The capital of Rheinland-Pfalz is the perfect place to start your road trip: even the city's coat of arms has wheels on it! As a former Free Imperial City, a garrison town and even a republic, its history is as long and varied as Germany's. Drive out for a tour of its architecturally valuable Roman relics, including the remains of the aqueduct and the Drusus memorial, and see more in the Landesmuseum. One of the city's most beautiful 17th century buildings houses a museum that tells the story of Germany's printing industry, including a Gutenberg Bible produced here. A little way out of the centre, the city's botanical gardens - part of the university - offer a restful change of pace.