Why the
Rhine Valley
is special

The upper-middle Rhine Valley is dotted with medieval castles and villages - and its tall, steep hillsides are blanketed with forests and vineyards. It's a romantic landscape.

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Rhine Valley
tips & insights

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Best section

The Rhine River is quite long, but the 65 kilometer (40 mile) stretch between the towns of Rudesheim (or Bingen) and Koblenz is its sightseeing splendor. This section boasts the world's densest concentration of medieval castles.

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Castles

Dozens of castles were built because the Rhine River was (and continues to be) a major Central European trade route. Feudal rulers needed castles to protect their territory.

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Rhine's most famous landmark

It's the 130 meter (430 foot) high Lorelei rock. Legend tells us that a beautiful siren sat on top and sang. When sailors riveted their eyes on her rather than on the treacherous current and rocks below, they shipwrecked their boats and drowned.

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Also popular

Castles include Burg Rheinfels, Burg Katz, Marksburg and Schloss Stolzenfels. Popular villages along the route include Bacharach and St. Goar.

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Rheingau

Just upriver from Rudesheim is the Rheingau, home of many celebrated sun-kissed vineyards.

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River cruises

The Rhine Valley is the venue of one of the world's most popular river cruises.

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©2010 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications