Enjoy romantic moments in the region around Rhine and Moselle
The picturesque scenery of the Middle Rhine Valley has been considered the epitome of the romantic Rhine for over 200 years and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. This amazing region is characterised by vineyards, quaint mediaeval towns, castles, stately homes and, of course, the legendary Lorely rock.
Nowhere else in Germany are so many top-quality winegrowing regions so close together, making a tour here a veritable viticultural journey.
The six scenic wine regions in Rhineland-Palatinate produce 70 per cent of German wine. From the hillside vineyards along the Moselle, Rhine, Ahr and Nahe, through hilly Rheinhessen to the open plains of the Palatinate, the outstanding winegrowing areas delight with their award-winning wines.
Romantic Germany has more than 500 castles, castle ruins, palaces and fortresses: Fairytale castles and well-fortified hideouts for infamous robber-barons set on steep crags in the river valleys. The best way to admire the castles of the Rhine valley is from a riverboat.
Tournaments and castle fairs recreate the atmosphere of bygone days.
Rhineland-Palatinate is the perfect destination for active holidays. Take a cycle tour of the vineyards, walk across moors and volcanic landscapes. You can visit castles and palaces on your route and then relax back at your hotel with a glass of wine.
The extraordinary Rheinsteig trail for example takes you along the Rhine, directly to the BUGA, through vineyards and numerous ravines, down to the river and back up to castles and spectacular view points.
The more you do, the more you save.
From 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, more than 168 attractions in Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland are waiting to be discovered by FreizeitCARD holders. The card gives you free admission to a range of participating attractions. Top tips this year include the 2011 Federal Horticultural Show in Koblenz (exclusively with the 3-day FreizeitCARD) and the many hire stations for electric-powered bikes in the Saarland.
Each FreizeitCARD also comes with a free Marco-Polo travel guide!
