While planing our trip from Slovenia back to our northern German home, an idea of a road trip crossed our mind. Unlike usually we had a bit more time, so we decided to do a proper winter road trip with our LR Defender. In 1 week we drove about 1200km, through the Italian Dolomites (where we skied a bit), over Austrian Tirol to Füssen in southern Bavaria and onward to Würzburg (taking the famous German Romantic Road), before driving the final stretch of 300km to our home. Accompanied by fairytale castles, medieval towns, churches, December Christmas markets and more. What a great road trip! More posts about the first leg of this trip is coming up soon, but in this post let´s take a look at what we saw and experience along the Romantic Road.

The GERMAN ROMANTIC ROAD is over 400km LONG and it connects 29 MEDIEVAL TOWNS as well as some CASTLES and CHURCHES. It has been known under this name already for 69 years and it is one of the country´s most visited areas. Along this road, which runs loosely on a FORMER ROMAN TRADE ROUTE, you can indulge in history, art, nature and enjoy some of the regions best culinary experiences.

We started our journey in FÜSSEN, surrounded by snowy Alps and ended it in WÜRZBURG, surrounded by vineyards. In between we visited 10 TOWNS, you can read more about all of these places here.

FÜSSEN | the start of German Romantic Road and good base for visiting Neuschwanstein castle

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We reached Füssen just shortly after crossing the Austrian / German border. We could immediately see why there are so many tourists here – not only is the town close by NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE which is one of the biggest attractions in the whole country, but there are also numerous lakes, forests and mountains around. The town itself is a treat so there is really a lot to do for everyone. It was especially nice to visit Füssen in December with all the CHRISTMAS MARKETS and holiday spirit under a few centimeters of snow.

For most of the visitors, FÜSSEN is either a starting or the ending point of traveling on the GERMAN ROMANTIC ROAD – for us it was a place where we started our journey and we could not have wished for a better introduction.

(HOHEN)SCHWANGAU |Schwangau and Hohenschwangau towns

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SCHWANGAU is a town close to FÜSSEN and LAKE LECH and HOHENSCHWANGAU is a smaller town a little bit higher up. This one is also the starting point to see NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, but also home to another wonderful castle, HOHENSCHWANGAU CASTLE. It is possible to buy combined tickets for both of them. Besides the castles what most impressed us around here was the LANDSCAPE. So many lakes, forests, churches in snowy fields and the Alps at the back. Lovely.

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE | the most known German fairytale-like castle that inspired Disney

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Without a doubt the MOST KNOWN GERMAN CASTLE, designed and built by the GERMAN KING LUDWIG II in the 19^th Century. Unfortunately not all his ideas were finished as he passed away at a relatively young age. The castles which strongly resembles the one in the Disney logo is really fairytale-like although I have to admit I was a bit surprised about its size. The pictures on Google made it seem a lot bigger as it actually was once you stand in front of it. Anyhow, it is stll a wonderful place and we didn´t regret visiting even if the BRIDGE (from where the nicest view seems to be) was closed at the time of our visit due to snow and ice. We were especially impressed by the CASTLE CHAMBERS.

ENTRY FEE was 28€ for 2 persons excluding the tourist tax (as we were spending the night at a camp ground near LAKE BANNWALDSEE and have already paid it there). It is possible to PREBOOK YOUR TICKETS online but you will still have to pick them up at the TICKET OFFICE in HOHENSCHWANGAU (address: Alpseestraße 12, 87645 Hohenschwangau). We had no reservations and got the tickets after 10min, but we were not visiting in the high season and also not on during a weekend. From the ticket office it is a 30min WALK TO THE CASTLE, but you can also take one of the HORSE CARRIAGES.

It is not possible to visit the castle on your own, so you MUST JOIN A GUIDED GROUP. On your ticket there is a number of the group and you can only enter the castle at the exact same time as stated on your ticket. Once inside you will be given AUDIO GUIDES in the language you chose when you bought the tickets. After that you follow your guide through the chambers for not longer than half an hour. At the end there is a MULTIMEDIA SHOW you cna watch and of course a SHOP and a CAFE.

UNESCO CHURCH WIESKIRCHE | one of the best preserved Rococco churches in the world

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Just about half an hour away from Neuschwanstein castle we found ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED ROCOCO CHURCHES IN THE WORLD. Even though it is quite big, it doesn´t reveal its true treasures until you enter through the mighty wooden doors. This pilgrimage church is also on UNESCO´s World Heritage list and it is one of many in this area called PFFAFENWINKEL.

In the small village surrounding the church there is a bigger parking lot for visitors (charges apply), those traveling without a car can take the public bus from Füssen. Really an interesting place to see if you are around.

