13 exciting vacation spots that can be reached without a plane

1. Lake Garda

If you live in southern Germany, you have an ace up your sleeve when it comes to holidays: the enchanting city of Desenzano del Garda is about 5 hours by car from Munich. What is so great about the city with its 30,000 inhabitants (apart from the old town, the promenade or the marina)? Lake Garda is right outside the door! And it’s not just beautiful in the summer months. Even in the cooler seasons, the landscape takes our breath away – if we still have some after long autumn walks or breakneck skiing attempts. Or we just dream in front of the window of the wellness area. Nice too.

2. Sweden

Anyone who thinks that Sweden’s landscape is only great in summer has cut itself. Because the Scandinavian country has more to offer in autumn and winter than snow-covered roads and the eternal cross-country skiing competitions; After all, we can look at them from the couch at home. But what do you really have to experience? Snowshoeing, ice swimming, dog sledding tours, ice hotels and much more. So that our noses don’t freeze off during all the cold outdoor activities, we occasionally take a break in the sauna and treat ourselves to a cup of Glögg. Or two. Cheers.

3. Complaints

Let’s be honest: Chilblains like us don’t go into the Baltic Sea even at 25 ° C, brr! So why wait for summer to hang out alibi-like on the beach? It’s only when it’s cold outside and the sea breeze is really fresh that walks on the beach are really fun. Finally you have no more sand in your shoes, you just don’t feel uncomfortable in a light bikini – and: The warm cocoa still tastes best when we come in shivering from outside and can really enjoy it.

4. Vacation in the country

When loud car noises, dirty air and construction sites, as far as the eye can see, annoy us, then it doesn’t always have to be a vacation in the Caribbean. Why not drive to the country in the classic way? When did we even stop squeaking with joy at the sight of calves or looking forward to apples that we picked ourselves? It doesn’t matter how old we are. And what a good idea that is, we notice at the latest when we go home blissfully and relaxed after a week and everyday life is knocking on the door.

5. France

Baguettes and good wine is closer than you might think! We all know that France has a lot to offer. So why always fly? Here, too, you can do a little road trip. And not only Paris is always worthwhile, the regions Rhônes-Alpes, Alsace or Champagne-Ardenne are also impressive. It is not only worth visiting the larger cities of the country, but also taking a look at the small villages and great landscapes. Because the rule is: Where there are vineyards, “le vin” cannot be far! A little tip: from Paris the EUROSTAR leaves for London almost every hour – with a journey time of less than two and a half hours you can get to Great Britain faster than you can see. And environmentally friendly.

6. Saxon Switzerland

You don’t necessarily have to travel to another country or travel long distances for a great autumn holiday. Saxon Switzerland on the Czech border not only has picturesque landscapes up its sleeve, but also one or two unexpected surprises. In addition to hotel specials to get to know and hikes, you can also cook your own mulled wine or visit the winter village of Schmilka. There is not only the classic sauna with a panoramic view as a goodie, but also a heated hot tub to relax in. And if that’s not enough, we visit the Königsstein Fortress and then let our children explore the nearby rock labyrinth. But be careful: the offspring are lost faster than you think …

7. Masuria

When you think of a vacation in Poland, the first thing that comes to mind is the Polish Baltic coast. Then maybe Warsaw, as a city trip. The Masurian region in northern Poland proves that you can spend your vacation in our neighboring country in autumn and winter without having to travel long distances. There you can experience much more than sauna, skiing or snowshoeing: sleigh rides with horses, for example, which have a long tradition there. Or you can take a course in ice sailing. If you find it too risky to steer an ice sailor over the ice at an elegant 170 km / h and without brakes (read that correctly!), You can also book tours. And off you go!

8. East Frisia

Holidays on the North Sea are at least as beautiful as on Rügen on the Baltic Sea. Only that the North Sea has a little bonus: mudflat hikes! The thought of freezing cold, mud underfoot and rain on the face may not make our hearts bounce. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying! And if you don’t necessarily need the last detailed information about this and that little worm, you can also book silent tours. Because nothing is said for an hour and a half. No chattering, no cell phone ringing, no annoying questions. Just rest. Nowhere is it more natural to slow down.

9. Bologna

The Italian student city is best visited when it’s warm? Puff cake! Where in summer there are almost dead pants because the students have gone home and no one else dares to venture out in the heat, social life reigns from October. And should it get too cold for us while strolling outside, we scurry into a nice café, one of the 50 (!) Museums in the city or into a small boutique with wonderful things – when they sell their winter collections at reduced prices between November and March, our little shopping heart skips. And should we feel hungry after a long shopping spree, we visit one of the great restaurants that, unlike the main season in autumn and winter, are not overcrowded. Or we learn in a cooking class how to make real Italian pasta. Mhh! You can get there within half a day by train. What more do we want?

10. Denmark

Denmark has a lot more to offer than Copenhagen, it’s hard to believe. After all, where better to enjoy the hygge feeling in front of a fireplace or outside by the campfire than in a small holiday home by the sea, in the middle of nowhere? We can’t think of anything nicer in a hurry. And best of all: By train, you can easily get to Copenhagen from Hamburg, for example, in around five and a half hours, and from there on to the countryside in half an hour. A great idea to come to completely again.

11. Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen

Because a visit to the Niagara Falls cannot be listed here for a given occasion, we have found the European counterpart to this natural spectacle: the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen in Switzerland. At the sight of this spectacle our mouths open in amazement! And what even the Niagara Falls cannot offer is a castle that was built directly above the waterfall and even houses a youth hostel. When you’re already there, you can also enjoy the panorama restaurant or visit the miniature world of Switzerland.

12. Tyrol

The classic holiday destination in winter is probably Tyrol, without question. If you don’t necessarily have to do experiments when you’re already on vacation, you’ve come to the right place. A tip from us: The family country hotel “Stern”. There is not only an in-house petting zoo, but children can also spend the night in a hay bed. Then mum and dad will finally have a quiet night – and have to worry about the little ones again when those with hay in their hair are at the door the next morning. Yay.

13. Yoga in Chiemgau

To really relax on a yoga holiday, you don’t necessarily have to fly to a Greek island. There are also great hotels in Germany, whether on the North Sea or in Bavaria, within easy reach for everyone. In Chiemgau you can book a short break with twice a day sessions, vegetarian meals, hikes and bread-baking courses. Ommm!

Barbara