Selected top destinations at a glance
Brussels
Colmar
Rome
Vilnius
Copenhagen
Map: These holiday destinations can be reached by car, bus and train Holidays in Germany
Let's start with a little reminder - because you can also have an excellent holiday in your own country. There are so many excellent travel and excursion destinations in Germany that we can't even list them here.
The best thing to do on our blog is to search for the federal states: there we have summarised the most important sights. The Mecklenburg Lake District, the Bavarian Forest or the Harz Mountains are also exciting regions in Germany.
The many beautiful historical places, big cities and small towns are not to be neglected either... As you can see, there really are endless places to discover in your home country. But of course also beyond that - and that's why we're starting right now with our first international travel destination!
Germany has beautiful destinations like Bamberg. If you want to get to know other cultures, you'll find the most beautiful destinations in Europe here, which you can easily reach by bus or train . 1. brussels
The journey begins in our beautiful neighbouring country Belgium, which is often neglected as a holiday destination. Completely unjustly, in my opinion - because there are beautiful landscapes, regions and cities there. For example, Brussels, the country's capital and seat of the European Parliament.
Besides the famous European Quarter, the Atomium and Manneken Pis, the Royal Palace and the Art Hill are among the top sights in Brussels. Read more in the linked article!
The Atomium is one of the top sights in Brussels - copyright © 2020 - www.atomium.be - SOFAM 2. amsterdam
It takes about the same amount of time to drive to Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands attracts visitors with its beautiful canals, parks and museums.
Once you arrive, don't miss out on the most beautiful sights. Amsterdam has a wonderful flair and definitely fulfils the clichés of tulips, cheese and boat trips in the canals.
Amsterdam is a popular destination for school graduation trips by bus. But it's also a good choice for families to travel by car. Depending on where you live in Germany, the tour to the Netherlands will of course take different lengths of time.
In this article we have summarised the most important sights in Amsterdam for you.
Tip: During my research, I came across a great ferry connection from Amsterdam to Newcastle in northern England. From there, you can also travel on to Scotland - for example, you can reach the wonderful city of Edinburgh in just two hours! The crossing from Amsterdam takes just under 16 hours, but there are overnight connections and the ferries are excellently equipped.
Amsterdam is easy to reach by car from Germany and is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. 3. London
Speaking of England - you can of course travel directly to London without a plane. It takes a little time, but it's definitely doable. And if the journey times are too long for you, you should always bear in mind that you can also make one or more stopovers without any problems. For example, in beautiful France - but more on that in a moment.
London is worth a visit at any time of year. The British capital awaits you with historical sights, great shopping opportunities and other highlights. Here you can find the top attractions of the metropolis.
Tip: For all Harry Potter fans, I've picked out the most magical film locations and settings in London here!
Travelling to London by car? That's very easy ⭐ Recommended travel guides for your holiday without a plane
This small selection of travel guides will give you that little extra bit of inspiration you need for your perfect holiday without a plane!
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4. colmar
As promised, we now come to the first place in France that you can reach without flying. Colmar is a cute little half-timbered town that combines French charm with rippling canals and historic town houses from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
It's also home to Alsatian tarte flambée, elcairs and delicious wine. What are you waiting for? Find out more about the town and its attractions in our article on the main sights in Colmar.
Colmar is always worth a visit. From Germany, you can reach the town by car without any problems. 5. Strasbourg
Strasbourg is not far from Colmar and thus also directly on the German-French border. With its unique blend of tradition and modernity, the city is even considered the capital of Europe.
For example, the Cathedral of Our Lady, the Maison Kammerzell or the Ponts Couverts await you there. Strasbourg is also the perfect starting point for excursions to Alsace. Read more about this in the article on the top sights in Strasbourg.
The view from Strasbourg Cathedral. The city is absolutely worth seeing 6. paris
You can also easily reach the French capital Paris without a plane. The city of love is of course world-famous for absolute top spots like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or Notre-Dame. The romantic atmosphere along the Seine is no secret either.
Nevertheless, we will not only show you the most important sights in Paris, but also some insider tips and hidden highlights. So be sure to take a look!
