However you explore it Anna Hyman recommends Germany's beautiful Rhineland-Palatinate.

Not for nothing is the Rhineland-Palatinate known as one of Germany's most enchanting regions. With two magnificent rivers like the Rhine and Moselle running through it, their banks made picturesque with castles, vineyards and quaint medieval towns, plus lively cities like Koblenz, pretty wine villages, welcoming taverns and the legend of the Lorelei rock, who is going to argue?


Riesling vines overlooking the Moselle River

For many of us our first visit probably involves a cruise on one of the comfortable river boats that act as floating hotels along the rivers. From their picturesque windows or upper decks guests on board can relax and watch the scenery unfold with every turn of the river. Every so often the boats moor-up allowing plenty of time for exploration of riverside villages before sailing off to the next mooring. The stretch of the Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen is especially spectacular and beautiful.


The famous Lorelei Rock

One of the most eagerly anticipated sights on a Rhine cruise is the Lorelei Rock. Legend has it that once upon a time a beautiful young girl (Lorelei) threw herself to her death from the massive rock because of a faithless lover. She was transformed into a siren and thereafter her bewitching song lured unwary sailors to wreck their boats on the treacherous rocks and rapids and drown. With modern navigational aids it is quite safe to sail past the rock but certainly as recently as the 19th century this part of the Rhine was difficult to navigate and many boats did indeed founder.


The view from the top of Lorelei Rock

On selected dates in May, July, August and September the Rhine comes dramatically alive at night too when it is lit up by the spectacular firework displays of The Rhine in Flames celebrations.

A river cruise is an excellent introduction to the Middle Rhine Valley (designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002) but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the region too. Take a glass of wine for instance!

It was the Romans who, some 2000 years ago, brought viticulture to the region; a region which today produces 70% of German wine. The days of the rather nasty German riesling wines that hit the UK market a few decades ago have long since been replaced by deliciously drinkable first-class wines thanks to today's ambitious wine-makers producing riesling, pinot noir and silvaner wines to award winning standards.


The delightful source of Riesling wine

There are many designated driving, walking and cycling routes through the vineyards which afford ample opportunities to relax and sample. If you see a broom above a tavern door - it means it is open for business.

Apart from sampling the wine with a meal or relaxing in one of the wine taverns the wine festivals that are held from spring to autumn are an entertaining way of appreciating different wines. And visitors do need to sample several of the wines as they can be very different according to the climate and soil the vines have been grown in. Germany's oldest wine festival takes place in Winningen and the world's biggest in Bad Durkheim.

Apart from the vineyards there are many other walking and cycling opportunities available. The trails and routes are all clearly marked and frequently graded to show the level of fitness required. The gentle paths beside the Rhine, Moselle and Nahe rivers with their constantly unfolding scenery are much appreciated by cyclists.


Koblenz

One of the favourite walking tours is the Rheinsteig trail. This particularly scenic trail from Koblenz to Rudesheim involves seven pre-arranged overnight stops. Another walking tour takes hikers through the volcanic Eifel landscape, along the Saar-Hunstruck Steig to the wines and gemstones of the Nahe region. But there are many others to choose from.

The historic cities should not be forgotten either: Koblenz, Cochem, Trier and Speyer are all worth visiting. Koblenz will be even more exciting in 2011 with BUGA - Germany's massive and very impressive Federal Horticultural show - taking place here between 15 April - 16 October - one of its many attractions a new aerial cable car.

Or how about the city of Mainz? It is a great wine city and also the capital of the region, lively at any time of the year. Why not follow Gillian Thomas's example, as in this month's newsletter, and visit Mainz at carnival time?

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