Dusseldorf and the Moselle

[david lloyd]

Hi everyone

 

We are about to start organising our trip to Germany but thought some of you may have some good ideas and information to share with us.

 

I have long wanted to visit the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon so our basic plan is to head straight there for two or three days then a short break near Dortmund before heading to Koblenz and steadily meandering along the Moselle over about two weeks. The trip back to Calais may be via Luxembourg and northern France.

 

The show takes place from 25 August this year which happens to be a bank holiday weekend here so, we could try to get across there before the rush (maybe Wednesday 22nd) and attempt to get to the show for it opening or we could head over on the 26 or 27 August when the rush (Dover to Calais at any rate) would be over and the rush at the show may also be calming down. I'm sure I read somewhere that vans start to arrive a couple of days early to get one of the 600 or so electric hook-ups and also that it is a good idea to register with the show organisers beforehand to get better entrance prices - any experiences anyone?

 

The Dortmund part of the trip is just to visit a small town nearby where I was born (dad was still in the army after the war and posted to BAOR) to see what it was like - I don't remember much as I was only 2 when the family came back to England.

 

Another family member spent some years over there and advises me that for a first trip to Germany the Moselle takes some beating and I see there are plenty of Stelplatze along the route which we would like to take advantage of - but which side of the river is best and are there any 'must see' places along the route?

 

Any feedback gratefully accepted.

 

Best regards, David

[Don Madge]

David,

 

If you do a search using "The German Stellplatz" you will find some info on the Moselle.

 

It's a worthwhile trip.

 

Don

[Guest JudgeMental]

 

Regards Düsseldorf Show:

 

we where there last year and previously in 2000. Had to go over first Bank holiday weekend as wife in education and had to be back at work on the Tuesday.

 

Left the kids with friends. Had an horrendous journey, heavy traffic all the way from Calais – gridlock around Antwerp. It is a major artery to Eastern Europe full of polish coaches and trucks. So what should have been approx a 4 hrs trip took 8 hrs!

 

Arrived at show approx 10.00 pm joined along queue in pouring rain and sat there for 2 hours! Walked to the front to be told it was full but they where making space. Finally moved in at 12 and where parked in a long line nose in on 4 lane road that runs down rear of camping area. Paid the first night and next 2 where free as we never saw anyone. Eventually over the next day or two people where moved into field but we where happy where we were.

 

That’s the bad part out of the way!, next day glorious sunshine and a quick typically efficient German 5 min bus trip to the only show IMO worth going to. Walked my poor old feet to death for the two days we where there absolutely fantastic. In the evening ate and drank the excellent Alt beer at the tent on site and meet some great people.

 

Previously when we visited we went into the Old town and had a great night out so if you have the time it is worth it. Trip back was a bit better.

 

We did not purchase at the show. On returning home contacted 4 dealers, 2 offered no saving and 2 offered 18% so we went for one of these, saving approx £10.000 on Westcroft/Brownhills EuraMobil prices.

 

 

 

[Terrytraveller]

Hi David,

 

You will enjoy the Moselle, we stayed at the Urzig Aires, nose right on the river, beautiful, you can leave the MH there on the bank of the river and take the boat either up or down river, visiting the many towns without parking problems.

 

The most popular side of the river is the east bank, Cochem side as you come down from Koblenz, we have been visiting the area since yr 2001 and there has been an increase in private aires (CL's), around 5 - 7 euros a night incl.

 

You will find all the eastbank aires fill up pretty rapidly towards the weekend and after 2pm on weekdays, if you drive along the west bank, you can criss cross the river by way of the many bridges, you will find other CL's with their home brew signs ouside. It seems alot of wine growers have cleared vines and made room for campingcars on their farms.

 

Regards Terry

[net-traveller]

The Duesseldorf camp site is usually open a week before the show starts and remains open for a week after.

 

There is no show registration and no advance booking on camp site or show.

 

Check out the website for info.

http://www.caravan-salon.de/en

 

;-)

[JohnP]

We must have been lucky - no queing to get in.

 

The show is open for quite a few days. Last year we went for three consecutive days during the week. At no time did it appear busy like the NEC. The first day is for press only.

 

Camping is in the extensive car park on perforated concrete blocks with grass sown so the blocks do not show. Rows of small trees break up the area into lanes and you park one behind the other each side of the trees. Cost last year was about 13 Euros per day(2004) without electric.Well marshalled.

 

There is a marquee with free entertainment in the camping area, but you have to pay for the beer! Also food outlets and milk bread sold daily.

Waste water and toilet emptying facilities are laid on under and open sided marquee and God help anyone they see washing their toilet out at the drinking water tap.Water taps around the site.

 

Free Bendi-buses take you from the site to the halls and back. Suggest you get off at a different entrance each day to save walking through halls you saw the previous day.Leave your coat behind but take bottled water!

 

There is an information office in the camping area where you can buy tickets for the exhibition. They take C. cards.

Buy entrance tickets for the number of days you are attending and not daily, as this is more expensive.

Food outlets are varied and good value. Some exhibitors even give free snacks, drinks and other freebies away.

The area is enormous with some manufacturers having one hall to themselves. Most stands have Enlish speaking staff.The halls with accessories and the latest technologies are worth a visit.

 

If you have bikes there is a footpath ride by the adjoining river.Put on your comfy shoes and enjoy.

 

Show web site at www.caravan-salon.de

 

[RonB]

David - Cochem is a must, especially if you can be there on an evening when they 'burn' down the castle with fireworks. A gem of a town in a picture book setting and lots going on. It has a campsite and stellplatz right on the riverside on the east (Cochem-Cond) bank (50.159N 7175E).

 

There are loads of other authorised and DIY overnighting sites alone the river as has been said. A particularly convenient one being at Schweich (about 7miles North of Trier), having a Marina/Campsite/Stellplatz complex a stones throw from all the major onward road connections.

 

Have fun.

[Roy]

Hi David,

You are sure to enjoy the Mosel (especially the wine) and you will find an abundance of stellplatze, a very motor caravan friendly area.  It is a few years since we stopped at Koblenz but there was good opportunity to overnight on the riverside and the town is well worth a visit.  There is nothing of great note between Koblenz and Cochem except for a detour to Burg Eltz not far from Cochem (out of this world and a must).  If you fancy a detour to avoid going down to Koblenz, the Ahr Valley is also very nice (The red wine is unusual for Germany).  You can pick it up just south of Remagen (of WW2 fame where you can see the bridge remains) where it joins the Rhine and then after the Ahr across the Eifel to Cochem on the Mosel.   As stated, Cochem is a must but it can be extremely busy and parking is often at a premium.  Further on the little wine village of Belstein on the other side of the river is more than worth a visit.  Lots of the wine villages are worth exploring and in September many of them have a wine festival. Wherever you are Sunday morning you will find an open air wine bar, sometimes also a band playing.  Zell is a pleasant village and there is free overnighting on the  opposite river bank.    Traben Trarbach and Bernkastel Kues are other notable towns (busy places!) and I would certainly recommend a visit to Trier before you leave the Mosel.   If you have time try the route along the Saar to Saarburg another very interesting town with a stellplatze.  On the way back there is a useful aire at Dundelage which is just in Luxembourg very close to the French border.  Finally, the aire at Stenay in France, close to the Belgium border is excellent.  Have a good trip.

Roy.