The Romantic Route - Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

This journey was about choosing the quieter roads. Instead of Berlin or Munich, we turned toward southern Germany’s borders, where towns feel smaller, streets feel slower, and beauty hides in details. Half-timbered houses, old town squares, castles on hills, and rivers cutting through postcard-perfect scenery.

This was a route built on boutique stops, not big cities. The kind of trip where you walk more than you plan, get lost on purpose, and let each town surprise you.

Day 1 - Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Würzburg, Bamberg

Our first stop was Rothenburg ob der Tauber—and yes, that was the name. A town that feels like it stepped straight out of a fairytale. Green everywhere, colorful houses, and a perfectly preserved medieval atmosphere.

We wandered through the old town, stopping by the Christmas Market Museum, where it somehow feels festive no matter the season. We walked past the main square, admired the city walls and castle-like structures, and climbed up to Markusturm (Markus Tower) for views over the rooftops and surrounding greenery. Rothenburg is incredibly lush and green, with views that make you slow down without realizing it.

And of course, we tried the town’s famous treat: the Schneeballen—those snowball-shaped pastries that look intimidating but are impossible to resist. Crispy, sweet, and very Rothenburg.

Later that same day, we took a bus to Würzburg. Elegant and slightly more grand in atmosphere, Würzburg felt like a gentle shift. We visited the stunning Würzburg Residence, with its impressive architecture and gardens, then made our way up to the fortress, taking in views of the city and the river below. We also walked across the famous bridge, where Würzburg shows off its charm best.

By evening, we arrived in Bamberg, and it instantly became a favorite. The narrow streets, the Old Town, and that quiet, lived-in beauty made it feel special. We wandered through the historic center, visited the cathedral, and stopped by Altes Rathaus, sitting dramatically in the middle of the river—one of those places you don’t forget once you’ve seen it.

In the evening, we fully leaned into classic German cuisine. Dinner was a traditional German meat platter—pork cuts, sausages, and rich flavors—paired with a smoked beer. Bold, intense, and surprisingly fitting, it felt like an introduction to Bamberg’s beer culture, where smoked beer isn’t just a drink, but a local identity.

The Rosengarten behind the Neue Residenz felt like a hidden pause—roses, views over Bamberg, and a soft ending to a very full day. Three towns, three very different moods—all in one day.

Day 2 - Heidelberg and Strasbourg

Day 2 took us to Heidelberg, a city that feels soft, intellectual, and effortlessly romantic. We started by wandering through the Old Town, where pastel-colored buildings line narrow streets and the atmosphere feels calm but alive. The cathedral stands quietly among cafés and bookstores, perfectly blending into the city rather than dominating it.

One of the highlights of the day was taking the funicular up to Heidelberg Castle. As we climbed higher, the views over the city and the river slowly opened up—and once inside, the castle itself was even more impressive than expected. We explored it in detail: courtyards, walls, ruins, and viewpoints that make you feel like you’re standing inside a painting. The combination of history, greenery, and panoramic views made it unforgettable.

Back down in the city, we stopped by a Heidelberg pastry shop and tried the famous Bee Sting cake (Bienenstich)—soft layers, cream filling, and that slightly caramelized almond topping. Simple, classic, and very satisfying.

For lunch, we did what you have to do in Germany: döner. Casual, filling, and surprisingly good—sometimes the best meals really are the simplest ones.

We spent the rest of our time enjoying Heidelberg Bridge and the riverbanks, walking slowly, sitting by the water, and letting the city show itself without rushing. Heidelberg has a quiet charm—it doesn’t try to impress you loudly; it just stays with you.

Later in the day, we boarded our bus once again and crossed the border into France, arriving in Strasbourg—and instantly, everything changed.

Strasbourg felt magical from the very first step. The architecture, the colors, the half-timbered houses, the canals—it all felt unreal. Walking through the city felt like moving through a storybook. Flower-filled balconies, wooden beams, reflections dancing on the water—every corner was impossibly beautiful.

The city’s cathedral, often compared to Notre Dame, rose dramatically above the rooftops. Detailed, intricate, and powerful, it completely dominated the skyline. Standing in front of it, you can’t help but stop and stare—it feels both delicate and overwhelming at the same time.

We wandered through La Petite France, where canals weave through narrow streets and old houses lean gently toward the water. At every turn, there were carousels spinning, adding a whimsical, almost dreamlike feeling to the city. Lights reflected on the canals, people walked slowly, and Strasbourg felt warm, romantic, and timeless.

