Looking to go a little further and still come back to your own bed, here are some more suggestions!

Burg Eltz

Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes
Location: near the Moselle River
Description: This is a fairy tale castle hidden in a mountain valley. The Eltz family built their first castle on the same location 1,000 years ago. Although the same family still owns the castle, most of the current castle dates from the 1400s-1600s. It is very picturesque. Tours are given in English when there are enough English visitors, or a pamphlet in English is available. Closed in Winter

Xanten

XantenLocation: north along Rhine
Description: Roman ruins and reconstruction in the Archäologischer Park in Xanten.
It’s a lovely park open daily 9-18:00. There are wonderful play grounds for kids
to play in and history to take in. Exhibits are in English. Address is Wardter Strasse, 46509 Xanten.

Castle Hoensbroek

Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes
Location: north in Holland ( Klinkertstraat 118, 6433 PB, Hoensbroek )
Description: Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in the Netherlands. The oldest section of the castle structure dates from 1250. The 40 different beautiful halls and rooms in the castle will take you on a fantastic journey through time. Discover the gorgeous ballroom, let the shivers run down your spine in the dungeon, and climb the 60 m high medieval look-out/defensive tower.

Monschau

Distance: 1 ½ hour
Location: in the Eifel to the west
Description: A traditional village with slate roofed timber-framed houses. Also famous for mustard. There is also a Sommerbobbahn with a playground and picnic area nearby.

Bernkastel-Kues

Distance: 1 hour 40 minutes
Location: south, on the Mosel
Description: cute, traditional town with lots of timber-framed buildings and restaurants

Weilburg

Distance: 1 hour 20 minutes
Location: south east (north of Wiesbaden and about 20 minutes past Limburg)
Description: A peninsula town almost encircled by the ‘majestic’ Lahn River, dominated by a 16th century. Claims to have the oldest timber-framed house in Germany. It also claims Germany’s only ship tunnel. Braunfels Castle is nearby.

Bad Kreuznach

Distance: 1 ½ hours
Location: south of Bingen
Description: thermal spa town on the River Nahe known for the well-preserved Bridge

Palace of Nordkirchen

Distance: 1 hour 40 minutes

Location: near Munster

Description: Known as the "Versailles of Westphalia", the Palace of Nordkirchen was the residence of the Prince-Bishops of Münster. The palace is can only be visited by guided tours on Sundays and public holidays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (2:00 pm to 4:00 pm from October to April),