It is perhaps Germany's most famous tourist route: the Romantische Strasse winds through various locations of historical and scenic interest, preserving the romantic charm of a bygone era. A perfect itinerary for Valentine's Day.
Translated into English as the Romantic Road, a route in Germany, it starts from the Main, crosses western Franconia into Swabia, passes through Upper Bavaria and continues all the way to the German Alps. It was "marked out" in 1950 and stands as a classic among Germany's tourist routes. The first stop is Würzburg, the last is Füssen, in the Allgäu. A journey through romantic, historical and timeless atmospheres, perfect for the approaching Valentine's Day.
410 kilometres, 28 destinations to visit and discover: whether you travel it in full or only in part, the Romantische Strasse is an opportunity to experience the real Germany and, in a single trip, to get to know the history, culture and landscapes of no fewer than four different regions. Many people travel it by car, but there are also plenty of tourists who undertake this long itinerary by bicycle. Germany's strong cycling tradition means that the cycle route in question, known as the D9, is an excellent path, especially if tackled during quieter months — spring is best — and certainly not in August, when it is far too busy. With a decent turn of the pedals, it can be completed in four to seven days, and the stages can be very enjoyable if you stay at one of the many accommodation options available: there is something for every budget, from campsites and hostels to luxury hotels. You can also have your bicycles transported by bus for certain stretches in order to complete the entire route in less time; all the information is available here.
The other mode of transport, which offers less independence but certainly more rest, is the bus: you can visit every stop — the Classic tour — or choose tailored packages — Express —; in both cases the vehicle is a vintage model that is itself part of the country's history. At your leisure, you can choose to stop at the vineyards of Franconia to sample wines in the typical round-bellied Bocksbeutel bottle, as well as the crus of the Hohenlohe region (Hohenloher Kreszenzen), or to immerse yourself in art and culture in one of Germany's best-known towns, such as Würzburg, where the Residence of the Prince-Bishops — the monumental baroque palace built by Balthasar Neumann and a Unesco World Heritage Site — is absolutely not to be missed.
To experience the nature of these areas to the full, many choose to go trekking along one of the many trails marked out along the Romantic Road. A classic route, very popular especially among enthusiasts, is the one dedicated to wine: there are many vine-growing areas along the more than 400 kilometres of the Romantische Strasse and several different "bottles" that come from them. Walking the entire itinerary on foot takes quite a few days even for the fittest, but you can consider doing short stretches of 5 or 10 kilometres a day and covering some sections by train as well; the German railways website, also available in Italian, is here.
Every stop is beautiful in its own way, but among the many destinations we recommend not missing Halblech for its natural value: situated in the Ammergebirge national park, it lies in a wide valley and enjoys a spectacular panorama that includes the Alps and four picturesque lakes. With Neuschwanstein Castle, the Wieskirche and Füssen just a stone's throw away, between 800 and 2,100 metres above sea level Halblech offers 200 kilometres of routes to explore by bicycle or on foot, and a cable car to reach the summit of the Buchenberg, where the views and the nature are spectacular. This is where you will be left breathless before the waterfalls.
The town of Weikersheim, meanwhile, as well as being steeped in history, is located in the splendid Tauber valley. The castle of the same name was the seat of the Hohenlohe family and one of the finest Renaissance residences, surrounded by a sumptuous Versailles-style garden that reflects the baroque passion for greenery. A place from another era that exudes charm and beauty, it seems even more enchanting thanks to the area in which it sits. In July, the castle hosts a wonderful music festival that is very well attended by tourists too.