Life with the Lokeys

Day Trip to Burg Eltz: Germany’s Fairytale Castle

As I walked through the doors to Eltz Castle, I felt like I was stepping into a Disney movie. It reminded me of the castle in Sleeping Beauty and also Hogwarts from Harry Potter. I would love to have thrown on a ballgown and taken a picture in front of this castle…maybe next time!

Burg Eltz is definitely one of the most magical castles in all of Germany. It is also one of the best preserved castles in the world. It’s hidden deep in the forest, and you can even take a magical walk through the forest to reach the castle. The castle is over 850 years old and has been in the Eltz family for more than 30 generations.

The prime period of castle construction was from the 11th to the 13th century. It was constructed in a strategically important position along the most important trade route in the German Empire. Burg Eltz was also never destroyed or overtaken. You can read all about the castle’s history here!

Burg Eltz: What to Know Before You Go

The castle is only open from April 1-November 1. You can visit the castle any time of the year, but it is only open for tours during these months. I would love to come back in the winter. It is open for tours from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., seven days a week. I suggest getting there early before the tours start to have the castle all to yourself. There are German and English tours every 10-15 minutes and they last about 40 minutes as they take you through this magical castle.

The castle is hidden deep in the forest, and from the parking area you can either take a shuttle bus up to the castle or hike through the forest. There is also a small hike that goes along the same route as the shuttle bus, and I suggest that route on the way up to get some beautiful pictures along the way. I would then take the hike though the forest on the way back. The parking cost 2 euros and the shuttle bus also costs 2 euros each way.

Once you reach the castle, there is an admission fee to enter the castle and take the tour. Adults are 11 euro, children 7 euro, and the family card(2 adults and 2 or more children) 30 euro.

Exploring Burg Eltz

Once you enter the castle doors, you are ready to experience one of the most enchanting castles in Europe. You will take a walk around the castle to begin your tour. There are amazing views from the castle walls. You will then enter the inside walls of the castle as you wait for your tour to begin. The tour takes about 40 minutes. You are not allowed to take pictures inside the castle, but my favorite was the bed that was built in 1520. I also loved the beautiful windows and seating areas that opened up to the gorgeous views of the surrounding forest.

At the end of the tour, you can also explore the Burg Eltz Castle Treasury. Here you will find so many neat artifacts and antiques from the castle over the years. After exploring the castle, you can stop for a bite to eat. There are two restaurants where you can stop and relax and take in the views from the castle. We did not stop to eat but I have heard the food is delicious. There is also a cute little souvenir shop full of all kinds of medieval items to remember your time at the castle.

If you find yourself in Germany, you must visit this beautiful and enchanting castle for yourself. Take a step back in time, and enjoy learning about the history of this castle. I hope you find it as magical as I did!

The Most Magical Fairy Tale Village in Germany: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

When looking for the perfect place in Germany to spend our anniversary, I came across the magical town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. As soon as we entered the walled city of Rothenburg, I felt like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Rothenburg reminds me of a fairy tale storybook in real life. This tiny village is in southern Germany along the “Romantic Road”, which is a route through Germany that takes you to beautiful castles and villages.

This medieval village is surrounded by its original protective wall from the 12th century. The city is also the inspiration for several movies like Harry Potter (which my boys thought was so cool), Pinocchio, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. When you first enter the walls of the city, it feels like you have stepped back in time. There are colorful half-timbered houses, shops, cafes and hotels lined up with cute little signs.

WHERE TO STAY

There are so many cute little hotels inside Rothenburg. It was hard to choose the perfect one, but I absolutely loved Hotel Reichskuchenmeister. It is one of the oldest houses in Rothenburg built in the 12th century. In 1540 the future Emperor Ferdinand I stayed in this house and in 1546 Emperor Charles V. It is in the perfect location in the center of the city and perfect for an overnight stay in Rothenburg. The rooms are historic and decorated with the cutest antique decor. You can even open your window and look out over the beautiful city. From the hotel, it is only a short walk to everything in the city. I also recommend eating here. There is a beautiful outside seating area that is perfect for lunch or a beautiful evening dinner.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

I was so surprised at how much there was to do in this little village. My favorite thing to do was walk around and get lost down all the cute alley ways lined with colorful houses. It truly felt like taking a step back in time. There are so many cute shops and cafes!

You can also walk the entire wall of the city. The view from the top is amazing. Colt loved looking though the little holes where they used to shoot arrows when under attack. There is also a Crime and Justice Museum where you can see all the Medieval weapons and what they did to people that broke the law.

Christmas is everywhere in Rothenburg. We definitely want to come back and enjoy the big Christmas market they have here. They also have a German Christmas Museum and a Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas store. I found the perfect ornament for our tree this year!

There are also several guided tours you can take and learn about the history of the city. We were hoping to go on the Night Watchman’s tour, but it was cancelled that evening. You can join the Watchman as he makes his nighttime rounds. Listen to his tales and catch a glimpse of how people lived a long time ago.

I also suggest checking out the gorgeous St. James Church. This beautiful cathedral was constructed in 1485, and the stained-glass windows and amazing architecture are not to be missed.

And Finally, after all the walking, stop and get a famous Rothenburg snowball! Also know as a Schneeball! We joked about getting one the entire trip! There are also lots of cafes to choose from that offer a variety of food and wine.

WHERE TO EAT

Since it was our anniversary, I decided to book one of the most romantic places to dine in Europe. The Cellar Room at Zur Holl, which dates back to 900. This medieval wine tavern is in the town’s oldest original buildings. They serve amazing German food and a great selection of Franconian wines.

If you come to Germany, you must visit Rothenburg. It is like being in a fairy tale! I can’t wait to visit during Christmas and experience the Christmas market!