Discover Germany: A Ten-Day Culinary and Cultural Journey
This ten day journey will be your unique food-and-travel experience. This thoughtfully curated itinerary invites travelers to uncover Germany’s culinary and cultural heritage through its most iconic and flavorful regions.
Your adventure starts in Bavaria, where hearty food and famous beers introduce you to the region. You’ll visit Munich’s lively markets and try Nuremberg’s Franconian sausages, gaining a real sense of local tradition. In Swabia, you can enjoy handmade Spätzle and discover cozy countryside diners. The Black Forest offers sweet treats like smoked hams, cherry schnapps, and the classic Black Forest cake.
The Rhine Valley brings a different experience, with its elegant Rieslings and peaceful vineyards. You’ll also get to try real Currywurst at historic food stands and enjoy Germany’s lively street food scene.
Each day, you’ll try local specialties along with beer and wine tastings that share the story of the region. Visits to markets, meeting artisans, and hands-on cooking sessions will help you experience true German hospitality. This ten-day trip brings together culture, history, and the fun of sharing meals to celebrate the flavors that make Germany unique.
This suggested itinerary lets you enjoy every tasty moment of your trip. If you want city-specific itineraries, you can find several options already listed on our website.
Please note that this ten-day itinerary is my personal travel recommendation based on years of exploring Germany’s culinary regions. It is designed as a self-guided journey, not an organized group tour, allowing travelers the flexibility to move at their own pace.
Every destination and experience suggested here reflects the authentic local encounters I believe best capture the true taste and spirit of Germany.
Frankfurt am Main
Theme: Welcome to Hessen – Home of Apfelwein & Green Sauce
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Afternoon: Arrival in Frankfurt, check in to your hotel. Explore the Römerberg and Old Town.
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Dinner: Eat at Zum Gemalten Haus or Apfelwein Wagner in Sachsenhausen.
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Menu: Grüne Soße (green herb sauce) with hard-boiled eggs and boiled potatoes, Handkäse mit Musik.
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Drink: Apfelwein (Ebbelwoi) – the region’s tart apple wine served in a traditional Geripptes glass.
Rhine River (Rüdesheim & Bingen)
Theme: Riesling & River Views
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Morning: Take a boat ride from Mainz to Rüdesheim. Walk through Drosselgasse and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet.
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Lunch: Local schnitzel with Riesling cream sauce.
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Afternoon: Wine tasting at Georg Breuer or Kloster Eberbach winery.
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Evening: Dinner in Bingen with a view of the Rhine.
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Drink: Rheingau Riesling – fresh, mineral-rich white wines.
Nürnberg (Nuremberg)
Theme: Medieval Flavors & Sausages
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Morning: Travel to Nürnberg (~2.5 hours). Visit the Imperial Castle and Old Town.
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Lunch: Try Nürnberger Rostbratwurst at Bratwursthäusle or Bratwurst Röslein.
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Snack: Nürnberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread).
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Evening: Dinner with Franconian specialties like Schäufele (pork shoulder) and Sauerkraut.
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Drink: Rotbier – a traditional reddish lager unique to Nürnberg.
Bamberg
Theme: UNESCO City of Beer
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Morning: Travel to Bamberg. Explore the Old Town, Cathedral, and Little Venice.
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Lunch: Eat at Schlenkerla, the famous tavern.
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Suggested Menu: Bamberg onion stuffed with minced pork, smoked pork belly.
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Drink: Rauchbier – a unique smoked beer, most notably from Schlenkerla Brewery.
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Evening: Brewery crawl to enjoy beer specials like Klosterbräu, Fässla, Mahrs Bräu.
Würzburg - Franconian Wine Region
Theme: Silvaner and Baroque Charm
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Morning: Travel to Würzburg (~1.5 hours). Visit the Residenz Palace.
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Lunch: Local fish dishes or Fränkischer Sauerbraten.
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Afternoon: Wine tasting at Weingut Juliusspital or Bürgerspital.
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Drink: Silvaner and Franken Riesling – served in traditional Bocksbeutel bottles.
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Evening: Dinner with a view over the Main River at the Alte Mainmühle.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Theme: Fairy Tale Dining & Medieval Delights
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Morning: Scenic drive or train to Rothenburg (optional stay or day trip).
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Lunch: Franconian-style roast goose, dumplings, and red cabbage.
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Afternoon: Explore the town wall, Christmas shop, and walk cobblestone alleys.
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Snack: Schneeballen – a local pastry dusted with powdered sugar or dipped in chocolate.
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Evening: Return to Würzburg or overnight stay.
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Drink: Local Franconian beer or a dark Doppelbock.
Freiburg im Breisgau
Theme: Gateway to the Black Forest – Wine, Woodlands & Tradition
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Morning: Travel to Freiburg im Breisgau (~3–4 hours from Würzburg). Check into a boutique hotel or Black Forest guesthouse.
