tourist information loreley

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Die Loreley kehrt auf ihren Felsen zurück

Auf dem Loreley-Felsen thront seit dem 15. April 2023 die neue Statue im Kultur- und Landschaftspark.

Den Mythos erleben

Sagenhaftes Erlebnis

Ein Highlight des Loreleyfelsens ist der barrierefreie Kultur-und Landschaftspark. Gehen Sie bei einem gemütlichen Spaziergang durch den Park der Felsenspitze entgegen. 6 Aussichtpunkte entlang des Felsens eröffnen Ihnen spektakuläre Blicke in das wunderbare Mittelrheinta

Zum Loreley-Felsen

Wandern auf dem Rheinsteig

Der prämierte Wanderweg Rheinsteig bieten besonderen Wandergenuss. Viele lohnenswerte Tageswanderungen und Rundwanderwege ergänzen den Wandergenuß

Wanderungen

Burgen & Schlösser

Im sagenland der loreley.

Die einzigartige Kultur- und Naturlandschaft im UNESCO Welterbe Oberes Mittelrheintal hat viel zu bieten. Entdecken Sie allein in der Verbandsgemeinde Loreley dreizehn Burgen, Schlösser und Burgruinen.

Sagenland Loreley

Wein & genuss.

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• Veranstaltungen

Tourismus Restart an der Loreley

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Das loreley-rheintal.

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• Meine Loreley
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Kontakt - Loreley Touristik GmbH

Loreley 7  |  56348 Bornich

Telefon: 06771 - 9100   |  Telefax: 06771 - 91015 | E-Mail [email protected] Impressum Datenschutz

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Geierlay suspension bridge

It is considered the most beautiful suspension rope bridge in Germany - and rightly so. The Geierlay Bridge offers breathtaking views over the tree tops and is a real challenge for people with a fear of heights. A visit is definitely worthwhile and will make your visit an unforgettable experience.

• Lahn valley
• Moselle valley
• Rhine-Hesse
• Romantic Rhine

Famous Lorelei Rock

 The most famous of all Rhine legends has its origin at the only 130-metre wide narrow part of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen. Steep cliffs leave no room for the current here and many ship accidents nourished the fairy tale of the fair blonde who, high up on the rock, confused the boatmen's senses. Many myths entwine themselves around this place. In the 19th century Clemens Brentano transferred the name of the rock, which pushes far into the river bed, to the enchanting blonde woman. Pure Rhine romanticism.

Visit the Lorelei Rock

• Rhine in Flames
• Wine festivals
• Christmas markets
• Events calendar

A very special highlight along the Romantic Rhine from May to September is the annual, Rhine in Flames‘ fireworks spectacle held in five different locations with aerial fireworks, riverside promenades illuminated with flares and festively illuminated ship fleets.

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Loreley Tourist-Information

Bornich · romantischer rhein.

The The Loreley Tourist-Information was opened in 2000 as an official branch of the Expo in Hanover. In the 6-part exhibition there is information about the topic "World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and a 20-minute 3-D film. In the tourist information you can get information about the area of ​​the Romantic Rhine.

The restaurant "Am mythischen Fels" - with an outdoor terrace - offers delicious snacks, regional dishes and drinks. You can round off your day tour in a pleasant atmosphere or simply take a break.

Loreley Touristik GmbH Loreley 7 56348 Bornich

Web: http://www.loreley-touristik.de E-Mail: [email protected] Tel.: (0049)6771 9100 Fax: (0049)6771 91015

Opening hours:

Handicap facilities

• Certification
• Restricted mobility
• Blind or visually impaired
• Travel for All- Accessibility certified
• partially accessible for wheelchair users
• partially accessible for people with walking disabilities
• Level approach to building or grounds
• Doors and passages are at least 90 cm wide
• Doors and passages are at least 80 cm wide
• Designated parking spaces for disabled people available
• Level approach, or lift or ramp access to all guest rooms and facilities
• Toilet for disabled people
• Foldable grab bars next to the toilet
• Doors and passages are at least 70 cm wide
• The toilet is wheelchair accessible
• Assistance dogs are allowed

