Situated to the south of the region, Rheinland-Pfalz is a wine-growing state, and is divided into quarters by three rivers. The Rhine runs south, the Moselle heads west, and the Lahn flows east.

This area offers an extraordinarily rich and diversified vacation with its seven regions: "The romantic Rhine, Lahn and Taunus", " Rhinehesse", "Eifel-Ahr", "Mosel-Saar", "Hunsrück-Nahe", "Westerwald" and the "Palatinate".

The differences between the idyllic river landscapes, the natural low mountain region, the historical towns and villages, romantic mountains as well as the well known wine regions give the vacation state of Rhineland Palatinate its special charm.

Events of nationwide importance include large events such as the "Rhine in Flames" festival which takes place at various times throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy a particularly romantic atmosphere on the second Saturday of every September when the 17 kilometres of illuminations between Boppard and the Oberwesel region enchant audiences with Bengal lights and several firework displays.

The modern city of Koblenz lies on the intersection of the Rhine and the Moselle, and is close to the start of the Rhine Gorge. A trip down this river will soon reveal why this enigmatic natural wonder has stirred the emotions of so many people. At every twits and turn there is something to see, ranging from swathes of vineyards to fairy-tale castles and towering sandstone cliffs.

Lorelei is a popular stop along the way. It is here that in ancient times a siren supposedly sat upon a mighty outcrop of rock, combing her long blond hair and singing a mournful song intended to lure sailors onto the rocks. The rock is still there, supporting a statue of the mystical siren.

A cruise along the Rhine River in Germany serves up an enchanting canyon of storied castles, church spires, lush terraced vineyards and jagged cliffs rich in history and legend.

From a trickling glacial stream in the Swiss Alps down to the North Sea in the Netherlands, the 825-mile river meanders down the ages as perhaps the most beautiful, battled-over and talked about river in the world.