Fodor's To Europe!
Classic Trips: Germany and France
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Fly into: Munich
Fly out of: Strasbourg
Total Duration: 14 days
To satisfy your deepest craving for Old World atmosphere, this itinerary explores the picturesque and beautiful provinces that straddle the border between Germany and France. From the Bavarian capital of Munich, we head west through Heidelberg and Baden-Baden's old-fashioned German castles and spa. Then to Strasbourg, an irresistible mix of medieval houses and modern Parliament buildings. Finish by tippling your way down the Alsatian Wine Road.
- Food and Wine
- Art and Culture
- History
This Trip's Top Experiences:
Days 1-3
Elena Kouptsova -Vasic /shutterstock
1 Munich
Bavaria's Traditional Capital
- It's not just about Oktoberfest. This town loves its suds year round, from sipping in a beer garden to the craziness of the Hofbräuhaus
- The walk up may be long—86 steps—but the view from the top of the 14th-century Frauenkirche can't be beat
- Work off all the beer and sausages with a bike ride or a stroll among the Englischer Garten's lakes and parks
Days 4-5
Andrew Cowin/German National Tourism Board
2 Heidelberg
Germany's Preeminent University Town
- Heidelberg's castle is a dazzling mix of styles from the 16th and 17th centuries that somehow fit together. It's also home to the German Apothecary Museum
- The Alte Brücke bridge, spanning the Neckar River, was part of Heidelberg's original fortifications
- Well known for its Renaissance-era landmarks, Heidelberg is first and foremost a university town, so head first to the 18th-century buildings near University Square
Days 6-7
Fritz Geller-Grimm/wikipedia.org
3 Baden-Baden
Germany's Historic Spa Town
- Have a soak in the splendor of the 19th-century Friedrichsbad spa
- The Museum Frieder Burda contains works by Picasso and German Expressionists
- Baden-Baden boasts Germany's oldest casino, dating to 1855
Days 8-9
NATALE Matt/shutterstock
4 Strasbourg
Old World Atmosphere and Modern Sophistication
- Wander among the half-timber houses of the Petite France neighborhood
- Take a cruise along the Ill River to see the best of Strasbourg
- Visit the Gothic-era Notre Dame Cathedral, resplendent in dark pink sandstone
Days 10-14
Avner Richard/shutterstock
5 Alsace Route du Vin: Obernai, Ribeauville, and Colmar
Land of Alsatian Gemütlichkeit
- Attend an Alsatian wine festival in the town of Colmar
- See the half-timber houses and rolling hills of Ribeauville
- Explore the magical, medieval castle at Haut-Koenigsbourg
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