Evaluation report for accessible travel

"She combs it with a golden comb and sings a song; it has a wondrous, powerful melody" Excerpt from "Die Loreley" by Heinrich Heine

The steep rock, the narrow valley and the Rhine with its whirlpools and shallows still pose dangers for Rhine shipping today. So it's no wonder that numerous ships have crashed here in the past and that the rock has given rise to myths and legends. The legend of the Loreley is more closely associated with Rhine Romanticism than almost any other. It was Brentano who created the figure of the singing maiden on the rock in his ballad "Zu Bacharach am Rheine..." and Heinriche Heine who wrote one of the most famous songs about her. Since then, the legend of the Loreley has been sung in various languages all over the world.

According to legend, the Loreley was a mermaid who sat on this rock and combed her long, golden hair. With her beautiful song, she distracted the sailors so much that they no longer paid attention to their course in the dangerous current and the ships wrecked on the rocky reefs.

The Visit-Koblenz Newsletter

The Loreley Rock

The name Loreley first appeared in the romantic ballad by Clemens Brentano in 1801 about a pretty woman disappointed by love called Lore Ley, from the village of Bacharach. Spurned by her lover, she wanted to die. Men were fascinated by her beauty, end even the bishop could not ignore her grace and charm. He sent her into a convent, but the journey was interrupted by the cliff. She wanted to look once again at her beloved castle and her lover, and in desperation and despair, she jumped into the river. Brentano wrote several variations on the same theme and in his Rhine myths and fairytales, the Loreley appeared as the sad Frau Lurley, sitting on a cliff and combing her long, blond hair.

In Heinrich Heine’s 1824 version, fishermen passing below would be so fascinated by the lovely maiden Lorely combing her hair on the cliff top, that they would neglect to watch out for the treacherous rocks and strong rapids and drown. The ballad was put to music by Friedrich Silcher ‘Song of the Loreley’ and has since become famous across the world.

Today, the Loreley is a magnet for visitors and the story inspired the development of the Loreley Visitor Centre, which is located on the cliff top. Here you can find all the information you need to visit this beautiful region. while taking in the stunning views of the Loreley statue below.

Loreley Info

On this site you can find all information you need to spend an active and recreational holiday in the valley of the Loreley ( Lorelei ), the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage .

Loreley ( Lorelei )

The Loreley ( Lorelei ) is a 433 feet high slate cliff in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage near the town of St. Goarshausen . The view of St. Goarshausen, from the Loreley ( Lorelei ) outlook point, with Castle Katz and the view of the town St. Goar and its Fortress Rheinfels , leaves a wonderful impression on all Loreley ( Lorelei ) tourists.

The Rhine , at the Loreley ( Lorelei ), is up to 82 feet deep and only 371 feet wide. Because this area is so deep and narrow, it is one of the most dangerous places in the World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Ships, crossing each other here and all along the section between Oberwesel and St. Goarshausen , are directed by light signals, called “Wahrschau”.

History of the Loreley ( Lorelei )

First traces of human settlement have been apparent from the time the Loreley ( Lorelei ) Plateau was level with the Rhine (600.000 years ago). During the Middle Ages the Loreley ( Lorelei ) was well known, along with the Binger Loch, as the most dangerous section of the Rhine. Many mariners in their wooden dinghies came to tragedy here. In St. Goar, directly opposite the Loreley ( Lorelei ), the Saint Goar settled to save shipwrecked mariners and nurse them back to health.

Variation of the Loreley ( Lorelei ) Myth

The name Loreley ( Lorelei ) appears in a romantic ballad written by the poet Clemens Brentano in 1801. In this ballad, Loreley ( Lorelei ) is a beauty from Bacharach who wants to take her own life because her truelove is unfaithful. The bishop, fascinated by her loveliness and humility, takes her to a convent. En route to the convent, she stops at the cliff to look back on the palace of her truelove. When she sees him riding away, she throws herself in despair into the turbulent waters below. In the Rhine fairytale of 1810, Brentano varied the theme so that Loreley ( Lorelei ) appears as the distraught woman Lurley, sitting on a rock combing her long golden hair and luring the bargees into their destruction.

