Germany

Germany is arguably the most motorhome-friendly country in Europe. With over 3,500 dedicated stellplatze — motorhome parking areas with varying levels of facilities — and a road network that is the envy of the continent, Germany offers a touring experience that is efficient, varied, and deeply rewarding. From the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest in the west to the Bavarian Alps in the south, from the Romantic Road's fairy-tale castles to the edgy creativity of Berlin, Germany is a country that rewards the motorhome traveller at every turn. From our Pontefract depot, Germany is easily accessible via the Hull to Rotterdam overnight ferry, with the first German cities just two to three hours' drive from the Dutch coast.

The Hull to Rotterdam ferry is the most practical route for Yorkshire-based travellers. After disembarking at Europoort, the drive to the German border takes approximately two and a half hours on the excellent Dutch and German motorway system. Alternatively, the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais puts you four hours' drive from the German border via Belgium. Either way, Germany's western gateway — the Rhine Valley — is within comfortable reach on the first day of travel.

The Rhine Valley, between Koblenz and Mainz, is one of the most celebrated river landscapes in Europe. The Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, flows past terraced vineyards, medieval castles perched on rocky crags, and the legendary Loreley rock where, according to legend, a siren lured sailors to their destruction. The towns along the valley — Bacharach, St Goar, Boppard — are strung with half-timbered houses and connected by ferries that cross the river in minutes. Stellplatze line both banks, many with direct river views. A glass of local Riesling drunk on the river bank as the evening light catches the castle ruins above is one of those European experiences that stays with you forever.

The Black Forest, in the south-western corner of Germany, is a landscape of dense coniferous woodland, deep valleys, and traditional villages that look precisely as you imagine a German forest should. The cuckoo clock originated here, and workshops in Triberg and Furtwangen still produce them using centuries-old methods. The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse — the Black Forest High Road — runs along the ridge from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt, offering panoramic views across the Rhine Valley to the Vosges Mountains in France. Freiburg, the unofficial capital of the Black Forest, is a sunny university city with a stunning Gothic minster, a vibrant market square, and an environmental consciousness that has made it a model for sustainable urban living.

Bavaria, in the south-east, is the Germany of postcard fame. The Bavarian Alps rise dramatically from the foothills south of Munich, with peaks reaching over 2,900 metres at the Zugspitze — Germany's highest mountain. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, at the foot of the Zugspitze, is a traditional Alpine resort with painted houses, mountain railways, and hiking trails that range from gentle valley walks to serious mountain routes. The Partnach Gorge, a narrow limestone canyon with a path carved into the cliff face, is one of the most dramatic short walks in the Alps.

Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the nineteenth century, is the fairy-tale castle that inspired the Disney logo. Perched on a rocky outcrop above the Alpsee lake, with the Alps rising behind it, Neuschwanstein is one of the most visited attractions in Germany. The Romantic Road — a 350-kilometre route from Wurzburg in the north to Fussen in the south — passes through medieval walled towns, baroque churches, and rolling farmland, ending at Neuschwanstein's gates. It is one of the classic European motorhome touring routes, with stellplatze positioned at convenient intervals along the way.

Munich, Bavaria's capital, is a city of grand architecture, world-class museums, and the legendary beer culture that reaches its peak during Oktoberfest each September. The Marienplatz, with its mechanical clock that performs daily at eleven o'clock, is the heart of the old town. The Deutsches Museum, on an island in the River Isar, is the largest science and technology museum in the world. The English Garden, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, even has a surfing wave on the Eisbach stream where surfers ride year-round. Motorhome campsites near Munich include Campingplatz Thalkirchen, set in a park beside the Isar with tram connections to the centre.

Berlin, in the north-east, is Europe's most dynamic capital. The city's turbulent history — from Prussian glory through the horrors of the Nazi era, the Cold War division, and the joyful reunification in 1989 — is written across its landscape. The Brandenburg Gate, the East Side Gallery (the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall, now an open-air art gallery), the Holocaust Memorial, and the Reichstag with its glass dome are all essential visits. Berlin's cultural scene — spanning world-class opera, experimental theatre, cutting-edge contemporary art, and a nightlife culture of global fame — is unmatched in Europe.

The German stellplatz system is the backbone of motorhome touring in the country. Stellplatze range from basic parking areas with a single service point to fully equipped sites with electricity, water, waste disposal, Wi-Fi, and shower facilities. Most charge between five and fifteen euros per night, making them significantly cheaper than campsites. The Bord Atlas guide and the Stellplatz.Info website list thousands of options across the country. German motorhome regulations are clear and well-enforced — overnight parking in a motorhome is generally permitted for one night on public land as a "rest stop," but stays longer than one night require a designated stellplatz or campsite.

German food extends far beyond sausages and pretzels, though both are excellent. Regional cuisines vary enormously, from the hearty Schweinshaxe and Knodel of Bavaria to the refined fish dishes of the north coast. German bread is the finest in Europe, with over 3,000 registered varieties. The beer culture — governed by the Reinheitsgebot purity law since 1516 — produces outstanding lagers, wheat beers, and regional specialities. A visit to a Biergarten, with a litre of Helles and a plate of Obatzda cheese spread, is one of the defining pleasures of German motorhome touring.