You don't have to travel thousands of kilometers for a dream vacation. Why travel far away when happiness is so close! Save yourself long lines at the baggage claim counter, overpriced hotels in popular vacation destinations, and all the stress beforehand. Grab family and friends, or embark on a solo trip through your hometown. Whether it's the Baltic Sea, the Black Forest, or the mountains—since the coronavirus pandemic, Germans have discovered their own country. We'll tell you how to plan a relaxed road trip through Germany and which destinations will deliver wow moments.

The best way to get around: rental car vs. own car

If you have your own car , you can start planning your road trip. Even without one, nothing stands in the way of a road trip. Research rental car options well in advance. Should it be a campervan or just a small car? Whatever you decide, make sure you have fully comprehensive insurance so you don't have a nasty surprise at the end of your vacation. A small scratch on the car's paintwork can easily happen, and without insurance, you're liable for any damage to the rental car.

If your route is very long, it's worth booking a rental car locally and traveling by train or public transport. This will save you a lot of stress on congested highways.

6 tips for the most beautiful road trip!

Everything starts with good preparation : for ultimate clarity, write a to-do list before your trip. Whether you're traveling by campervan, car, or backpacking, we've compiled the most important items for you on our packing list . This way, you're sure to forget nothing. For a successful road trip, we recommend following these tips:

1. Planning is everything, otherwise you will forget the most important things.
2. A clear packing plan so you can find everything you are looking for later.
3. Have a goal in mind and you will be less stressed.
4. Pack some comfort food for when you get a little hungry between meals.
5. Don't drive too long distances, but divide the route into sections.
6. Take breaks at beautiful places along the way!
7. Do you love to grill? Then our SKOTTI grill is the perfect companion for your road trip. Whether at the beach, at the campsite, or in a beautiful, idyllic spot—grill wherever you want! Just be careful in summer if you're near a forest; grilling is often prohibited there due to the risk of forest fires.

There is no best route!

Whether you've planned two, fourteen, or thirty days for your vacation, there's no such thing as a perfect itinerary. Just make the most of it! We've selected a few ideas for routes within Germany that boast unique natural beauty and culinary delights.

German Wine Route

Cycle along an idyllic, 85-kilometer route through the Palatinate wine-growing region . Start: Schweigen-Rechtenbach, near the German-French border – at the German Wine Gate, and finish: Bockenheim at the House of the German Wine Route. Along the way, you'll encounter miles of vineyards, almond tree avenues bathed in a pink light in spring, romantic towns, picturesque winemakers' houses, and rustic wine taverns for fine dining and wine tasting. Hambach Castle is also worth a visit along the way.

Wine connoisseurs will also find something to their liking in the east: The Saxon Wine Route between Pirna and Diesbar-Seußlitz runs 65 kilometers through light-filled stretches of the Elbe Valley. Enjoy the many wineries and scenic highlights along the way.

German Alpine Road

Another panoramic route for your next vacation is the Alpine Road: guaranteed mountain driving fun. Look forward to a spectacular mountain backdrop with brilliant blue lakes. In addition to the classic road, you can also leave the car at home and go hiking or cycling through the picturesque landscape.

The route starts in Lindau on Lake Constance . A popular holiday destination, you'll definitely want to plan a few days there. In addition to swimming, picturesque old towns like Meersburg and nature for all ages await you. After 484 kilometers, the destination is Schönau am Königssee. Whether alpine meadows, quaint villages, or lake landscapes – everyone will find something to their liking here.

Romantic Road

Attention romantics: marvel at beautiful towns, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural highlights along the 400 kilometers from Würzburg to Füssen in the Allgäu region. Romantic highlights of the route include the idyllic mountain scenery, Neuschwanstein Castle, and medieval castles, but the small inns along the way also invite you to cozy hours and enjoy culinary delights. Whether on foot, by car, or by bus, the route offers many secluded spots.

German Fairy Tale Route

For all fans of the Brothers Grimm, this trip is a dream come true. Following in the footsteps of the brothers and famous fairy tale characters, you'll embark on a journey through time. From Hanau to Bremen, you'll follow the trail of sleeping princesses, wicked stepmothers, and fairytale forests.

The Fairytale Trail winds its way through the country for over 600 kilometers, perfect for a longer vacation with the kids or on your own. This way, you can make plenty of stops along the way and marvel at, for example, Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Hofgeismar.

Magical places for your next road trip

The car is packed and the journey is ready to begin – but wait, something's still missing. The all-important question: Where should you go on vacation? If you long for nature, Germany has a lot to offer. Bavaria, in particular, is home to beautiful lakes that shine a turquoise blue. We'll tell you here which places you can include in your itinerary!

Castles & Palaces

There are numerous castles and palaces to explore in Germany. Magnificent and historic at the same time, they are set in picturesque settings. How about a trip to a medieval castle or a princess's palace?

