Germany Trip Plan:
4-days Merry Month of May traditions in Bacharach, Middle Rhine Valley
The small winegrower town of Bacharach on the west bank of the majestic Rhine knows how to through a party. The annual festivities start with the welcoming of the "Wonnemonat Mai" on April 30. Join the fun and experience unique German traditions, including the "Mai-Bowle", a kind of wine cooler flavored with woodruff.
Note: This is a trip plan (self-driving, stay in a vacation apartment, explore on your own)
Duration: 4 days
Recommended Destination Airport: Frankfurt Airport
Trip Plan Details:
The small winegrower town of Bacharach on the west bank of the majestic Rhine knows how to through a party. The annual festivities start with the welcoming of the Wonnemonat Mai
on April 30. Join the fun and experience unique German traditions, including the Mai-Bowle
, a kind of wine cooler flavored with woodruff.
Bacharach, the small town with a medieval flair lies on the River Rhine, south of Koblenz in the Rhineland-Palatinate. Fine German Riesling wines are produced here and play a role in every day's life and of course in the annual festive calendar. After the cold season, the month of May represents the spring awakening and the once again flourishing nature. On the night of April 30, it's time for Tanz in den Mai
, (Dance in the month of May). Activities can again largely held in the open and people like to go on a day trip on May 1, organize a picnic, or hike in the prospering landscape. Many traditions can be witnessed around those days, a truly German experience not to be missed.
Cost Estimate:
We compiled some starting prices and rough estimates to help you better with your Germany trip planning.
| Lodging: | starting at $280 for 2 persons / 4 days |
| Admissions: | starting at $250 for 2 persons / 4 days |
| Estimated Total Cost: | 2 persons, starting at $530 / 4 days |
| 4 persons, starting at $770 / 4 days |
Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday, April 29, Arrival
Arrive at your vacation apartment and familiarize yourself with the lovely town and friendly people of Bacharach. You will soon feel and smell that spring is in the air and surely notice the many activities surrounding the long awaited special festivities of the Merry Month of May, including erecting a maypole. Bacharach has beautifully preserved its medieval heritage and you will love its flair strolling through the narrow lanes, lined by gorgeous half timbered houses. Following the numerous trails through the vineyards, all the way up to the surrounding hill tops, you will have wonderful views of the majestic river in this so famous Middle Rhine region.
Day 2: Friday, April 30, Tanz in den Mai
The first event of the spring season is the Maibaum-Fest held in Bacharach. Many restaurants organize parties, the huge festival hall and a large specially prepared Picnic Area invite you to taste not only Wein-Bowle, made of fresh Riesling wine and special May-Herbs such as woodruff, therefore often called Waldmeister-Bowle
. It is said that Benedictine monks discovered those medicinal plants and herbs already in the 16th century and experimented to enrich the flavor of fresh wines - and maybe found it easier to make people taking their medicine.
After dark you can go on one of the large cruise-ships and enjoy a leisurely tour, regional foods and drinks. Later that night fireworks are lit at many places along the Rhine and on your return to Bacharach, you will witness a spectacular witches bonfire, lit at the Picnic Area. Yes, it's also Walpurgis-Night, so don't be scared by all the witches roaming around, with or without their brooms. After that, the dancing and celebrating won't stop until you call it a night and return to your vacation apartment.
Day 3: Saturday, May 1, Boppard and Loreley Rock
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and go on a discovery tour of the amazing Middle Rhine Valley. No visit to this region would be complete without seeing its famous landmarks. The best way to travel is on board of a cruise ship, which will bring you to your first destination of today, the Wine Town Boppard. The river promenade is especially beautiful in the spring and the air is fresh and clean. South of Boppard the Rhine takes a loop and its here where the best Riesling wine is grown. Breathtaking views in all directions await you when you take the chair lift all the way up to the hill top.
More stunning nature and cultural heritage await you half way on your trip back to Bacharach. Above St. Goar the Rheinfels Fortress is the largest castle ruin on the River Rhine and a major attraction. Of course the most legendary is the Loreley Rock. In case you have enough time and energy left, make your way up to the Loreley outlook point on the 433 feet high slate cliff, and be richly rewarded by spectacular views.
Day 4: Sunday, May 2, Departure
Before you are heading home, you may have time enough to visit one of the local wineries and look for a little gift to take back home. If you like to make your very own Mai- or Waldmeister-Bowle, here are some additional ingredients that you can use to flavor the anyway fantastic Riesling wines: leaves of black currants or strawberries, basil, tarragon, fennel, cinquefoil, raspberry shoots, chervil, daisies, mint, burnet, silverweed, sage, yarrow leaves, thyme, violet flowers or lemon balm. Enjoy the flavors of the Merry Month of May!
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Where to Stay?
We feature nice vacation rentals and holiday apartments in destinations that are part of this trip plan. Click on a picture of the destination below where you would like to stay, then browse the vacation apartments, pick one you like, and fill out the Check Availability form with your desired travel dates. If you would like to stay in different locations please submit multiple inquiries, specifying the desired travel dates for each vacation apartment where you would like to stay. We will back to you with a free quote quickly (typically within 1-2 business days.)
Bacharach
Bacharach is a small German town, lying on the west bank of the Rhine, just south of Koblenz. From here you can take a roundtrip Rhine cruise and marvel at the ruined castles, drive to Bad Soden in the summer for a relaxing Saturday at an open-air jazz…
Related: Bacharach travel guide
Bingen
Bingen am Rhein (or Bingen or Bingen on the Rhine) is a city located at the junction of the rivers Rhine and Nahe in the district of Mainz-Bingen, in Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany near the city of Mainz. Bingen is a river port and railroad junction,…
Related: Bingen travel guide
Oberwesel
Oberwesel is a town in the Rhein-Hunsrück district, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the left bank of the Rhine, approx. 30 km southeast of Koblenz. It is part of the Verbandsgemeinde ("collective municipality") Sankt Goar-Oberwesel.
Related: Oberwesel travel guide
How to maximize your savings and spend less during your Germany vacation?
You can cut down your vacation costs significantly by following these simple rules:
- Instead of eating out in restaurants most of the time your vacation rental apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen. By preparing your breakfast and dinner yourself you can save lots of money, but you can also live a more authentic Germany vacation by trying out local foods and recipes. (see some German recipe suggestions.)
- Use public transportation instead of a rental car. We provide you with links and details on how to get around using public transportation. Check out the corresponding Live Like a German travel guide for more details.