Tip: On our blog you will also find the most important tips about the Eiffel Tower and our hotel recommendation - the Jules & Jim. We also have a slightly different article: a wonderful declaration of love for Paris.
The Eiffel Tower in the light of the setting sun. The French capital is a popular destination and easy to reach by train or car 7. brest
Ideally, I would combine the next destination with a stopover in Paris. Otherwise, the journey to Brest will take quite a long time. However, the bus will take you to the French capital anyway, which is about halfway from Munich.
The long journey is definitely worth it, because the port city of Brest is located at the westernmost tip of France, directly on the Atlantic coast. So you'll not only find a wonderful sea breeze and great holiday flair, but also exciting historical sights such as the Brest Fortress.
Tip: Because of its location on the ocean, Brest is also the ideal starting point for surfers. There are many exciting spots in Brittany that are worth discovering.
Lake Garda
Our next Mediterranean destination: Italy. First stop: Lake Gard a - the classic. Depending on which place you want to visit, you can reach the north shore by car in about 4 hours from Munich.
There is Malcesine, for example, from where you can take a great hike up Monte Baldo. Limone sul Garda, the beautiful village with the many lemons, is also in the north. A highlight in the south: the dreamlike town of Sirmione, which juts into Lake Garda on an island.
You can find out more about each place in our article about the top sights on Lake Garda. And the best thing to do is to search our blog for the keyword "Lake Garda " - there you will find many more exciting articles on the subject!
Lake Garda is easy to reach by car from southern Germany and offers many recreational opportunities. 9. venice
The journey continues eastwards. For there lies a truly unique place - Venice. Gondolas everywhere, beautiful alleys and lots of Italian flair. That's what makes the city for me.
Since cruise ships are no longer allowed to dock in Venice, there is comparatively little going on there. Of course, it still gets crowded quickly in the narrow streets. My tip: just leave the "main streets" and turn off - often you'll be almost alone and discover the most amazing places by the way.
You can find the most exciting insider tips in Venice here. We also show you the most important sights of the lagoon city that you simply have to see despite the tourist rush.
Venice in the morning: With a bit of luck, you'll have the city all to yourself. 10 Bologna
Bologna offers the ideal mix of relaxation and history. The Italian university city is known for its historical attractions such as the city hall, the Fountain of Neptune and the Basilica of San Petronio as well as the many medieval towers.
But the numerous students, cafés and pubs also give Bologna a very special charm. Here la dolce vita meets interesting facts - simply great.
Tip: Pasta lovers are in perfect hands in Bologna, as the city is considered the home of tortellini and tagliatelle. But beware - spaghetti bolognese doesn't come from there at all, but most likely from the USA.
11. Rome
The southernmost of our destinations is Rome. The Eternal City on the Tiber shines with historical sights that are nowhere else to be found in this form and density. The entire metropolis is virtually a huge open-air museum that catapults you into the time of Caesar, Hadrian or Trajan.
Whether the Colosseum, Roman Forum or Pantheon - the list of ancient attractions is long. My highlights, which you can also read about in the article on the most important sights in Rome, are the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
But you shouldn't miss out on the food in Rome either - that's why you'll find the best bars and restaurants in Rome here. And the city is also perfect for a short holiday - here's an exciting tour of Rome in three days.
Tip: On the way to Rome you will pass through Tuscany, which for me is definitely one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. And why not make a stopover in Pisa, Florence or Siena?
The Colosseum is probably the most famous landmark in Rome. 12 Vienna
Back in the direction of Germany, we head, without flying of course, to the capital of our beautiful neighbouring country Austria. Vienna has a lot to offer.
There is, of course, the famous Schönbrunn Palace, a highlight for all Sissi fans. But also the Spanish Riding School, the Hundertwasserhaus or the Prater captivate all visitors. Click here for all the top sights in Vienna - including insider tips!
Tip: Another thing that should not be missing from your itinerary when you are in Vienna: eating a piece of Sacher cake.
Vienna is fantastically beautiful and easy to reach from Germany. 13. Wachau
Only about an hour's drive from Vienna lies an absolute hidden gem: the Wachau is considered the best-known and most beautiful natural and cultural landscape in the world and has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We'll show you everything you can see and do there in our blog post about the most exciting places in the Wachau. A very special time to travel there is, for example, the mirabelle plum blossom and harvest.
