Rhineland-Palatinate lies in the west of Germany, amidst the Rhenish Slate Mountains. The state capital is Mainz. This is a region rich in variety, as interesting and diverse as the people who live here. The contrasts are what give this region its own unique charm: the idyllic river scenery and the unspoilt mountains, the historical towns and picturesque villages, the famous wine regions and the romantic castles.

Between them, the seven regions of Rhineland-Palatinate - Middle Rhine-Lahn-Taunus, Rheinhessen, Eifel, Ahr, Moselle-Saar, Hunsr�ck, Nahe, Westerwald and Palatinate - have everything the holidaymaker could wish for.

The towns in Rhineland-Palatinate bear witness to their turbulent history. There are many relics from Roman times, as well as magnificent, well-preserved buildings and monuments from later generations. There are quiet wine-growing hamlets on the Rhine and Moselle, idyllic villages in the volcanic Eifel and towns such as Mainz and Worms, steeped in history yet with a modern buzz.

Each region has its own culinary specialities, traditional dishes that have been passed down through the centuries. Hearty or light, sweet or savoury.