| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY |
| | Welcome to Frankfurt! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D) |
| Day 2 | FRANKFURT–COLOGNE |
| | Views & Brews in Cologne RHINE RIVER Take a scenic cruise on the historic river.COLOGNE Visit the magnificent cathedral. Enjoy a beer at the [LF] Cölner Hofbräu Früh, one of Cologne’s famous breweries. (B,D) 155 mi / 250 kmLOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES For more than a century, the Cölner Hofbräu Früh has served its delicious Kölsch beer according to the family tradition started by the founder Peter Josef Früh. Raise your glass to timeless tradition and hospitality with Germany’s famous, foamy brews. |
| Day 3 | COLOGNE–BERLIN |
| | Historic Berlin COLOGNE Board the high-speed first-class ICE train to Berlin.BERLIN Guided sightseeing includes the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and picture stops at Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial. (B,D) 367 mi / 590 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOTS Explore the historic city of Berlin. Stop at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the symbolic heart of West Berlin, its towers rising as a symbol of peace between nations. See the vast Holocaust Memorial, the sombre site dedicated to the remembrance of the Jewish victims of the holocaust. Take photos of the symbolic monument to peace and unity at the Brandenburg Gate – Berlin's most famous landmark. |
| Day 4 | BERLIN |
| | The Boulevards of Berlin BERLIN Enjoy a free day to explore Berlin. (B)FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE Berlin is a city to be explored and enjoyed. See the street art of the East Side Gallery where a portion of the Berlin Wall now serves as a memorial of freedom painted by local artists. See the classic Cosmonaut mural in Mariannenstrasse or head to the Kreuzberg district for a leisurely stroll along Landwehr Canal. |
| Day 5 | BERLIN–DRESDEN |
| | German Jewels DRESDEN Enjoy free time for lunch. An orientation walk features the Zwinger Palace Courtyard. (B)137 mi / 220 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM Explore the heart of Dresden with a walk to Zwinger Palace courtyard. Revered for its stunning Baroque architecture and beautiful gardens, this spectacular palace complex is the most famous building in Dresden. |
| Day 6 | DRESDEN–BAYREUTH–NUREMBERG |
| | On Tap in Nuremberg BAYREUTH Take an orientation tour of Wagner’s city of festival.NUREMBERG Walking tour includes the Old Town. [LF] Dinner with local specialties at the Bratwurst Röslein restaurant. (B,D) 205 mi / 330 kmLOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Bring a big appetite to dine on brats and beer in the biggest Bratwurst restaurant in the world! Enjoy authentic specialities at Bratwurst Röslein in the heart of Nuremberg’s town hall square, where warm welcomes have been greeting clients since 1493. |
| Day 7 | NUREMBERG–ROTHENBURG–MUNICH |
| | The Romantic Road ROTHENBURG Orientation walk and free time to browse before continuing to Munich. (B) 205 mi / 330 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Get that old romantic feeling with a walk through the well-preserved medieval town of Rothenburg. Here, along Germany’s historic Romantic Road region, you’ll find half-timbered houses, medieval walls, and cobblestone streets, that will win your heart in the heart of Northern Bavaria. |
| Day 8 | MUNICH–OBERAMMERGAU- FÜSSEN AREA |
| | The Heart of Munich MUNICH Guided sightseeing includes Marienplatz with its Old and New Town Halls.OBERAMMERGAU Enjoy free time before departing for Füssen. (B,D) 87 mi / 140 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Experience the geographical and cultural heart of Munich at its Marienplatz, the town square since 1158. Stroll through the home of historic buildings, including the Old and New Town Halls in the picturesque heart and soul of the city. |
| Day 9 | FÜSSEN AREA |
| | Bavarian Blessings FÜSSEN Spend a free day in the Bavarian village. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & TRADITION Füssen is often called the romantic soul of Bavaria. Spend the day strolling the picturesque town or join an excursion to get to the top of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain and take in some of the best views of the Alps. On a sunny day you can see mountain peaks across 4 countries reaching as far as the Eastern Alps. |
| Day 10 | FÜSSEN AREA–NEUSCHWANSTEIN–LINDAU–BIRNAU– BLACK FOREST |
| | Fairytale Forests & A Storybook Castle NEUSCHWANSTEIN Take a guided visit to King Ludwig’s castle. LINDAU Explore the island on Lake Constance.BIRNAU Visit the Baroque church.BLACK FOREST Enjoy a traditional Schwarzwaldkuchen (Black Forest cake) tasting during dinner. (B,D) 186 mi / 300 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDARY LIVES King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the “Fairytale King,” built a fantastical 1800s castle with all the modern conveniences (aka plumbing), while emphasizing the romantic vision of a storybook castle. His love for Wagnerian opera is literally plastered on the walls inside, with panoramas and frescoes of scenes from the composer’s great works. So romantic and fanciful of design, the Neuschwanstein Castle inspired Walt Disney’s blueprint of a castle fit for Sleeping Beauty herself. |
| Day 11 | BLACK FOREST–HEIDELBERG–FRANKFURT |
| | Cuckoo Clocks & Castle Walks BLACK FOREST Enjoy a Cuckoo Clock demonstration at your hotel.HEIDELBERG Take a walking tour of the Old Town with a funicular ride to visit the castle.FRANKFURT Farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D) 199 mi / 320 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT ARCHITECTURAL GEM Ascend 300 feet above Heidelberg to visit its historic castle, posing a commanding presence above the town below. The breathtaking Schloss Heidelberg features buildings and courtyards reflecting unique architectural eras, as well as the biggest wine barrel in the world! Just as the city below delivers a powerful view of the castle, you’ll take in the panoramic views of Heidelberg below the terraces and gardens of the hilltop fortress. Cast your eyes across the Neckar River and valley, with views as far as the Rhine plain and Mannheim on a clear day. |
| Day 12 | FRANKFURT |
| | Auf Wiedersehen, Germany! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |