If you’re looking for somewhere surprising, fun and exciting to visit next year, Germany should be on your list – specifically the photogenic and eclectic regions of Rhineland Palatinate and Saarland.
As someone who can get bored easily by beach holidays, the appeal of a trip to somewhere so steeped in history, especially to a country I’ve never been to before, was intriguing. I was excited to see what this particular region of Germany had to offer and I must say, I wasn’t disappointed.
Nestled away in an unsuspecting corner of Germany, these beautiful locations are places you may never have heard of before. But I can confirm that Rhineland Palatinate and Saarland are home to some of the world’s most truly wonderful hidden gems.
On a recent visit to the region, arranged by the Germany Tourist Board, I was delighted to explore vine-clad hillsides and pretty villages, which host unmissable attractions, packed with intricate histories. Nature is reclaiming the landscape here, but this is made even more fascinating by how the country is leaning into this by using their landscape to help tell the stories of this region. More than just tourist attractions, the places I visited seemed more of a reimagining, telling individual tales of history but also progression.
Here’s a roundup of my personal highlights during my three day trip, with some truly stunning hidden gems you need to add to your itinerary wish list for your next visit:
Hambacher Schloss
My first experience of the trip was inside the vast walls of a significantly historic castle.
Located on the east side of the Palatinate Forest, embedded in the picturesque surroundings of the old town of Neustadt an der Weinstraße, part of the German Wine Route, and with views overlooking the expanse of the Upper Rhine Plain, is Hambach Castle, one of the major tourist attractions in Rhineland Palatinate.
This vibrant site is revered as a marker of the history of democracy in Germany and Europe. Ever since the Hambach Festival was celebrated here on May 27th 1832, Hambach Castle has been regarded as the cradle of German democracy and you can feel the passion seeping through the castle walls and indeed within every person who works at the castle.
There is immense pride in this history and rightly so, and as such, much of the information within the castle centres around the 1832 festival, which is fascinating. The then ruined castle was the focal point of the discontent of the Palatinate people over the repressive measures of the Bavarian administration which had been in office since 1816. The administration had retracted important rights which had been given to the people by French Troop troops (governing 1797/98-1815). However the people rebelled en masse via the Hambacher Fest.
The Hambacher Festival was a German national democratic festival celebrated from 27th May to 30th May 1832 at Hambach Castle, which was ingeniously disguised as a nonpolitical county fair. It was one of the main public demonstrations in support of German unity, freedom and democracy during the Vormärz era and ever since the Hambacher Fest, Hambach Castle has been considered a symbol of democracy.
Today the national memorial is a museum and convention centre with about 200,000 visitors per year. An iconic symbol of the region, this needs to be on your ‘do not miss’ list.
Adult Ticket: €6.50 / Family ticket: €13.00
Opening times:
10am – 6pm April – October
11am – 5pm November – March
Address: Schlossstraße, 67434 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany
Contact
Tel.: +49 6321 92 629-0
Berwartstein Castle
Day two began with another castle, one that previously housed a reputable resident.
Berwartstein Castle (first mentioned in documents in 1152) was home to Hans Trapp, the famous marshal and commander of the entire Electoral Palatinate armed forces. An impregnable rock castle, it was a fitting home to Hans Trapp whose raids and misdeeds are just as legendary as his castle, which has been preserved to this day.
A more traditional castle experience, you can explore the secrets behind the castle walls via creaking wooden stairs and a rocky passage (a trip into the underground tunnels was a particular – if spooky – highlight)!
You can even stay in the castle in the The Elector’s Suite, consisting of two rooms with shower/toilet: a sleeping area with a chandelier and a fairytale-like cot and a lounge area with a sofa bed. Traditional German food is served in the romantic outdoor (under cover) castle courtyard restaurant.
There’s multiple accommodation options available too. If you have always wanted to feel like a lord of the castle, you can also spend the night there in comfortable rooms, dine on breakfast like a king in the historic knight’s hall, and have the castle almost all to yourself in the evenings.
Finally, stay in the gothic former castle tower like Hans Trapp himself.
Accepts Cash payments only
Opening Times:
Seasonal opening: from April to November 5th daily (including public holidays)
November 6th 23 to March Sat. + Sun only (castle tour/visit and restaurant)
Address: Burg Berwartstein 1, 76981 Erlenbach bei Dahn, Germany
Hofgut Holzmühle
One of the most unexpected and memorable experiences was a visit to this tranquil and varied site, where I saw a mummified head! Not something you’d expect to find at a Flour Mill!