LANDSBERG AM LECH | charming smaller town along Lech river

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This charming smaller town along RIVER LECH was only a shorter stop for us this time, but we liked it very much. Very laid back with mush less tourists and great ARCHITECTURE, RESTAURANTS, BARS, SHOPS and of course a medium size CHRISTMAS MARKET built around a nice FOUNTAIN, smelling cinnamon and mulled wine.

I recon it´s a nice place in the summer as well as there seemed to be smaller beach spots / picnic areas at the river.

AUGSBURG | the 3rd oldest German city

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This was a bigger town after a while and unfortunately we came in late in the afternoon which was inconvenient to find a camp ground. So for the first time on this trip we spent the night in a hotel, in the suburbs of Augsburg. This gave us a great starting point to see the city on a sunny Saturday morning. Strolling around GERMANY´S 3^rd OLDEST CITY was definitely a pleasant thing to do.

Like in the other towns we visited along the way, we spent the most time in and around the CHRISTMAS MARKET, which was especially big here in Augsburg. The main market is situated next to the TOWN HALL and a 70m high tower called PERLACHTURM. It is possible to go up and see the view most of the days.

What else is there to see and do in Augsburg? A lot! We could easily spend the whole weekend, so maybe we come back some other time. Besides the CITY CATHEDRAL, other CHURCHES and MUSEUMS you can stop by at the famous PUPPET THEATRE called the AUGSBURGER PUPPENKISTE and pay a visit to the WORLDS OLDEST SOCIAL HOUSING BUILDINGS which go by the name FUGGEREI (after the banker who established it around 500 years ago). The 52 houses are still rented out to families, one of them is turned into a MUSEUM.

HARBURG | small town with an interesting Medieval castle

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This small town is mostly known for its majestic 900 YEAR OLD MEDIEVAL CASTLE on the top of the hill. From the top there are nice views but you also get to see the castle´s chambers, a prison tower, dungeons, a big courtyard and more. Nice place along the way for a shorter stop.

DINKELSBÜHL | the best old town in Germany

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I have to admit, I have never heard of Dinkesbühl just until a few weeks ago when we were looking at maps. So happy to have found it though – it is crowned THE BEST OLD TOWN (ALTSTADT) IN GERMANY and it would have really been a shame not to visit it. Despite this title, there seemed to be far less tourists here than in the famous Rothenburg ob der Tauber for example.

This might have had something to do with the weather though. The weather was not exactly on our side here and the rather heavy rain didn´t stop. Anyhow, the short visit was enough for first impressions and we really liked the place.

ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER | the best preserved city walls in Germany and a wonderful town with famous Christmas markets

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This wonderful MEDIEVAL TOWN WITH ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED CITY WALL IN GERMANY (you can also walk on the walls) is one of the most visited cities in the whole country. We could see why, THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF BAVARIA has lots to offer, especially in this holiday times. We felt like giving it a bit more time so we spend a night here in one of the more affordable hotels just outside the city walls (a so-called “Gasthaus” for 75 a night with breakfast).

Besides a very nice OLD PART OF THE CITY, most of which is a PEDESTRIAN ZONE, there are some really great PUBS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, secret PASSAGES and narrow ALLEYS, magnificent TIMBER HOUSES, you can also visit the CITY HALL, CATHEDRAL, lots of MUSEUMS (for example the CRIMINAL MUSEUM or the one of a kind CHRISTMAS MUSEUM). Of course you can´t miss the gorgeous CHRISTMAS MARKETS (which close at 8pm btw!), for special gifts head to the iconic KÄTHE WOHLFAHRT SHOP. All in all a lovely town despite masses of people.

WÜRZBURG | the end of German Romantic Road and a great larger city known for some of the best Universities and vineyards

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The last city we visited on this trip on the German Romantic Road was WÜRZBURG – the well known UNIVERSITY CITY in the middle of dreamy VINEYARD HILLS. No luck with the weather here as well, but the rain didn´t stop us from walking around the OLD TOWN and checking out the MARIENBURG CASTLE and RESIDENTIAL PALACE. Not even so bad for a quick visit.

Of course no December visit to any German town is complete without going to the CHRISTMAS MARKET at MARIENKAPELLE church. A few other things you can see here are the FÜRSTENGARTEN gardens, MAINBRÜCKE BRIDGE, CITY HALL, MUSEUMS and some other CHURCHES. Don´t leave without tasting a glass of the LOCAL WINE, they have one of the best ones in Germany.

And so we were heading back home with yet another great trip behind us and lots of new memories. A bit more than 3 hours later we were already home, grateful we got the chance to visit these places which are really magical in this time of the year. I recommend taking this trip to everyone who is at least a bit interested in history, art and architecture, likes to try out local food and delicacies (including great selection of beers and wines). Must be also very nice in the summer.

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