There’s something magical about the beginning of a trip — that feeling when the stress of everyday life slowly fades away and wonder starts taking its place. This girls’ road trip through Germany and Austria felt especially meaningful to me. As a homeschool mom for over a decade and a survivor rebuilding life after years of abuse, travel has become more than just sightseeing. It’s freedom. Healing. Breathing room. A reminder that there is still beauty in the world and that joy is allowed to exist alongside hardship.

From the moment we arrived in Germany, it felt like we had stepped directly into the pages of a storybook.

Day 1: Arrival in Würzburg & A Palace Beyond Imagination

Our first stop was the breathtaking Würzburg Residence, and honestly, I don’t think I could have dreamed up a more magical way to begin the trip.

The palace was absolutely stunning — elegant beyond words, overflowing with ornate details, lavish gold accents, marble, chandeliers, and beautifully decorated rooms that somehow felt both grand and intimate all at once. What made the experience even more surreal was how few people were there. We could wander almost freely from room to room, often completely alone, taking everything in at our own pace.

There’s something incredibly special about standing in a place so magnificent in near silence, without crowds rushing you along.

But nothing prepared me for the moment we entered the grand staircase hall.

I remember looking up and literally stopping in my tracks. The enormous painted ceiling fresco seemed to stretch endlessly overhead, covering the entire ceiling in dramatic color and movement. It was mesmerizing — one of those moments where your brain almost struggles to process the scale and artistry of what you’re seeing. I could have stood there for an hour just staring upward.

Outside, the palace gardens were equally enchanting. Spring had arrived in full force, and the paths surrounding the residence were lined with blooming cherry blossoms and flowering trees. The soft pink blossoms drifted through the air while their fragrance filled the gardens around us. Everything felt peaceful and romantic, like the kind of place you’d expect to see in a period drama.

We lingered there for quite a while, soaking it all in before eventually wandering into the city center.

Exploring Würzburg

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the charming city of Würzburg, visiting beautiful churches, walking through the bustling market stalls at the Naschmarkt-style farmer’s market, and admiring the lively main square.

There’s something I love about European cities where history and everyday life blend together so naturally. One moment you’re standing inside an ornate centuries-old church, and the next you’re grabbing pastries or fresh fruit from market vendors while locals go about their daily routines.

Later, we walked up to a scenic overlook near Marienberg Fortress where we were rewarded with sweeping views over the city, the river, and rows of red rooftops stretching into the distance.

It felt like the perfect introduction to Germany.

The Drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

That evening we drove onward to Rothenburg ob der Tauber to check into our hotel, Hotel Goldener Hirsch.

And this is where things got… entertaining.

Our GPS confidently sent us weaving through some unbelievably narrow streets and back passageways inside Rothenburg’s medieval center — roads that clearly were not designed for modern vehicles. At one point we reached a dead end and had to carefully execute what felt like a 5-point turn while trying not to scrape anything.

I’m pretty sure there was nervous laughter mixed with mild panic as we slowly backed our way through narrow portions of a small alley, while attempting not to hit stone walls, or ancient buildings.

It was chaotic, hilarious, stressful, and somehow completely memorable all at once.

Eventually, we made it to the hotel and collapsed laughing about the experience. After settling in a bit we popped out to grab dinner and decided on Don Gallo mexican restaurant. I chose the vegan fajitas (I have lactose sensitivities and this restaurant had several lactose free options to choose from), the fajitas were delicious!

Day 2: Rothenburg Before the Crowds

The next morning we were up early and downstairs for the hotel’s complimentary buffet breakfast before heading out by 8 AM.

One of the best decisions we made the entire trip was exploring early.

The streets of Rothenburg were still quiet, almost empty, and it honestly felt like we had wandered into a medieval fairytale before the rest of the world woke up.

We walked through the famous Plönlein, admired the half-timbered buildings, and wandered along the historic medieval walls surrounding the town.

One of my favorite moments was climbing the Röderturm for panoramic views over the rooftops and defensive walls below. Seeing the town from above made it feel even more magical — endless red rooftops, church towers, winding lanes, and centuries of history tucked into every corner.

We spent hours simply wandering.

Down alleyways.
Through archways.
Along the walls.
Into little corners of town that looked untouched by time.

We stopped by the old blacksmith shop, visited St. Jakob’s Church, explored churches throughout town, and lingered in the market square watching the atmosphere slowly come alive throughout the day. At that point we were ready to pause and grab a bite. Ivy’s Deli was the perfect spot to refresh and refuel. I highly recommend the basil pesto penne & ordering a cafe’ freddo if you’re in need of a little caffeine jolt following a long travel day 😉 Both were incredibly delicious and the whole menu looked amazing with lots of tasty options.

