How to Plan an Unforgettable Holiday in Germany’s Wine Country

Move Over Beer Halls – Visit Germany’s Wine Country for an Unforgettable Vacation

Germany offers something for every traveler, but is a particularly great vacation destination for those who enjoy wine tasting, touring vineyards or participating in one of the country’s many annual wine festivals.  Here are our best tips for planning a wonderful vacation in Germany’s Wine Country.

Regarding wine tasting, there are more than 1000 events scheduled in Germany on a yearly basis, and these are most often held between August and October. Nearly every town, whether large or small, holds at least one festival showcasing local wineries. If you are planning a trip to Germany with the goal of visiting its beautiful and interesting vineyards and wine making facilities, you can anticipate a trip that will never be forgotten.

Drive Germany’s Winding Roads

When visiting wineries or touring the country in general, you will notice that Germany has some of the best sightseeing highways in the world. A preferred road exists for essentially any type of vacation you have planned, and this includes highways specifically designed to take visitors on a picturesque journey through Germany’s wine country.

In southern Germany, the Romantic Road winds through the country’s medieval towns, and is peppered with beautiful scenery and historic castles. However, it is also one of the most popular tourist routes for those planning to visit the wineries in the Pfalz region. If these wineries are on your list, you will enjoy the well marked roads and trails that veer off the main highway. Following any one of these side roads will take you to at least one large winery.

Beloware some additional choices for a great wine tasting vacation:

Rheingau Wineries

The Rheingau’s wine estates are located in a relatively small wine region in Germany, but are a popular favorite among those who are searching for scenic views as sparkling as the wine itself. Wineries in the Rheingau region are linked by a network of bicycle trails and footpaths that offer outstanding scenic views of the hills.

The area’s small towns offer excellent wine tasting opportunities, as well as other interesting things to see and do, such as touring historic castles. The “Gateway to the Rhine,” less formally called the city of Wiesbaden, boasts a vast array of tourist amenities and when you are not otherwise engaged at one of the wineries, you may wish to visit one of its natural hot springs, gardens or public parks.

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Wineries

The Mosel Valley Wine Road spans approximately 142 miles from Trier to Koblenz. Numerous small vineyards and towns dot the roadway, offering visitors many opportunities to tour, taste and explore local wineries. Appointments are not required at most establishments, but not all wineries in this area are open to tourists. Fortunately, local wine shops typically provide advice and offer tastings of various wines and can make recommendations upon your request. In this area, you can also enjoy the sights and sounds via hiking, bicycling, or boat excursions on Germany’s gently flowing rivers.

Rheinhessen Wineries

The Rheinhessen district is the largest wine region in Germany, and is located immediately south of the Rheingau wine estates. The best vineyards in this area are situated near the Rhine river, and these include Oppenheim, Nierstein and Nackenheim. You will not be disappointed with any winery on this route.

Pfaltz Wineries

Dating back to 1935, Germany’s original Wine Road–now called the Weinstrasse region– deserves a spot on your must-see list when planning a German wine tasting vacation. Here, you can enjoy visiting multiple wineries without the need to leave the main road. This area is home to the Pfaltz Wineries and is one of the most convenient regions to visit. The area is dotted with quaint villages, such as Bad Dorkheim, and also boasts numerous choices for dining and sightseeing.

Organized Wine Tours

Germany’s wine country offers great combinations of self-guided and organized tours in virtually any region you prefer. This allows you to indulge in the pleasures of wine tasting without having to worry about navigating roads in an unfamiliar area. For example, you can choose a kayaking adventure down the Ruwer, Saar and Mosel Rivers, or take a leisurely boat cruise to see the vineyards of the Rhine. You also have the option of a bicycle tour, the latter of which are available in almost any of Germany’s wine regions.

Transportation

If you prefer air travel, you should fly to Frankfurt to begin your vacation, as this is the country’s most convenient airport for those planning to visit the country’s wineries. Germany also has great public transportation, with reliable bus service and an outstanding network of rail connections. If you feel comfortable driving the autobahn, a car rental is also a option as well. This way you can enjoy exploring Germany’s medieval villages, narrow streets and out-of-the-way places. Regardless of which vineyards you choose to visit, an excursion through Germany’s wineries is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.

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About The Author: Ella, Content Manager for trekbible, is a writer and content specialist with a predilection for learning and exploring new places and cultures around the world. With family scattered throughout the U.S. and South Korea, she loves to see cross-cultural influences around the world. Her favorite thing to do on her travels is to taste the local cuisine of each destination.