Things To Do
The Medieval Duo
Choose one of these two for a journey back in time: Dinkelsbühl or Rothenburg. Both are walled cities on the "Romantic Road." Rothenburg is the world-famous "fairytale" town with the iconic Christmas museum and winding alleys; it is stunning but can be very crowded. Dinkelsbühl is our personal recommendation if you want a more "local" feel—it is equally beautiful and perfectly preserved, but much quieter and more authentic. Drive Time from Balzhausen: ~1 hour (Dinkelsbühl) or ~1 hour 25 mins (Rothenburg). Address/Parking: Dinkelsbühl: P1 Schwedenwiese, 91550 Dinkelsbühl (Easy parking just outside the city walls). Rothenburg: P2 Nördlinger Straße, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Main tourist parking lot).
Liv'in the Fairytale
Füssen & Neuschwanstein The castle "Neuschwanstein" is the most famous castle in the world (the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty & the official "Disney Castle"). This is a full-day trip. You can visit the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle, but you must book tickets weeks in advance online. If you don't want to go inside, we recommend skipping the tour and walking to the Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) for the famous view. Afterward, drive 5 minutes into the town of Füssen for a walk through its charming pastel-colored old town. Drive Time from Balzhausen: ~1 hour. Address/Parking: Alpseestraße 12, 87645 Schwangau (Follow signs for "Königsschlösser" parking).
The Hidden "Jem"
Landsberg am Lech: A beautiful, colorful town situated right on the Lech river. It features a massive multi-tiered waterfall in the center of town. It’s the perfect place for a relaxed afternoon. Walk through the gothic gates, grab a coffee in the main square, and watch the river. It’s small, accessible, and very photogenic. Drive Time from Balzhausen: ~25 minutes. Address/Parking: Parkhaus Schlossberg, Neue Bergstraße, 86899 Landsberg am Lech
Alpine Panorama
Get out into nature with an easy hike and breathtaking view: Herzogstand. Our top pick for an Alpine view without the strenuous climb. Take the Herzogstandbahn (cable car) from the valley up to the mountain station. From there, it’s an easy 30-minute walk on a well-maintained path to the summit for a 360-degree view of the Alps and the turquoise Walchensee lake below. Alternatively, you can also take a long 2.3-3 hour hike up without the cable car from the same parking lot. After coming down, we highly recommend a drive around the lake or a quick dip if you’re feeling brave! Drive Time from Balzhausen: ~1 hour 15 minutes. Address/Parking: Am Tanneneck 6, 82432 Walchensee (Cable car base station).
Day in the City
Ulm: A historic city on the Danube River with a record-breaking cathedral. Visit the Ulm Minster, which holds the record for the tallest church spire in the world. You can even climb the 768 steps to the top for an incredible view that reaches all the way to the Alps on clear days. Afterward, wander through the Fischerviertel (Fishermen's Quarter), where ancient houses lean directly over the water. While Augsburg is also nearby, we think Ulm offers a more unique day trip for our guests. Drive Time from Balzhausen: ~45 minutes. Address/Parking: Parkhaus Fischerviertel, Himmelgasse 5, 89073 Ulm.
Experience Oktoberfest
Since our wedding falls during the world-famous Oktoberfest, we highly recommend taking a day to experience the festivities in Munich. To make the most of your visit, here are our top tips: When to Go: If your travel schedule allows, we suggest going on a weekday (Monday–Thursday). Weekends, evenings, and even Friday afternoons, become incredibly crowded. The "Pro" Strategy: Aim to arrive at the fairgrounds by 11:00 AM. This is the best way to secure a seat inside a beer tent without a reservation. Once you have your seat and a Maß (liter of beer), you can soak in the atmosphere before wandering the fairgrounds and rides later in the afternoon. The main tents fill up fast. Once a tent is at capacity, they close the doors, so arriving early is the key to getting the full experience! How to Get There: S-Bahn: Take any "Stammstrecke" line and get off at Hackerbrücke. It’s a short, iconic walk over the bridge with the crowds. U-Bahn: Take the U4 or U5 directly to Theresienwiese.