Romantik Hotel Florhof in the Swiss city of Zurich

This Romantik Tour starts in Switzerland and takes you to the German North and Baltic Sea coast.

Starting point is the Romantik Hotel Florhof in the Swiss city of Zurich. Take the chance and stroll along the Bahnhofsstraße, one of the most beautiful shopping areas in Europe.

Go up the hill with the Polybahn, a funicular railway, and enjoy the amazing view on the old town from the terrace at the university.

And did you know that Zurich has the highest number of swimming facilities of any town in Europe, among them various river and sea baths?

An impressive nature spectacle is the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen.

Every second 700,000 litres of water fall over the 150 m wide cliff, which is 23 m high. Whether from one of the amazing viewing platforms or from one of the boats going close up to the waterfall – it is an unforgettable experience, during which you can easily understand the power of water.

From the Romantik Hotel Florhof you continue your travel for 186 km (driving time: approximately 3 hours, 43 minutes) to the Romantik Hotel Zur Oberen Linde in Oberkirch.

It is just a stone’s throw across the Rhine to the capital of the Alsace, to Strasbourg. Take a walk through the well preserved old town to the Romantik Hotel Beaucour and enjoy culinary specialities like sauerkraut, Tarte Flambee and Baeckeoffe. The writer Victor Hugo called the Strasbourg Cathedral "a marvel in gigantism and finesse". Take some time to visit the master piece of the Gothic era.

A further impossible to miss trip destination from Oberkirch is the Black Forest. The highest mountain in the northern region is the Hornisgrinde, where visitors walk on planks across the highmoor. At the foot of the mountain lies the Mummelsee, the setting for various myths.

From Oberkirch the tour continues passing the Romantik Hotel Walk’sches Haus in Weingarten to the 190 km off (driving time: approximately 3 hours, 40 minutes) Romantik Hotel Zur Krone in Laudenbach/Main, close to the cities of Frankfurt and Aschaffenburg.

For many people Frankfurt, sometimes called "Mainhattan", is just the site for various banks and insurrances and an accumulation of fascinating skyscrapers. But for example the "Museumsufer", Museum Embankment, is one of the most important locations for museums in Germany.

 

Whether it is the fine art museum Städel, the German Architecture Museum or the sculpture collection at the Liebieghaus – the exhibitions attract great attention and visitors from near and far.

One of the big sport events that put Frankfurt into the focus of worldwide attention is without question the Ironman triathlon – this year on July 5th. It is an unforgettable moment for athletes and viewers alike to experience the finish on the central square "Römerberg".

Another worthwhile destination from Laudenbach is Aschaffenburg.

Because of the mild climate the city is called "Bavarian Nice" and is because of its location worth some pictures. Take a walk high up along the Main river from the impressive building of the castle Johannisburg to the Pompejanum and enjoy the view from one of the many benches.

Over 176 km (driving time: approximately 3 hours, 3 minutes) the journey takes you to the Romantik Hotel Sächsischer Hof in Meiningen.

The Meiningen theatre is thought to be the cradle of the still practised director’s theatre, a style of theatre made famous at the end of the 19th century with various guest performances all over Europe. Take a deep breath in this very special theatre ambiance that famous directors and actors enjoy as well.

A highlight of a very different kind is the Rhoen. The low mountain range with its many castles and remains invites visitors on extensive tours of discovery. Whether by bike, on foot, by canoe or by paraglider – there is a lot of nature to be discovered. The memorial "Point Alpha" commemorates the changeful history of the region. Here close to the boarder to the German Democratic Republic one of four US cold war observation posts was located. Today visitors can dig deep into the history of the two Germanies.

The Romantik tour continues over 144 km (driving time: approximately 2 hours, 31 minutes) to the Romantik Hotel Gebhards in Goettingen. A tour of the traditional university town should always include a visit to the historical city hall with its impressive painted hall, a look at the gorgeous carvings at the Junkernschänke and a stop at the "four churches view".

