200 years ago, the stretch of the Rhine between Mainz and Bonn was discovered by artists and poets of the Romantic Movement in search of one of nature's works of art. Artists from all over Europe found inspiration here for their works of great emotional passion, one of the highlights being undoubtedly that heart-rending poem, the "Loreley". Their enthusiasm was so infectious that the Romantic Rhine became a tourist attraction and "gave birth" to Germany as a travel destination. Recently the UNESCO honored the beauty of the Upper Romantic Middle Rhine by declaring it world heritage in June 2002.
Celebrate with us the anniversary of the discovery of this wonderful combination of landscape, art and culture in the year 2002!

Although people in Germany like to call it the "German Rhine", there is no doubt that it is a great European river. Coming from Switzerland, the Rhine flows into the Lake Constance, past the neighbouring country of France and finally ends its journey in the Netherlands. It has never been a border for very long, instead it has been a gateway for cultural - and culinary - influences from the south and the west.

Start your journey along the Rhine at Lake Constance and the Upper Rhine, between Lindau and Bad Säckingen, a very special holiday region. The Upper Rhine between Basle and Karlsruhe leads you astray with excursions to magnificent cities and the wildly romantic Black Forest. You will experience cultures ranging between wine and forest along the Rhine from Karlsruhe to Mainz. The Romantic Middle Rhine between Mainz and Bonn, celebrates its anniversary in 2002 with innumerable festivals and events. Enjoy the Lower Rhine's charm before it then bids farewell to Germany between Bonn and Emmerich and heads off through the Netherlands.

The Rhine's tributaries are as diverse as they are worthy of a visit. The Neckar, the Main, the Tauber, the Lahn and the Ruhr join the Rhine from the east. From the west, the Ahr, the Nahe, the Saar and the Moselle feed the river with new water and new impressions. Join us on a journey through Germany and just open your heart and mind to the influences of a magnificent river!