That evening, we joined the famous Night Watchman Tour just as the sky exploded into brilliant shades of red, orange, and pink.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

As golden light washed over the medieval buildings, the stories of Rothenburg’s past somehow felt even more immersive. The tour was fascinating — full of history, humor, and stories that brought the city to life in a completely different way after dark.

Day 3: Castles, Towers & Storks

After another breakfast at the hotel, we left around 9 AM and drove to Harburg Castle.

We joined a castle tour that was entirely in German, which turned out to be unexpectedly fun.

Even though we understood only bits and pieces, our guide was so expressive and charismatic that we could still follow along surprisingly well. Between his dramatic gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and our limited understanding of common German phrases, we pieced together enough to fully enjoy the experience.

Sometimes travel moments don’t need perfect understanding to still be memorable.

The castle itself was fascinating, giving us a glimpse into medieval life and centuries of layered history.

From there we continued to Nördlingen, one of the prettiest towns we visited along the Romantic Road.

I absolutely loved the sea of red rooftops mixed with soft pastel-colored buildings. The entire town felt cheerful and picturesque.

Of course, we couldn’t resist climbing the 350 stairs up the Daniel Tower at St. George’s Church.

The climb definitely got the heart pumping, but the panoramic views from the top were completely worth it. Hearing the church bells chime while overlooking the town was one of those unforgettable travel moments that sticks with you long after returning home.

We even spotted several storks while wandering around town, which somehow made everything feel even more storybook-like.

Later that day we drove to Dinkelsbühl and immediately fell in love with its charm.

Storks seemed to be everywhere.

Perched atop church steeples.
Standing on rooftops.
Nestled into giant twig nests on tall buildings.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many storks in one place before.

We walked portions of the outer walls before heading into town to admire the colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and peaceful atmosphere.

For dinner, we ate at Taj Mahal Indian Palace and it was absolutely delicious. I ordered the mango chicken with garlic naan, and after a long day of exploring, it tasted incredible.

Day 4: Rainstorms & A Change of Plans

The following morning we woke to heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Originally, we had planned to explore Ulm, but after watching the weather forecasts and seeing the downpour outside, we decided to pivot.

One thing travel constantly teaches you is flexibility.

Sometimes the unexpected changes become part of the story too.

Instead, we headed directly to Wiblingen Abbey and spent time exploring the stunning abbey before continuing south toward Schwangau.

The moment we stepped into the library at Wiblingen Abbey, I was completely captivated. It was one of those places that instantly makes you stop talking because your brain is too busy trying to take in all the beauty surrounding you. The ornate bookcases stretched upward in soft curves and layers, filled with rows upon rows of old books tucked neatly into their beautifully detailed shelves. Above us, the painted ceiling seemed to glow, covered in intricate artwork and soft pastel tones that made the entire room feel almost dreamlike.

We ended up staying for several hours because it was simply too beautiful to rush through. One of the best parts was how uncrowded it was. After a tour group left, we practically had the library to ourselves aside from one couple enthusiastically taking photos in every corner. I’m fairly certain the woman was an influencer because there was a lot of posing and photo directing happening, which honestly added a little entertainment to the peaceful atmosphere.

There was something incredibly calming about quietly wandering through such an ornate and historic space while rain tapped softly outside. It felt cozy, peaceful, and magical all at once — the kind of place book lovers and history lovers could easily lose track of time in.

By evening, we arrived at Hotel Müller — our home base for the next chapter of the trip and the gateway to some of Germany’s most iconic castles.

And honestly, at that point it already felt like we had lived an entire lifetime of memories in just a few days.

If this portion of the trip already feels like a fairytale, just wait until the next chapter. Castles perched high above alpine lakes, breathtaking mountain scenery, hidden villages, and some of the most magical places I’ve ever experienced were still ahead of us.

If you missed my previous post covering the planning process and overview of our Germany & Austria road trip itinerary, make sure to read that first (link below) for the full route, travel tips, and inspiration behind the journey. And if recreating this itinerary yourself sounds like a dream trip — I’m offering my detailed itinerary packed with hotel recommendations, driving routes, timing tips, favorite stops, photography locations, and all the little details that helped make this trip feel so seamless and unforgettable. Tap links below for our exact itinerary, detailed walking map & driving tips with restroom and parking info and insights to help you plan your perfect trip. Also available is a FREE basic itinerary at the link below.

14 day Germany/Austria Road Trip Full Itinerary

Fairytale Germany/Austria itinerary

Free Basic Itinerary