Castles and Wine: Germany

Mainfranken is one of Germany’s most charming wine regions, though it remains mostly a hidden gem outside the country. Known for its picturesque villages, the winding Main River, and the unique Bocksbeutel wine bottles—used exclusively here and in Portugal—this region has much to offer. Our day begins in Würzburg, the region’s largest city, at the stunning 18th-century Würzburg Residenz. Once the opulent home of the Prince-Archbishop, this palace is a showcase of art and luxury, with equally breathtaking gardens. Severely damaged during WWII, its postwar reconstruction is an inspiring story of restoration.

After a photo stop at the historic stone bridge and Marienberg Fortress, we venture into some of the Main River’s most beautiful wine villages. Our first stop is a traditional wine tavern for lunch. From there, we visit the Mainschleife, a famous horseshoe bend in the river and one of the area’s most scenic spots. We continue with village hopping, enjoying wine tastings along the way back to Rothenburg.

Tonight, dinner is on your own to explore local cuisine as you wish.

Heading west, we journey through two of Germany's largest wine regions—Württemberg and Baden. As we travel, we’re treated to sweeping views of vineyards that blanket rolling hills, before entering the winding Neckar River valley, dotted with dramatic castles. Our first stop is the charming town of Bad Wimpfen, a former Free Imperial City with a wealth of beautifully preserved medieval buildings. Here, we enjoy an extended coffee break, soaking in the town's historic charm.

Next, we visit a partially restored castle, complete with its own wine shop. You’ll have the option to explore the castle ruins or sample wines while soaking in the stunning views over the Neckar River. Afterward, we head to a nearby village for a quick lunch before continuing our journey through more castles and towns en route to Heidelberg. In Heidelberg, we explore the Old Town and take the funicular up to the magnificent Heidelberg Castle—arguably the most impressive castle in all of Germany. Partially restored and part captivating ruins, the castle boasts a range of fascinating features, including the world’s largest wine vat.

Tonight, we gather for a group dinner in the heart of Heidelberg's Old Town.

Today, we explore the picturesque Pfalz (Palatine) wine region along the famous German Wine Road. Our first stop is a visit to the 19th-century retirement villa of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Situated in an ideal location, the villa offers stunning views over the surrounding vineyards. We’ll take a walk along a scenic, relatively flat viticulture nature trail that winds through these lush vineyards.

Next, we head to St. Martin, often regarded as the most charming town along the German Wine Road. Here, we’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch, visit a prominent winery known for producing one of Germany’s finest red wines, and have free time to explore the town. Our final stop is Hambach Castle, a historic site where an important pro-democracy festival took place in 1832. This event is considered a pivotal moment in Germany’s journey toward democracy.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at your leisure.

We begin our drive north through the Rheinhessen wine region, Germany’s most prolific wine-producing area. The journey offers scenic views of gently rolling vineyard-covered hills and quaint villages. Our drive culminates in Bingen, where we board a ferry across the Rhine River to reach Rüdesheim, the heart of the Rheingau wine region. In Rüdesheim, you’ll have time to enjoy lunch, explore the town, do some shopping, and perhaps indulge in a wine tasting before we embark on a relaxing Rhine River cruise.

The cruise takes us upriver through the picturesque Mittelrhein wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its countless castles, the legendary Lorelei rock, and sloping vineyards. The boat, equipped with a full-service bistro, offers a comfortable and scenic two-hour ride. Upon disembarking, we take a short drive to Boppard, our base for the next three nights.

We’ll arrive with time to freshen up before an afternoon wine tasting and a delightful group dinner at a remote, partially restored medieval castle.

Today marks the first of two days exploring the Moselle River. We begin with a visit to the stunning Eltz Castle, which has been owned by the same family for 33 generations. Nestled in a remote valley, Eltz Castle is widely regarded as one of Germany’s most picturesque and well-preserved castles. Afterward, we head to the charming town of Cochem, which began as an imperial city before becoming a protectorate of the Archbishop of Trier for 500 years. Dominating the town is the majestic Reichsburg Castle, dating back to the early 12th century. Though it was destroyed by Napoleon’s forces, the castle was beautifully restored in the late 1800s.

In the afternoon, we turn our focus to wine. Our first stop is the regional wine museum, which offers fascinating insights into the long history of viticulture on the steep slopes of the Moselle. Following the museum, we’ll experience two distinct wine tastings: first, at the most enticing wine boutique along the river, and then at a small, family-run winery that produces exceptional local wines.

Tonight, we enjoy a wine-pairing dinner in the historic cellars of our hotel, a perfect way to end the day.

The Moselle wine region is the world’s largest steep-slope viticulture area, and its challenging terrain requires a great deal of manual labor, which is why the region is renowned for producing exceptional wines. Today, we explore two of the most picturesque towns along the river: Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach.

Surrounded by vineyards, Bernkastel-Kues perfectly captures the charm of the Moselle region, with its narrow, winding streets, charming half-timbered buildings, and inviting cafes and taverns. We begin with a delightful wine tasting, followed by free time for lunch and leisurely exploration of this enchanting town.

Next, we head to Traben-Trarbach, which offers a strikingly different architectural style but is equally captivating. Here, we tour the fascinating wine cellars, complete with a tasting of some local specialties. In the late afternoon, we visit a castle ruin perched above the town. From this vantage point, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Moselle while savoring a glass of the region's renowned Riesling.

Tonight, dinner is at your leisure in Boppard.

Today, we travel down the Rhine by boat to St. Goar, where we visit the impressive Rheinfels Castle. As one of the strongest castles on the Rhine, Rheinfels famously withstood an attack by Louis XIV’s troops, sparing it from the fate of most of the other castles in the area. However, it eventually fell a century later without a struggle to Napoleon’s forces, who blew it up before departing. Our tour of Rheinfels offers a captivating glimpse into the region’s history of power, conflict, and the strategic importance of the Rhine River.

After lunch, we continue to one of the highlights of our Castles & Wine: Germany tour: Eberbach Abbey. In the early medieval period, this abbey played a pivotal role in the development of wine cultivation throughout the region. Now privatized, Eberbach is the largest wine-growing estate in Germany. The abbey’s Romanesque and early Gothic architecture makes it an important cultural landmark. Our tour will include the abbey, its historic cellars, and a wine tasting.

Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner in Wiesbaden, celebrating the memories and experiences from our journey.

For those of you leaving us, fond farewells and "auf Wiedersehen". Safe transport to the Frankfurt airport.

For those who have booked the Alsace Extension, please see the "Extensions" tab.