Current Loreley

Loreley guided tours.

Tour „Enchanting Loreley”

Tour „Enchanting Loreley” including nature hike and wine tasting

Registration Loreley Tours

Fon: +49 (0) 6774 – 745 Fax: +49 (0) 6774 – 8174 Mail: [email protected]

Wine festival Braubach

From 30th of September till 3rd of October the Mittelrhein Riesling Charta will be exhibiting for you at the wine festival in Braubach.

Visit us at the Obermarktstraße at the entrance to the Löwengässchen .

We offer wines from the member company H.-U. Fetz.

We are looking forward to your visit!

St. Goarshausen - St. Goar

More historical pictures www.st-goarshausen.de » .

Loreley Song

Deutschland Germany information

Rhein river information

Loreley Info now mobile

The Rheinsteig - A portrait

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Loreley Felsen

Loreley 7, 56348 Bornich

The Loreley

It was sung about and painted. Stories and poems tell of her myth. There are few places in the world that have such a strong charisma as the Loreley. Visitors from all over the world want to discover cultural history, trace the myth and experience a natural monument.

A visit to the Loreley Rock south of the town of St. Goarshausen is certainly one of the very special experiences for every Rhine tourist.

The 125m high slate rock (193.14m above sea level) is geologically approx. 4 million years old and has been the centre of Rhine romanticism since the 19th century. The Rhine here is only 175 m wide. The current is correspondingly strong here. An additional danger used to be the rocky reefs in the water, so that ships were exposed to great danger here. Many ships sank and many people lost their lives. The word Loreley comes from the words "Ley"=rock and "Loren"=listening. This was probably derived from the sound of the rapids and the buzzing of the multiple echoes in the narrow valley section.

The legend of the Loreley is probably known to everyone, less its origin. The female figure Loreley was brought to life in 1800 in Clemens Brentano's ballad "Zu Bacharach am Rheine". Here, as a beautiful sorceress, she drags all men to their doom and, on her way to exile, plunges from the rock into the Rhine. In 1824 Heinrich Heine published his "Loreley" poem, the content of which corresponds to today's legend. The Loreley is a beautiful female figure sitting on the top of the rock, combing her golden hair and casting a spell over the sailors and thus drawing them to their death. In 1838, Friedrich Silcher set the Heine poem to music and consolidated the world-famous legend with his Loreley song.

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Loreley Visitor Centre

Short facts.

• Bornich  
• excursion tips  

Here the myth of the Loreley comes alive

56348 Bornich

Phone: 06771 59909

E-mail: [email protected]

www.loreley-besucherzentrum.de/home

General information

• Bad Weather Offer
• Suitable for Pushchair
• Handicapped accessible WC
• barrierefrei für Menschen mit Gehbehinderung
• barrierefrei für Rollstuhlfahrer

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Loreley Tourist-Information

The Loreley Tourist-Information was opened in 2000 as an official branch of the Expo in Hanover. In the 6-part exhibition there is information about the topic "World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and a 20-minute 3-D film. In the tourist information you can get information about the area of ​​the Romantic Rhine.

The restaurant "Am mythischen Fels" - with an outdoor terrace - offers delicious snacks, regional dishes and drinks. You can round off your day tour in a pleasant atmosphere or simply take a break.

The The Loreley Tourist-Information was opened in 2000 as an official branch of the Expo in Hanover. In the 6-part exhibition there is information about the topic "World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and a 20-minute 3-D film. In the tourist information you can get information about the area of ​​the Romantic Rhine.

Regular opening hours:

March to November: daily from 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

November to December: daily from 11.00 a.m. to 16.00 hrs.

