Roadtrip Germany Day 1: From the Netherlands to Stuttgart via the Moselle and the Rhine
I am doing this special Germany roadtrip together with my father, a father-son trip that has been on our list for a long time. My father has always had a great love for Germany and its majestic castles, and so we decided to explore this passion together during an unforgettable ride through the heart of Germany.
We have chosen to start our journey in Cochem, a place that has a lot of meaning for both of us. As a child, my parents often brought me to this charming town on the Moselle, and it seemed like a nice, symbolic starting point to further explore beautiful Germany from there. With our electric BMW iX1, we are ready for a sustainable and comfortable adventure along some of the most beautiful castles and landscapes that Germany has to offer.
Stop 1: Cochem (Distance: ~200 km from the Netherlands)
After a short stop in Maasbree to fully charge the car, we cross the border into Germany. Our first destination is the picturesque town of Cochem on the Moselle, a drive of about 2 hours. Although we do not get off in Cochem this time, we absolutely wanted to include this place in our route because of the special meaning it has for us.
Cochem is known for its charming half-timbered houses, narrow streets and especially the imposing Reichsburg Cochem , a medieval castle that towers high above the town. Dating back to the 11th century, this castle is not only an impressive building, but also offers breathtaking views over the Moselle Valley. For me personally, Cochem is a place full of memories, as my parents often took me there as a child. It is a place where history and beauty come together, and it seemed like the perfect symbolic starting point for our road trip through Germany.
If you are ever in Cochem, the castle is definitely worth a visit, as is a stroll through the picturesque streets of the town, where time seems to have stood still. Cochem is a place that really takes you back in time and immerses you in the rich culture and history of the region.
Website : Reichsburg Cochem
Entrance fee : €8 for adults and €4.50 for children (5-17 years)
Stop 2: Burg Eltz (Distance: ~40 km from Cochem)
After a short drive through Cochem, we continue to Burg Eltz , one of Germany's most iconic castles, located in a secluded wooded area. The drive takes about 40 minutes and takes us through winding roads and dense forests. Upon arrival, we park the car in the car park, where you can only pay with cash. From here, we take a beautiful walk of about 20 minutes along a forest road to the castle. Although we only admire the castle from the outside this time, the view of Burg Eltz is already particularly impressive. The fairytale castle with its turrets and roofs that protrude above the trees makes this one of the highlights of the day.
Website : Burg Eltz
Entrance fee : If you want to visit the castle, admission costs €14 for adults and €10 for children (6-16 years).
Stop 3: Boppard via Burg Thurant and the L207 (Distance: ~50 km from Burg Eltz)
After visiting Burg Eltz, we continue our journey towards Burg Thurant near Alken. This castle is only a 20-minute drive from Burg Eltz and is smaller, but no less impressive. Built in the 13th century, Burg Thurant offers panoramic views over the Moselle and is surrounded by vineyards. After a short visit to the castle, we continue on the L207, a beautiful forest road that takes us through the hills to Boppard , a drive of about 30 minutes. Boppard, situated on the Rhine, is a charming town where we stop for lunch. We choose Orient-Grill , a delicious Turkish restaurant in the centre of Boppard, located at Oberstraße 142, 56154 Boppard. While enjoying a freshly prepared meal, we use the charging facilities in the town to fully charge the car for the next part of our journey.
Website : Burg Thurant
Entrance fee : €4 for adults and €2 for children (6-14 years)
Stop 4: The Castles along the Rhine (Distance: ~60 km from Boppard to Mainz)
With a fully charged BMW iX1 we continue along the Rhine towards Mainz. This route is known as the Rhine Castle Route , because of the many castles that lie along the river. Each castle has its own unique charm and history. Here are some highlights:
Burg Stahleck : Now a youth hostel, this castle in Bacharach offers wonderful views over the Rhine and is a good example of medieval fortifications.
Entrance fee : Free access to the courtyard.
Pfalzgrafenstein : An impressive moated castle on an island in the Rhine near Kaub. This castle is unique because of its location and used to be a toll station for ships.
Entrance fee : €4.50 for adults and €2.50 for children.
