Road Trip: Bavarian Countryside and Romantic Road

Wurzburg in Bavaria is the perfect destination for a classy summer holiday. Known for its ornate baroque and rococo buildings, the city lays out a virtual feast for history lovers. Lavish palaces such as the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wurtzburger Residenz, sprawling fortresses and majestic cathedrals recall the glory of its prosperous past. And that’s not all – Wurzburg invites you to sample some of the finest wines of Europe. At this heart of the Franconian wine country, explore scenic vineyards, award-winning cellars, and stylish wine houses. Savor the dry whites this region is famous for, especially when served in the iconic bocksbeutel (bottles with flattened round shapes). The place also attracts visitors keen to check out the laboratory at the University of Wurzburg where Wilhelm Röntgen made his Nobel Prize winning discovery of the X-ray in 1901.

Set out from your hotel on a private walking tour of the old town area in this beautiful city known for its historic landmarks and exquisite architecture. Accompany your local expert over the pedestrian-only Alte Mainbrücke or Old Main River bridge with its statues of a dozen saints. From your vantage spot on the bridge, enjoy gorgeous views of the majestic Fortress Marienberg that served as the former residence of nobility. Saunter along the bridge as you savor delightful glimpses of the baroque Käppele pilgrimage church and the 13th century town hall. Pause to get a better look at the collegiate church of Neumünster situated adjacent to the lovely Lusam Garden and also the bustling Market Square. Proceed walking to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wurzburg Residence, a magnificent building that showcases architectural styles over a period of 500 years. Wander around its sprawling expanse and soak in the rich cultural ambiance before making your way back to the hotel. (Half Day; Time of Day: 1000 – 1500 hrs; Duration: 3 hrs; Private Activity; Fitness Level: Easy; Transfer included; Includes Wurzburg Residence entrance and wine tastings.)

With its cobbled lanes and picturesque houses, Rothenburg ob der Tauber takes you back in time to the medieval ages. Named for the characteristic red color roofs that the city’s homes feature, this charming town is a popular stop when you are traveling down the Romantic Road that winds through the mountains and forests of Bavaria. Home to unique museums such as the one housing a collection of judicial punishments extending back centuries, the doll and toy museum, Christmas museum, and craft houses that showcase the lives of local craftsmen, this ancient town is an explorer’s delight. From strolling down the city wall for some memorable images to wandering the streets in lamplight that gives it a fairy tale ambiance, Rothenburg ob der Tauber ensures that you return home with some cherished memories.

Travel back in history with this exciting night tour of the streets in Rothenburg. Set off from your hotel as you accompany your local expert to the Market Square where you will meet the city’s night watchman. Follow the individual, who seems to have stepped right out of the Middle Ages, as he leads you through the dark alleyways and dimly lit squares. Stop by notable landmarks and listen to the watchman narrate interesting facts and stories about each of these. Imagine the lives of people in medieval times as you walk along, learning about the city’s many secrets. Pause en route to capture stunning images of the popular landmarks that appear quite different in the glow of the night lights. Return to your hotel with memories of a lifetime. (Duration: 1 hr; Private Activity; Fitness Level: Easy; Transfer included; No inside visits included in activity: inside visits can be purchased at guest's expense.)

The Bavarian town of Augsburg is a historic palimpsest come alive. Dating back to 2000 years ago when it was founded by the descendants of Emperor Augustus, Augsburg came into its own in the medieval period as a free city and thriving center of the textile trade. The Fuggerei recalls the colony of medieval craftsmen while Fugger-und-Welser-Erlebnismuseum stands witness to its wealthy banking dynasties. Discover the serene ambience of this university town in its majestic cathedrals and abbeys. Marvel at the grandeur of Renaissance buildings like the Town Hall and the opulence of its Golden Hall. Evenings are the perfect time to stroll along the Mannerist fountains of Maximilianstraße after which you can catch a show featuring Augsburg’s famed puppet theater at the 17th century Heilig-Geist-Spital. Watch the world go by as you sip coffee in the shadow of the iconic Perlachturm watchtower and enjoy a slice of the sinfully rich Zwetschgendatschi, Augsburg’s favorite dessert!

Go back more than 2000 years in time on your tour of Augsburg, the third oldest city in Germany. Marvel at the Renaissance magnificence of the City Hall where the Goldener Sal or Golden Hall drips opulence from its gilded ceilings and brilliant mural. Witness the oldest social housing project in the world at Fuggerei where residents still keep to the timings laid down 500 years ago! Amble down the Maximilianstrasse boulevard as you take in the three exquisitely sculpted Mannerist fountains known as the Augsburger Prachtbrunnen. (Private Activity; Daily; Duration: 2 hrs; Transfer included; Includes entrance to Fuggerei and Goldener Saal)

Füssen is a quaint Bavarian settlement that sits at the southern end of the Romantic Road, one of Germany’s most scenic routes. Located at the northern foothills of the Alps along the turquoise Lech river, and boasting alpine vistas, Füssen is an ideal base to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside. With a pedestrianized old town covered in pastel-colored buildings, and the late gothic-style High Castle looming over Füssen, this romantic town has been captivating visitors for the past 700 years. Located on a busy tourist trail, thanks to the famous castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau nearby, the town offers myriad experiences to keep you occupied for days. Explore lakes, waterfalls, forested mountain trails, and treetop walkways into neighboring Austria! The town is also known for its local violin and lute-making industry. Take the cable car up Mount Tegelberg or a boat cruise on Lake Forggensee for breathtaking panoramas of Füssen.

Enjoy the heritage town of Füssen where medieval churches and castles still whisper of happenings 2000 years ago. Set against the stunning Alps and on the shores of Lake Forggensee, Füssen boasts of a wealth of cultural and historical attractions. Explore the charming old town center known as Schrannenplatz that dates back to 700 years. Witness the grand baroque architecture of St Mang’s Abbey where the oldest fresco in the country can still be seen. Soak in the Gothic grandeur of medieval times with a visit to the Hohes Schloss which houses an arts museum too. After the tour, wind up your medieval journey individually with a visit to the City of Füssen Museum where you can learn all about the tradition of violin and lute making that the city is famous for. (Private Activity; Seasonal, May to October; Transfer included; No inside visits included in activity: inside visits can be purchased at guest's expense.)

The mere mention of Munich and one conjures up images of annual Oktoberfest gatherings where lederhosen and dirndl-clad women serve beer in large tankards! Although beer halls, including the 16th-century Hofbräuhaus and modern open-air beer gardens are commonplace, this wonderful capital of Bavaria that straddles the Isar river in southern Germany has a lot more to offer. Contemporary art quarters, plus automotive and comedy museums, stand next to the world’s best science and technology collections housed in heritage buildings. Explore bronzed cobblestone alleys and converted air-raid bunkers that speak stories of the past. Go back in time at Marienplatz, the city square where the town hall featuring gothic revival architecture showcases a glockenspiel clock in its dramatic façade. And then, there are the spectacular royal palaces of German monarchs, centuries-old churches, and expansive botanical parks that add elegance to Munich’s urban landscape. A sports hub, soccer fans will be delighted to watch matches at Allianz Arena, the home ground of FC Bayern!