Tour the scenic Castle Road from Germany

Exploring the best palaces, parks and gardens of Europe is easy by catching a cheap ferry crossing and touring the popular Castle Road from Mannheim to Prague.

Whether by car or by coach, this 1,000 kilometre route takes visitors from Germany, through Switzerland and finally into the Czech Republic.

This has been a popular tourist route for over 50 years and features around 70 castles, castle ruins, palaces and stately homes along the way. The route is packed with diverse history, scenery and plenty of fairytale castles, all of which are fully signposted.

Travel from Mannheim and Heidelberg, where the legacy of the Palatine electors and their patronage of the arts is apparent, to the glorious scenery of Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

The ancient towns of Auerbach, Bamberg, Coburg, Kronach, Kulmbach and Bayreuth, as well as the medieval imperial city of Nuremberg are must-sees.

Also take a break at some of the quaint old towns with their half-timbered buildings such as Mosbach, Bad Wimpfen, Schwabisch Hall and Rothenburg.