Emperor’s Fountain (Kaiserbrunnen) marks one of the old walled gates into the city of Kaiserslautern. (Bogdan Lazar - stock.adobe.com)
Welcome to the Rheinland-Pfalz, home to the largest forest in Germany: the Pfälzerwald. Bordering Belgium, Luxembourg and France, this place is chock full of medieval castles, delicious vineyards and wine festivals, and the joys of both the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. Here are some highlights to get you started!
Gartenschau Kaiserslautern is open from April to October and is a great escape for a day trip. The changing programs and large number of offerings means you can return and see something new each time. Plus, it’s a place that is truly for the whole family—enjoyable for all ages. The primary attraction is the large green space and adventure park called Neumühlepark, or Dinopark, filled with walking paths, exploratory playgrounds, swing sets, sandboxes, large dinosaur statues and beautiful gardens.
The Kaiserslautern Zoo brings you up close and personal with lemurs and wallabies. This quant zoo makes for a great day outdoors. See the porcupine, meerkats, zebras, rabbits and more.
The Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim, widely regarded as the world’s biggest wine fest, has been around for more than 600 years. It is a perfect pairing of both Volksfest and wine festival experience. It features scary rides, gaming booths, endless food stands, oompah bands, a market and the open heart of a wine fest.
Kaiserslautern’s Lautrer Kerwe happens every year at the end of spring. Hop on a carnival ride, eat something deep fried and delicious and shop from vendors.
Every summer, traditionally on the first Saturdays of June, July and September, Heidelberg prepares a spectacular fireworks show centered on Heidelberg’s Castle and Old Bridge (Alte Brücke). However, you can visit the castle and grounds year-round, which also houses one of the world’s largest wine barrels.
Massive stone fireplaces, bristly wild boar heads, large metal tankards and long, wooden tables give Reichsburg Cochem a quirky, yet undeniably charming medieval hunting-lodge feel. This millennium-old castle keeping watch over the Mosel River Valley boasts a long and colorful history.
