Lauda-Konigshofen, Romantic Road

Lauda and Königshofen are two neighbouring towns known for their hillside vineyards on either side of the Tauber Valley. The area's diverse grape varieties produce a wide range of red and white wines. Depending on your palate, in the white wine range there’s the Bacchus with its strong bouquet, the Gewürztraminer, which can range from sweet to dry, or the Silvaner with its full-bodied pear flavour. If red is more to your liking, how about a black Riesling with its ruby red colour and velvety aroma, but not too strong a flavour; or maybe a more modern grape, the Acolon. Created in 1971, the Acolon has a terrific, intense colour, but the grape was only officially recognised thirty years later. Now well established, it is a complementary wine to a meat-based dish or a platter of hard cheese.

Lauda-Königshofen is not a tourist destination, just more of an overnight stopover unless, of course, you want to sample the various vineyards in the area. However, when the Königshöfer Messe, a folk festival, comes to town, the area attracts more than 150,000 visitors. This 10-day festival has been running for over 500 years, offering music, culinary specialities, a running race with various categories, an amusement park and a trade fair.

Half-timbered houses, museums, historical stone bridges, or a stroll along the Tauber River may be a preferred option for a quieter experience. Several churches date back to the 18th century, whilst many of the half-timbered houses date back to as early as the 16th century.