DAY 1
Speyer and the German Wine Road
Start at Speyer’s UNESCO-listed cathedral, then follow the Deutsche Weinstrasse through vineyard villages, stopping for a long lunch on a garden terrace. End in Bad Dürkheim; in September, it hosts the Wurstmarkt, the world’s largest wine festival. Order a Rieslingschorle like the locals.
DAY 2
Heidelberg to Rothenburg
Heidelberg’s old bridge and hilltop castle, home to the Great Barrel, the largest wine barrel ever filled. Then onto the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most picture-perfect walled town in Europe.
DAY 3
Nuremberg and a castle hotel
Nuremberg’s market square, then the Documentation Center at the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds, a powerful history lesson. Spend the night in a 13th-century castle turned hotel, overlooking the valley.
DAY 4
The Romantic Road south
Walled Dinkelsbühl, then Nördlingen, Harburg and Augsburg, through tiny villages and countryside. Sleep at a monastery brewery hotel in Irsee and drink what they make.
DAY 5
Neuschwanstein and Andechs
Tour Hohenschwangau, where King Ludwig II grew up, and Neuschwanstein, the castle that inspired Disney’s. Walk to Mary’s Bridge for the classic view, then warm up with a dunkel and a giant pretzel at the Andechs monastery beer hall. Stay in the brewing village of Aying.
DAY 6
Dachau and Munich
A guided tour of the Dachau memorial, sobering and essential, then a final toast at Munich’s Hofbräuhaus before flying home.
