Western Germany

The state of North Rhine Westphalia, the former coal and steel center, is Germany's most populous state with almost 18 million inhabitants. 44 out of the 100 major German companies are headquartered in North Rhine Westphalia. In addition to industrial giants such as Bayer Leverkusen, VEBA AG or the printing consortium Bertelsmann, there are around 600.000 small and mid-sized companies in this region. The state’s best known cities are Cologne, Düsseldorf, Münster, Aachen, Dortmund and Essen.

The Rhineland Palatinate is located in the heart of the Rhine hills, the Schiefergebirge. The legendary Rhine valley between Bingen and Bonn, glorified by so many poets, painters and musicians and famous for its impressive castles, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany. The wines from this valley and the Mosel valley are enjoyed by wine lovers across the world.

The German wine route lies between the forest of the Palatinate and the lower Rhine valley. The oldest and best known German tourist route leaves from Bockenheim in the north and takes you over 85 km/53 mi down to the border with the Alsace, in Schweigen. Between Bochenheim and Neustadt you find Mittelhaardt. This region is a well known holiday destination and is also famous for its traditional and excellent wineries. The region’s important cities of interest to visitors are Mainz, Koblenz, Trier and Speyer.

The state of Sarre and its main cities get their name from the Saar River, a tributary of the Mosel. The meandering river flows through some beautiful landscapes; one of the region’s most visited places by tourists and hikers is the meander at Cloef. The lower course of the Saar is an important winegrowing region where excellent wines are produced. The Sarre residents are also fond of great food; the excellent regional cuisine combines hearty traditional German food with refined French flavors.

The region between the Mosel and the Saar is also home to many remainders of Roman and Medieval architecture. Here in the lush green hills, you will come across quaint towns with visible Roman and Medieval influences. The typical wooden houses add to the atmosphere of this region that is perfect for historic tours, nature trips and cultural outings. Make sure to savor the outstanding regional cuisine and don't miss a visit to Germany’s oldest city: Treveris. The city invites travelers from all over the world to visit the Roman Porta Nigra and the amphitheater, the Romance cathedral, the Roman bath houses and the historic center.

Along the Alps

7 days - from/to Munich