Posted on Monday, 26 October 2020

Note: At time of writing UK residents must self isolate after entering Germany, but NOT when they return to the UK. You must also take a Covid-19 test and notify the local German health authority of your place of residence/accommodation. However, rules may change with little notice. More information from the FCDO here.

If you love road trips, then Germany is the place for you. With the colder weather of autumn and early winter on the way, hopping into a hire car (or bringing your own) is a great way to see the many sights while staying warm. What's more, visiting now means you won't experience the mass of tourists that descend during (a non-Covid) summer.

Expect medieval castles, picturesque villages, unspoilt countryside, and lots of food and wine to try along the way.

And at time of writing, you won't need to self-isolate when returning to the UK from Germany (only when you arrive). The country's exemption from restrictions by UK authorities also means you can take out travel insurance.

Romantic Road

The Romantische Straße covers 261 miles and was first sold as a tourist draw by English speaking travel agents back in the 1950s. Today it's as popular as ever and famed for its Franconia wine, idyllic Bavarian countryside, and the picture-postcard castle of Neuschwanstein.

Other famous destinations along the Romantic Road include the Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the Castle Hotel of fabulous Colmberg, and Würzburg with its Residenz, along with pretty half-timbered houses and the occasional monastery.

There are plenty of hotels and guest houses along the route.

Airports: starting in the north - Frankfurt International Airport. Starting in the south - Munich International Airport.

Fairy Tale Road

Beginning in the town of Hanau where the Brothers Grimm were born, the Fairy Tale Road takes in all the towns and villages where the famous pair studied and worked.

Here you can see the tower from which Rapunzel let down her hair, take a stroll in Little Red Riding Hood's forest, and explore Sleeping Beauty's castle.

As you might expect from the home of so many captivating children's tales, the entire route is family-friendly, with activities that include puppet shows, concerts and magical parades. If you visit in December you can enjoy the many Weihnachtsmärkte (Christkindlesmarkt) - Christmas markets - open their stalls and sell fruit jams, brandies, ornaments, garlands, mulled wine and much more.

Nearest airport: Hahn Airport or Frankfurt International Airport

Castle Road

This epic 625-mile route starts in Mannheim and ends in Prague in the Czech Republic. It's a windy series of backroads that are well-signposted. However, it's a good idea to plan your trip before you arrive. The excellent Burgenstrasse website will prove invaluable in researching how far to travel each day, and where to stay each night.

As the name suggests, you'll see a lot of castles on this route, including fully-restored fortresses and tumbledown ruins. You'll even find castles that have been turned into hotels. With more than 70 castles and palaces along the way, you have many to choose from.

Note: entry to Czech Republic for tourism purposes is not permitted at present time: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/czech-republic/entry-requirements

Nearest airport: Frankfurt International Airport

Wine Road

This 50-mile stretch is Germany's oldest established road trip route. It kicks off in Germany's southwest,and takes in the nation's largest wine growing area - all the way to the border with France.

The Romans were the first to start cultivating wine here - beginning a tradition that the Germans have perfected.

In autumn the area plays host to a number of wine festivals and farmer's markets, where the climate is so sunny that figs and kiwis can grow (not in November, though!).

Highlights include Bad Dürkheim, a spa town with the world's largest wine barrel (44 million gallon capacity!); Deidesheim with its fascinating wine museum; and Hambacher Castle - known as the cradle of German democracy.

Nearest airport: Frankfurt International Airport

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