I actually hadn’t planned on going anywhere this summer. But when the time came, I realized I’d really miss out. Especially since the weather was so nice all over Europe. So I decided to look close to home for a workation. That way, I just bring my laptop along, but I still get a little break. And a big advantage: after my workday, I’m immediately in vacation mode. This time, the trip took me to Germany.
On a workation in Germany
Working as usual during the day, exploring the area in the evenings and on my day off. That’s exactly the balance a workation should have for me. The Eifel is green, quiet, and surprisingly diverse. Lakes, dense forests, small volcanic hills, and villages that look as if time has stood still there. Ideal if you love hiking, water, and peaceful nature after a day spent in front of a screen. The Eifel region had been on my bucket list for a long time, and it didn’t disappoint!
Walking with a view of the water
One of the most beautiful things I did was take a walk in the hills around Einruhr, a tiny, quintessentially German village on the Obersee. The trail winds its way up through the forest, rewarding you along the way with ever-changing views of the lake below. No crowds, no busy tourist route packed with people—we literally didn’t run into a single soul during our hike. Perfect after a day of work, when you want to clear your head and get some exercise.
What I liked about this walk is that you don’t have to walk far to enjoy a beautiful view. Within half an hour of walking, you’ll already be at a spot where you can see the lake below you, surrounded by woods. It’s just right for an evening walk after work: enough exercise, but not so long that you come back exhausted or that it’s already getting dark.
A Trip Back in Time to a German Village
Einruhr itself isn’t particularly impressive, but it’s exactly what I was looking for: small, quiet, with cute half-timbered houses and a few places to eat. We ended our walk with flammkuchen on a patio—exactly the kind of evening that makes a workation worthwhile. Simple, local, and plenty of time outdoors after a day spent behind a laptop.
You’ll find villages like this in several places throughout the Eifel. They aren’t big, and they don’t have a long list of attractions, but that’s exactly what makes them so nice. You take a quick stroll through them, have a drink on a patio, and for a moment, you feel completely away from your workday.
Workation Road Trip in Germany
I don’t own a car myself. On the one hand, because I live in downtown Utrecht and get around by bike or public transportation. On the other hand, because I often work remotely abroad and think it’s a waste to own a car that I hardly use. But to take this road trip, I really needed a car. So I rented one from Sunny Cars. That’s actually where I always rent my cars when I’m abroad. I felt like getting out into nature, to a quiet and preferably secluded spot, so a car is absolutely essential in that case.
The fun of the road trip started right after we picked up the car. We turned on our carefully curated road trip playlist—think ’90s hits, sing-alongs for the car, and sometimes a German schlager, haha. And let’s not forget: snacks. After all, it’s kind of like a vacation, so we’d all stocked up on tasty treats. Singing along, we set off toward Germany.
With Sunny Cars, you don’t have to worry about your rental car, and you’ll really notice that in the details. All insurance is included as standard, right down to glass, tire, and underbody damage. Another perk: you always have unlimited mileage, so you can take those winding roads through the Eifel as often as you like without worrying about the cost. And if something goes wrong along the way—such as a breakdown or even losing your car keys—those costs are covered, too.
Why take a workation to the Eifel region?
The Eifel is a beautiful region—even more beautiful than I had imagined, to be honest. It’s compact enough to see a lot in just a few days, but quiet enough that you can also just work without missing out on anything. For me, it was the perfect combination: focus during the day, a walk or a visit to a village in the evening, and on my day off, hopping in the car and heading out into nature.
Another thing that made this workation road trip so easy is that you can get far away from the hustle and bustle with very little effort. No airport, no time difference—just hop in the car, and a few hours later you’re surrounded by hills and lakes. For a workation close to home, that’s exactly what you’re looking for: less travel time, more time to truly unwind. If you’re looking for a workation destination that’s close by but still makes you feel like you’re really getting away, add the Eifel in Germany to your list.
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