Rhine Castle Tour

You will pass Mainz, an ancient Roman city with a magnificent medieval cathedral. The most famous stretch of the Rhine with terraced vineyards, castle ruins and picture-book villages begins at Bingen, where the Rhine enters a deep valley.

You will follow the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, where the Moselle River flows into the Rhine. Shortly before reaching Cologne you will pass Bonn, the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany and the birthplace of Beethoven. Important sites include the 11th century cathedral and Beethoven-Haus, which contains the largest Beethoven collection in the world, including the last piano owned by the composer.

East of Cologne you will pass through a hilly, forested region known as the Bergisches Land, then proceed southwards along the western edge of a low mountain chain called the Westerwald, a region famous for its pottery. Southwest of Frankfurt the route will take you through the hilly forests of the Spessart region, one of Germany's largest natural parks, before reaching the medieval city of Würzburg. The most famous of the city's many sites is the Old Bridge dating back to 1473. From here you can take the "Romantic Road" (Romantische Straße), an old trade route that connects many of Bavaria's most picturesque villages, or continue on the main motorway.

Near Heilbronn you will enter the wine-producing region, the most scenic stretch of the Neckar Valley. If you have time you should take the "Castle Road" (Burgenstraße) to Heidelberg, a route dotted with charming villages, vineyards and medieval castles.

This leg will take you around the edge of the Odenwald forest through the heavily populated Rhine-Main Valley.