This is the castle that was the inspiration behind Disney’s Cinderella Castle. The castle is located uphill and attracts its visitors with its magical atmosphere. The surroundings of the castle are also very picturesque and look like something out of a fairy tale.
Grab a cup of coffee at Kaffe Reich and keep wandering around as you wish. You have Bob &Mary (burgers!) and Hausmann’s around the corner when you start to get hungry. Time was on our side with a wine festival taking place at the Ahrweiler Markt, one of the most immaculately maintained old towns I’ve seen in Germany. Of course there were German travelers, but we didn’t hear a drop of English for almost the entire trip. Even as they walked to Kloster Marienthal, a former monastery-turned winery, drinkers and revelers seemed to be left with a local crowd. It felt like we were drinking wine in Provence without the crowds or bloated expectations that come with traveling almost anywhere in France.
Tickets for the cable car cost EUR, depending on the season and the cable car you take. Often considered just a city of scale, Frankfurt is home to a giant exhibition hall, an excellent science museum, and an imposing 14th-century cathedral. It is less expensive compared to other cities in Germany and worth visiting for a day or two. Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony, is a bustling city located on the majestic River Elbe, close to the Czech and Polish borders. During World War II, the city was subjected to one of the most devastating bombings of the war.
However, the city was rebuilt, brick by brick, and today you can once again enjoy the historic glory of the iconic Frauenkirche, zwinger palace and Old Town Square. Visit Rügen in the summer and you’ll even get the chance to enjoy the Baltic sun, even if it’s short-lived. The water will be warm enough for swimming (only!), and the stormy cliffs and spectacular headlands will be perfect for some hiking. Much of the island is protected as part of Jasmund National Park, a vast area of outdoor wilderness with patches of forest that grow into chalk cliffs. A cruise on the Rhine is one of the best things to do in Germany, as few other rivers in Europe are as iconic as this one.
The charming medieval district of Schnoor is a great promenade and there is a beautiful cathedral and a sumptuous town hall on the historic market square. The medieval harbour has become the Schlachte, a large pedestrian promenade along the banks of the River Weser with numerous restaurants, beer gardens and riverboats. Bremen is also home to several fascinating museums, including the Universum Bremen, an interactive science museum in a modern whale-shaped building. The museum also offers a three-hour dining experience at Dining in the Dark, where you’ll learn to experience food with just four of the five senses.
I don’t think I heard an ounce of English during my time in Dresden and walking through the Christmas markets. Less than an hour from Nuremberg, Bamberg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, home to Europe’s largest intact historic wall. Founded in the 9th century, the city was important in both the 12th-century Holy Roman Empire and the 18th-century German Enlightenment. Picturesque Trier is located in the moselle river valley and is the oldest city in the country. With a 2,000-year-old history, Trier was home to six Roman emperors and contains numerous UNESCO Roman ruins.
Other winter festivals are also held here, including the months-long old Fasching Carnival. Held from January to February, locals and visitors take part in fun dances and events that have been held here for centuries. This group of neoclassical-style buildings, considered one of the world’s transcendental museum complexes, sits on the tip of an island in the Spree River. The vastness of the whole ensures that there is something for everyone. Germans like to complain about public transport and this time the Deutsche Bahn was late, but the fact is that Germany has one of the best public transport in the world.
The first time I did some trail running and hiking through the park, including a long run that ended in Schmilka right on the Czech border. They also have a vegetarian Oktoberfest 2023 lasagna that just nails the spot after a long day in the woods. Since we started on the premium trails, we continue with a cry for the Rheinsteig.
With the Rhine Cruise Frankfurt Germany you can capture the breathtaking view of the city. Float in the water with this relaxing river cruise and explore the best of Frankfurt on this well-organized tour. As you travel around the city, hop on hop-off in Frankfurt Germany, get an audio guide in your preferred language, sit back, and listen to interesting details about the city as you travel. Don’t worry about missing the tour bus or not getting a taxi in the city.
Berlin, the historic capital, is Germany’s most visited place, with more than 400 art galleries, 138 museums, tons of city parks and surrounding forests. With the latest mix of history, rich cultural heritage and unlimited natural beauty, Germany is one of the most spectacular tourist attractions. Just walking through the old streets past these beautiful buildings is a timeless experience, especially if it’s the Plönlein, one of the most picturesque places in the city.