A brief train ride away, Würzburg is the gateway to the Romantic Road, which was built after World War II
and ends at a chateau in Munich that was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle.
Recently Orlando Bloom stayed at the Schlosshotel Steinburg castle overlooking
the river and surrounding vineyards while filming The Three Musketeers. The
castle’s restaurant features locally grown cuisine that rivals the best of France, with
dishes such as smoked trout caught from the river below and chestnut soup.
The most popular attraction in Würzburg is the Würzburg Residence, which was owned and run by bishops and is now a UNESCO world
heritage site with the largest ceiling fresco in the world. One could spend
hours staring at the exquisite artwork. If you’re unlucky in love, visit the troubadour monument outside. Rumor has it if you
leave flowers, you will find true romance.
I stayed at the Best Western Premier Hotel Rebstock, located in a landmark
building—it was originally home to one of Germany’s oldest hospices—that has served as a guesthouse since 1408. Those who have subpar associations
with stateside Best Westerns will be surprised; the lodging chain is far more
upscale in Europe compared with its North American counterparts. I enjoyed
sitting by the dining room’s cozy fireside drinking local white wine.
Both cities hold Christmas markets starting in November where you can sip hot
mulled wine as you browse the booths showcasing locally made crafts. If you’re visiting romantic Germany alone, don’t despair; the locals are very friendly. I met a man warming bricks for people
to warm their hands, and once he found out my maiden name is Wertzberger (which
means “from Würzburg”), he introduced me to a possible relative who owns a dress shop. (Anyone who
has seen my overstuffed closet knows we share the same genes!)
While Würzburg and Heidelberg are the settings for a romantic escape, after a trip down
the Romantic Road, you’ll end up falling in love with the cities themselves. 
