Things to do in Rhineland-Palatinate

Experience a castle tour in the Middle Rhine Valley, where fine wines from ruby red Pinot Noir to shimmering golden Riesling are grown. Discover one of Europe’s oldest trade routes along former toll castles and robber barons' nests, where Victor Hugo, Goethe, and Heinrich Heine are onboard in spirit. Explore beloved places of the Middle Rhine Valley that inspired the poets who created Rhine Romanticism. This section of the Rhine, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, is home to more castles than anywhere else. Admire Rheinstein Castle, Reichenstein Castle (Trechtingshausen), the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle, and the fabled Mouse Tower of Binger Loch. See the Nahe river flow into the Rhine and marvel at Klopp Castle before continuing on to the Niederwald Monument with the Germania and the Niederwald Temple in Osteinpark. Let the myth of the Rhine Romanticism enchant you. Admire the red wine region of Assmannhausen with its famous Pinot Noir vineyards as well as the flourishing town of Bingen with the beautiful Rhine park of the 2008 horticultural show and Rüdesheim with the famous Drosselgasse.

Welcome aboard the La Paloma for a cruise in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site. On no other stretch of the Rhine are the castles and palaces so beautifully strung together. On board the La Paloma, you can relax and enjoy the view. Start in Koblenz and first sail a short distance down the Rhine with a view of the Rhine in front of Koblenz, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, and the famous "Deutsche Eck" (German Corner). At the mouth of the Moselle, the ship turns around and makes its way up the Rhine to Braubach to Marksburg Castle. The cruise takes you past the Electoral Palace of Koblenz (Kufürstliches Schloss Koblenz), the Koblenz Brewery, Lahneck Castle, Stolzenfels Castle and the Königsstuhl in Rhens. In Braubach (castle Marksburg) the ship turns around and sails back to Koblenz.

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rhine Valley, with its vineyards and picturesque towns and villages. See the mighty medieval castles – the area has the highest density of such buildings in the world. Marvel at the stunningly beautiful "Lorelei-Felsen," or Siren's Rocks, and enjoy fantastic views over the valley from the Niederwald monument. In the summer you can ride on the Assmannshausen cable car down into the valley (optional), have lunch in a marvelous restaurant on the banks of the Rhine (included), and then take a wonderful Panorama boat trip to St. Goarshausen, past the famous Loreley. Try fine wines on location in a small tavern and or just lose yourself in the picturesque little town of Rüdesheim. Please note that the tour will only stop at Rüdesheim if time allows.  In winter time it may be possible that steamers do not operate in case of bad weather or water conditions. In this case, you will visit a castle instead. You'll travel back to Frankfurt by bus when the tour is finished and will be dropped off at the meeting point.

Enter a Submarine, visit the Space Shuttle Buran, and trace the history of technology with this ticket to the Technik Museum in Speyer. Experience a 22.000 Watt, 6-channel sound system, and a dome-projection area of 1000 square meters with the included IMAX Dome theater ticket.  Explore technology from the underwater world to space. Find out what the inside of a submarine looks like and what a sea cruiser needs to operate. Learn about how big a Jumbo Jet really is. Hear what the world's largest organ sounds. Uncover how a Chinese steam locomotive ended up in Speyer and discover the story of the Space Shuttle Buran. Alongside Europe's largest aerospace and naval exhibition, see a variety of aircrafts, classic vintage cars, racing and classic motorcycles, historic fire engines, and steam locomotives.  View exhibits with mechanical instruments, rare items and vingate fashions. Every year in May, the museum comes to life with a Brazzeltag event where you can see vehicles with tremendous cylinder capacity, horsepower giants, and curiosities that can be experienced live. After visiting the museum, check out your choice of documentary film with the included IMAX Dome tickets. The gigantic screen, the unique sound-system, and the brilliant picture quality of IMAX guarantee a movie experience beyond description. 

Spend half a day in the Moselle wine region, soaking up the superb scenery and breathtaking landscapes while on a leisurely stroll through the vineyards. Listen as a knowledgable sommelier and charismatic wine ambassador shed light on the history of the region. Learn about the elaborate process of producing grapes in some of the world's steepest vineyards. Visit a family-owned estate and take a short walking tour of the facilities. Be welcomed in a wine-tasting room and learn how to taste and pair wine to specific food. Enjoy a flight of at least six premium wines with some light lunch or dinner over the course of two hours with your dedicated sommelier. A broad audience of both wine lovers and those seeking an exciting first wine-tasting experience are welcome. After your visit you will have the opportunity to purchase wines and other local products from the estate.

