Planning a Trip to Rhineland-Palatinate Region

If you like wine and fireworks best time to go to direction Koblenz is in September. There's a wine-festival where many local wines can be tasted. It takes place in St. Goarshausen, which is situated south to Koblenz, right next to the Rhine. The wine-festivities last one week and at the last day (Saturday, I think) there is this gigantic firework known as "Rhein in Flammen" (Rhine in flames). It's absolutely amazing and best: it's free. However, you should be early to find a nice place from where to watch the firework at night. If you've got too much money ;) you can buy a ticket to watch it from a ship.
(Note: There's also a Rhein in Flammen next to Bonn)
You will love it!
This year: 17. - 20. September (NExT WEEKEND!)

This tip is not just for Mainz, it's for most small towns and/or cities in Germany. Most restaurants and shops do not take travelers checks (some places no credit cards). If you take money with you, the best place to exchange for their money is at a bank because you will get the best exchange rate.

Some restaurants will supply ice if requested.

If you find an outdoor event that is selling items such as clothing, linen, etc., I recommend you check prices at other places and then check theirs, usually you can get a little better price with the outdoor event.

Like beer or wine? Then you're going to find both in Germany. The best places to go are biergartens because you meet the citizens, and they are fun to drink with. Certain times of the year, there are wine fests you can go to. Each town has their own fest which will sometimes have music and/or dancing.

The best time to visit this city are days when Rallye Deutschland is running :)

I went to Germany not expecting to fall in love with it. I thought it would be cold and antiseptic and, well, Germanic. And my first stop, in Trier, wiped the slate entirely clean. Trier has been occupied since Roman times (the most notable evidence of which is the Porta Nigra, a former city gate). It's a lovely city for wandering about, and its cathedral is, if you're into ecclesiastical architecture, a marvel of Romanesque style, blunt but elegant and haunting in its austerity. The surrounding countryside is what stole my heart, though. The Mosel river, to me, tops the Rhine in scenic value. The slate bluffs are ideal for growing the grapes that go into the incredible white wines of the region (this is an ideal place to go for an on-site education in Rieslings, Gewurtztraminers, Eisweins, etc.). Come to Trier and you will leave enchanted.

On our way to Trier our guide took us off the beaten path to Berg Eltz. This is a castle that is untypical in the sense that it was built not on high ground but in a rather large gully. it has been owned by the same family since it was built and is open for a look. there is a gift shop and a small place to get a bite. The walk from the parking lot to the castle is long and all downhill one way, very steep, and all uphill back. fortunatley there is a van taxi that will run you down and back for a reasonable price. Well worth seeing.

Bollendorf is so small, just a municipal campingsite and some small shops. Just great when traveling around the Eiffel and Luxemburg areas

Bacharach is a lovely town you will find when travelling up the Rhine River Valley in Germany. There you will find an amazing 11 century castle named Burg Stahleck, perched on the top of the hill overlooking the town, and surrounded by vineyards. You also get a bird's eye view up there, of the Rhine River and the valley. The castle is now a Youth Hostel, so if you are in the area, do try and get a room for the night, it will be well worth it!

excellent white wine there; breathtaking landscapes