The Ultimate Itinerary for a German Road Trip from Bavaria to Cologne

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22-05-2025

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When you get invited to fly business class to Germany and then hotel-hop around the country, you immediately RSVP yes, pack your luggage, and practice how to say guten tag in the mirror a million times. And that's exactly what I did last spring, when Condor Airlines and Altoff Hotels brought me on a road trip that started in the resort town of Tegernsee, took me into Schwangau (in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps), and ended in the bustling city of Cologne, enjoying all there is to see and do along the way. It was, in a word, incredible.
And because I believe that I experienced Germany in the absolute best way (in my humble opinion), I put together this travel itinerary for you, with tips on where to stay, play, and eat while you're cruising through the country. Scroll down and follow my lead for an unforgettable road trip through the mountains and into the city. Ich verspreche, dass Sie Spaß haben werden! (That's "Promise you'll have fun!" in German.)
(P.S. The writer received free transportation, stays, meals, and experiences to write this story.)
I flew Condor's Airbus A33neo from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA), and felt so fancy flying business class. Not only did the new, modern design make the almost nine-hour flight go by like a breeze—shoutout to the lie-flat seats, mood lighting, and exceptionally good food—but the new plane is also a more sustainable model thanks to enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, which I love.
In addition to their business class seats, the Airbus A33neo also offers four "Prime" seats, which are comparable to first-class suites on other airlines, which all have extra-large 4K TVs, large ottomans, and a ton of extra space. But if you're flying on a budget, you'll be happy to hear that the Airbus A33neo also has both premium economy and economy seats, which I thought looked more spacious than competing airlines.
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Only a 45-minute drive from Munich, along the shores of a crystal-clear lake, lies the quaint spa town of Tegernsee. Here, you'll find the five-star hotel Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt, which offers some of Germany's prettiest views, according to me.
The rooms are very spacious—surprisingly so for Europe—and many have private balconies and soaking tubs. My favorite touch? The tasty welcome Pilsners at check-in. But I also loved the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant, Überfahrt, and the amazing spa, 4 Elements, which had lovely indoor and outdoor pools.
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Enjoy a picturesque carriage ride: Trust me, you want to hop on a horse-drawn carriage and trot along the shores of Tegernsee, and the guest relations manager at the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt can help set you up with a local company that prioritizes humane horse conditions. During the ride, I learned all about the history of the area and experienced the Bavarian countryside, which consists of adorable neighborhoods, mountain views, and cute attractions.
Shop through the charming town: My favorite part about Tegernsee is how walkable and charming it is. Exit out the front doors of the Althoff hotel and follow the shoreline, and you'll find both modern boutiques (with designer clothes and accessories) as well as traditional Bavarian shops. See below where I tried on the most stunning handmade dirndl (a traditional dress) at a local store called Trachten Greif.
Drink an aperitif next to the lake: Whether you're out shopping, exploring the town, or looking for a quick drink, you're going to want to stop by one of the quaint cafés along the shoreline. My suggestions? Grab a waterfront seat at Franzl for a coffee or spritz, or pop on over to Café Lengmüller for a tasty slice of cake.
Dine at Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt: The hotel I stayed at has five restaurants, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Überfahrt—run by celebrity chef, Alexander Herrmann—was certainly the fanciest of the bunch. My favorite experience, though, was at Bayerstube, the traditional Bavarian restaurant where we dined in a private room and had never-ending fondue.
Just 90 minutes from Munich, the little village of Schwangau in Southern Bavaria is home to the Ameron Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort and Spa, where you get views of the Alps and gorgeous green forests. The hotel alone is a good enough reason to visit the area, but you'll also find two castles, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, the latter of which is said to have inspired Disney's Cinderella castle.
I loved exploring the castles as well as the hotel's five buildings, four of which are ultra-modern. My fave was the oldest building, Jägerhaus, complete with 11 swanky rooms featuring canopy beds, elaborate wallpaper, and antiques. It plays into the whole fairytale aesthetic, and I highly suggest booking this building during your stay if you want an authentic experience.
