The German Wine Route, the first of Germany's scenic routes and still its most famous, runs through the country's second-largest wine-growing region and offers 85 kilometres of pure, unadulterated enjoyment. Whether Schweigen-Rechtenbach in the south is the start or the finish of the route is immaterial: many visitors enjoy it so much that, on reaching the German wine route gateway there, they simply do an about-turn and do the tour again in reverse, back up to Bockenheim. In winter, when prolonged spells of bad weather elsewhere in Germany are still depressing people's spirits, the countryside along the Wine Route is being transformed as thousands of almond trees come into blossom.
Here the climate is mild, the scenery like Tuscany's and the people warm and friendly too. The summer sun shines down on the gentle wooded hills planted with vines, while figs, kiwis and lemons also thrive. In the autumn, the whole of the region seems to become slightly tipsy: the new season's wine begins to flow from the presses and people who appreciate the finer things in life have a choice of numerous wine festivals to mark the occasion and make the experience an unforgettable one. A warm welcome awaits visitors to this region rich in tradition and natural treasures. The route is an exciting tour of discovery for walkers, cyclists, sporty types and holidaymakers alike. Gourmets, wine lovers, devotees of the arts and anyone who generally loves life will take the Wine Route and its sense of joie de vivre straight to their hearts. Wine tasting with a winegrower is a chance to become a bit of a connoisseur. The specialities of traditional rustic Palatinate cuisine and the more refined Palatinate nouvelle cuisine are not to be missed either.
