DAY 1: SUNDAY Depart from Frankfurt in the morning and drive to Eisenach, dominated by the Wartburg Castle. Visit one of the most important edifices of German history and see the room where Luther worked and spent the last years of his seclusion. Continue to Weimar, one of Germany’s greatest cultural treasures. Poets like Schiller and Goethe, DAY 2: MONDAY After breakfast we move to Luther’s Wittenberg where reformation started when he pinned his 95 thesis to the portal of the church. Continue to Potsdam and DAY 3: TUESDAY In the morning departure for Berlin. See the highlights of Germany’s most important and most exciting city like Brandenburg Gate, our Parliament Reichstag, Check Point Charlie and Protestant Cathedral (Berliner Dom). Afterwards, check-in at your hotel. The afternoon is free for own activities like exploring the numerous, wellknown museums or roam around the various boutiques and department stores like the KaDeWe. Take the opportunity of doing a boat trip optionally which gives you some impressive views from the channel Spree. Overnight at Hotel Express by Holiday Inn Berlin City Centre o.s. DAY 4: WEDNESDAY After breakfast we go on to Dresden. On a city tour you will get to know one of the loveliest cities of central Europe – “Florence of the Elbe” it is called – and see its important sights like the restored Frauenkirche, the Semper Opera House, the baroque Zwinger, the Green Vault and many more. In the late afternoon return to Berlin and small city tour.
DAY 5: THURSDAY Today we are heading north. Next stop is Hamburg. Enjoy a city tour incl. all the main sights of this impressive city like the Michel, Reeperbahn, Alster and many more before discovering Germany’s largest seaport on a harbour cruise. The evening is free for own activities maybe a walk through the Reeperbahn. This amusement quarter originally was visited by sailors who were able to spend a whole 6 month pay in only one happy night. Nowadays, of course, you can also see more “civilised” areas. Overnight at Best Western Queens o.s.
DAY 6: FRIDAY In the morning departure for our next stop – Bremen, the Free Hanseatic City with an old tradition of trade and seafaring. See the picturesque market place with the statue of “Roland”, the city hall, the cathedral and the Old Town. Driving along the German Fairytale Road we will reach Hamelin, the city of the Pied Piper. In the evening 3-course farewell dinner. Overnight at Hotel Mercure Hameln o.s.
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DAY 7: SATURDAY With a delightful old quarter which is a listed site of historical interest, Hamelin is known for the story of the Pied Piper.
It became wealthy as a result of its favourable location as a
trading centre on the River Weser. This wealth was reflected in its lavishly decorated houses and the town became a jewel of the Weser Renaissance style. Enjoy the historical town and
all it has to offer. Today we will drive along the German Fairytale Road until Hann. Münden. We continue south and will
make stops along the road depending on the weather and DAY 8: SUNDAY After breakfast we leave for the old university town Heidelberg. After a visit of the inner courtyard of the impressive castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its wine cellar with the big barrel enjoy a welcome lunch with an excellent local wine at famous Restaurant Zum Ritter St. Georg built in the 16th century. In the early afternoon drive to Trier, Germany’s oldest city and located at the river Moselle. According to legend, in 2000 BC the Assyrians established a colony here. The Roman colony of Augusta Treverorum (Trier) was founded under Augustus in 16 BC. Trier became a favoured residence of several Roman emperors. Overnight at Hotel Golden Tulip Trier o.s. DAY 9: MONDAY In the morning we will enjoy a city walk of Trier. The face of Trier is impressively shaped by the Roman era. Most famous relic is the Porta Nigra, the beautifully-preserved fortified gate from the great age. But all the other major stylistic epochs have also left behind their monuments here. Quite justifiably, the city has been declared a treasure of world civilization by UNESCO. In addition, Trier is Germany's oldest wine-growing centre. Famous vineyard estates and celebrated wine producers are headquartered here. So it also pays to become acquainted with the subterranean realm of the Trier sommeliers! In the early afternoon we leave Trier to take a scenic route along the Moselle with a vine-taste in one of the famous vine-villages. We go on to Cologne where we will arrive in the early evening. Evening at leasure to explore some local breweries where the “Kölsch” (light beer served in small glasses) can be sampled. Overnight at Maritim Hotel Köln o.s. DAY 10: TUESDAY Today we will visit Cologne. Starting at the cathedral which is one of the largest gothic churches in Europe your city tour will lead you through the small alleys of the Old Town and splendid avenues to the river Rhine with its bridges and parks. For the sweet-lovers we have planned a visit in the Chocolate Museum where you can learn all about chocolate and then sample from the large chocolate fountain as much as you can. Take your time in the afternoon to explore Cologne on your own. DAY 11: WEDNESDAY After breakfast we leave for Koblenz where the river Moselle meets the Rhine. In the early afternoon we will take a Rhine cruise from St. Goar to Rüdesheim, passing romantic castles and the Loreley Rock. Maybe you see the blond maid combing her hair from the deck of your steamer. On the arrival in Ruedesheim we will have a tasting of Rhine wines and check-in at hotel in Rüdesheim. Farewell Dinner at Restaurant Rüdesheimer Schloss.
Day 12: THURSDAY It is only a 45 minutes drive from Rüdesheim to Mainz. We will visit the Old Town, the cathedral and the Museum of Gutenberg – the inventor of the printing press – before we reach Frankfurt again where your tour ends in the afternoon or you check-in to your optionally booked post-tour hotel.
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Impressions of Germany
This is a combination tour of "German Classics" + "Legendary Rhine". Explore Germany's rich history in style.