BOOK A STAY AT AMERON NEUSCHWANSTEIN ALPSEE
Peep the castles: As I mentioned, Schwangau's hotspots—and the reason travelers visit from all over the world—are Lord Ludwig's two fairytale castles, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, perched up in the hills. Neuschwanstein is gorgeous and grand, but I actually preferred visiting Ludwig's smaller, summer residence, Hohenschwangau. It's filled with 19th-century art and furnishings and is rich in Bavarian history. Check it out to learn about the interesting life of Lord Ludwig—trust me, he's got quite the story.
Take a gondola trip to the summit of Mount Tegelberg: When you're surrounded by mountains all day long, you're going to want to get to the top of 'em at some point. The best way? Via a ten-minute gondola ride up Mount Tegelberg, at TegelbergBahn. Once you've reached the summit, you can see both castles and a bird's eye view of the region. Oh, and I'd be remiss not to mention that if you're there in the warmer months, on the way down you'll notice a mountainside toboggan ride that you one million percent need to go on. It's as fun as it looks, and it's not just for kids.
Eat a traditional Bavarian meal at a beer garden: You can't visit Germany without going to a beer garden. Luckily, the Ameron hotel has one on-site: Bräustüberl and Alpseestube Biergarten. Grab a casual bite to eat (I recommend the spaetzle and schnitzel), and wash it down with a cold lager. The Summer Shandy was also incredibly refreshing.
Dine at : If you're looking for more of an elevated dining experience—whether that be for date night or a special celebration—the resort's restaurant is the perfect vibe. It serves farm-to-table meals based on seasonal availability, so you're truly getting the freshest food. The view isn't half bad either, considering you can see both castles while chowing down.
After soaking up all the traditional Bavarian customs and gorgeous landscapes, I embarked on a five-hour drive to the city of Cologne, one of Germany's most vibrant cities. I stayed just outside of the city at the incredible Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg. This bright white, 18th-century palace has a marble-floored lobby, grand furnishings, a cobblestone driveway, and perfectly manicured gardens. My room was equally as lavish, and the dining experience at their two-Michelin-star restaurant, Vendôme, made for a once-in-a-lifetime stay.
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Take on the Cologne streets: Because Cologne is one of Germany's oldest cities, it's rich in history, so I suggest dedicating a full day to exploring, like I did. If you're only there for a day or so, you won't have enough time to see it all, so try to prioritize the top, must-see attractions. I recommend checking out the iconic Gothic Kölner Dom Cathedral (which's one of the largest in Europe and took over 600 years to finish!); Old Town, which is filled with historic buildings, cobblestones, and fun homes; and Glockengasse, a street in the center of the city, and the birthplace of 4711 Eau de Cologne. There's a house on the street that has been turned into a museum and store where you can learn about one of the oldest and most famous colognes in the world, and why the city was named after it.
Visit during Carnival: If you're looking for a wild and wonderful experience, visit Cologne during Carnival (aka Kölner Karneval), which kicks off in November. The city comes alive with costumes, parades, parties, music, and food. I visited in the spring, and leftover confetti still lined the streets. Locals made me promise to come back for the "best party of the year".
Lunch at a traditional brewery: For a bite to eat and a beer to drink, check out the famous Peters Brauhaus brewery, which is one of the oldest breweries in the city. There, order some German delicacies like bratwurst, sauerkraut, or schnitzel and pair them with Cologne's signature beer, Kölsch, which is unique to the city. It's super refreshing and light, and tastes perfect paired with German food. After a few glasses of Kölsch, I was inspired to hit up a few of the local bars, where I had just a few more.
Try the tasting menu at : If you're staying at the lavish Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, you need to have at least one meal that's equally as fancy. The hotel's multi-Michelin-star restaurant, Vendôme, led by the famous Chef Joachim Wissler, has one of the most unique menus I've ever experienced. We enjoyed one of the tasting menus, complete with a wine pairing, and I felt like I could quite literally taste each and every ingredient in the dishes. It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
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