Rhine castles 2
Led by the principle that the journey IS the destination, European self-guided walk operator, On Foot Holidays, has launched a new version of its popular Rhine valley hike in Germany to offer easier walking and include more stays in epic castle hotels perched on cliffs high above the fabled Rhine River.
To mark the launch of the new-look, self-guided ‘Castles of the Rhine’ walking route, On Foot Holidays is offering Australians and New Zealanders a free, four-course dinner in one of Germany’s grandest castle hotels where hikers spend one of the nights during the walk. Book by August 31, 2024.
The Rhine Gorge is a World Heritage site which inspired Romantic painters, poets, authors and composers in the 19th century, including Mary Shelley, who holidayed in the area and went on to write the famous novel, Frankenstein, about a young scientist who creates a monster.
On Foot Holidays’ walk offers hikers more castles per square kilometre than anywhere else in Europe. The spectacular route from Bacharach to Koblenz leads through picturesque villages, woodlands and vineyards and past a string of majestic, clifftop castles that loom high over the meandering Rhine.
The seven-night journey includes memorable stays in three magnificent castle hotels – the rambling Burg Schönburg at Oberwesel, the imposing Schloss Rheinfels at St Goar and the smaller medieval Burghotel Liebenstein at Kamp-Bornhofen. Other nights are spent in quaint family inns along the Rhine.
Each day’s walk is between 11 and 20kms (three to five hours), with shorter options available using local trains, buses and ferries). The walk is available from April to November.
Castles of the Rhine – Burg Schoenburg
Including seven nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, a dinner at Burghotel Liebenstein, one picnic, route maps and directions and daily luggage transfers so that walkers only carry a small backpack each day – the ‘Castles of the Rhine’ walk costs from £1245 per person, twin-share (approximately A$2061 depending on exchange rates).
* Australians and New Zealanders who book the walk before August 31, 2024, will receive the exclusive bonus of a free, four-course dinner at the grand Burg Schönburg castle at Oberwesel – one of the castle hotels included on the hike (Wed to Sun only, set menu, wine not included).
Rated one of Europe’s leading self-guided walking tour operators, On Foot Holidays offers 34 self-guided walking tours across Europe. Accommodation and information packs are provided for all the routes. Walkers select their departure dates, luggage is transferred between hotels each day and all routes are designed by locals and tested by staff from On Foot Holidays.
