DESTINATION
A romantic road adventure
Whizz through a family weekend of tree-top climbing, cinnamon-roll-charged shopping and cycling trails along vine-covered hills, interspersed with captivating castles and a medieval town, iconised in 1940’s classic, Pinocchio.
Day one
Stay: Hotel/Weingut Meintzinger
In the village of Frickenhausen on the banks of the Main River, this winery-cum-hotel is much funkier than its traditional façade suggests, with bold murals and an industrial-style bar. Hotel/Weingut Meintzinger, 97252 Frickenhausen am Main
Head to: Wertheim Village
Sign up for the Village’s membership programme to enjoy savings on top-name brands, as well as invitations to private sales, surprise rewards and the chance to win Shopping Cards to spend in the Village. Wertheim Village, 97877 Wertheim
Just a short walk from the Village, this treetop climbing park has nets to scramble up, rope bridges to cross and zip lines to whizz down.
Breakfast: Cinnamood
It’s cinnamon rolls all around at this sweet stop. Go classic, topped with cream cheese frosting, or up the sugar rush with an Oreo, pistachio or red velvet roll. Cinnamood, Wertheim Village
Shop: Crocs
Whether you’re after a comfy gardening shoe or a charm-studded fashion statement, everyone loves a pair of Crocs. Pick up a furry-lined style for winter or lightweight sandals for the beach. Crocs, Wertheim Village
Shop: Motel a Miio
The Portuguese brand’s ceramics are a playful hit with all ages, with sunshine-yellow Murano-style glasses and Wes Anderson-esque pastel butter dishes and egg cups. Motel a Miio, Wertheim Village
Lunch: Saigon Social Club
The patio will be packed when the sun is shining, with everyone tucking into zingy-fresh summer rolls, steaming dumplings, rice bowls and fiery Vietnamese curries. Saigon Social Club, Wertheim Village
Shop: Tommy Hilfiger Kids
Nail preppy style with the king of East Coast cool and stock up on crisp polos, sharp shirts, collegiate sweaters and oodles of denim, from dresses to dungarees. Tommy Hilfiger Kids, Wertheim Village
Walk to: Kletterwald Silvestria
Just a short walk from the Village, this treetop climbing park has nets to scramble up, rope bridges to cross and zip lines to whizz down. Kletterwald Silvestria, 97877 Wertheim
Dinner: Landgasthof zum Kaffelstein
This country inn turns out gourmet tasting menu fare in Michelin-starred La Boucherie, but its more casual bistro is a crowd-pleaser, with dishes that might include wild boar goulash or moghrabieh salad. Landgasthof zum Kaffelstein, 97892 Kreuzwertheim
Back to: Hotel/Weingut Meintzinger
As well as 31 guestrooms, there’s also a half-timbered house just around the corner from the hotel that sleeps four to five people with its own kitchen – and even a small sauna.
The thrill of discovery
Just an hour from Frankfurt, this year's World Design Capital, discover Wertheim Village as it transforms into an open-air gallery, with captivating installations from artist Cyril Lancelin.
Day two
Head to: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This medieval town is beautifully preserved, so storybook-looking that it was the inspiration for Geppetto’s village in the 1940 Disney® film Pinocchio. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Tour: Medieval Crime and Justice Museum
Delve into the town’s darker side to see how punishments were dealt out in the Middle Ages, with torturous devices and shame masks – including long ears and tongues for gossipers. Medieval Crime and Justice Museum, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This medieval town is beautifully preserved, so storybook-looking that it was the inspiration for Geppetto’s village in the 1940 Disney® film Pinocchio.
Visit: German Christmas Museum
For something lighter, try Rothenburg’s other most famous museum, where it's Christmas 365 days a year. Above Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas boutique, it charts festive decorations and traditions with historical twinkly Christmas trees and giant nutcrackers. German Christmas Museum, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Lunch: Cafe Einzigartig
Housed in a pink-painted building, this charming café is decked out in vintage furniture – much of it for sale. Big breakfast plates are served until 11.30 am; after that, plump for freshly-made sandwiches and tarts. Cafe Einzigartig, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Cycle: The Liebliches Taubertal
Rent a bike to freewheel out in the countryside. The Liebliches Taubertal – The Classic cycle path runs over 100 kilometres from Rothenburg to Wertheim, or take the Altmuhltal route south towards Colmberg. The Liebliches Taubertal
Castle: Colmberg Castle
Built in the thirteenth century, this impressive fortress above the town is now a scenic hotel and restaurant – stop for coffee and cake in the conservatory before cycling back. Colmberg Castle, 91598 Colmberg
Dinner: Alter Keller
This cosy tavern dishes up meals as traditional as its wood-heavy decor: sausages and schnitzels, chestnut soup and slow-roasted pork shoulder. Alter Keller, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
After dark: Nightwatchman Tour
If you spot a man dressed in sixteenth-century robes with a lantern walking down Rotherburg’s narrow, dimly lit alleys in the evening, don’t panic. It’s not a ghost – it's one of the town’s nightwatchman tour guides, regaling their group with tales of the town’s colourful history. Nightwatchman Tour, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Staples for storybook escapes
Tommy Hilfiger Kids
PROHIBITED
20 €
35 €
PEGADOR
42 €
60 €
