Europe's Country Roads
Free Travel Advice for Independent Travelers
Who Want to Lose the Crowds and Have Unique Travel Experiences
The people you meet, not the sights you see, create unforgettable travel memories.
Don't Miss these Unspoiled Home BaseGerman Villages
Möckmühl is a delightful, unspoiled medieval walled village with a castle, and without mobs of tourists. It is located east of Heidelberg on the Jagst River. We enjoyed a very peaceful Sunday morning strolling the largely vacant streets listening to the church bells. The shops were closed, but the bakery was open. The owner was a one-man chamber of commerce explaining the many virtues of his picturesque village. Please consider Möckmühl as an alternative to the touristy and overcrowded Rothenburg. Click or tap here for details.
Miltenberg on the Main River is just SE of Frankfurt, and it is an excellent first stop after arriving at the Frankfurt airport. We were lucky enough to be there when the whole town showed up to watch and help with the raising of the Maypole, including a beer tent, wurst stand, and an 0om-pah band. If you are anywhere in Germany at the start of May, you can witness this annual event in almost every small village.
Oberhamersbach in the Black Forest is an excellent home base for exploring the northern part of the Black Forest. The, not to be missed, Black Forest open-air museum in Gutach, a glass blowing factory in Wofach, and the Black Forest folk dress museum in Haslach are nearby, just to mention a few.
On the Neckar River east of Heidelberg, Bad Wimpfen is a "must see" country road village. The view from the top of the Blauer Turm (Blue Tower) is incredible. But be aware. After climbing the steps, you must pay to get out on the viewing platform. Please consider the Neckar River, between Heidelberg and Bad Wimpfen, as a less touristy alternative to the overpriced and crowded Rhine River. Click or tap here for details.
Gengenbach is one of the most beautiful villages in the northern Black Forest. It has a superb Christmas market in front of its town hall, the windows of which become a huge Advent Calendar. In addition to a maginficient church, Gengenbach has three medieval towers, the Schwedenturm, Kinzigtorturm, and Obertorturm. It is also known for a small alley full of half-timber houses, the Englegässle (Angel Alley). I had best ham and cheese on a baguette I have ever eaten served by the bakery fronting the market plaza.
Schwäbisch Hall is a medium size (37,000 population) country road town NE of Stuttgart. While there are several interesting sights in town, we spent most of our time touring the scenic and history filled rural area north of the Schwäbisch Hall. We loved the fortified towns of Waldenburg and Langenburg. There is also a monastery at Schöntal, the Hohenlohe open-air museum at Wackerhofen, and palace at Neuenstein.
Coming Soon:
Dahn in the Rhineland-Palatinate
Fischen and Oberstdorf in the Allgäu
Martin Luther country: Erfurt, Wittenberg, Eisleben, and Eisenach
Burghausen, home of Europe's longest castle, 1 km long.
Swabian Alps home of the mighty Hohenzollern Castle and Zwiefalten baroque church and monastery
And much more!