With Spring officially here, it has me thinking of long drives in the countryside… enjoying fresh air, sunshine and flowers...and wine!
If we were in Germany, I would be planning a weekend trip along the famous Deutsche Weinstraße – an 85km stretch of road that runs through the foothills of the Palatinate forest in southwestern Germany. The Deutsche Weinstraße is famous for its many wine festivals, and Mandelblütenfest (Almond Blossom Festival) starts this month marking the first festival of the year as the almond blossoms paint the whole region in pink and white colors.
I am already driving the route in my mind…
Starting in the southernmost town of Schweigen-Rechtenbach at the Deutsches Weintor (German Wine Gate), the ceremonial sandstone gatehouse to the route (built in 1936). Traveling northward, we would stop in Dörrenbach and admire the half-timbered houses. We would revel in the beauty of Spring at the Almond Blossom Festival in Gimmeldingen (Neustadt). As we close out our weekend, we would relax in the spas of Bad Dürkheim and walk around the castle of Neuleiningen before finally arriving back in the big city Bockenheim, Frankfurt.
(sigh)…and oh yes…there would be much wine tasting the entire way!
Let me know when you are ready to leave…