Burg Rheinstein : This 14th-century castle, perched on a steep rock, is one of the best-preserved castles on the Rhine. The castle has beautiful gardens and an impressive interior.
Entrance fee : €7 for adults and €5 for children (6-14 years).
Burg Sooneck : Located in the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Middle Rhine Valley, this castle offers fantastic views over the river and surrounding vineyards.
Entrance fee : €5 for adults and €3 for children (6-14 years).
The drive along these castles takes about 1.5 hours and finally brings us to Mainz , a lively city where the Rhine and Main rivers meet.
Stop 5: Heidelberg Castle (Distance: ~100 km from Mainz to Heidelberg)
After a short stop in Mainz, we continue our journey to the famous Heidelberg Castle . The drive to Heidelberg takes about an hour and takes us through a beautiful landscape. Arriving in Heidelberg, we are greeted by the imposing silhouette of the castle, which sits enthroned high above the city on a hill, with a breathtaking view over the Neckar Valley.
Heidelberg Castle is one of Germany’s most famous ruins and was once one of the largest and most luxurious castles in Europe. Despite its status as a ruin, the castle attracts thousands of visitors each year and is an absolute must-see on this road trip. The castle is gigantic and offers many impressive sights, including the remains of magnificent halls and the Great Vat, one of the largest wine barrels in the world.
There are several ways for visitors to reach the castle. Parking is available near the castle, but if you want to reach it on foot, you can choose to walk up a long, steep hill or the 300-step staircase that leads directly to the castle gates. However you get there, the effort will be rewarded with an unforgettable visit to one of Germany's most romantic and historically rich locations.
Website : Heidelberg Castle
Entrance fee : €9 for adults and €4.50 for children (6-14 years)
Final destination: Stuttgart (Distance: ~120 km from Heidelberg to Stuttgart)
After visiting Heidelberg Castle we continue to our final destination of the day: Stuttgart . The drive from Heidelberg to Stuttgart takes about an hour and a half and takes us through the picturesque landscape of southern Germany. We chose Stuttgart because of its strategic location and the many sights the city has to offer.
Our stay for the night is the ACHAT Hotel Stuttgart Zuffenhausen , an ideal stopover hotel for those traveling with an electric car. The hotel has a charging station, which makes it perfect for charging our BMW iX1 after a day of adventures. Furthermore, the hotel is located near the famous Porsche Museum , which makes it a great choice for car enthusiasts.
After checking in, we explore the area and enjoy a nice dinner before retiring for a well-deserved night's sleep. This first day of our road trip has taken us past some of the most beautiful castles in Germany, while enjoying breathtaking landscapes and historical sites. With the BMW iX1, it was not only an environmentally friendly journey, but also a comfortable and enjoyable experience. We are looking forward to the rest of the trip and discovering what Stuttgart and the surrounding areas have to offer.
Things to Do in Stuttgart
If you have some time to explore Stuttgart, here are some sights and activities worth checking out:
Porsche Museum : A must for car enthusiasts. This museum showcases Porsche's rich history and iconic models.
Website : Porsche Museum
Mercedes-Benz Museum : Another treat for car enthusiasts, where you can explore the history of Mercedes-Benz, from the very first automobiles to the latest innovations.
Website : Mercedes-Benz Museum
Schlossplatz : The central square of Stuttgart, surrounded by impressive buildings such as the New Palace and the Old Palace. A perfect place for a relaxing stroll.
Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden : A combination of zoo and botanical garden, one of Stuttgart's most popular attractions.
Website : Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden
Königstraße : Stuttgart's main shopping street, where you can shop, dine or just people watch.
Weissenhofsiedlung : A district of modernist architecture, designed by some of the greatest architects of the 20th century, including Le Corbusier.
Website : Weissenhofsiedlung
Television Tower Stuttgart : For panoramic views of Stuttgart and the surrounding region, climb the Fernsehturm (television tower).
Website : Television Tower Stuttgart
La Bamboo : Stuttgart is home to the only restaurant in Germany serving Sinhalese cuisine. For a unique dining experience, head to La Bamboo , which serves authentic Sri Lankan dishes.
Stuttgart offers something for everyone, from culture and history to modern technology and architecture. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy after a day of exploring.
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