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