January to March: Wednesday to Sunday from 11.00 a.m. to 16.00 hrs

Printouts and downloads

Coordinates, accessibility, walking disability and wheelchair users.

• Parking for people with disabilities
• Step-free access to the building/object/terrain (via elevator/ramp if necessary)
• All other rooms and facilities available to the guests are infinitely accessible by elevator or ramp
• 90 cm minimum width of all passageways/doors
• 80 cm minimum width of all passageways/doors
• 70 cm minimum width of all passageways/doors
• Toilets for people with disabilities
• Lateral accessible toilet for a wheelchair
• Hinged grab rail in the toilet at least on the accessible side

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label " Accessibility certified - partially accessible for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users ".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

• There are ten marked parking spaces for people with disabilities (parking space size: 350 cm x 500 cm).
• The bus stop "Loreley-Besucherzentrum" is 150 m away.
• The visitor center is steplessly accessible.
• All evaluated rooms and facilities available to the guests are steplessly accessible.
• The ramp has a maximum gradient of 8 % and a total length of 11 m (intermediate landing available).
• All evaluated passageways/doors available to the guests are at least 90 cm wide.
• The cash desk is 113 cm high.
• The exhibits are predominately visible when seated and the information is readable while sitting.
• There are two designated spaces for wheelchairs in the film room.
• Offered aids: (wheeled) walker

Public toilet for people with disabilities

• The manoeuvring spaces are: in front of the door 113 cm x 200 cm; in front of the toilet 160 cm x 200 cm and in front of the washbasin 200 cm x 110 cm; left of the toilet 99 cm x 70 cm and right of the toilet 88 cm x 70 cm.
• There are grab rails available on the right and left of the toilet. The grab rails can be flipped-up.
• The sink is wheelchair compatible.
• An alarm trigger is not available.

Hearing impaired and deaf

• There is no clearly visible alarm.
• There is no audio induction loop system.
• The information in the exhibition is provided in writing.

Visually impaired and blind

• Assistance dogs are welcome
• Assistance dogs are allowed in relevant areas/rooms.
• The entrance area is visually rich in contrast, but not recognizable by a tactile change of floor covering.
• Stair steps occasionally have visually contrasting edges.
• The exhibition area is sparsely lit in places.
• The exhibits are usually well illuminated. Some exhibition lights could dazzle visitors.
• The information in the exhibition is provided in writing and is visually rich in contrast.
• Information is not available in Braille or prismatic font.
• Offered aids: reading aids (reading glasses, magnifying glasses, etc.)

Cognitive disability

• The name or logo of the facility is clearly recognizable from the outside.
• There is no colored or pictorial guidance system available.
• The information in the exhibition is provided in writing, but not in easy language.

Recommendations nearby

Easy round trip on both sides of the Rhine from St. Goar via Oberwesel, Kaub, St. Goarshausen back to St. Goar including two ferry crossings.

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Direction Rheingau from St. Goar via Oberwesel and Bacharach to Bingen

A short round tour of St. Goar with Rheinfels Castle, youth hostel, harbor, Tusculum and Rhine balcony.

The central valley in the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley from above - left and right Rhine - from every angle.9 castles, 3 ferries ...

Hike along the Rhein river in Germany from St Goarhausen to Kaub

Nearby Points of Interest

• Loreley-Besucherzentrum
• Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
• Loreley- Sommerrodelbahn/ Loreley- Bob
• Loreley- Bob_Spielplatz

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Loreley Tourist-Information

Loreley 7, 56348 Bornich

The Loreley Tourist-Information was opened in 2000 as an official branch of the Expo in Hanover. In the 6-part exhibition there is information about the topic "World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and a 20-minute 3-D film. In the tourist information you can get information about the area of the Romantic Rhine.

The restaurant "Am mythischen Fels" - with an outdoor terrace - offers delicious snacks, regional dishes and drinks. You can round off your day tour in a pleasant atmosphere or simply take a break.

