Introduction to The Fairy Tale Road

The area between Frankfurt and Hamburg is Germany's most neglected tourist destination, yet it holds many discoveries. Some of Germany's best-preserved medieval towns, as well as some major spas, lie in the flatlands and rolling hills of Lower Saxony and North Hesse. The character of the area ranges widely, from the bustle of the port of Bremen to the isolation of the Lüneburg Heath.

You'll also find the beautiful Harz Mountains, perhaps the country's last stronghold of paganism, still a land of legends and fanciful names. It is said that the last bear was killed in the Harz in 1705, the last lynx in 1817, but wildcats, badgers, deer, and foxes remain, as well as many limestone caves. The beech trees that grow in the Harz range have unusual size and great beauty, and walnut trees abound.

The highlight of this area is a drive along the Fairy-Tale Road, stretching for 595km (370 miles) from the town of Hanau in the south to Bremen in the north.

As you travel this winding route, your childhood memories will live again, as you encounter such characters as Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, and the Pied Piper. The dark forests and countryside inspired the Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales, which are read to children all over the world today.

Train service is available to the larger cities and towns, but it's best to rent a car and explore the region at random, scurrying down some country road when you spot Little Red Riding Hood along some mysterious lane.

Although the Fairy-Tale Road tour ends in Bremen, some of the most fascinating cities of Lower Saxony and the Harz Mountains are yet to be explored if you have the time. These include the ancient cities of Lüneburg, Celle, Goslar, and Göttingen.