A magical setting awaits visitors from 1 March to 26 April 2015. During "Rosa Leuchten" ["pink lights"], many fortresses, castles, churches and city gates along the German Wine Route shine as a symphony of pink and rose light. Visible from miles around and an attraction for guests from near and far every year. 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, the historic town hall in Deidesheim, the Wachtenburg in Wachenheim and St Michael's Chapel in Bad Dürkheim.
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 and is only fixed shortly before the event. Likewise, celebrations take place along the almond blossom-lined Villastraße to Schloss Villa Ludwigshöhe for the Edenkoben Almond Mile and at the Dionysius Chapel in Gleiszellen for the large almond blossom festival. In addition, there are countless other 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 certainly a special experience. These are several tours during the day and in the evening at the weekends in March and April.
The almond trees bloom particularly richly and abundantly on the streets and paths along the Palatinate almond trail. This very special hiking trail runs through the land of the almond blossoms list a pink ribbon. Across 77 kilometres, 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. The comprehensive package includes, among other things, four overnight stays with breakfast, entry to the Schloss Villa Ludwigshöhe and costs 319 Euros per person in a double room and 389 Euros per person in a single room. The train journey back to Bad Bergzabern and luggage transport are also included.
Dates and highlights for the almond blossoms:
- Rosa Leuchten ("pink lights"), 1 March to 26 April 2015
- Rosa views from the Old-timer Panorama bus on the weekends from 6 March to 26 April 2015
- Edenkoben almond mile and almond blossom festival Neustadt-Gimmeldingen, dates dependent of the blossoming status of the almond trees
- Almond blossom festival in Gleiszellen-Gleishorbach, 28 and 29 March 2015
Info: www.german-wineroute.com/ , www.mandelbluete-pfalz.de