The Harz and especially its highest mountain, the Brocken, is thought to be a meeting place for witches. Not just at Walpurgis Night myths and fairytales and their characters play a central role in this region. So it is no surprise that the "Harzer-Hexen-Stieg” is one of the most popular hiking trails in the low mountain region and was chosen by experts as the most beautiful hiking trail in Germany 2008. The jury justified its decision with the fact that the trail combines nature, culture and history to give a unique holistic experience.

From Goettingen the Romantik tour continues over 180 km (driving time: approximately 3 hours, 25 minutes) to Niemeyer’s Romantik Posthotel in Fassberg/Mueden.

Still occupied monasteries like the Wienhausen Abbey, a jewel of Low German Brick Gothic and the art of half-timbered building, unusual museums like the desk and pinfeather museum in Schneverdingen, and a broad range of recreational opportunities from barefoot hiking trails to zoos make the Lueneburg Heath one of the best-loved German holiday regions.

To get a glimpse at the material that made Lueneburg rich you have to visit the German Salt Museum. The exhibition covers the economical as well as health and cultural aspects of salt. Take a stroll through the picturesque old town where the splendour of the former prosperity of the Hanseatic city is still visible.

Romantik Hotel Namenslos & Fischerwiege in the seaside resort Ahrenshoop.

The Romantik tour turns into an easterly direction and takes you over 285 km (driving time: approximately 4 hours, 54 minutes) to the Romantik Hotel Namenslos & Fischerwiege in the seaside resort Ahrenshoop.

The picturesque artist colony is home to many thatched houses and the landscape facinated the painters already 100 years ago. In Ribnitz-Damgarten the German Amber Museum is located with an extensive collection about the "gold of the North". Get enchanted by the magnificent inclusions and the artificial filigree.

In Stralsund tourists can visit the German Oceanographic Museum, the largest science museum in the North of Germany. Housed in a former monastery vivid exhibits are displayed and the many living animals are the most attractive to young and old visitors. By the way, the "Bismarckhering" (pickled herring) was "invented" here – so this ist he place to try this delight.

From Ahrenshoop the tour continues over 94 km (driving time: approximately 1 hour, 43 minutes) to Bergen on the island of Ruegen to the Romantik Hotel Kaufmannshof. Since 1993 the story of Klaus Störtebeker comes alive on the open air stage at Ralswiek each summer. From June 20th to September 5th, 2009 more than 150 actors, 4 ships and 30 horses will make for an unforgettable experience.

Cape Arkona is the famous cliff line of Rügen and is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Beside wind and waves you will also find two bunker, one of them housing an interesting collection on the history of the NVA (Nationale Volksarmee), the National People’s Army of the German Democratic Republic.

From Rügen the Romantik tour continues in an eastern direction over 132 km to Usedom (driving time: approximately 2 hours, 8 minutes).

Here you have the choice between the Romantik Strandhotel Atlantic in the seaside resort Bansin, the Romantik Hotel Esplanade in the seaside resort Heringsdorf and the Romantik Seehotel Ahlbecker Hof in the seaside resort Ahlbeck.

The three villages are called "Kaiserbaeder" – "emporer’s baths" – because of their past. Today they impress with a nearly completely preserved architecture from the turn 19th, 20th century typical for seaside resorts, which is unique in its variety and complexity.

The villages are connected by the longest promenade in Europe – 8 km in combination with a cycle path. Follow in the footsteps of royal highnesses and artists and enjoy the healthly maritime climate.

A little less known, but equally worth a visit are the "Bernsteinbaeder", the "amber baths".

Here on the narrowest part of the island of Usedom, between Baltic Sea and "Achterwasser" (backwater), you have the chance to find the sought-after "gold of the North" on the beach after a stormy day.

The former fishing and farming villages are still to be found, the ambiance is a rural idyll. Discover the region on foot or by bike and get into the slow calculcation of times – "slowing down" is here not just a phrase, it is lived.

The Romantik tour finishes at Usedom, shortly before the Polish boarder. Our tour is just a suggestion – create your very own tour across Germany.

 

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Vacation Travel | From Switzerland to the German coast of the Baltic Sea | Romantik Tour