The The Loreley Tourist-Information was opened in 2000 as an official branch of the Expo in Hanover. In the 6-part exhibition there is information about the topic "World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and a 20-minute 3-D film. In the tourist information you can get information about the area of the Romantic Rhine.

Prüfbericht Reisen für Alle

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Rhineland-Palatinate

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Sankt Goarshausen

Loreley-Felsen

Hiking Highlight

Recommended by 1194 out of 1269 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Location: Sankt Goarshausen , Rhein-Lahn-Kreis , Rhineland-Palatinate , Germany

The highlight here is of course the fabulous view. But it is also worth taking a look at the visitor center. Here you can find out everything about the myth of the Loreley, viticulture, fauna and flora, geology and Rhine shipping. You can fortify yourself in the bistro and get more tips for the region from the tourist information. You can read all information about prices and opening times here: loreley-besucherzentrum.de . If you are traveling in the region in the summer months, then it is worth taking a look at the program of the Loreley open-air stage. Many international stars have already rocked here. You can find the current dates here: loreley-freilichtbuehne.de .

February 18, 2019

From the viewing platform you have a beautiful and breathtaking view over the Middle Rhine Valley. 👍🏻

November 27, 2019

As part of the small series "Wienpahl Wandert", SWR television showed a 30-minute episode about the "Extratour Loreley". Here is the link to the SWR media library: ardmediathek.de/video/landesschau-rheinland-pfalz/rund-um-die-loreley-oder-doku/swr-rheinland-pfalz/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS9hZXgvbzE0NjU4MDk

August 13, 2021

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Loreley Tourist-Information

Loreley 7, 56348 Bornich

The Loreley Tourist-Information was opened in 2000 as an official branch of the Expo in Hanover. In the 6-part exhibition there is information about the topic "World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and a 20-minute 3-D film. In the tourist information you can get information about the area of the Romantic Rhine.

The restaurant "Am mythischen Fels" - with an outdoor terrace - offers delicious snacks, regional dishes and drinks. You can round off your day tour in a pleasant atmosphere or simply take a break.

The The Loreley Tourist-Information was opened in 2000 as an official branch of the Expo in Hanover. In the 6-part exhibition there is information about the topic "World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and a 20-minute 3-D film. In the tourist information you can get information about the area of the Romantic Rhine.

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Kultur- und Landschaftspark Loreley

Loreley 7, 56348 Bornich

Culture & Landscape Park Loreley

The Loreley was sung about and painted. Stories and poems tell of its myth. It is mysterious and magical.

In a new culture and landscape park, which opened in April 2019, visitors can now discover the traces of a cultural history, trace the myth and experience the Loreley natural monument.

Fascination Culture & Landscape Park Loreley

In a new culture and landscape park, which opened in April 2019, visitors can now discover the traces of cultural history, trace the myth and experience the Loreley natural monument.

A unique cultural landscape awaits them, which can be explored barrier-free. Whether you take a leisurely stroll along the Myth Trail towards the rocky peak or choose direct access via the Direct Path , you will always reach the 6 viewpoints in the park . There you can enjoy spectacular views of the canyon-like breakthrough valley of the Rhenish Slate Mountains.

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St Goar Germany guide: Top things to see and do

• David Angel

Here is my guide to St Goar, the Rhine river town that may just be the best base for exploring the famous Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site.

St Goar, sometimes written Sankt Goar, has one of the best Rhine Castles, one of the best views in the whole Valley (across to its twin village, St Goarhausen, and Burg Katz) and it’s very close to the Loreley rock, source of many a mythical tale.  

St Goar, together with St Goarshausen, makes an essential Rhine Valley day trip, and we also opted to use it as a base for several days.

Its central location halfway along the Rhine Gorge and its convenient ferry (there are no bridges along the Gorge) opens up the whole Rhine Valley to you.

In my St Goar guide I show you the town and its Castle, and also show you options if you’re planning to travel further afield.

Table of Contents

Why Visit St Goar

St Goar is possibly the best base for exploring the Rhine Valley, halfway along the Rhine Gorge with everywhere within reach both sides of the river thanks to the ferry.

