Germany’s Romantic Road is not just an invention for tourism: it’s a traditional trade route from the Middle Ages, and today it winds it way through some of the prettiest towns and villages in southern Germany. Three of my favourite Romantic Road towns, all within easy driving distance of each other, are Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a common destination for tourist groups, so if you head there try and be there early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds, or travel off-season. The medieval Old Town is one of the best preserved in Germany, and that’s what attracts all the crowds. My tip is simple to wander the alleys and streets of central Rothenburg and enjoy the different architecture and photogenic buildings. If you want to get inside some of these buildings, then you can try the Christmas museum or the famous shop selling all kinds of traditional Christmas decorations. Rothenburg really likes to live off the Christmas theme and the last time I was there, many trees and gardens around the town centre were decorated with painted eggs in Christmas colours. And if you want to enjoy views over the town, get inside the Town Hall (Rathaus) where you can climb the tower to the top of Rothenburg.

Further down the Romantic Road, and usually much further away from the tourist buses, is the town of Nördlingen. It’s smaller and somehow also sweeter than Rothenburg, and the quiet streets and still stunning architecture makes a good comparison. The highlight in the centre is the St Georgskirche (Church), where you can climb up its Daniel Tower to gaze over the town. It’s full of gorgeous red-tiled roofs and during summer time if you look down from the tower you can see the town squares filled with the tables and chairs of cafes – a really cute view! Nördlingen is also full of those crooked Fachwerk houses that typify German villages.

Also on the Romantic Road you’ll find Dinkelsbühl. While I admit I first visited more because of its funny-sounding name than the fact that it also has a place on the Romantic Road, I was happy to discover another cute and photogenic German village. I was using the Lonely Planet guidebook for Germany at the time, and the most exciting moment of my day was walking round a corner and being confronted by a bright yellow building that looked incredibly familiar: I realised it was the building from the cover of my guidebook. It made my day and sealed me on loving the Romantic Road.