Surprisingly Affordable Germany
Bavaria and the Black Forest
Frankfurt - Rothenburg - Munich - Salzburg - Innsbruck - Lucerne - Freiburg - Heidelberg - Rudesheim

Day 1 Begin our incredible journey with our overnight flight to Germany.

Day 2 Our Group is welcomed by our tour escort and transferred by private motor coach to Rothenburg. Check in to our hotel and enjoy a city tour on foot. Rothenburg is one of Germany's finest Medieval towns. It is a prosperous 16th century town with lots of charm.

Day 3 We explore the historical center of Nurenberg on foot. Visit the artisan's market, Albrecht Durer House and more. The Meistersingers of the fourteenth century lived here as did the great German Renaissance artist, Albrecht Durer.

Day 4 Munich was originally founded by Benedictine Monks and is now the heart and capital of Bavaria. We are surrounded by numerous historic buildings, theaters, museums and galleries. Visit the Deutsche Museum, the largest technical museum in the world, and Nymphenburg Castle. A very special Hofbrauhaus dinner is included tonight. Enjoy.

Day 5 Visit Dachau Concentration Camp, a German Museum, and local art galleries. Spend a second night in Munich (Munchen).

Day 6 After breakfast board the motor coach for the journey to Salzburg. First we visit Berchtesgaden and the Schlobplatz, the Stiftskirche St. Peter, the Castle and more. Continue to Salzburg, one of Europe's most beautiful cities and birthplace to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the shadow of a fortress on one side and a mountain on the other this Baroque city is a joy to visit. See the Hohensalzburg fortress and the gorgeous Mirabell Gardens. Boutiques and shops are nestled in the dozens of little alleys and passageways. Continue into "Sound of Music Country" and overnight in a quaint Alpine Village. Austria is so Beautiful.

Day 7 Hugged by mountains, the Baroque City of Innsbruck dates back to 1239. With the steep blue and white walls of the Alps rising from the edge of the city, Innsbruck will leave a lasting impression. Witness it's triumphal arch and stroll the Maria Theresian Strasse, the "little Golden Roof" (Goldenes Dachl) which is coated with copper and 31 pounds of gold. Don't you wish your house had the same?

Day 8 Down another scenic road we go to Mittenwald. Notice the painted houses on Main Street. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen we ride a cable car to the summit of Zugspite, Germany's highest peak. The views are breathtaking. We shall also visit Oberammergau and learn why this town is famous, once per decade.

Day 9 Neuschwanstein Castle was made famous to westerners by Walt Disney. It was constructed by Ludwig II and was meant to be the setting for Wagner's opera "The Ring of the Nibelungen". Ludwig never saw his castle finished. Continue on to ninth century Lindau for overnight.

Day 10 Lindau was originally a fisherman's village constructed on an island. Every year the Duke Bernadotte invites the "Nobel Prize" winners for a conference in Lindau. Board our motor coach and travel via Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls to old Zurich, Switzerland (15 BC) for a short stop. On to Lucerne. Here visit the Spreuerbrucke, a narrow, weathered covered wooden bridge dating back to 1408. Also see the Hirschenplatz (stag-square), and the wine market. Overnight in one of Europe’s most classic cities, Lucerne.

Day 11 On to Freiburg with a short stop in Basel en route. Marvel at this beautiful church and stroll the streets to discover the small canals (Bachle) and the Munsterplatz. Overnight in Freiburg.

Day 12 The Black Forest awaits us. We will stop at a Cuckoo Clock factory in the Black Forest and end up in Heidelberg. The ruins of its rose tinted castle watch over the romantic and charming city known as Heidelberg. Visit Germany's oldest university, the castle, and stroll the lively main street past the impressive Renaissance mansion. Step into a local student pub or restaurant.

Day 13 Transfer to Rudesheim. Walk through this small village with its half-timbered houses. Time permitting, hike up to the Niederwald Memorial for a great view of the Rhine Valley. Our next treat is a Rhine cruise to Boppard. We’ll thoroughly enjoy the splendid views of the Rhine Valley and its gorged cliffs and ruined castles. Return to Rudesheim and visit the Music Museum. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening and spend our last night in Germany in Rudesheim.

Day 14 Transfer to Frankfurt airport for the flight home.