Hofgut Holzmühle lies in the middle of the forest, near Germersheim. The historic flour mill was founded in 1481 and has been a family business for more than 500 years. The mill is home to a few perfectly formed and stunningly beautiful guest rooms, which you can book for your stay (the standard of which would rival any high-end luxe hotel), there’s far reaching tranquil botanical gardens (which the owners have personally cultivated over many years), plus the Flour Factory itself.
It also showcases a wide variety of other attractions including a meditative Buddah hall and an art gallery of exotic exhibits, housing a collection of artefacts which the owners have collected on their travels. This is both extensive and intricate, especially given this is a private collection. This ethnological “Museum” collection, curated personally by owners Timo Heiny and Bernd Louis, illustrates a journey to distant cultures including Papua New Guinea, mystical Burma and the origins of humanity; Africa.
Timo Heiny is also a hugely talented photographer and a gallery of his works is available to view. A real highlight was Timo gifting each of us in our party one of his books on photography, signed in person, which I will always treasure.
Tours through the collection are requested by prior arrangement/advance registration:
on Tel. 07274 – 703204 or contact form.
Groups up to 15 people € 150.00
Groups of 16 people or more € 200.00
Address: Hofgut Holzmühle, 67368, Westheim (Pfalz)
The gardens are open from April/May (weather permitting) to the end of October.
https://www.hofgut-holzmuehle.de/
Völklinger Hütte Ironworks
Leaving ancient history behind, I began travelling closer towards the present day.
The Völklingen Ironworks is the world‘s only completely preserved ironworks from the heyday of industrialisation and at the same time the first industrial monument of this era to be included in a UNESCO World Heritage List.
This was truly fascinating. Our guide actually used to work at Volkinger Hutte when it was a working ironworks and the insights and knowledge (and the stories!) shared by this wonderful individual were a real highlight and a privilege to witness.
Aesthetically, seeing how nature has taken over this impressive site and how it interweaves with the industrial machinery of the ironworks, was a real feast for the eyes. Artists have interwoven pieces within the site which both surprise you as you wander around, yet somehow seem utterly natural in this reimagined landscape.
It really is an exciting and fascinating place which needs to be seen to be appreciated; where past, present and future meet in a variety of ways. You do need a full day to appreciate this place however, and I’d highly recommend booking a guide. I was very aware that soon, guides who actually worked at the site will no longer be available, as they are getting older and will be unable to work at the site, so being able to speak directly to someone who worked at the ironworks is a time limited honour.
Rathausstraße 75-79, 66333 Völklingen, Germany
Opening times:
10am – 7 pm April – November
10am – 6pm November – March
https://voelklinger-huette.org/
Tickets:
https://shop.voelklinger-huette.org/de/tickets
From: €15.00
Tree Top Path Mettlach and the Saarschleife
To finish off the trip of a lifetime, for the final day I took to the skies!
With spectacular views over the Saar Loop, the Tree Top Path weaves above the natural wonder of the Saarschleife. This barrier-free treetop path is imposing yet utterly rooted in the landscape. It’s only as you view out and above the tree tops that you start to appreciate the unique views and experience of the upper levels of the forest, passing Beech, Oak and Douglas fir trees along the route.
You are able to truly appreciate this impressive forest landscape in a new dimension by experiencing it first hand in this unique way. With a total length of 1,250 metres and a height of 3 to 23 metres, along the path, there are learning stations where you can explore, feel and experience all kinds of life in the forest. It’s all surprisingly accessible and suitable for all ages, even young children.
Not one for anyone scared of heights you won’t be surprised to hear, but make it to the top and it is so worth it – with stunning views that take your breath away and allow you to fully appreciate the area’s amazing beauty.
Buy (Adult) Tickets from: €12.50.
Location: Cloef-Atrium, 66693 Mettlach, Germany
Opening times:
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m everyday April – October
9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m November – March – open days may vary during winter season
Book tickets or find out more here.
It truly was a trip of a lifetime that I would HIGHLY recommend! These scenic and varied destinations offered such a range of history, wonderful food and the most beautiful architecture – they really are too good to go unnoticed.
If this has inspired you to venture to any of these beautiful destinations you can find out more here: https://www.germany.travel/en/home.html
Review and images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
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