Strasbourg wasn’t just beautiful—it was enchanting. A city that feels gentle and grand all at once, blending French elegance with fairytale charm.

Crossing borders, changing languages, and ending the day somewhere this magical made Day 2 feel unforgettable.

Day 3 - Colmar and the Rhine Falls

On Day 3, before returning to Strasbourg, we made our way to Colmar—and the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into an animated film. If Beauty and the Beast had a real-life setting, this would be it. Colorful half-timbered houses, flower-filled balconies, canals reflecting pastel façades… everything felt carefully painted, almost unreal.

Walking through Colmar felt slow by default. Narrow streets opened into tiny squares, each one more charming than the last. The houses leaned gently toward the water, flowers spilling from windows, colors glowing under soft daylight. Little Venice (La Petite Venise) was especially magical—boats gliding quietly, water so still it mirrored the buildings perfectly. It didn’t feel like a city you visit; it felt like a place you wander through with no intention of leaving.

Colmar was delicate, romantic, and impossibly pretty—the kind of beauty that makes you smile without realizing it.

From there, we continued our journey with a day trip into Switzerland, heading toward Schaffhausen and the famous Rhine Falls. A big part of the day was spent on the road—but honestly, it never felt wasted. Watching the scenery change through the windows was an experience on its own. Rolling hills, open fields, forests, and villages passing by quietly. Sometimes travel is less about the destination and more about watching the world move.

And then came the water.

The Rhine Falls were powerful in a way that photos can never fully capture. The water was incredibly clear, rushing forward with force, sound echoing through the air. Standing there, you feel small—but in the best way. The river didn’t just flow; it thundered. Mist rose into the air, sunlight catching it just right, creating moments that felt almost cinematic.

We stood there for a long time, just watching. The constant movement of the water, the strength, the endless flow—it was grounding and overwhelming all at once. Nature reminding you how alive everything is.

By the time we made our way back, tired but full, the day felt rich despite all the movement. Fairytale streets in the morning, raw nature by the afternoon—a contrast that somehow worked perfectly.

Day 4 - Füssen and Salzburg

We crossed back into Germany and headed to Füssen, a place that feels like it was designed for daydreaming. Surrounded by mountains, lakes, and castles, Füssen instantly slowed everything down.

We spent time around Alpsee and Forggensee, where the water was calm, clear, and almost unreal in color. Reflections of the Alps shimmered on the surface, and everything felt quiet in that soft, postcard-perfect way. Walking along the lakeside paths, it felt impossible to rush—this was a place meant for lingering.

From Füssen, we took a shuttle up toward the castles, watching the landscape slowly rise and change as we climbed. Above us, Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle appeared like something out of a storybook—towering, dramatic, and perfectly placed against the mountains. Whether seen from afar or up close, they completed the scene, making Füssen feel timeless and deeply romantic in the most classic sense.

As the day moved on, we continued east and crossed into Austria, arriving in Salzburg by evening. Elegant, musical, and softly glowing, Salzburg welcomed us with a different kind of charm.

We wandered around the Hohensalzburg Fortress, taking in sweeping views over the city, then visited Mozart’s birthplace, a quiet reminder of how deeply music is woven into Salzburg’s identity. Later, we walked along the Salzach River, letting the evening unfold slowly—lights reflecting on the water, the city calm and graceful.

Day 5 - Hallstatt and a Soft Goodbye

Our final day was all about Hallstatt—and honestly, there couldn’t have been a more fitting ending to this journey.

Hallstatt felt unreal from the very first moment. Tucked between towering mountains and a perfectly still lake, the village looked like it belonged in a painting rather than real life. The water was so calm it reflected everything twice—houses, mountains, sky—blurring the line between what was real and what was mirrored.

We walked slowly along the lake, letting the silence do most of the talking. Wooden houses lined the shore, flower-filled balconies adding soft color, while the mountains stood tall behind them, quiet and protective. Every step felt intentional, as if the place itself was asking us not to rush.

The narrow paths, the gentle sounds of water, the soft light resting on rooftops—Hallstatt didn’t overwhelm us. It comforted us. After days filled with movement, borders, and endless discovery, this was a pause. A moment to simply be.

Later that day, with this final image still fresh in our minds, we made our way to Vienna—not to explore, but to catch our flight and complete the journey. Bags packed, cameras full, and hearts quietly satisfied.

Some trips end with noise and rush.
This one ended with still water, mountains, and silence.

And that felt just right.