From the Main to the Rhine, a voyage through the vineyards

This museum, established in 2011 in the very village where René Lalique founded his glassworks in 1922, is an immersive journey into the world of crystal glassmaking. Though the name Lalique has long been associated with French crystal and the world of Art Nouveau, this institution displays exceptional collections of everything from tableware to perfume bottles, vases and jewelry. Travel back in time and learn about the astonishing<em fontscheme='2'> savoir-faire that turns contemporary artisanship into timeless heritage.

Spanning 322,000 acres and straddling France's Moselle and Bas-Rhin departments, the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park–a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve–is a spectacular playground for those who love wide-open spaces, history and heritage. Filled with ancient abbeys, military sites, fortified castles and charming villages with half-timbered houses, this area boasts many treasures of historical significance. Two-thirds of the park is covered by oak, beech and Scots pine forests, where hiking and cycling trails abound.

Luxembourg's small vineyards are little-known gems stretching along the Moselle Valley. Nine grape varieties are grown on these sunny slopes (where the temperature is always a degree or two warmer here than the rest of the duchy), the most popular of which are Riesling, Pinot Gris and Elbling. Though Luxembourg's estates principally produce white wines, they also create some amazing sparkling wines: the <em fontscheme='2'>appellation d'origine contrôlée Crémant du Luxembourg has existed since 1991.

Created by monks who once lived in the monasteries of the region, the Rheingau vineyards today span nearly 3000 ha. Even if they are best known for their superb Rieslings (sweet and fruity), different areas have opened up to new varieties: pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and merlot. Today there are about 1,000 Rheingau winegrowers participating in numerous wine festivals throughout the year.

The Botanical Garden is an unexpected stop near the Goethe-University. Founded in 1868, the vast estate – an exotic haven of peace for horticulture enthusiasts – is where the inhabitants of Frankfurt like to meet. Spread over 55 acres (22 hectares), the gardeners take care of the approximately 13,000 flowers, plants and trees native to Africa, Asia, America and Oceania. Impressive greenhouses adjoin the pretty palm grove. For a few hours, forget the chaos of the city...

Located on a peninsula in the Rhine, the highest cold-water geyser in the world is visible between March and October. Every two hours, like clockwork, the geyser projects up to nearly 60 meters high during an eight-minute show. While the phenomenon was discovered during drilling in the area in 1903, it has only been accessible to the public since 2006 – today cruise ships can take you to the site. The nearby Andernach Discovery Center, inaugurated in 2013, provides all the answers to your questions about this natural phenomenon.

The Rhine Valley is one of the most beautiful and romantic 'roads' in all of Germany. Traditional villages and fortresses follow the length of the water. In this part of the Reinthal, the river crosses Stolzenfels, an impressive castle built for King Frederick William IV. Then further south on the opposite bank, you can see the beautiful Marksburg castle, founded in 1173, overlooking the fortified village of Braubach. Later, you'll come across the amazing Pfalzgrafenstein, a former toll booth located in the middle of the river.