Page 165 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

DRIVE 15: The German Wine Route 163

0 St Martin
Rhineland-Palatinate; 67487
With a beautiful setting on the fringes
of the Naturpark Pfälzer Wald (www.
pfaelzerwald.de), a biosphere reserve,
St Martin is among the loveliest
vil lages in the region. With plenty of
surviving half-timbered cottages and
noble men’s houses, it is also the
starting point for a number of hiking
trails into the Naturpark Pfälzer Wald;
one popular route ascends to the
summit of the 673-m (2,208-ft)
Kalmit, the highest hill in the district.
ª Return to Maikammer and turn
north towards Hambach. At Hambach Above Café tables on the main square of
turn left up Schloss strasse to the Marktplatz. The juxta position of rustic Siebeldingen Below Decorative sign outside
Hambacher Schloss; the route is one- authen ticity and metropolitan chic a winery, Maikammer
way. Continue on it, following signs to makes this one of the most intriguing
Hauptbahnhof (station) to Neustadt. villa ges on the Weinstrasse. The
Rathaus houses the Museum für EAT AND DRINK
q Neustadt an der Weinstrasse Weinkultur (museum of viticulture)
Rhineland-Palatinate; 67433 (open Wed–Sun; Jan & Feb: closed). MAIKAMMER
Neustadt is the most important urban Local wine growers include Reichsrat Gasthaus zum Winzer expensive
centre on the Deutsche Weinstrasse, von Buhl (open daily), a renow ned This Baroque former winery enjoys
with a traffic-free historic core centred producer of Sekt (sparkling wine). an attractive courtyard. The menu
on the Marktplatz and its Gothic ª Continue on the minor road along features modern European dishes.
Stiftskirche and Baroque town hall, the B271, signposted to Wachenheim. Weinstrasse Süd 8, 67487; 06321 54 10;
the Rathaus. The town’s most famous www.gasthaus-zum-winzer.de; open
Wed–Sun
sight is the Hambacher Schloss (open r Wachenheim
daily), a hilltop castle to the south, Rhineland-Palatinate; 67157 ST MARTIN
famous for the Hambacher Fest of The impressive ruins of the St Martiner Castell moderate
1832, during which a patriotic crowd 12th-cen tury castle of Wachtenburg A handsome old hotel-cum-restaurant
hoisted the black-red-gold colours of domi nate Wachenheim. Constructed with a menu which blends local and
German unity in one of the founding under the authority of Konrad von international influences.
Maikammerer Strasse 2, 67487; 06323
acts of German democracy. Hohenstaufen, half-brother of Emperor 95 10; www.hotelcastell.de; closed Tue,
ª Leave Neustadt an der Weinstrasse Frederick Barbarossa (1122–90), it mid-Jan–mid-Mar: closed Tue & Wed
along Karl-Helffenrich-Strasse, turn was besieged in the 15th cen tury, GIMMELDINGEN
right on to Maximilianstrasse, taking dama ged in the Peasants’ War
Gimmeldinger Strasse, the middle of of 1524–5 and finally blown up by Netts expensive
Housed in a restored late Baroque
three roads, to reach Gimmeldingen. French troops in 1689. Known as the village house, this modern restaurant
The village centre is a one-way system. “Balcony of the Pfalz” for the superb and wine bar offers creative fare with
views it offers over the Rhine Valley, outstanding wines.
w Gimmeldingen the castle ruins are a popular destina- Meerspinstrasse 46, 67435; 06321
Rhineland-Palatinate; 67435 tion for hikers and are floodlit to 601 75; www.nettsrestaurant.de;
open Wed–Sun
The pretty wine-growing village of spectacular effect at night.
Gimmeldingen lies on the edge of ª Continue on the minor road to Bad DEIDESHEIM
the Naturpark Pfälzer Wald and is the Dürkheim. Follow signs to Kurpark. Turm Stübl moderate
starting point for several hiking trails. Regional specialities and French
The village is famous for its almond dishes are served at this wine bar.
Turmstrasse 3, 67146; 06326 98
blossom, celebrated with an annual 10 81; www.turmstuebel.de;
spring festival, the Mandelblütenfest. closed Mon
ª Continue along Meerspinnstrasse Schwarzer Hahn expensive
to reach Deidesheim. The Deidesheimer Hof’s Michelin-
starred restaurant blends French,
e Deidesheim German and Mediterranean influences
Rhineland-Palatinate; 67146 to impres sive effect. The hotel also
has a more traditional restaurant.
Designer jewellery jostles for atten tion Am Marktplatz, 67146; 06326
next to a butcher selling the local deli- 968 70; www.deidesheimerhof.de;
cacy, Sauma gen, on Deidesheim’s open Tue–Sat; closed Jan, Jul
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40

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