Love locks at the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany – Image: Germany.travel
Germany offers countless charming locations for couples, as well as families and individuals seeking unforgettable moments with a romantic flair. With its fairytale castles, picturesque landscapes, and historic cities, Germany is a dream destination guaranteed to cast its spell on anybody.
Couples can admire and add to the 40,000 love locks decorating the railings of the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne. Lovers hang a small padlock with their initials and the date they met on the bridge railing, lock it and throw the key into the water.
Idylllic German village Forst on the romantic Wine Route in autumn – Image: Germany.travel
In Northern Germany, love birds can visit the Bräutigamseiche (Groom’s Oak), the first tree in the world with a postal address. For more than 100 years, the knothole has served as a mailbox for heartfelt messages written by those longing for connections. The old oak tree in Dodau Forest has been described as the most romantic postbox in the world.
And this is how it happened:
The daughter of a forester in Dodau (Mrs. Ohrt) and the son of a Leipzig chocolate manufacturer (Mr. Schütte-Felsche) loved each other, but were not allowed to get together according to their parents’ wishes. So they wrote letters to each other, which they deposited in a knothole in the old oak tree.
However, the parents were persuaded to change their minds and the two married in 1891, naturally under the oak tree. In the years that followed, more and more lovers used the knothole to write letters until a ladder had to be installed in 1927 and the post office began to deliver letters here.
Bridegroom Oak in Dodau Forest, northern Germany – Image: Tourismuszentrale Holsteinische Schweiz
Since then, anyone who writes a personal ad or anything else to “Bräutigamseiche, Dodauer Forst, 23701 Eutin” will have their letter deposited in the knothole by the post office. And anyone who wants to and is interested can come and take out letters (and answer them, of course).
In the meantime, more than 10 marriages have been arranged in this unusual way and letters are received almost daily, sometimes from all over the world – up to 50 a day according to television reports about the oak. The tree is now over 500 years old, has a circumference of 5 m, is 25 m high and 30 m wide at the crown.
For a fairytale experience perfect for kids, wander through the enchanting gardens of Schwetzingen Palace by Heidelberg or Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam. Here, meticulously designed landscapes, blooming flowerbeds, and grand fountains create the perfect setting for a dreamy stroll. These historic estates, once favored by royalty, offer an idyllic experience for the whole family.
Famous terraces at Sanssouci Palace near Berlin – Image: SPSG/Leo Seidel
Traveling solo? Indulge in pure relaxation with a luxurious spa getaway.
Germany’s historic spa towns, such as Baden-Baden and Wiesbaden, invite guests to unwind in soothing thermal springs, rejuvenate with a massage, and soak in the peaceful ambiance of charming old-world architecture. Whether it’s an evening in a grand thermal bath or a cozy retreat in a five-star wellness hotel, German spa destinations promise the ultimate retreat to practice self-love. (NAN/GNTB/Holsteinische Schweiz Tourism 13-02-25)
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Focus on sustainability and digitalisation
The German National Tourism Board (GNTB) promotes forward-looking tourism in line with the objectives of the German government. The focus here is on sustainability and digitalisation. The GNTB positions Germany as a sustainable and inclusive destination in the international travel market.