• Neuschwanstein Castle:
  
  One of the most popular Instagram spots for tourists is on the Marienbrücke bridge, overlooking the castle. Here, fairytales come true: Feel like you're in a Disney movie for a day and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of Neuschwanstein.
• Eltz Castle: Located in Rhineland-Palatinate, the historic Eltz Castle is always worth a visit. If you're traveling through the Moselle Valley, be sure to stop by the castle. A dream come true for hikers: the trail up to the castle takes you through beautiful nature.
• Heidelberg Castle: Visit one of Germany's most famous ruins and the landmark of Heidelberg. From there, you'll enjoy a magnificent view of the city.

Dreamlike lakes

Choose a route past beautiful lakes and enjoy a refreshing swim in the summer or the crystal-clear water in the winter. Germany has a lot to offer when it comes to lakes, so grab your car or van and let's go.

• Eibsee: Whether in winter, with its almost frozen surface, or in summer, it's a magical place to dream away—especially in the winter months, it's less crowded. A detour to the Zugspitze makes this trip perfect.
  
• Walchensee: Be inspired by one of the largest and deepest Alpine lakes. Whether fishing, stand-up paddling, rowing, or swimming – outdoor enthusiasts will find their money's worth here.

Pure nature

Whether forests, bridges, or dreamy landscapes – in our own country, there are natural spectacles as far as the eye can see. Explore the nearby nature by car or from a campsite on foot or by bike.

• Black Forest: The Black Forest is always worth a visit: Take a detour to Freiburg im Breisgau, where you can relax in the stream and then head straight into the Black Forest.
• Moselle Valley: Beautiful landscapes with vineyards and historic towns wind along the Moselle River. In the Moselle Valley, you can visit many castles and palaces and enjoy a glass of wine by the river.
• Rakotz Bridge: If romance is your middle name? Then the Rakotz Bridge is a fantasy come true. Surrounded by a 200-hectare rhododendron park, you'll find not only the stunning bridge but also swarms of butterflies.
• Eifel: Small villages with home-cooked food and phenomenal hiking trails? Nature lovers will find their money's worth in the Eifel. Spend time at Lake Rursee or take a bike ride through the picturesque landscape. A cold beer with a lake view in the evening—what more could you want?

Just go to the sea!

We humans are fascinated by the sea: gazing at the waves for hours and burying our feet in the sand. Even as children, going on a beach vacation with our parents was always a highlight. You don't have to travel far to enjoy a fresh sea breeze, freshly caught fish, and building sandcastles. There are several places in Germany that magically attract water lovers:

• Rügen: Known for its chalk cliffs and countless beaches, the Baltic Sea island of Rügen has a lot to offer tourists. Have you always wanted to take a surfing course? Now's your chance. But there's also plenty to see for those less adventurous.
• Sylt: Vacations on Sylt are absolutely on trend. The Frisian island in the North Sea is perfect for a road trip. If you have more time, you can also explore other islands or the surrounding area. Fresh fish, a sea breeze, and a beach chair – enjoy yourself. And maybe you'll even meet Christian Lindner and his wife – just kidding!
• Wadden Sea World Heritage Site: The Wadden Sea stretches from the Netherlands through Germany to Denmark and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the biodiversity of the North Sea and its ecosystem with its ebb and flow, natural phenomena, and plants.

The most beautiful cities along the way!

In addition to the classic city trip destinations like Hamburg, Munich, and Berlin, there are many historic German cities that you should definitely add to your bucket list. A city trip on your itinerary can be a nice change of pace, but a visit to one of these cities is also an excellent option for a short weekend getaway.

• Heidelberg: Travel to one of Germany's oldest university cities and stroll through the beautiful old town. If you don't have school-age children yet, avoid the high season and spend some relaxing hours by the Neckar River. Also highly recommended: the Christmas market.
• Münster: Münster is also a popular student city; especially during the pre-Christmas season, the historic old town's scent of mulled wine brings a sparkle to visitors' eyes. There are a large number of students here, which means the city boasts a young, hip bar scene.
• Dresden: If you're taking a road trip east, Dresden shouldn't be missed on your route. The rebuilt Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in the old town is a tourist magnet, so be sure to stop by.
• Weimar: This little town simply has charm! If you're already in the Dresden and Erfurt area, a detour to Goethe's favorite city is a stone's throw away. Stroll through the charming old town and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the park.
• Cologne: Climb the steps of the cathedral and enjoy the view of the city. Alternatively, Cologne on the Rhine is a great place to stroll through the alleys of the old town and sip a Kölsch beer at the nearby brewery.

Of course, there's so much more to discover in our beautiful country; new insider tips are constantly emerging. Plan your must-sees for your next road trip with our suggestions, and off you go.

If you want to avoid all the stress of traveling or don't like driving, then take a vacation at home and enjoy some relaxing time with friends and family.