Autumn’s beautiful array of colors – golden yellows, deep reds and bright oranges – are on display in one of the most picturesque places in the world. Prepare to be dazzled by Mother Nature and get ready to embrace autumn’s grandeur in Germany. While known for its beer gardens, fairytale castles, medieval towns and scenic rivers, there’s more to discover as you travel the Romantic Road. Let us introduce you to some unique activities and spectacular foliage viewing points along German hillsides shimmering with the hues of fall.
Fairytale castles
Centuries of history are on display in castles located in bustling cities and quiet river valleys across Germany. From the ruined to the renovated, these structures offer a window into the country’s medieval and renaissance periods. Castle visits in the fall often coincide with local festivals, period reenactments or traditional harvest meals. Located on an island on Lake Schwerin, majestic Schwerin Castle is one of Europe’s most significant works of romantic historicism with a neo-renaissance building serving as today’s regional seat of parliament. Towering above the verdant forest below and surrounded on three sides by the Elzbach River is Castle Eltz. This medieval castle has a multitude of towers, turrets and timber frames and a collection of artifacts that spans eight centuries. Perhaps Germany’s most famous landmark is Neuschwanstein Castle.
This 19th-century palace commissioned by King Ludwig II was the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Experience Berlin
This popular destination is even more attractive in the fall when the summer crowds have thinned and prices drop. Sightseeing in Berlin with a local guide may include a stop at the Brandenburg Gate and a visit to Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Charlottenburg Palace was originally the summer residence of Sophie Charlotte, wife of King Friedrich. Although damaged in World War II, it was rebuilt as a museum to house a lavish collection of royal jewels, important 18th-century paintings and a collection of adornments from the Kingdom of Prussia. Don’t miss the palace’s extensive gardens before moving on. A verdant inner-city park, Tiergarten is an impressive 520 acres of green space filled with trees, paths and ponds reserved for Berliners for almost 500 years. Every season, Berlin hosts 60+ festive Christmas markets with plenty of choices no matter when you visit.
German vintages
There’s nothing more romantic than Germany’s wine regions in the fall. Not only do you avoid the crowds, but the spectacular landscapes of terraced vineyards provide wine enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the region’s best wines – Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir – alongside stunning fall scenery. Take your special someone to see the hillside castles, lush vineyards and storybook villages of Germany’s 13 wine regions. And if your significant other is a foodie, then he or she will enjoy tasting some of the best locally sourced culinary delights. In the fall, visitors get to see wineries in action as they harvest grapes, in addition to wine tastings and vineyard tours. And don’t miss out on soaring to new heights in a romantic balloon ride for a bird’s-eye view of the region’s vineyards. German wine regions also offer hiking and cycling routes to explore the territories even deeper.
European touring
Experience all the attractions and highlights of Germany on a Globus tour. Let Globus handle the details while you sit back, relax and enjoy the entire experience. Globus vets and hand-selects the best hotels around the world to ensure the location, comfort level, customer service and design style is what you expect. On select dates, you may be able to book a small-group package which limits the group to just 24 guests per departure. Get even greater flexibility with Private Touring just for you and your traveling party. Have a dedicated tour director and your own private transportation and driver with a professional local guide, all moving at your pace. With so many ways to customize your German vacation, consult a travel agent to take care of every detail.
– By Jonathan Hermann