pbiflyer

We are spending time in the Strasbourg area, then heading off to Amsterdam by car. We leave on a Sunday in July and arrive into Amsterdam Monday night. Mrs pbiflyer and the 2 little pbiflyers ages 9&11.
We will likely have done exploring of the area up to Heidelberg. That includes EuroPark, the Heidelberg Castle, Black Forest, some adventure travel.
I figure we will drive up the Rhine river with an overnight stop somewhere.

A couple questions:
What will be open on Sunday? Castles? Restaurants? Any shops in the various city centers?

I have driven from Mainz to Cologne, but no one else in the family has.
I have no experience north of Cologne. Is there anything interesting north of Cologne? Is Dusseldorf worth a visit? Anything in the Netherlands between Germany and Amsterdam?

One plan would be take most of the two days exploring the Rhine Valley (Mainz, Koblenz, Cologne, Bonn, etc.) and then bolt up to Amsterdam late on Monday evening.

Second plan would be to drive up the Rhine Valley and also explore the Moselle River (maybe to Zell), then bolt to Amsterdam Monday evening.

Third option would be to split the drive 50-50. One day from Strasbourg to Cologne, exploring along the way. Second day slow drive up from Cologne to Amsterdam, stopping along the way.

Any opinions of those options?
Any must sees along the way (from Mainz to Amsterdam)? Any good off the beaten path places? Must stops for lunch/dinner?
I figure we will spend at least a few hours in Cologne and see at least one castle along the Rhine.

Keep in mind this is a small part of our vacation, we are spending significant time in the Strasbourg and Amsterdam areas. If we end up with some beautiful scenery and one site each day, that would be okay too. Just didn't want to miss out on a great suggestion.

Thanks.

Alsacienne

There's a lot of questions in your post, but you seem to have a good idea already what you want to do.

If by EuroPark you mean Europapark in Rust, that's a full day in itself! There is a bus from Strasbourg if you don't fancy driving. Definitely NOT what you would want to do on the way to Amsterdam (and it's not en route either!).

I think I like the idea of the 50/50 not least because there's a chocolate museum in Cologne (http://www.schokoladenmuseum.de/start.html ... sorry in German only) and it is open on a Sunday!

And close to Heidelberg there is the Sinsheim Aviation Museum ... http://www.technik-museum.de/ which might interest the younger pbiflyers ... if mum and dad can cope with yet more planes!!

pbiflyer

Thanks for the info.
Yes, you are right, Europapark. As I said, that will be part of our time around Strasbourg. The 2 day trip to Amsterdam is apart from that.
The chocolate museum would be popular with the kids if they have samples!

AlienInTheFatherland

If you're looking for an amusement park for the little ones then consider Phantasialand which would be on you driving route from Strasbourg to Amsterdam:

http://www.phantasialand.de/en/home


A stop in Cologne would be very possible there as well and it is a lovely city.

If you only have two days, then that is what I would recommend - Strasbourg-Cologne (4 -5 hour drive) - overnight Cologne (see the cathedral and view the Rhine and dinner in the old town) - day at Phantasialand and then on to Amsterdam (2-3 hour drive)

pbiflyer

Thanks, that place looks fun. I like the suggestions.

Dieuwer

How about the "Openlucht Museum" in Arnhem, Netherlands? http://www.openairmuseum.nl
It's on the way from Germany to Amsterdam.

pbiflyer

That is going to be one of our activities while in Amsterdam.

CPT Trips

These two museums might be interesting for you.

http://speyer.technik-museum.de/?lang=en

http://sinsheim.technik-museum.de/?lang=en

helosc

If you are in Heidelberg, make sure you do the two funiculars :

http://www.bergbahn-heidelberg.de/en...ergbahnen.html

If you are in Mainz, the neighbouring town Wiesbaden has a funicular that 'runs' on water :

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerobergbahn

http://www.nerobergbahn.de

pbiflyer

Great suggestions. Thanks!

FonzieBone

If you want to enjoy the Mosel region, check out the town of Cochem. There are a number of excellent wineries there, and a pedestrian promenade along the river. A castle right there, as well (or at least, an impressive looking building up on a rock).

The Keukenhof tulip garden is in bloom this time of year - not sure if that's on your radar already but it's a great stop outside Amsterdam (actual city is Lisse).