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For those with a lust for the outdoors and a penchant for wine, Germany’s wine route offers a unique and magical getaway this spring for Rosa Wochen (pink weeks).
The abundant almond blossom blooms in soft pink shades from March along the German Wine Route – perhaps why it it said that spring begins earlier here than elsewhere in Germany. This annual natural spectacle is celebrated from throughout March and April with a wide range of events focusing on the almond.
The entire region joins in with merry festivals, culinary delicacies and superb arrangements for the almond season, and the vintners open their doors and invite guests in to sample the new vintage.
The region also has plenty to offer gastronomically, with the chefs in the restaurants, wine bars and hotels conjuring up a multitude of specialities using almonds. This includes the German Wine Gate in Schweigen, the Madenburg in Eschbach, the Schloss Villa Ludwigshöhe in Edenkoben, Hambach castle above Neustadt an der Weinstraße amongst others.
A high point of the almond blossom season and, at the same time, the first wine festival of the year is the traditional almond blossom festival in Neustadt-Gimmeldingen, the date of which is determined by the state of the blossom. There are guided tours, hikes and culinary and merry wine events at which almonds are the centre of attention. A trip in the Old-timer Panorama bus along through the blooming almond trees or past the illuminated buildings is certainly a special experience.
The Palatinate almond trail is a special hiking trail that runs through the land of the almond blossoms like a pink ribbon. Across 77km, it runs from Bad Dürkheim through the Palatinate wine-growing landscapes to Schweigen-Rechtenbach on the French border. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the almond trail more extensively as part of a five-day arrangement. Starting in Bad Bergzabern, you head to Neustadt through one of the most beautiful wine-growing landscapes in Germany. Packages cost up to 389€ and include return train travel to Bad Bergzabern and luggage transfers.
Key Dates and highlights
- 1. Rosa Leuchten (‘pink lights’), 1 March to 26 April 2015;
- 2. Rosa views from the Old-timer Panorama bus on the weekends from 6 March to 26 April 2015;
- 3. Edenkoben almond mile and almond blossom festival Neustadt-Gimmeldingen, dates dependent of the blossoming status of the almond trees;
- 4. Almond blossom festival in Gleiszellen-Gleishorbach, 28 and 29 March 2015 .
For more Information and to book a tour or other activities, visit: german-wineroute.com or mandelbluete-pfalz.de if your German is up to scratch.
