Inspired by the magical worlds of the Brothers Grimm, this seven-night family road trip leads from the green hills of central Germany to the historic city of Bremen. Along the way, families encounter half-timbered towns, enchanted forests, Snow White’s village, the legacy of the Brothers Grimm and four determined animals who set out to become musicians.
The journey begins at Frankfurt Airport, where the family collects a hire car and travels into the green heart of Germany. Around two hours later, the half-timbered houses of Rotenburg an der Fulda appear beside the river.
This peaceful little town provides a gentle introduction to Germany. Families can wander through the historic centre, cross small bridges and follow the river to the castle park. Children begin their first challenge here, searching for fairy-tale figures and imagining which stories might have unfolded among the old houses.
The following morning brings time for a family activity. Depending on the season, this could be a boat ride, mini-golf, cycling beside the Fulda or a visit to the woodland swimming pool. Before leaving, every child adds the first stamp to their Fairy-Tale Passport.
Suggested pictures
- Main image: panoramic view of Rotenburg’s half-timbered old town beside the Fulda
- Family walking across a river bridge
- Colourful timber-framed houses
- A fairy-tale sculpture in the castle park
- Children boating or cycling beside the river
The road continues through the wooded landscape of northern Hesse to Bad Wildungen. The town is known for its elegant spa quarter, historic streets and healing springs—but for young travellers, its greatest secret lies in the nearby village of Bergfreiheit.
Families can first explore Bad Wildungen through the “Snow White and the 15 Healing Springs” trail. Each fountain becomes another clue, leading through the old town and revealing why this corner of Germany became associated with the famous story.
The day ends with the promise of a journey deeper into Snow White’s world.
In Bergfreiheit, the boundary between history and fairy tale begins to disappear. The village’s mining heritage is thought to have helped inspire local associations with Snow White and her seven companions.
Inside the Snow White House, children can see storybook rooms, dress as fairy-tale characters and take part in creative activities. A visit to the historic mine, when available, adds another dimension to the story: the dwarfs become not simply imaginary figures, but reminders of the miners who once worked beneath these hills.
A short woodland walk completes the experience. Families might collect seven leaves, find a mirror-shaped pool or invent names for their own band of dwarfs.
More about Bad WildungenThe next chapter unfolds in Kassel, the city most closely connected with Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.
At GRIMMWELT, manuscripts, objects and interactive displays reveal that the brothers were not only collectors of fairy tales but also important scholars of language and culture. Families can choose a favourite tale, examine how stories change as they are retold and create a new ending together. From the museum’s elevated setting, the city stretches towards the wooded hills of Wilhelmshöhe—the destination for the following day. Or visit the Animal Park Sababurg nearby - local wildlife and stunning views of Sleeping Beauty's Castle leave a lot of room for discovery and inventing your own fairytale.
This chapter works particularly well as the intellectual heart of the journey, connecting the imaginary characters encountered along the route with the real people who preserved their stories.
More about KasselLeaving Kassel, the family begins the longest drive of the holiday. The landscape gradually changes as the route travels north towards the River Weser and the Hanseatic city of Bremen.
The journey can become part of the story. Each family member selects an animal and invents a reason why it is travelling to Bremen. Like the donkey, dog, cat and rooster in the Grimm tale, their characters must work together to overcome a challenge before reaching the city.
After approximately three hours, Bremen’s towers and historic market square signal the beginning of the final chapter.
In Bremen, the fairy-tale journey reaches its joyful conclusion. Beside the UNESCO-listed Town Hall stands the famous bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians: donkey, dog, cat and rooster balanced one above the other.
Families can pose beside the statue before exploring the Market Square, the narrow Böttcherstraße and the tiny lanes of the Schnoor quarter. A walk along the Weser promenade introduces Bremen’s maritime character and provides space to relax after the journey.
For a final family adventure, Universum Bremen offers hands-on experiments involving science, nature and technology. It provides an energetic contrast to the historic centre and works particularly well in wet weather.
That evening, the children complete their Fairy-Tale Passports and choose the character, place and adventure they enjoyed most.
The following morning, the family travels to Bremen Airport or continues to Hannover or Hamburg for the flight back to the UK. They return home with photographs, passport stamps and a collection of stories that belong uniquely to their family.
The journey may be over, but—as every good fairy tale reminds us—the stories can be told again and again.
