Anyone that enjoys a good road trip will find that Germany is an ideal destination. While traveling along its many scenic drives and themed roads, travelers will get a true sense of the culture and history that makes Germany so unique. There are many opportunities to stop at quaint villages, take in the unspoiled landscape, and visit the many medieval castles dotting the countryside. Here are just a few of best roads to travel in Germany, and some of the unforgettable sights to be seen along the way.
The Romantic Road
A road trip along Germany’s Romantic Road, which is located in Bavaria, is a 261-mile scenic drive through picturesque towns filled with charming houses, medieval castles, and romantic hotels nestled between the foothills of the German Alps and the Franconia wine country. In the Middle Ages the Romantic Road was a main trade route, but today it is simply full of old world charm.
The Romantic Road can be very crowded during the summer months, so the best bet is to travel in the spring, fall, or winter if at all possible. Starting in Würzburg, travelers should make certain to take some time to visit the beautiful vineyards and enjoy gourmet meals before moving on to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a well-preserved medieval village. Be sure to spend the night in the 1,000 year old Castle Hotel Colmberg, and visit Augsburg before ending the journey at Neuschwanstein, a romantic fairy tale castle.
The Castle Road
Part of the fun of a road trip is seeing all the fantastic sights along the way, and nowhere is this truer than along Germany’s Castle Road. This themed route offers 70 different castles and palaces and is over 625 miles long, starting in Mannheim and ending in Prague, Czech Republic. Because this route is so long, it will be a good idea to choose just a few castles to explore in depth to ensure that you will not run out of time along the way.
The Castle Road can be easily reached by flying into Nuremberg, Munich, Stuttgart, or Frankfurt; it is important to arrange for car rentals well in advance, particularly during the busy travel period in the summer. Some of the highlights of this route include the Castle of Heidelberg and the Old Town of Heidelberg; the Castle of Neuenstein, with its original medieval kitchen; the Castle Hotel Colmberg; and the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
The Fairy Tale Road
Any fairy tale lover knows that the Brothers Grimm hail from Germany, and so it should come as no surprise that there is a fairy tale-themed road trip available which allows visitors to travel through the land of the Brothers Grimm and take in sights associated with Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, the Bremen Town Musicians, and Snow White. Along the way, travelers can stop at a number of medieval villages with cobblestone streets, romantic castles, and dense woods.
Starting in the town of Hanau, where the Brothers Grimm were actually born, the Fairy Tale Road takes travelers along a route that visits the towns where the famous storytellers lived, studied, worked, and set their stories – 50 in all, along 370 miles. This road trip is ideal for the entire family as every destination along the way offers family-friendly activities like storytelling events, plays, and puppet shows.