Visit Sea Life Speyer and discover a fascinating underwater world. Many of the animals are on the Red List of Threatened Species and were rescued or born and then raised in the aquariums. Get to know turtles, octopods, sharks, rays, jellyfish, and a variety of other kinds of fish. See the sea dwellers when they are swimming right in front of you. In the World of the Corals, enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of a magnificent reef that is continuously growing and changing. Besides hundreds of tropical fish, you will also see a night tank with glowing corals and a breeding tank. With six audio stations, you will be able to get more information on life at and on the reef. Walk through the eight-meter-long underwater glass tunnel and dive alongside impressive sharks and rays.

Discover Heidelberg and the Neckar Valley on this Segway tour. Ride along the Philosophenweg (philosphers' way), pass by the Neuburg Monastery, and admire views of Heidelberg Castle. Uncover facinating information about the city from your guide.  Start your tour at the Neckarmünzplatz and cross the Old Bridge to the opposite side of the river Neckar. From there, head to the first highlight of this 360 degree tour, the Philosophenweg (philosphers' way) with a fantastic view over the city. Roll on by the Neuburg Monastery, which was founded in 1130. Continue to the Köpfel and see the Neckar Valley, the city of Heidelberg, and the Rhine Valley from above.  Follow your guide to the valley to Ziegelhausen and make your way uphill easily to the Wolfsbrunnen restaurant and conference center which has been extensively restored to its former glory. Hear about its glamourous, star-studded guestlist. Go further towards Heidelberg Castle and pass Villa Bosch and the Carl Bosch Museum, which will provide fascinating insights into the life and the inventions of Carl Bosch, the Nobel Laureate from Heidelberg. Enjoy the amazing view of the castle garden from above the castle before gliding further to the Klingenteich. Pass the Jewish Cemetery on your way back to the Old Town and the starting point at the Neckarmünzplatz.

Take in the sights of picturesque Cochem and the Moselle Valley aboard a relaxing river cruise. Opt for a 1-hour panoramic tour or 2-hour evening tour.  As you cruise down the Moselle River, enjoy amazing views of preserved timbered houses and lush vineyards. Marvel at the majestic sight of Reichsburg Cochem, a 1,000-year-old castle with a storied past perched high above the river on a mighty rock.     Learn about the history of this small town on the banks of the Moselle in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of southwestern Germany. During your trip, the audio guide will explain all the sights and important town historical events in both German and English.    You are welcome to enjoy snacks and drinks offered a la carte.

Embark on a city walking tour of Trier and uncover the history behind each turn from your guide. Trace the ancient origins of this city and watch its story unfold around you, from the Roman Porta Nigra to the home of Karl Marx. Meet your guide near the Porta Nigra and start your tour. Built by the Romans as early as 170 AD, the Porta Nigra has become an important city landmark. Learn about Trier's Roman origins and what life was like under Roman rule. Admire architecture from the Middle Ages and see examples of its evolution to the present day. Hear stories and anecdotes of those who made their mark in this historic city, such as the philosopher and revolutionary Karl Marx. See the house where he was born, which is now used as a museum. Let the city tour of Trier take you into a world full of history that still fascinates visitors with its mixture of old and new, elements of antiquity, modernity, and everything in between.

Embark on a journey with famous names of history onboard a Rhine ship and enjoy a cruise along one of Europe’s oldest trade routes, passing by former toll castles and robber baron nests. Victor Hugo, Goethe, and Heinrich Heine are onboard with you in spirit as your guides to the most beautiful places, through which the Middle Rhine Valley becomes the source of the Rhine Romanticism. This section of the Rhine is home to more castles than anywhere else. Admire Rheinstein Castle, Reichenstein Castle (Trechtingshausen), the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle, and the fabled Mouse Tower of Binger Loch. See the Nahe river flow into the Rhine and marvel at Klopp Castle before continuing on to the Niederwald Monument with the Germania and the Niederwald Temple in Osteinpark. Explore the village of Assmannhausen, which is known for its red wine, as well as the flourishing town of Bingen and the world-famous Rüdesheim. Along the way, taste four wines under the expert guidance of a Rüdesheim winemaker, enjoy fresh pretzels, and take a souvenir glass home with you.