Germany

Meadow 49ers
Meadow 49ers Forum Participant Posts: 23

can anyone suggest a camp site near cologne.  Also can anyone suggest a route for the Rhine and mosel.  We have a motorhome so would be looking for sites within walking or cycling distance of towns/villages etc.  Many thanks.

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #2

    Does it have to be a campsite? Will you not use the Reisemobilhafen stellplatz on the riverside at Cologne? And then to Koblenz after that, but from there onwards  the Moselle is prettier and quieter than that stretch of the Rhine .

  • Meadow 49ers
    Meadow 49ers Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited July 2019 #3

    No, it doesn't have to be a campsite.  We are not familiar with any other places to stay so any recommendations you could make would be much appreciated.  We will only have our bikes so would need to be within cycling distance of town etc.  Many thanks.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #4

    We stayed at Campingplatz Stadt Köln back in 2012.  Very handy for visiting the city, but pretty crowded.  Despite being near busy roads, the noise was not bad.

    Would be easy to cycle into town, or you can get a tram from the other side of the bridge

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #5

    I'm not a motorhoming expert either - not by any means -  but this stopover place looks and sounds OK to me

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #6

    Can’t suggest a route cos we don’t know what your ferry crossing is.

  • Dave Nicholson
    Dave Nicholson Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited July 2019 #7

    The Stellplatz at Cologne that ET mentioned is perfect for visiting the city. A 30 minute walk along the river , an easy cycle ride or a short trip on the train from the station near to the Stellplatz. If you’re thinking of going in peak season it’s advisable to send them an email and they’ll reserve a place for you.

    There are very many campsites and Stellplatz along the Rhein and Mosel (have a look at the Campercontact app). Why not start at Cologne and  drive down the Rhein to Bingen then cut across country to join the Mosel and follow that north through Cochem and beyond. The campsite at Koblenz is at the junction of the Rhein and Mosel and there’s a ferry that will take you into the city for 1 Euro. It’s a great area for touring. 

  • Meadow 49ers
    Meadow 49ers Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited July 2019 #8

    Thank you.  We are getting the ferry at Dover to Calais and will then travel to a site near Brussels.  We would then like to go to Aachen and then Cologne before going down the Mosel.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #9

    Looks like you have it covered.  Enjoy your trip

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #10

    Don't forget your Eco Zone tab. Needed for Aachen and Köln at least.

  • Meadow 49ers
    Meadow 49ers Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited July 2019 #11

    What is  an Eco Zone tab?

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #12

    Germans call it an Umweltplakette.  Yes, you need one for Cologne .

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #13

    Sorry, I meant to say Emission Zone. Have a look at a thread in this Overseas section that tells you how to obtain one. It's a bit like the London Emission Zone. You'll get fined if you don't have one.

  • Dave Nicholson
    Dave Nicholson Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited July 2019 #14

    There are a number of websites that will supply one for you subject to your vehicle emissions. When you apply for one you will need to include a copy of your V5 document which should state the details of your engine etc.

    The turn round is, in my experience, very quick.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #15

    Or you could just go to pretty much any vehicle dealership or place that does the equivalent of their MOT testing, at your first stop in Germany, present your vehicle documents, hand over the required fee, 5 euros maybe, and they will supply the correct sticker.

    Very easy, and cheaper than any other method .

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #16

    Go KjellNN's route; quick and simple.  They even gave me a coffee whilst I waited the few minutes.money-mouth

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #17

    The Umwelt Plakette is required for a lot of towns and cities in Germany. A lot of campsites are outside the zones but stellplatz might well be within the zone. If you have limited time before you go then buy one locally as suggested but if you have a month or more I would have thought it was easier to get one before you go. The last two I have had have come from here https://www.berlin.de/labo/mobilitaet/kfz-zulassung/feinstaubplakette/shop.86595.en.php Mine only cost about 6 euros each.

    David

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #18

    The first year with our new VW, we stopped off at a handy VW dealership near a Lidl where we were shopping.

    All done in a couple of minutes, no free coffee, but they would not take any payment as it was a VW, I was very surprised!