At the confluence of the Main and the Rhine, before the actual Middle Rhine Valley, lies Mainz, the city of Gutenberg and a centre of the media. It was here that Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press 600 years ago, establishing the basis for the media and information technology used in today's society.

Opposite, on the right bank of the Rhine, lies Wiesbaden, the elegant capital of the state of Hesse. Spend a thrilling night in Wiesbaden's famous casino in the historic assembly rooms or in the magnificent state theatre.

Wiesbaden is also the gateway to the picturesque Rheingau wine-growing region. Wine fans can follow the Riesling Route through the enchanting villages or enjoy wine tasting at Vollrads Palace, Johannisberg Palace or at the Romanesque monastery of Eberbach. Do you love music? Then celebrate with us one of the biggest classical festivals in Europe, the Rheingau Music Festival (see picture). The picturesque village of Rüdesheim, lying right at the heart of this "golden" stretch of the Rhine, is well worth a visit. There you will be presented with a diverse programme: youth music in the Drosselgasse during the "Clubline" festival in spring, mountain-biking through the vineyards and, of course, delicious specialities from the wine cellars.

Bingen, on the left bank of the Rhine, is the gateway to the Middle Rhine Valley. This is where the Romantic Rhine begins with its historical villages and castles, the vineyards and spectacular scenery, a landscape which is one of Germany's youngest UNESCO world heritage sites. The slogan "Journey into the Age of Romanticism" highlights the Rhineland Palatinate Summer of Culture. This event is part of the anniversary celebrations for the "Romantic Rhine".

In the modern visitors' centre on the Loreley rock above St. Goarshausen, which was opened on the occasion of the Expo 2000, you can find out all about the Loreley myth. Be enchanted by former knights' castles perched on the steep cliffs along the Rhine: the valley between Bingen and Koblenz is characterised by 28 castles.

Nowadays several are castle hotels, perfect for spending some time in a historic ambience. Others invite you to take a fascinating journey through time into the Middle Ages, like the excellently preserved Marksburg (see picture) castle by the Rhine bow above Braubach. The best way to experience this stretch of the river is by travelling on one of the numerous boats which offer regular trips on this part of the Rhine.

When you travel through the beautiful landscape further down the Rhine, you find the 2,000 year old city of Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle. This is where four important exhibitions will be taking a fresh look at the theme of Romanticism on the Rhine in photography and in painting and will show just how alive the past can be in the present day. This can also be highlighted by a visit to the neo-Gothic Stolzenfels castle or the classical Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Further downstream at such authentic sites as the Rolandsbogen ruins in Remagen and the Drachenburg Castle in Königswinter there will be other events taking place during the anniversary year.

Travelling on through picturesque towns and villages you reach Bonn, the city of Beethoven, which is a glittering finale to the Romantic Rhine. Exhibitions along the Museum Mile, the "Bonn Summer Festival" and festivals like "R(h)einkultur" will be staged in honour of the anniversary and make it difficult for you to say goodbye to the Romantic Rhine.