Driving Germany’s Romantic Road – Episode 913

Hear about driving the Romantic Road in Germany as the Amateur Traveler talks to Leland and Crissy Walker about their trip through medieval villages, walled towns, thermal spas, and breweries.

Why should you drive the Romantic Road?

Crissy says, ” I would recommend sending someone on the Romantic Road because it’s like stepping back in time. It felt like a fairy tale. I would not have been surprised if I saw the gingerbread man running down the street.”

Leland and Crissy’s recommended itinerary for Germany’s Romantic Road is a one-week journey, traveling from north to south. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their itinerary:

Crissy’s Itinerary PDF

Day 1: Frankfurt to Würzburg

• Arrival in Frankfurt: They recommend spending the first night in Frankfurt after arriving, allowing time to adjust from jet lag.
• Morning in Frankfurt: Visit farmers’ markets to sample local foods like schnitzel with green sauce.
• Drive to Würzburg: Instead of taking the train, they suggest renting a car for the entire trip.
• Würzburg: Visit the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its grand frescoes and beautiful gardens. Crissy highly recommends the English-guided tour at 3 p.m. Afterward, enjoy a glass of Franconian wine at a local winery and take a sunset stroll across the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge), which is lively with locals and tourists.

Day 2: Würzburg to Kreglingen (via Weikersheim)

• Würzburg to Kreglingen: Begin the Romantic Road journey by heading to Kreglingen, where they stayed in the “Slosser Turm” or Locksmith Tower, a charming historical half-timbered structure.
• Weikersheim: Visit the picturesque town of Weikersheim, which includes the impressive Weikersheim Castle.
• Weikersheim Winery: After sightseeing, stop at a local winery to enjoy more Franconian wine.

Day 3: Kreglingen to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

• Breakfast at Tauber Lodge: Have breakfast at the lodge near Kreglingen before heading out for the day.
• Her Gottes Kirche: Visit this church for its intricate wood carvings by Tilman Riemenschneider and its unique barrel-vaulted ceiling.
• Arrival in Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Rothenburg is a highlight of the Romantic Road, a well-preserved medieval town. They recommend spending two nights here to fully experience it.
  • Evening Stroll: After the tour buses leave, explore the town’s charming streets and half-timbered houses.
  • Night Watchman’s Tour: Join the Night Watchman’s Tour, which gives historical insights into Rothenburg’s medieval past, including stories from World War II.

Day 4: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

• Morning in Rothenburg: Walk the town’s famous streets and landmarks like the Plönlein, which is a famous split-street building. They recommend visiting early to avoid the crowds.
• Christmas Store: Visit the renowned Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store and the Christmas Tree Museum if possible.
• Try Schneeballen: Sample the local pastry Schneeballen, though Crissy found it dry, she still recommends giving it a try.

Day 5: Rothenburg to Dinkelsbühl

• Drive to Dinkelsbühl: After leaving Rothenburg, continue the journey along the Romantic Road to Dinkelsbühl, another walled medieval town.
• Visit Sundials: Take a walking tour of the town’s many unique sundials, each different in design.
• Distelhäuser Brewery: Stop at the Distelhäuser Brewery for lunch and enjoy traditional German beer, including Franconian-style lagers.

Day 6: Donauwörth and Augsburg

• Church of the Holy Cross in Donauwörth: Visit the church, known for its Baroque style and relic of the true cross.
• Nördlingen: They spent the night in Nördlingen, a walled town built inside a meteorite crater, with ties to the filming of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
• Thermal Baths: Spend time relaxing at Solimar Thermal Spa in Bad Mergentheim or one of the region’s other spa towns.

Day 7: Neuschwanstein Castle and Füssen

• Visit to Neuschwanstein Castle: While Crissy and Leland did not revisit the castle this trip (having visited before), they recommend seeing it for first-timers. It’s a fairy tale castle and the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
• Hohenschwangau Castle: Also nearby, this was King Ludwig II’s childhood home.
• Schwangau Spa: End the trip with relaxation at the Königliche Kristall-Therme spa, with a view of the castles from the thermal baths.

Final Day: Füssen to Munich

• Fly Out of Munich: They recommend ending the trip in Munich. If visiting during Oktoberfest, spend an extra day enjoying the festival.
• Munich’s Olympic Park Flea Market: If the timing works, visit the flea market at Olympic Park for unique souvenirs like traditional lederhosen.

Notes:

• They emphasize being flexible with stops, as the Romantic Road has 29 official stops, but they visited 13.
• Renting a car is the best way to explore at your own pace, allowing detours to abbeys and local breweries.

Overall, they recommend taking time to enjoy the historic charm, nature, and traditional food and drink of the region.

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Show Notes

Romantic Road
Driving in Germany – 10 Things to Know including German Road Signs
Romantic Road Germany – information, maps and sights
Würzburg Residence
Marienberg Fortress
Romantic Road – from the Main to the Alps: Germany’s Best-known and Most Popular Tourist Route (Tour Guide)
Creglingen
Stuppach Madonna
Bad Mergentheim
Herrgottskirche Creglingen
Virgin Mary’s altar
Romantic Road Travel Guide
Brauerei Gold Ochsen
Romantik Hotel Markusturm, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Schneeball (pastry)
Donauwörth
Nördlingen
Konigliche Kristall-Therme

Community

on Travel to Georgia – Episode 912

A couple of things I would like to share in Georgia.

I don’t even think on the Savannah episode, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force was mentioned.  A couple of National Park Service areas to add include Jimmy Carter National Historical Park and Andersonville National Historic Site.  The first state park in the United States is Indian Springs State Park.  And I’ll add my favorite restaurant in Atlanta, 57th Fighter Group Restaurant, at the Dekalb Airport, filled with military memorabilia.

-Jeff

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