The Wachau in Lower Austria is fantastically beautiful, but still relatively unknown to German holidaymakers. 14. prague
One of the most popular destinations is Prague. And rightly so. The Czech capital is not only quick and easy to reach, but also boasts numerous truly impressive sights.
The Charles Bridge, the Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish quarter and the John Lennon Wall are just a few of the main attractions. Pražský hrad, Prague Castle, also towers high above the city. It is considered the largest enclosed castle area in the world and is an absolute must-see.
Prague also has a lot to offer in terms of art and cuisine. My highlight: the filled yeast dough croissants called trdelník. You can find all the important information and insider tips in the article on the top sights in Prague.
Charles Bridge is one of the most famous sights in Prague. 15 Vilnius
We have almost reached the end of our list and I have another really unusual insider tip for you. We're going to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Yes, it's quite far - but definitely doable without a plane. Take a look at the tip in the blue box!
In Vilnius itself, a long history and exciting sights await you. The liberal city is even considered the Rome of the North - this is mainly due to the many churches and baroque buildings that were created there by Italian master builders from the 16th century onwards.
Tip: On the way to Vilnius, you can stop off in Warsaw, for example. The Polish city is definitely worth a visit and is also an excellent holiday destination if the route to Vilnius is a little too long for you.
16 Copenhagen
You can reach our Danish neighbours a little faster without a plane. Copenhagen is a metropolis, a harbour city and one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world.
The capital impresses with its many castles, churches and, of course, the Little Mermaid. The exciting free city of Christiania is also absolutely worth seeing. In our article about the most important sights in Copenhagen, we show you what else there is to see.
From Copenhagen, you are not only directly at the sea, but also quickly in the countryside - ideal for a relaxing break or a holiday with children. If you search for Denmark on the blog, you'll find all our posts on this great destination.
The view over Copenhagen. Isn't that just beautiful? 17 Stockholm
The last destination is admittedly a bit more daring. The northernmost destination on this list is Stockholm. Again, a stopover is recommended, for example in Flensburg, Copenhagen or Malmö.
But those who dare to make the long journey will be richly rewarded. After all, the Swedish capital consists of 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges, forming a beautiful old town with cobblestone streets and ochre-coloured buildings.
The main attractions include, for example, the 13th-century St Nicholas Church, the Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum with many different exhibits related to the Nobel Prize. There are also ferries and excursion boats that take you to the more distant islands.
Tip: For the very brave, I recommend a further trip to the Lofoten Islands. You will also pass Stockholm - read more in the article about the Lofoten journey.
Bonus tip: Rail travel: The journey is the reward
Finally, I'd like to show you three great travel options that make the journey the destination - and without the plane. I'm talking about three wonderful train routes on which you can discover fascinating landscapes and enjoy pure luxury.
The Trans-Siberian Railway, or Transsib for short, takes you from Russia's capital Moscow to Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean. At 9288 kilometres, it is the longest railway line in the world - one journey takes around 6 days. There are various travel packages and offers with great stopovers.
Also super exciting and world famous is the Orient Express. The legendary luxury train is now called the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and travels from Venice to London in two days, for example. Incidentally, this costs at least 2000 euros. For a six-day trip on the original route from Paris to Istanbul, you'll have to shell out around 9,000 euros!
The Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt in Switzerland is also beautiful and much cheaper. The highlights along the route include gorges, viaducts, the Oberalp Pass and the Matterhorn - and you really do have an excellent view from the panorama cars.
We have summarised the most beautiful train routes in Switzerland for you. It's worth it.
Facts and figures
The fastest routes from Munich are Strasbourg, Lake Garda, Vienna and Prague.
Brest, Vilnius and Stockholm take the longest - but that's worth it too
You can plan great road trips through Europe with various stopovers
By the way, one of the most popular options for an easy trip through Europe is the famous Interrail Pass(website) - it allows you to use almost all trains in Europe and thus visit more than 40,000 destinations in 33 countries.