Combine a particularly rich and varied stay by traveling through three beautiful regions of southeast Germany: Mosel, Rhine Hesse and Palatinate. A trio of choice for a succession of pearls to be discovered following an itinerary that composes an exciting and delightful journey under the title of tourist promotion: "Your golden time". Quick, a few more days to enjoy..
Memory of a splendid civilization
This journey through the state of Rhineland-Palatinate begins in Trier, on the Moselle River, the oldest city in the country. Here you can step back in time and walk through the historical remains of an ancient Roman city that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Go in search of evidence of the time when Trier, the second Rome, ruled over half of the Roman Empire. Start your visit with a stop at the tourist office at the foot of the Porta Nigra, the city's emblem and one of the five gates that punctuated its imposing fortifications. Buy the Antiken Card, a grouped ticket that allows entry to the main ancient monuments and museums of the site
The imperial baths, truly monumental, the immense amphitheater, the magnificent St. Peter's Cathedral of Trier and the Basilica of Constantine - former throne room of the eponymous emperor - mark the urban landscape with their magnificence. The omnipresence of sandstone, a local stone and building material preferred by the Romans for its beauty and resistance, gives Trier the red and golden tones that contribute to its charm. In addition, sandstone and slate make up a magnificent terroir for the local vineyards which produce renowned wines. The oldest wine cellar in Germany is located on the Krahnenufer and today houses the award-winning wines of the Vereinte Hospitien estate. A hedonistic stopover is a must!
Visit the Nibelungen in Worms, on the banks of the Rhine
Imposing and venerable sentinel, St. Peter's Cathedral in Worms is enthroned on the highest hill in the city, on the left bank of the Rhine. For Charlemagne it was a monument of power. Today, it is above all the majestic backdrop for the annual Nibelungen Festival, a reference to the dwarves of Germanic legend. An open-air theater festival with magical settings and internationally renowned actors.
Worms is also known as the Jerusalem on the Rhine, because it was for a long time the center of the Jewish community. The oldest preserved Jewish cemetery in Europe, Heiliger Sand, and the synagogue in the Jewish quarter are witnesses to this period
Another local gem is the "kosher wine" of Worms, which was produced as early as the 11th century and is worth tasting. Take your pick from one of the many wine shops in the city. The vineyards of Rhine-Hesse make Worms an ideal stopover for wine lovers and gourmets
Biodiversity and colors of the Palatinate Forest
The Palatinate Forest, the largest continuous forest area in Germany, together with its neighbor, the Vosges Nord Nature Park, forms a unique cross-border biosphere reserve. The majesty of the old trees, the romantic meanderings of the streams, the biodiversity of the protected flora and fauna make the Palatinate Forest a popular nature paradise. Its rocky peaks up to 70 m high also characterize the area with the colorful palette of the sandstone varying from dark red to pale yellow depending on the orientation of the sun. The Palatinate Forest is crisscrossed by 12,000 km of hiking trails! The rocks attract many climbers. For rest and comfort, a hundred or so hiking lodges and refuges welcome you for a drink, a meal, a night...
The imposing imperial cathedral, Unesco world heritage
The cathedral of Speyer is really sumptuous. The largest preserved Romanesque church in the world, it has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1981. This imposing sandstone building impresses by its dimensions, seen from the outside as well as the inside. Eight German sovereigns are buried here today. The 304 steps and the 60 m difference in altitude leading to the observation platform of the southwest tower offer a fantastic view of the Rhine plain and the heights of the Palatinate forest.
Back at the cathedral, look out for the Domnapf, a giant cup carved into the stone. Intriguing! According to tradition, after each new election of a bishop, this cup was filled with wine "for all the people". However, its capacity of 1,580 liters was not enough to drink the entire population of Speyer! For a tasting of local wines, we recommend you to go to one of the nice taverns of the city dedicated to this beverage. This is an opportunity to enjoy the famous convivial atmosphere and the joie de vivre of the inhabitants of the Palatinate.
The best part? If you're lucky, you'll be able to discover all these charming places and more on a trip sponsored by Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus GmbH called "Your Golden Time". All you have to do is enter the competition by clicking on this link. Registration is open until October 7, 2022. Good luck and enjoy discovering the treasures of Rhineland-Palatinate, whether you are the winner of the trip or whether you organize your own trip
