Rhineland: Tips

Rent a car Be prepared for traffic, but being able to see the sights at your own pace is worth renting a car. Roads traverse the left and right banks of the Rhine, and several car-ferries can take you across. The mid-Rhine region between Koblenz and Mainz offers the most scenic driving route.

Take a river cruise Few rivers can claim such an important role in the growth of a nation as the Rhine. Most boat companies offer roundtrip day cruises, and some offer multi-day excursions.

Try the train Fast regional trains connect all the Rhineland’s major cities (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn, and Mainz). Germany’s excellent rail service will take you quickly and efficiently all over the country.

Büdchen All-hours kiosks (called “büdchen”) selling cigarettes, alcohol, and newspapers are staffed by locals and visited by those wanting a quick drink and a smoke on the way home. Büdchen are scattered throughout the region, but most are in Cologne.

Tourism sites Almost every German city has a comprehensive website. Just plug in the name of the city followed by “.de” and you’ll be able to find the address of the tourist office (e.g. www.bonn.de, www.cologne.de, etc.).

Language Politeness will get you far in Germany. Most Germans speak some English and are happy to show off their knowledge of their city and the English language.

Visa No visa is required for U.S. Citizens visiting Germany for up to 90 days.

Currency Germany uses the Euro, and major credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. Keep travelers’ checks as a backup, and keep US$100 in a location away from your other money, just in case.

Cuisine Surprisingly, Turkish cuisine has a big presence in the Rhineland. Typical German food (think schnitzel, wurst, and roast meats) like “Rheinischer Sauerbraten” and “Schlachtplatte” can be found at the regional brewpubs.

Wine and beer You probably already know that riesling rules in this area, but did you know that the Rhineland is renowned for its beer? Low-alcohol Koelsch, brewed in Cologne, is a national favorite served in tiny 0.1-liter flutes.