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Romantik Road Roadtrip Authentic German Villages & UNESCO Sites

DAY 1,

Arrival in Frankfurt & Drive to Obertrubach via Grube Messel

Welcome to Germany! After landing at Frankfurt International Airport, head to the rental car desks to pick up your vehicle. If time allows, visit the Grube Messel Fossil Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Darmstadt. This ancient volcanic lake bed has yielded some of the most remarkable Eocene-period fossils ever discovered, including tiny ancient horses and the world’s oldest bats. Afterward, continue your journey to Obertrubach in Franconia (approx. 3.5-hour drive). Check in at your local inn and relax for the evening.

DAY 2,

Day Trip to Würzburg

Drive to Würzburg, the northern gateway to the Romantic Road (approx. 1.5 hours). Explore the city’s UNESCO-listed Residenz, one of Bavaria’s most splendid Baroque palaces, and stroll the Old Town for views of vineyards, the Main River, and historic bridges. Cross the Alte Mainbrücke for classic views of the skyline and enjoy a glass of local Franconian wine. Return to Obertrubach in the evening.

DAY 3,

Day Trip to Bamberg

Today, visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Bamberg (approx. 50-minute drive). Famous for its charming medieval architecture, riverside Old Town, and unique smoked beer (Rauchbier), Bamberg escaped major wartime damage and remains a wonderfully preserved city. Discover highlights like the Dom (cathedral), Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall), and the winding alleyways of Little Venice. Return to Obertrubach for a relaxing evening.

DAY 4,

Leisure Day in Obertrubach

Enjoy a day at leisure in the Franconian countryside. You might choose to hike in the nearby Franconian Switzerland nature park, drive scenic local routes, or unwind with a traditional German beer and pretzel in a local Biergarten. This is your day to slow down and enjoy the landscape.

DAY 5,

Obertrubach to Bad Steben via Bayreuth

Depart Obertrubach and make your way to Bad Steben, stopping in Bayreuth along the way (approx. 2-hour total drive). Bayreuth is closely linked to composer Richard Wagner but owes its refined Baroque charm to the 18th-century Markgräfin Wilhelmine. Visit the UNESCO-listed Margravial Opera House, the Neues Schloss, and the peaceful Hofgarten. In the afternoon, continue on to Bad Steben, a spa town where you’ll spend the next few nights.

DAY 6,

Day Trip to Weimar and Naumburg

Take a scenic drive to Weimar, a city rich in intellectual and artistic heritage (approx. 1.5 hours). Discover the world of Goethe, Schiller, Liszt, and Bauhaus pioneers Gropius and Kandinsky. Explore UNESCO-listed sites including the Goethe House and the Bauhaus Museum. Continue on to Naumburg, home to one of Germany’s finest Gothic cathedrals—Naumburger Dom, also a UNESCO site. Return to Bad Steben in the evening.

DAY 7,

Day Trip to the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains)

Today, venture into the Erzgebirge region, known for its traditional wooden crafts and stunning natural beauty (approx. 1.5–2.5-hour drive each way). The Saxon Silver Route weaves through forested hills and former mining towns. Visit artisan workshops, explore charming villages, and, if visiting in December, experience a true German Christmas wonderland. Return to Bad Steben after a full day of exploration.

DAY 8,

Leisure Day in Bad Steben

Take the day to relax and enjoy the spa town atmosphere of Bad Steben. Explore local walking trails, book a wellness treatment, or simply enjoy a relaxing day in a café with a view. This is a great time to reflect on the journey and recharge before the return to Frankfurt.

Day 9,

Return to Frankfurt via the Rhine Gorge

Begin your journey back to Frankfurt (approx. 3-hour drive), with a scenic detour through the Rhine Gorge if time allows. Stop in charming villages like Rüdesheim or St. Goar, marvel at vineyards clinging to steep slopes, and enjoy one last taste of German wine culture in a traditional Weinstube. Depending on flight times, consider adding an overnight in Frankfurt before departure.

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