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The Romantic Road is a tourist route that stretches through southern Germany between Würzberg and Füssen. One of the most popular trips for people visiting the country, some visitors choose to explore certain sections in depth whilst others aim to discover the entire 220 miles of historic towns, beautiful landscapes and traditional heritage.
Here are a few things you might not know about the Romantic Road.
The route has only been officially marked out since the 1950s. The name makes it sound as though there is a rich history behind the highway but in reality it was used as a marketing attempt to bring more people to Germany. However, whilst the route itself is relatively young, the towns and cities along it have stories going back hundreds of years.
The ploy to attract more tourists definitely worked as visitors flock here from all over the world. The signs along the route are even written in Japanese due to the large numbers of Far Eastern travellers who enjoy the trail.
Many of the sights along the Romantic Road are listed in the top 100 things to see in Germany - an annual poll compiled by the German Tourism Board and voted for by foreign visitors. These include Neuschwanstein Castle (Number 4) and Rothenburg's old town (number 5).
There are many ways to travel up and down the route including cycling and walking. There are also buses that run daily from Würzburg to Füssen and vice versa, taking in Frankfurt and Munich along the way too.
As well as the famous sights such as castles and medieval towns, there are a few quirky places to visit too. One such example is the Ries Crater Museum just outside Nordlingen. The exhibits include meteor fragments and a genuine piece of moon rock which was a gift from NASA.
Along the Romantic Road, you will find many different culinary delicacies that are associated with the various towns. One sweet treat that you should definitely try is known as a Schneeball (snowball) and is eaten in the area around Rothenburg ob der Tauber. These balls of delight are made of deep-fried shortcrust pastry which is then finished with a dusting of sugar or glazed with chocolate.
The people of Augsburg have more official holidays than residents of any other city in Germany. This is the only town in the country to have their own legal holiday and anyone visiting on August 8th can join in the celebrations for Augsburger Hohes Friedensfest.
Pfaffenwinkel is an area that is home to a high number of religious buildings. As well as the glorious countryside views over the rolling hills, people make pilgrimages from far and wide to see the Wieskirche (found near Steingaden) along with other churches and monasteries.
When starting (or finishing) your trip in Würzburg, be sure to taste some of the delicious wines for which the city is now famous.
Neuschwanstein Castle, a highlight on the route, is said to have inspired Sleeping Beauty's castle which sits in the centre of Disneyland.
The Romantic Road is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to see some of Germany's most charming towns and popular sights in one trip. We can tailor-make your holiday so that it includes all the places you wish to visit. Contact us today for more details.