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Midday: Stroll the historic Altstadt, see the Freiburg Minster (cathedral), and explore the charming Bächle (little water channels flowing through the streets).
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Lunch: Dine at Gasthaus zum Kranz or Hausbrauerei Feierling.
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Menu: Wild mushroom dishes, Flammkuchen (Alsatian-style flatbread), or traditional Schäufele (pork shoulder).
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Afternoon: Ride the Schauinslandbahn cable car up into the forested hills for panoramic views and a nature walk.
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Evening: Visit a local Weinstube or beer garden for regional fare.
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Drink: Enjoy a Badischer Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) or Kellerbier from a Freiburg microbrewery.
Black Forest (Schwarzwald Experience)
Theme: Forest Cuisine & Cherry Brandy
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Morning: Visit Triberg Waterfalls and Schwarzwaldmuseum.
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Lunch: Venison ragout or wild boar with Spätzle.
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Afternoon: Tour a Kirschwasser (cherry schnapps) distillery.
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Dessert: Authentic Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake).
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Drink: Kirschwasser and Black Forest Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder).
Return to Frankfurt via Heidelberg
Theme: Romantic Germany Farewell
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Morning: Drive or train to Heidelberg. Visit the castle and Philosopher’s Walk.
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Lunch: Sauerbraten or Flammkuchen at a riverside café.
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Afternoon: Continue to Frankfurt (~1 hour). Check into your final hotel.
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Evening: Farewell dinner in Frankfurt’s Old Town or a modern Michelin-starred restaurant.
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Drink: Try Frankfurt craft beer or a curated German wine flight.
Departure from Frankfurt
Airport Transfer
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Morning: Enjoy a final German breakfast with rolls, meats, cheeses, and coffee.
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Optional takeaway: Pick up regional products like wine, sausages, mustard, or gingerbread at the airport.
Experience amazing beverages!
Prost and Zum Wohl!
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Beers: Rauchbier, Rotbier, Franconian Kellerbier, Schwarzbier, Pilsner
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Wines: Rheingau Riesling, Franken Silvaner, Black Forest Spätburgunder, Württemberg Trollinger
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Specialty Drinks: Apfelwein, Kirschwasser, herbal liqueurs like Underberg or Kräuterlikör
German Food Pairings
Experience Amazing Meals
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Charcuterie Boards with regional cheeses and smoked hams
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Meaty mains: Pork knuckle, sausages, game meats
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Breads: Pretzels, sourdough, seeded rolls
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Desserts: Lebkuchen, Black Forest Cake, Schneeballen, Apple Strudel
Authentic Overnight in Local Hotels
Classic Guesthouse Travel Lodging
From cozy guesthouses in the Black Forest to charming accommodations along the Rhine, these handpicked stays showcase the warmth, history, and charm of traditional German lodging.
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Family-run inns, hearty breakfasts, mountain charm, and village-centered hospitality.
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Rustic charm, pine forests, regional dishes, warm family-style hospitality.
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Cobblestone streets, centuries-old buildings, boutique lodging, culture outside doorstep.
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Breakfast is often the window into German hospitality and local culture. In many traditional stays, breakfast is served in a cozy Stube (wood-paneled dining room), where guests linger over several cups of coffee, chatting with the innkeepers or fellow travelers.
Traditional Lunch Time Experience
Exploring Regional Traditions
In Germany, lunch, or Mittagessen, has long been the heartiest meal of the day, bringing families and travelers together around the table. From Currywurst to Eintopf to Fisch Rolls, midday dining is where tradition, comfort, and culture truly shine.
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Currywurst: Warm bread roll, tangy sauce, affordable, filling German lunch.
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Bratwurst To Go: Grilled sausages, sauerkraut, mustard, fresh rolls, simple yet unforgettable lunch.
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Eintopf Stew: One-pot stew, root vegetables, tender meats, warming rustic midday meal.
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Fish Friday: Fresh trout, boiled potatoes, dill sauce, regional riverside Friday tradition.
Exploring Germany with Ease
Effortless Travel City to City
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Germany’s trains connect cities efficiently, offering punctual, comfortable travel experiences.
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Autobahns allow fast car travel, famous for stretches without limits.
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Regional buses reach small villages, linking travelers with hidden cultural gems.
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City trams glide smoothly, connecting historic centers with modern districts.
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River cruises provide scenic journeys, blending transportation with stunning landscapes.
International Travel to your Destination
Start your Travel in Style
International travel arrangements are always a personal decision, allowing you to choose the airline, route, and class of travel that best fits your preferences.
We recommend that you begin and end your adventure in Frankfurt, Germany, the path you take to arrive is entirely your own.
We also recommend to make your airline reservations to have some flexibility for your schedule and comfort. This allows you to arrive early, extend your stay, or connect your travels with other destinations.
