Wendenplatz : it's more than it seems
by sarahjayn
This is one instance when your all-purpose travel guide translation dictionary will NOT help you. In the front of a lot of bars and discos in Germany (not just Bingen), you'll see a sign that says "Wendenplatz." Literally, this translates to "turning place." Do not think that this is a safe (or legal) place to turn your car around. It's a joke. If you are feeling down, you can turn yourself around . . . inside the bar. Your car, on the other hand, will have to find a nice cul-de-sac.
Several nice daytrip options are close by
by Trekki
Apart from the boat tour, the many castles and the little villages left and right on the river, several other options are easily accessible from Bingen. Some, albeit, with car only, I am afraid.
First of all there is famous Eberbach Monastery. This is located on the other side of Rhein River, north of village Eltville. The monastery was once of Cistercian order, and restored to perfection. Today classic concerts are given in the church and wine auctions held. The monastery can be visited. It was film location for The Name of The Rose movie, for the interior sets. The old dormitory (main picture) was transformed into the scriptorium in this movie. The monastery is accessible by car only, I am afraid.
Then there is spa town Bad Kreuznach. This lovely village at Nahe River deserves a visit because of the still active spa options, and if it is even only to sit at one of the salines and breathe healthy salty air. The picturesque houses on the bridge make nice photo options. It is easily accessible by train.
Instead of Rüdesheim (see tourist trap), Eltville is a lovely alternative. It has a nice river promenade, is being called the rose town for several reasons and has a delightful town centre with half-timbered houses and excellent wine bars. Accessible by ferry and train.
Mainz is also easily accessible by train and offers several interesting sights to see such as the cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum (printer pioneer Johannes Gutenberg) and a nice old town centre.
© Ingrid D., December 2010.
Lorch &Burg Sooneck - 10 km downstream from Bingen
by globetrott
Burg Sooneck dates back to the 11th century and was part of the fortifications of Burg Reichenstein, at the opposite bank ofthe river Rhine / Rhein.
Burg Sooneck is sometimes also called Sonneck or Saneck and you will see it in Lorch, at the right bank of the Rhine, about 10 km downstream from Bingen.
Also the village of Lorch is worth a visit, see these lovely half-timbered houses on my pictures. The building on my picture dates back to the year 1558 !! In the tiny villages along the river Rhine you will always be able to find cheap accomodations and restaurants serving the famous local Rhine-wines.
Reichenstein - 5km downstream from Bingen
by globetrott
Trechtlinghausen & Burg Reichenstein are in a distance of just 5km downstream from Bingen. This giant castle dates back to the 11th century. Plenty of times this castle was destroyed, but always it was restored again. In the 13th century the castle belonged to one of the most dangerous robber-barons, and as the castle had such an important position in the Rhine-valley, the emperor decided to destruct the castle and set the robber-baron into prison.
Nowadays Burg Reichenstein in Trechtlinghausen is partly a luxury castle-hotel and partly a museum.
Bingen
by Catspjm
I had the pleasure of visiting Bingen in Oct 2003 just a few weeks after the grape harvest. What is quite a vibrant and busy town during the day seems to be rolled up and put to bed by 9.30 at night. An almost eerie quiet descends upon the town. This eerie quiet is so apparent that it hangs in the air in the form of expectation. Almost reminiscent of a scene from Buffy the vampire slayer. Creatures from the hell mouth or any form of creature for that matter always fail to materialize. I suppose the lack of available victims to ravage drove them all in search of richer pickings somewhere down the Rhine. Even on a Saturday night we had great difficulty finding any form of hostelry that was prepared to ply us with drink much after 10.30 pm.
But yes, I am being a little narrow minded and harsh. Come daylight the town comes to life again. The vine rich slopes frame the meandering path of the Rhine. I was quite surprised by the volume of traffic it carried too. Hundreds of commercial barges and ferries travel its length, reminiscent of days gone by. The Rhine is very much an arterial route and is the life-blood of much more than the vines tenaciously gripping onto the cliff life slopes and terraces on either side.
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Goethe, a special boat by KD Line
Eiswein memorial in Bingen
Kayaking along majestic castles :)
Bingen am Rhein: the Rhein
