Vacations in Germany: visiting vintners and wine festivals

Wine enthusiasts traveling in Germany can experience a myriad of activities if they know where to go and what to look for. Whether planning a month or a day in Germany's wine country, a variety of options are available to travelers.

The German Wine Academy

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY: A WEEK OF SUPERB WINES, FOOD, PEOPLE & PLACES
If you enjoy delicious wine and food, friendly people and beautiful landscapes, the German Wine Academy could be just the ticket for you. Since 1974, thousands of wine lovers have joined us for our six-day guided tours through German wine country. Simply book a flight to Frankfurt am Main, from where you are poised to join us for a delightful journey of discovery.

German Wine Festivals

If you enjoy all the festivities surrounding a parade -- music, singing, dancing and feasting on regional specialties -- then a stop at a German wine festival should be at the top of your list. As visitors from around the world make their way through the cobblestone streets of wine villages, locals invite them to partake in the tradition and celebration of wine and winemaking.

For a free printed current wine festival guide, check the order section of the site. For online information on German Wine Festivals in Germany please check the site of the Deutsche Weininstitut. You can find the dates and listings when you click on the "Events in Germany" button on their site. Unfortunately, the search is still in German, but they are working on it.

Germany's largest wine festival, the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt, attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year and features typical carnival attractions, including a Ferris wheel, go-cart rides and a firework display. Whether small or large, each has their own special significance which honors Germany's long-standing winemaking tradition. The event takes place in September.

Glorious Rheingau Days

This fall, travelers will flock, once again, to the famed Rheingau region to experience a "taste" of Germany during the 15th annual "Glorious Rheingau Days," in November 2003. The week-long celebration will feature top quality wines of the region, specialty foods, and music, as throughout the week wine estates host spectacular culinary and entertainment events. For a "Glorious Rheingau Days" event listing, please specify your request in writing to the Wines of Germany (address below), or send your mailing address and request by e-mail.

Vacations in Germany: German National Tourist Office

The German National Tourist Office is your source for all the essential information you need about traveling to Germany. The website, www.visits-to-germany.com is packed with information intended solely for the North American market - top locations, the best events and unparalleled insights into the best our country has to offer. They also offer colorful and informative brochures on regions, cities, and our many famous tourist "roads," and others such as "Enchanting Towns in Germany," "Germany for the Jewish Traveler" and "Under the spell of Germany's River Scenery." Whatever your interest, the German National Tourist Office is your dedicated partner in German tourism.