Let the music play on ­ Europe's romantic heart

Franconia in northern Bavaria comprises no fewer than 15 scenic and holiday regions. Once the centre of the Holy Roman Empire and still Germany's historical heartland, it offers several UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many small Franconian towns have preserved their romantic charm, as if untouched by the passage of time.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Allow plenty of time for your visit to Rothenburg, as it has remained largely unchanged since the Middle Ages and positively overflows with cultural and historical gems. The medieval market square, town hall and old quarter are surrounded by an intact town wall with battlements and bastions, for the most part publicly accessible. One especially impressive feature is the Spitalbastei bulwark with seven gates, a drawbridge and a portcullis. Collections of handcrafted treasures representing every epoch and all parts of Europe can be seen in Rothenburg's various museums. Other attractions in Franconia include the vibrant cities of Nuremberg and Würzburg, the palaces in Ansbach, Eichstätt and Kulmbach and Richard Wagner's festival town, Bayreuth.

River Main Cycle Route

Franconia's landscapes have been shaped by the River Main, the Rhine's largest tributary, which unusually for a river in central Europe flows from east to west. The River Main Cycle Route follows the river right from its source in the Fichtelgebirge mountains through romantic Franconian Switzerland and eventually to Mainz, where it flows into the Rhine. This premium route from `beer Franconia' to `wine Franconia' was the first in Germany to be awarded five stars by the German Cyclists' Federation (ADFC).

Bamberg

The heart of this thousand-year-old university town is Germany's largest fully preserved old quarter, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bamberg Cathedral, the focal point of the episcopal town, contains the tomb of Heinrich II, the East Frankish emperor. Bamberg's secular citizens also left a remarkable monument: the old town hall, a fine red sandstone building and half-timbered annex right in the middle of the Regnitz river. 15 museums offer further insights into Bamberg's history.

Unspoilt countryside, sparkling lakes

Franconia is the ideal destination for holidaymakers looking for relaxation or active pursuits, with around 30,000 square kilometres of contrasting landscapes: the wooded Fichtelgebirge mountains, the Franconian Forest, the foothills of the Spessart-Main region, the sun-kissed slopes of Franconia's wine country and the Steigerwald, the picturesque crags of Franconian Switzerland and the glinting waters of the Franconian Lakes.

Franconia Music Magic

Every summer music lovers flock to Bayreuth for the Wagner Festival, while the BR Music Magic season brings musical performances to the whole of Franconia. With a programme of around a thousand events ­ from classical to light music ­ Franconia Music Magic has become a trademark for musicmaking of the highest calibre.

Franconia ­ A Land of Wine and Beauty!

Over the centuries Franconia's wine-growing traditions have inspired a wealth of baroque architecture. Nowadays wonderful wine festivals are celebrated against a backdrop of grand old sandstone buildings, elegant half-timbered facades, wine taverns and tranquil lanes.

Scenic routes

Five scenic routes pass through Franconia. The Limes Route follows the remnants of the Roman Empire border wall for over 400 kilometres from the River Main to the Danube, passing Roman forts, ramparts and thermal spas along the way. One highlight not to be missed in 2010: the 60th anniversary of the Romantic Road, Germany's oldest scenic route.

Franconian wines and beers

Franconia has something of a split personality when it comes to drink: there's `wine Franconia' and there's `beer Franconia'. Excellent wines, in distinctive bocksbeutel bottles, have been produced in the region for over 1,200 years. Franconia also has the highest density of breweries in the world, more than 270.