"Rhineland Palatinate - Re-Discovered! " a Land Rheinland-Pfalz Travel Page by MikeAtSea

Rhineland-Palatinate in the heart of Germany is a real treasure trove of stories and history. From the earliest settlements through the Celts, the Romans and the Franks right up to the present day it has always been a region brimming with adventure and excitement. There are many vivid reminders of the past, of ordinary everyday life as well as great historic events. Majestic castles, magnificent palaces, important churches and atmospheric abbeys reflect the rich history of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Wherever you go in Rhineland-Palatinate, the past and the present are always closely interwoven. Many of the region's historical buildings are not only visual splendours, they are also brought to life by a variety of cultural events. The entertainment on offer ranges from culture at wineries to major international events.
Rhineland-Palatinate is real paradise for wine lovers and connoisseurs. Nowhere else in Germany are there so many top-quality winegrowing regions so close together, making a tour here a veritable viticultural journey.
The six winegrowing regions have a tradition of wine-making dating back hundreds if not thousands of years. The evidence is all around and in many places the appearance of the landscape has been shaped by vineyards. Linger a while in the romantic wine-making villages and enjoy warm hospitality, and an excellent selection of fine cuisine with local influences.

Rhineland Palatinate is situated right in the heart of Europe - close to the borders of Belgium, Luxembourg and France in Central Western Europe. The Airport of Frankfurt Hahn, no where close to Frankfurt is right in the heart of the province. Frankfurt Rhein Main Airport Germany's gateway is right next door to the province's capital Mainz.

I am in the region quiet often since my parents decided to move here and during those visits I have enough time to explore and re-discover all the highlights.
The photo was taken during my visit in 2006 walking the red wine hiking trail and enjoying plenty of red wine. Though many of the other hikers were surprised to see a South African around their hills :-)