Rheinfels Castle is one of the best Rhine castles to visit, its extensive medieval ruins full of wall walks, climbs and even a giant cellar to explore.

St Goar is one of the most underrated Rhine river towns , with many half-timbered buildings and medieval alleys to wander.

The village isn’t quite as picturesque as Bacharach, but it’s got an unbeatable view across the river to Burg Katz, one of the most beautiful castles on the Rhine.

It’s also very close to the Loreley rock, one of the most famous places in the Rhine Valley, overlooking the most treacherous stretch of water on the river.    

Best Things To Do In St Goar

1. visit rheinfels castle.

Burg Rheinfels – Rheinfels Castle – is the largest of the Rhine River Castles , despite much of it having been destroyed by the French in 1797.  It’s a substantial site now, so must have been vast before Napoleon’s forces captured and slighted it.

Rheinfels Castle was built to collect tolls from passing river traffic by Count Dieter V of Katzenelnbogen. It was begun in 1245 and later worked in tandem with another Katzenelnbogen castle, Burg Katz, across the river in St Goarshausen. Together they were competing with Burg Maus, a mile or so downstream from Rheinfels on the opposite bank of the river.

The Castle is at the crown of the hill above the village, and some of its outbuildings now comprise the Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels, which has three restaurants.

The extensive castle ruins are fantastic to explore. My son came along with me for the afternoon, and loved the wall walks and vast cellar which is used as a concert venue. He’s a budding numismatist (coin and note collector) and was fascinated by the Castle Museum, particularly a one billion mark note from the galloping inflation period of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s.

You can reach the Castle on foot, a 20-25 minute walk from St Goar train station, or catch the Rheinfels Shuttle bus (service number 699) during the summer months.   

2. Discover The Legends Of The Loreley

Loreley is the name given to a steep cliff overlooking the dangerous waters of the river a mile south of St Goar and St Goarshausen. It’s also the name of a mythical maiden who threw herself off the cliff into the river having been cheated on by a lover.  According to the story she then became a siren who would lure sailors and fishermen to their deaths on the rocks.

German writer Clemens Brentano introduced the story around 1800, and famous German poert Heinrich Heine wrote the poem ‘Die Loreley’ in 1824.

There are various Loreley-themed attractions around the rock. Down at river level, there is a Lorelei statue at the end of the long breakwater just downriver from the rock.

There is also a large park at the top of the cliff, which you can access by car by following g the L338 from St Goarshausen. There’s a large music and performance area, a culture park, several superb viewpoints and trails to explore.

3. Take The Ferry to St Goarshausen

The St Goar to St Goarshausen ferry is one of five Rhine ferries crossing the river between Koblenz and Rudesheim.  There are no bridges along the 65 km (40-mile) Rhine Gorge so it’s a vital transport link, used by pedestrians, cyclists, cars and trucks.

The journey takes less than five minutes.  You pay as you board. Cars cost €5.30, adults €1.70 and children 6-14 €1. The ferries run from 5.30 am to 9.00 pm daily, with slightly later starts on weekend days.

The ferry wharf is on the southern side of the village, with the boarding point directly below the Hotel an der Fähre.

4. Hike To The Dreiburgenblick Viewpoint

The Dreiburgenblick – Three Castles Viewpoint – is on the hilltop ridge in the village of Patersberg, above St Goarshausen on the opposite side of the Rhine from St Goar.

I joined the Rheinsteig path on Forstbachstrasse in St Goarshausen, gradually climbing through vineyards until I reached Patersberg. I then turned left and followed the ridge walk back towards the river. The main reason I went was for the views of Burg Katz , the castle that towers above St Goarshausen, and these are better some way before the viewpoint.

Once there, you can see Burg Katz, Burg Rheinfels and Burg Maus (Mouse Castle), the toll castle once owned by the Electors of Trier, around two miles downstream near the village of Wellmich.

