9-Nights Highlights Of Germany from $2,359

Itinerary Details

Highlights Of Germany

Day 1: ARRIVE IN FRANKFURT AREA, GERMANY Welcome to Germany! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for the welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)



Day 2: FRANKFURT AREA–RHINE CRUISE–COLOGNE–RHINELAND Today’s highlight is an included Rhine cruise to enjoy scenic views of the Rhineland, past vineyards, castles, and quaint villages. Next is the city of Cologne, known for its lively spirit, with free time to visit the city center. (B)



Day 3: RHINELAND–HAMELIN–HAMBURG Journey into Niedersachsen to visit Hamelin. The medieval town center, with its historical buildings and magically fancy gables, still echoes the “Pied Piper” legend. Continue to Hamburg. (B)



Day 4: HAMBURG–LÜBECK–BERLIN Start the day with an orientation drive in Hamburg, one of Germany’s greatest maritime cities. Later, depart for Lübeck, formerly a free Hanseatic city and independent state. Lübeck, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the cultural capital of northern Germany. Thomas Mann, Günther Grass, and Willy Brandt—all Nobel laureates—were among the famous residents of this city. Later, arrive in Berlin and enjoy your first evening in the capital of Germany. (B)




Day 5: BERLIN No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin was once the city of contrasts with the wall separating two different worlds. Now, the city has developed into a harmonious blend of new and old, preserving its historical buildings and impressive boulevards as well as creating brand new buildings in contemporary architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. (B)



Day 6: BERLIN–DRESDEN–LEIPZIG Travel southwest to Dresden, the former capital of Saxony, once known as the “Florence on the Elbe.” Upon arrival, you will enjoy an orientation tour of the city, followed by some free time to explore at your own pace. Then it’s on to Leipzig, where composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn spent their final years. It was Mendelssohn who founded the Leipziger Conservatory in 1843. (B,D)



Day 7: LEIPZIG–WEIMAR–COBURG–NUREMBERG Leave Leipzig to visit Weimar, home to many intellectuals of the past but mainly known for giving its name to the historical period of the “Weimar Republic.” This city is also famed as the home to the Bauhaus architectural movement in the 1920s. Next stop is Coburg. Visit the mighty Veste Coburg Castle, built in 1225. Continue to Nuremberg and stroll through its town center, dominated by the imperial castle. (B)



Day 8: NUREMBERG–ROTHENBURG–MUNICH As you leave Nuremberg, stop for a photo at the famous Zeppelinfield. On the way to Munich, visit the quaint medieval village of Rothenburg on the Romantic Road. Marvel at its towered gates and battlements, squares of half-timbered houses, and decorated fountains; you’ll feel like you are stepping back in time. (B)



Day 9: MUNICH With a Local Guide, take advantage of the included sightseeing tour of the city known as Germany’s “Secret Capital.” Time to admire the beautiful main square, Marienplatz, do some shopping, visit one of the important museums, and sample Munich’s famous beer! (B)



Day 10: MUNICH Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)