Romantic Germany — From the Rhine to Bavaria — 8D/7N

King Ludwig Castle in Bavaria - photo courtesy of Germany Tourist BoardPlenty of old-world; rarified and romantic, where the riches of centuries lavishly unfold before you in eight unforgettable days! This is a classic German road trip filled with churches, castles and half-timbered houses, a drive that takes you through mountains, pristine farmland and bustling cities. It also takes in a part of the famous “Romantische Strasse” or “Romantic Road” Linking Füssen in the Allgaü Alps with the Baroque splendors of Würzburg in the wine country of Franconia. This was a route favored by Romans, crusaders and pilgrims and the 350-mile-long Romantic Road passes through some of the most important historic towns in Germany, such as Dinkelsbühl, Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber and Nördlingen, towns that evoke a true medieval ambiance, or “Gemütlichkeit”. These are towns where a centuries-old Rathaus, or town hall, is but one of many preserved buildings.

SELF DRIVE PROGRAMS - Probably, the best way to independently travel in Europe is by self-drive car as it allows you to be mobile at all times, to stop whenever you want, to visit to your heart’s content! A limitless number of itineraries are possible, as you can combine any of the different regions and cities to create “your own” program. All our self drive example itineraries will be customized with your choice of car and with accommodation at selected hotels, villas, boutique properties, manor houses or castles as per your preference. Take them as they are, lengthen, shorten, combine them as you desires or just use them for ideas in creating “your itinerary” to discover Europe “as you want”! If you like the tour and decide to further customize it, just let us know of your needs and desires, we will prepare the exact itinerary you are looking for.

Quaint Rothenburg - photo courtesy of Germany Tourist BoardSketch Itinerary

  • Day 1 — Frankfurt, The Rhine - Its off on the open road this morning from Frankfurt to the majestic and fabled Rhine. Follow the river past the castles of Burg Rheinstien and Burg Sooneck to Bacharach famed for its half timbered houses. Awesome scenery is at every turn.
  • Day 2 — The Rhine - Full day to explore those “Castle on the Rhine” perched along both sides of the river. High above Braubach is the mighty Marksburg, the only castle-fortress in the entire Rhine-Valley never to have been destroyed. Here you will find a great collection of armor as well as an interesting medieval garden.
  • Day 3 — Black Forest - Depart this morning direct to the ancient spa town of Baden Baden. The Romans made good use of the Baden Baden’s healing springs and the remains of their bathing temples are still here. Continue deep into the Black Forest to the center of the clock making industry and the home of the cuckoo clock.
  • Day 4 — Lake Constance - Continue your drive along the Black Forest High Road crossing briefly into Switzerland to Schaffausen, one of that country’s best preserved medieval towns. The open road takes you to the famous “Rhine Falls” and then to the shores of the lake.
  • Day 5 — Bavaria - Take a leisurely departure this morning via the famous “Deutsche Alpenstrasse” traveling through the countryside beauty of Germany. Destination…the Bavarian Highlands and the Royal Castles built by “Mad King Ludwig”. Your hotel provides a perfect setting for exploring this incredible area.
  • Day 6 — Bavaria - Full day to explore the fairytale castle of Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein, and Linderhof. Because Ludwig was the patron of Richard Wagner, the reminders are everywhere…Lohengrin, Tristan and Isolde and the Ring of the Nibelungen all are indeed woven into the baric of all three castles. Nearby is the famous wood carvers village of Oberammergau where the Passion Play is performed once every ten years.
  • Day 7 — Rothenburg - Off early this morning via Augsburg and onto the “Romantische Strasse”… the Romantic Road. Here is the great highway of the medieval world. Enroute visit the ancient walled town of Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl before settling in at the famed Eisenhut located in the center of this medieval masterpiece.
  • Day 8 — Frankfurt - Leave Rothenburg this morning via the old trading towns of Mittenberg and Michelstadt and through the beautiful Neckar Valley to Heidelberg. As the oldest university town in Germany, it has been enlivened by students since 1336. Visit the great castle with the largest wooden wine barrel in the world as well as the inn of the “Student Prince”. Take the short drive back to Frankfurt where the adventure ends and the Memories begin

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Also tagged with: Independent Journeys, Europe, Germany, Self Drive, Educational, Cultural, Art / Architecture, Culinary / Wine Discoveries, Christmas Markets, Customized Programs, Module, Intriguing Getaway


Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.