1. Michelstadt
2. Bad Reichenhall
3. Idstein
4. Oberammergau
5. Landsberg am Lech
6. Baden-Baden
7. Coburg
8. Sankt Goar
9. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
10. Maulbronn
11. Tegernsee
12. Eisenach
13. Fussen

While on a recent trip to Frankfurt I was lucky enough to come across Michelstadt. About 45 minutes outside of Frankfurt, Michelstadt is a town so chocolate-box and perfect it almost doesn’t seem real.  Walking into the main square is like stepping back in time. In the middle stands the most picturesque Rathaus I have ever seen that dates back to 1484 and is still standing with its original timber facade. It is surrounded by historic half-timbered houses and in front is a fountain straight out of a fairytale.

This ornate Marktbrunnen (market fountain) was erected in 1575 and a statue of the archangel Michael stands on a column above the fountain.

Whilst this village is pretty small it is filled with quaint shops and your choice of gorgeous cafes to sit and while away a few hours. The town also has its own brewery and a hotel where the famous German actress Jessica Schwarz grew up. There is plenty to do and if I had more time here I would certainly be signing up for the Labsal cooking school.

Michelstadt is one of the oldest settlements in the inner Odenwald. Its castle grew out of a Frankish baronial estate which was then built into a refuge for the local inhabitants.  Michelstadt is a town housed within city walls that still stand to this day. In the 17th century, the first houses were built outside the protective walls and a large farming community was established. The completion of a railway to Darmstadt brought a strong economic boom for Michelstadt but still, this town has never lost its original charm.

Idstein, in Hessen

By Lorelei from CaliforniaGlobetrotter

If you’re looking for the cutest day trip from Frankfurt, look no further than Idstein, a picturesque half-timbered town in the heart of the Taunus region in Hesse. Trade in the busy cement jungle of Frankfurt for peaceful, cobble-stoned alleys lined with charming half-timbered houses in a variety of colors, decorated with welcoming floral décor.

Located along the Deutsches Fackwerkstrasse (German Half-timber Framed Road), the idyllically small town is probably best known for the notorious 17th-century witch trials that took place here, condemning 35 women and 8 men of witchcraft before being sent to their deaths. One of the main attraction, though named “Witches’ Tower” actually has nothing to do with the trial, but be sure to ask for the key to the tower should you so desire to climb higher!

Despite the town’s infamous past, a bewitching spell will come over you as you wander the streets, keeping an eye out for “Fright Heads” to ward off evil spirits or being absolutely charmed by “Das Schiefes Haus” (The Leaning House) with its dark blue, black and orange façade next to the Red Town Hall. Hang out in the main square, König-Adolf-Platz and admire the Killingerhaus, one of Germany’s most important half-timber framed houses, or simply enjoy an ice cream!

Oberammergau, in Bavarian Alps

 

Landsberg am Lech, Bavaria

Coburg, Germany

Sankt Goar is a small town located on the Rhine River in Germany. Having sparked our interest as we passed it on a scenic train ride through the area, we decided to return for a proper visit, this time by boat. Our ferry trip took us from Mainz to Sankt Goar one sunny day in July.

Though you can take a longer cruise, Sankt Goar is a popular stop. Its location is particularly picturesque, surrounded by craggy hills (including the famous Loreley) and castles. Rheinfels Castle (or what remains of it) stands above the town. It’s the biggest castle overlooking the Rhine, and actually once covered five times its current area.

You can get to it by walking (or driving) up to a pretty big hill. The rest of the town of Sankt Goar is quite lovely, although small. We spent about an hour walking through it and admiring the view around us from the banks of the river. Sankt Goar also offers great shopping and is particularly well-known for its selection of traditional cuckoo clocks and beer steins.

There are a few places to eat in Sankt Goar, and most cater to the day-trip tourists stopping by on ferry or cruise tours. We enjoyed a tasty, inexpensive pizza lunch at Pizzeria Alla Fontana. It’s on a quiet street and if the weather is cooperating, we’d recommend trying to snag a table outside where you can enjoy your peaceful, small-town German surroundings.

Maulbronn

By Michael Turtle from Time Travel Turtle

The small town of Maulbronn is defined by the monastery that has existed here for almost 900 years. Back when it was founded in 1147 – and for many centuries afterward – Maulbronn Monastery WAS the town.

It isn’t just a single building, it is an entire complex. As well as the main church and the residential area for the monks, over the years dozens of buildings were added like barns, workshops, entertainment halls and offices. Between the buildings was farmland with crops and animals.

Around all of this is a fortified wall with turrets. The Middle Ages were dangerous times and Maulbronn Monastery would come under attack so the idea was to make it defendable and self-sufficient.

All of this has been preserved and these days it’s open to the public. Maulbronn Monastery has been declared a World Heritage Site because of how important it was and how well it has been looked after.

Although there’s not much else to see in Maulbronn, it can take a while to explore everything in the monastery complex. There are also restaurants and places to relax within the compound so it’s more than just a historical site. For other dining options, there are a few restaurants and cafes in the center of town, less than 10 minutes’ walk away.

Getting there by public transport is relatively easy. The best way is to catch the train to Mühlacker and then take bus number 700 to the site, which takes about 20 minutes.

The German town of Tegernsee is almost too pretty to be real. Set in the Bavarian Alps, Tegernsee is best known for its crystal clear lake and mountain trails.

Although the town is just an hour by train from Munich, it’s an escape from everything urban. In summer, stroll through lush meadows or take a sailing course on Tegernsee Lake. In winter, you can hike through snow-covered forests and warm up in one of the mountain restaurants. A Christmas market lights up the southern end of the lake in December, while Tegernsee Valley Mountain Bike Festival comes to the area each June.

Tegernsee originated around the Benedictine Abbey of Tegernsee, which was constructed in 746. But today, this Bavarian town is an idyllic wellness destination. Luxury hotels dot the lakeshore and all of them have impressive spa facilities. You can book day spa passes, beauty treatments, and organize consultations with health professionals.

If luxury hotels aren’t for you, consider an authentic farmhouse stay in the valley. Staying in a farmhouse is a wonderful way
to experience Bavaria’s outdoorsy way of life. But no matter where you stay, you can expect to breathe crisp, mountain air, eat farm-fresh food, and relax in comfort.

Eisenach, in Thuringia

By Corinne Vail from Reflections Enroute

Eisenach, located in the state of Thuringia in central Germany, is a small town that packs a lot of punch. Known worldwide for its role in Reformation history because Martin Luther was forced into confinement there and translated much of the New Testament into German during that time. He lived in Wartburg castle at the top of the hill overlooking the town for almost one year.

The castle also holds the title of the first one in Germany to receive world heritage status from UNESCO in 1999. It is open all year round with an English tour offered at 1:30 each day.

The area around Eisenach is popular with hikers and outdoor adventure enthusiasts, with many people heading to the dramatic Dragon Gorge. With such grand scenery, it’s easy to skip the man-made sights nearby, but this would be a mistake. The town of Eisenach itself is well worth a stop, with it’s gated entry and classic mix of medieval, Gothic, and Baroque architecture.

Visits to the Luther and Bach museums can keep you busy most of the day. While you’re there, however, be sure and try out the famous Thuringer Rostbratwurst, or sausages. These deliciously flavored wursts are the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter day shopping at the towns charming little Christmas market.

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