5. Stop For A Drink At R(h)ein Chillen

We stopped by at this riverside pop-up bar a couple of times during our evening walks in St Goar. They serve beer, wine and cocktails, so the beer helped cool me down after some long hikes in the area.

The view across the river to St Goarshausen and Burg Katz is fantastic. It’s one of the best bars on the Rhine that we found, well worth a stop.

6. Visit the Stiftskirche

The white Stiftskirche (Evangelical Church) is the second most prominent landmark in the town, its spire the highest structure there. The crypt (closed when we visited) is from the Romanesque period (most likely 12 th century) while the main body of the church was built later in the Gothic style.

The most impressive feature we found was the series of wall and ceiling frescoes in the south aisle, which are from the late 15 th century.

7. See The St Goar Cuckoo Clock – The Largest In The World

My son had never seen a cuckoo clock until we passed the one hanging outside Montag Steins & Clocks on Heerstrasse, the main shopping street in St Goar. He remarked on its substantial size, and he wasn’t wrong – we later discovered that it is the largest free-hanging cuckoo clock in the world.

This is a brilliant shop to visit if you’re looking for handmade German crafts. They specialize in cuckoo clocks and beer steins, but also have lots more besides. If Faye (my wife) had gone in there we would have ended up shipping half the shop home with us.

8. The Unsavoury Tales Of The Schissengasse

St Goar has a long history as a busy Rhine river port, and this is humorously commemorated in a tiny passageway – the Schissengasse – off main street Heerstrasse.

Apparently the port was so busy that the workers didn’t even have time for toilet breaks. Nature nonetheless had to take its course, so the workers – known as Rampenschisser – would do their business (number two) on the riverbank.

When you walk through Schissengasse you pass a wild-haired bedraggled figure squatting and cackling, followed by the sound of a toilet flush. There’s also a small monument to the hard-working port poopers on the riverfront.

9. St Goar Doll and Teddy Bear Museum

We had read about this museum on several other websites, but it is no longer possible to visit. I checked with the local tourist office and it has been closed for around five years due to the owner’s ill health.

The collection is still there and hopefully someone else will re-open the museum one day.

Where Is St Goar

St Goar is on the left bank of the River Rhine, 35 km (22 miles) south of Koblenz and 25 km (15 miles) north of Bingen.

It is in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz in German), and part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is also 103 km (64 miles) from Cologne and 100 km (62 miles) from Frankfurt am Main .

How To Get To St Goar

St Goar is on the Koblenz to Bingen and Mainz train line which runs along the west side of the Rhine Gorge. The hourly regional RB26 service stops there – note that the faster services on this route, including the InterCity trains, don’t stop at St Goar.

The St Goarshausen ferry is another way of reaching St Goar if you’re travelling from the opposite side of the river. The ferry wharf in St Goarshausen is a 7-minute walk from the train station.

For train times check the Deutsche Bahn website.

If you’re driving, St Goar is on the B9 road that runs alongside the river from Koblenz to Bingen.  The A61 autobahn (motorway) also passes nearby.

And if you’re flying into Germany, the best long-haul options for getting to the Rhine Valley are Frankfurt Airport and Cologne-Bonn Airport. If you’re travelling from the UK or elsewhere in Europe, budget carriers Ryanair and Wizzair fly to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport , which is close to the Mosel and Rhine valleys and 120 km from Frankfurt.

Places To Visit Near St Goar

St Goar is midway along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, and the flexibility of the ferry over the river means you can explore either side of the Rhine in in either direction.

To the north, the nearest major Rhine river town is Boppard, a great Rhine day trip with gorgeous medieval architecture, wineries, a fine parish church, Roman ruins and a great cable car ride taking you to one of the best views in the Rhine Valley.

A few miles beyond, and across the river, lies Braubach , a stunning half-timbered town at the foot of Marksburg Castle , the most impressive of the Rhine Castles.  

To the south, Oberwesel and Bacharach are two of the best Rhine river towns to visit, and halfway between them you’ll find Pfalzgrafenstein Castle , the iconic castle on an island in the river.

