8 countries in 17 days, ferry with DFDS, castles, mountains and an abundance of beautiful scenery
Amsterdam
Day 1
5pm - ferry from Newcastle Upon Tyne with DFDS to Amsterdam
Luxembourg
Day 2
9:45pm - arrive in IJmuiden and drive 4 hours to Luxembourg
2:30pm - purchase a Luxembourg card on the Luxembourg tourist board website and you will be sent a barcode via email
2:30pm - stop in Vianden and jump on the Vianden chairlift free with the Luxembourg card
3pm - have a late lunch at the cafe at the top of Vianden chairlift
3:45pm - walk down from the top of the chairlift to Vianden castle
4:15pm - visit Vianden castle using Luxembourg card
4:45pm - drive into the centre of Luxembourg and go to the Chemin de la Corniche view point
5:15pm - visit Place d’Armes and Palais Grand-Ducal
5:45pm - have an early dinner in Luxembourg centre at Lux burgers, Kamakura (Asian) or Cocottes Gare (reasonably priced, Deli style)
6:15pm - drive and check in at Lindner Hotel and Spa, Binshof, Speyer
Lindner Hotel and Spa, Germany
Day 3
9am - enjoy breakfast at Lindner Hotel and Spa, Binshof
10am - book a Hamam treatment and enjoy the spa facilities
12pm - drive to Baden-Baden and visit the Casino, Lichtentaler Allee and explore the old town
3pm - have lunch at Mamma Lina (pizza), Rizzi or Amadeus Hausbrau/ Le Bistro (German bar)
4pm - drive to Die Kohlerei am See, check in and have dinner
Black Forest
Day 4
9am - have breakfast at Die Kohlerei am See
10am - drive to the start of Feldbergsteig hike and begin the 4 hour loop which is the highest hike in the Black Forest
3pm - visit Ravenna Gorge and hike the 1hr30 loop
5:30pm - have an early dinner near Ravenna Gorge or head back to Die Kohlerei am See to eat
Hohenschwangau
Day 5
9am - drive to Triberg and visit the waterfalls
11am - drive to Hohenschwangau and check into Villa Ludwig
2:30pm - explore Hohenschwangau and visit Alpsee, Hohenschwangau castle and Neuschwanstein castle
8pm - dinner at Schloss Braustuberl
Lake Bled
Days 6 - 11
9am - drive to Lake Bled in Slovenia
Next post: A Fairytale Trip to Lake Bled
Next post: 7 Days in Slovenia
Dolomites
Day 11
9am - drive to Lago di Sorapis in the Dolomites and enjoy this picturesque hike
3:30pm - drive to Cortina and check into Hotel Serena
5:30pm - walk into Cortina centre, explore the town and have dinner at Fvsion Cortina
Day 12
9am - drive to Rifugio Auronzo or Rifugio Locatelli and complete the Tre Cime Laveredo hike
2pm - if you have time you can also take on the Cinque Torri hike
6pm - head back to Cortina and have dinner at Restaurant Ariston
Liechtenstein
Day 13
9am - drive from Cortina to Lago di Braies
10am - walk around Lago di Braies and enjoy a morning coffee and pastry at a cafe overlooking the lake
11:30am - drive to Liechtenstein
3pm - check into Park Hotel Sonnenhof
3:30pm - head out and explore Liechtenstein and collect your Liechtenstein card from the tourist office
5pm - take advantage of the freebies on offer with the Liechtenstein card
7:30pm - have dinner at Park Hotel Sonnenhof
Day 14
9am - indulge at breakfast in the Park Hotel Sonnenhof
10am - drive to Malbun chairlift and use your Liechtenstein card to enjoy a free ride
10:45am - walk down from the top of the Malbun chairlift
12pm - embark on the three sisters hike (Drei Schwestern), take the right path away from Fürstensteig which is more manageable
5pm - drive to Weisbaden. This was a pit stop for us and we stayed at the Holiday Inn
Amsterdam to UK
Day 15 -17
9am - drive to Amsterdam and explore the city
Next post: Amsterdam - Embracing Nature, Food and Drink
Next post: Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
Day 17
5pm - ferry with DFDS from Amsterdam to Newcastle Upon Tyne
A jam-packed road trip making the very most of the every single day and seeing as much as possible in the short time given. The drives were limited to no more than 5 hours to prevent exhaustion. If you wish to take things a little easier I would recommend removing some of the hikes along the way and replace them with relaxation time.
An incredible trip from start to finish. If you're planning on organising a European road trip and have any questions, please get in touch.
Next post: 17 Day European Road Trip