Autumn is Wunderbar!

Just the very idea of autumn in Europe conjures up images of beautiful rich colours, gentle sunshine and uncrowded destinations. Autumn is a fantastic season to visit Germany, a time when the heat and the tourist crowds of the summer fade away to give way to a cooler and calmer atmosphere. If you time your trip well, Germany will be experiencing an “Altweibersommer” Indian Summer. If not, there is nothing greater than travelling through the beautiful landscapes and sophisticated cities of Germany from the comfort of one of our luxury cars.

This is a time of year when the roads have cleared and driving becomes a pleasure again. Autumn in Germany is the season of wine and harvest festivals, of lazy afternoons visiting grand castles and exciting cultural events in the major cities, so whether you want to take a scenic drive in a supercar or be seen at one of Berlin’s best art galleries, we have some suggestions that will warm your soul before winter sets in.

Travel the Romantic Road

We can’t help but recommend the Romantic Road. This may well be one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations and hardly what one would describe as ‘getting away from it all’, but it is popular for a reason, and there really is no better time of year to drive through the scenery of Bavaria southern Germany, when the countryside has turned an incredible shade of red and gold and the quaint villages and fairytale castles are bathed in warm autumn sunlight. Choose an open-top Porsche Boxster if the weather fares well or a two-seat Porsche Cayman for a cosier, more romantic drive. The wonderfully named Romantic Road is somewhat of a modern invention, covering some 460 kilometres that loosely follows a major trade route of the Middle Ages, but the journey feels historic as it takes you through medieval towns, past beautiful vineyards and to fairytale castles. Driving from the historic city of Würzburg in the north to Fussen in the south, you’ll notice the forest and river valley landscape giving way to the dramatic mountains of the Bavarian Alps. You’ll marvel at the medieval walled towns of Nordlingen, Dinkelsbuhl and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and be enchanted by the castle of Neuschwanstein that greets you at the end of your travels. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Munich Airport (MUC) are both located within a few hours drive of the Romantic Road.

Make Merry at Oktoberfest

For seasonal celebrations on a grand scale, make your way to the infamous Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich. This annual festival attracts millions of visitors each year, with different themed tents offering a range of beers and hosting an array of beer fuelled parties. Despite being a beer festival, this is very much a local family event with families dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing (Trachten) and carnival rides ensuring plenty of fun to be had by all. If you are looking for something a little more intimate, the Kafer Wies’n-Schaenke tent is cozy retreat with gourmet treats and celebrity clientele, whilst the Weinzelt wine tent offers a range of sparkling wines and champagne. The opening ceremonies take place in the historic Schottenhamel beer tent, with the Mayor of Munich ceremonially tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer.

Munich is one of Germany’s finest cities, and there are a wealth of luxury hotels to choose from in Central Munich, with the Bayerischer Hof Hotel offering a fabulous Michelin starred restaurant and fantastic panoramic views of the city and the elegant Louis Hotel located in one of the best areas in the city, overlooking the Viktualienmarkt. Pick up a sporty BMW i8 on your arrival to Munich Airport (MUC) and enjoy the best this city has to offer.

Revitalise in the Black Forest

The Schwarzwald comes into its own in autumn, with incredible colours and wine festivals aplenty. As you’ll discover, the Black Forest isn’t all traditional kirschetorte and cuckoo clocks; you’ll be treated to cultural events, gourmet restaurants and luxury spas, as well as some of the most dramatic scenery you’ll find in Europe. At the foothills of the Black Forest, the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden offers a taste of timeless luxury. Sitting on an extensive network of underground springs, the town has long attracted the great and the good of Europe and prides itself on being an unofficial summer residence amongst the European royal families. Pamper yourself at the thermal baths of the exclusive Caracalla Spa, or enjoy an evening of unrivalled glamour at the dazzling casino, restaurant and concert hall of the Belle Epoque-styled Kurkhaus. Hire a luxury Audi Q7 SUV from Karlesruhe/Baden Baden Airport (FKB), or Strasbourg Airport (SXB) in France, and head to the city between 16-18th October 2016 for the prestigious annual Sales and Racing Festival or take a short drive to The Rebland Riesling growing district, a region famed for its fine wines and culinary delights. Many of the Black Forest’s best driving routes emanate from Baden-Baden, including the spectacular Hochstrasse, which offers incredible panoramic views over the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley.

Celebrate Culture in Berlin

Autumn is a perfect month to visit the vibrant city of Berlin, a time when the city returns to its creative best and the residents enjoy the last days of the summer sun while welcoming the wonderful colours of Fall. This is a busy time for gallery openings and cultural events, so make sure you arrive in style with an exclusive Mercedes AMG GT Roadster or enjoy the late summer sun with a sporty BMW 4-series Convertible. Upcoming highlights include Berlin Art Week (15th – 20th September), Berlin Food Week (28th September - 4th October 2015), Berlin Jazz Festival (30th October to 2nd November) and the much-anticipated ‘The Botticelli Renaissance’ exhibition at the Gemäldegalerie (24th September-24th January 2015). In fashionable East Berlin you can discover the best of European contemporary art at the KW Institute for Contemporary Art and the grand Hamburger Bahnhof Gallery in Mitte, whilst for a real taste of contemporary Berlin, you should take a place at one of Berlins’ now well-established Supperclubs, such as Thyme Supperclub or Pheobe in Berlin, where you’ll find the city’s best chefs serving up world-class dishes in an exclusive and intimate atmosphere. Berlin Schonefeld Airport (SXF) or Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) are the closest airports to the city centre.