Jaunted

If you take the train, Rüdesheim’s station lies right on the banks of the river, within a couple blocks of the town's main street (though alley is more like it), the poetically named Drosselgasse, or "Thrush Lane," pictured above, with its rows of souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants. The Rheingau and Wine Museum in the Bromserburg Castle makes a good first stop to learn about the region and its wines (and to taste a few!) before a lunch of fresh regional specialties in the leafy courtyard of the Breuer’s Rüdesheimer Schloss. After, head a few blocks away to the Georg Breuer tasting room for an upscale experience and some very fine wines.

When you’re sufficiently sloshed, head uphill to the sky gondola station that will take you on the five-minute trip over the vineyards and up the nearby hill to the Niederwald Park’s towering statue of Germania—sort of like a German Statue of Liberty…only scarier, with her flying tresses and fierce look. She’s located in a large park where you can hike around the slopes that follow the curve of the river until you see the famous Mouse Tower still presiding over the river.

If you do have a car, be sure to head 15 minutes west of town (back towards Frankfurt) to the imposing (and yellow!) Schloss Johannisberg. It is located up on the heights above the river, overlooking its widest point, and has a long and storied history that dates back almost a millennium. It is also the credited birthplace of sweet late-harvest and ice wines. Plus, the in-house restaurant has some excellent local food and the best views around, making it the perfect spot for a last wine-tasting at sunset before you head back to the big city.