Beyond there you can travel to the castles of Sooneck, Reichenstein and Rheinstein , all of which are close to the village of Trechtinghausen, before reaching the entrance to the Rhine Gorge just after Rudesheim and Bingen.

St Goar Hotels

$$$$ Hotel Schloss Rheinfels  – This historic castle hotel offers spectacular views over the Rhine River, spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, and a spa.

$$$ Hotel Zur Loreley  – Family-run since 1920, this 3-star hotel offers accommodation with free WiFi in the central pedestrian zone of Sankt Goar. Rheinfels Castle is 700 m away.

$$ Rheinhotel St Goar – Fabulous location right on the Rhine, very welcoming, great breakfast

$  Hotel an der Fähre –  Great location on the river, excellent value for money

St Goar – Final Thoughts

St Goar is a great base for exploring the Romantic Rhine Valley.  Burg Rheinfels is one of the best Rhine castles to visit, and the sight of Burg Katz castle across the river is one of the best in the Rhine Valley.

It’s also one of the livelier River Rhine towns, with several restaurants and bars with outside tables busy through the evening.  It’s also very close to the Loreley rock, and roughly halfway along the Rhine Gorge, an ideal location for exploring in either direction or across the river.

Discover more of our articles on Germany here:

• Beilstein Mosel Valley – exquisite wine village in the Mosel Valley
• 26 Wonderful Things To Do In Trier – explore the ancient Roman capital
• Roscheider Hof Museum Trier – one of the best folk and rural life museums in Europe
• 20 Things To Do In Saarbrücken – surprises in the capital of Saarland
• Völklingen Ironworks – awesome World Heritage Site and monument to 20th century heavy industry
• One Day In Nuremberg – single day itinerary for the Imperial City

David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times.  David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

China travel surges for May holiday but consumers remain wary

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Israeli private eye arrested in UK over alleged hacking for US PR firm

An Israeli private investigator wanted by the United States was arrested in London over allegations that he carried out a cyberespionage campaign on behalf of an unidentified American PR firm, a London court heard on Thursday.

Masataka Yoshida won’t travel with Red Sox,…

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Breaking News

Woman facing charges after found with a dead man in leominster home, masataka yoshida won’t travel with red sox, surgery a possibility.

Before the designated hitter even finished getting an MRI on Wednesday, the Red Sox placed him on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Apr. 29) with a left-thumb strain.

On Thursday morning, Alex Cora said the staff was still “gathering information” and he wasn’t sure when they’d have a clear picture of the road ahead.

“That’s where we’re at,” the manager said. “Don’t know what that means, if it’s tonight we’ll know more, or in the upcoming days.”

It’s been a tumultuous first month of the season for Yoshida, whom the Red Sox moved to the DH role during the offseason. Though he began the year with a four-game hitting streak and Opening Day double in Seattle, he’s done little in the way of hitting for power. He also spent several days on the bench over the last two weeks, as Rafael Devers (bone bruise) and Tyler O’Neill (concussion) both needed time in the DH spot before getting back on the field.

After a four-hit performance in the Sox’s 17-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Yoshida exited Sunday’s series finale after being jammed by a pitch.

“His hand is huge,” Cora said before Wednesday’s game. At the time, he was hopeful Yoshida would only need 10 days, which would allow him to return for the following homestand next Friday, May 10. The hitter, however, wouldn’t rule out surgery when speaking to reporters on Wednesday. Informed of this before Thursday afternoon’s game, Cora would only reiterate, “We’re gonna gather information and we’ll decide what’s next for him.”

The only concrete update he could provide was that Yoshida wouldn’t be traveling with the team for the weekend series in Minnesota.

More Red Sox injury updates

Brayan Bello (lat) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Double-A Portland on Tuesday.

Vaughn Grissom saw his season debut pushed back again this week due to the flu, but he’s traveling to Minnesota with the team and Cora said he “should be with us” for Friday night’s series opener against the Twins.

Romy Gonzalez (wrist) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

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