The Grand German Adventure

ITINERARY:

Day 01 – Arrival

Welcome, We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception. IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip. If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries. Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the “My Trip” link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).

Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.

Day 02 –  Berlin

08:00 a.m. – Berlin (confirm schedule at hotel reception). We’ll begin our panoramic tour of Berlin with a local guide, lasting approximately two and a half hours. From the bus, we’ll see Museum Island, the Television Tower, the central shopping streets, the old cathedral destroyed in World War II, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the city’s large parks. We’ll also leave the coach to explore the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall Memorial Museum, two powerful landmarks that remind us of Germany’s difficult history in the previous century. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city at your leisure. Optionally, you can visit Potsdam with its gardens, Sanssouci Palace, and Cecilienhof Palace.

Note: In some cases, the city tour may take place the day before.

Day 03 – Berlin – Dresden- Bamberg – Nuremberg

Total distance covered: 540 km. Scenery: Forests, hills, and little villages along the way. 07:30 a.m. – Departure from Berlin. 10:00 a.m. – Arrival in Dresden. Known as the pearl of the River Elbe, this city was once the residence of the kings of Saxony. The grand palace stands as a testament to Dresden’s glorious historic past. We’ll have time to stroll and explore. 12:00 p.m. – Departure from Dresden. We’ll head south towards Germany, stopping at a service area for lunch. 04:15 p.m. – Arrival in Bamberg. This lively and beautiful city is a must-see. Enjoy a stroll through “Little Venice,” with its picturesque canals and monumental heritage, making Bamberg one of Germany´s most enchanting cities. We’ll have time to explore. 05:30 p.m. – Departure from Bamberg. 06:30 p.m. – Arrival in Nuremberg. Bavaria´s second-largest city, Nuremberg, features a historic castle, ancient walls, and an old university. The city also holds significant reminders of World War II and the Nazi era. Despite being completely destroyed during the war, Nuremberg has risen from its ashes. We’ll have time to wander through its bustling center. Accommodation.

Day 04 – Nuremberg – Kloster Weltenburg – Dachau – Munich

Total distance covered: 250 km. Scenery: Valleys, lush meadows, and industrial cities along the banks of the Danube. 08:00 a.m. – Departure from Nuremberg. Today’s journey will be full of surprises. 09:45 a.m. – Arrival in Kelheim, a city on the banks of the Danube. We’ll board a ferry (scheduled for 9:50 a.m.) for a forty-minute cruise along the Danube, in the area known as the “Danube Gorge”. We’ll arrive at Kloster Weltenburg, a stunning Benedictine monastery founded in 1040, with time to explore. 12:00 p.m. – Departure from Kloster Weltenburg. We’ll continue our journey along little roads. 01:30 p.m. – Dachau. We’ll have time for lunch before we visit the concentration camp museum in the outskirts of Munich, a reminder of the harrowing times of Nazism. There will be time to tour the complex. At the start of the afternoon, we’ll continue to Munich, where we’ll visit the impressive BMW Welt, a modern multifunctional exhibition facility of the prestigious German vehicle brand BMW Group. We’ll also see the park that houses the Olympiastadion, an architectural marvel where the 1972 Olympic Games were held. After this, you’ll have free time in the historic center. You can stroll through Marienplatz, the heart of Munich, visit the picturesque Viktualienmarkt open-air market, relax in the Englischer Garten, or enjoy the traditional beer houses.

Note: In winter or when Danube’s water level is too low, the cruise will not operate. In this case, the journey will be made by road.

Note: During the Beer Festival, accommodation may be in the vicinity of Munich.

Day 05 – Munich – Füssen – Rothenburg – Frankfurt

Total distance covered: 575 km. Scenery: Stunning landscapes featuring mountains, lakes, and picturesque villages. 07:30 a.m. – Departure from Munich. 09:30 a.m. – Füssen. Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, this charming town is home to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. With our guide, we’ll walk to Mary’s Bridge to take in the breathtaking scenery of the gorge. You can return to the bus on foot or by horse carriage (not included). 11:30 a.m. – Departure from Füssen. We’ll head towards the Rhine Valley, stopping at a motorway service area for lunch. 03:15 p.m. – Rothenburg. Often considered the prettiest village in Germany, Rothenburg is located on the Romantic Road and boasts a beautifully preserved medieval quarter. We’ll visit the Christmas Museum (tickets included) and have time for a walk. 04:45 p.m. – Departure from Rothenburg. 07:15 p.m. – Frankfurt. Before settling into our hotel, our guide will drop you off near Römer Square in the city center. Enjoy some free time to explore.

Day 06 – Frankfurt – Cruise On The Rhine – Cochem – Cologne – Dortmund

Total distance covered: 369 km. Scenery: Picturesque landscapes following the Rhine and Moselle Valleys, with charming villages along the way. 08:00 a.m. – Departure from Frankfurt. Today, we’ll explore the stunning Rhine and Moselle Valleys, two rivers rich in history and dotted with picturesque villages. 09:00 a.m. – Rüdesheim am Rhein. This charming medieval village is bustling with tourists and commercial activity. After some free time, we’ll go on a two-hour boat ride on the Rhine. We’ll cruise along the most scenic part of the river, featuring fortresses, medieval villages, ancient churches, and hillside vineyards. We’ll arrive in Sankt Goar and continue our journey along scenic roads toward the Moselle Valley. 12:15 p.m. – Cochem. A picturesque village dominated by its castle which dates back over a thousand, years, Cochem is the perfect spot for lunch and a leisurely walk. 03:00 p.m. – Departure from Cochem. 04:45 p.m. – Cologne. We’ll visit its impressive Gothic cathedral, which, at 154 meters tall, was the tallest building in the world until the late 19th century. Enjoy a walk along the Rhine River and through the lively city center. 07:00 p.m. – Departure from Cologne for our hotel. 08:15 p.m. – Dortmund. Accommodation.

Note: During fairs or congresses, accommodation may be in a nearby city.

Day 07 – Dortmund – Fairy Tale Route – Hanover

Total distance covered: 290 km. Today, we’ll embark on a magical journey, reminiscing about our favorite childhood stories and movies as we travel through the towns that inspired the Brothers Grimm, now known as the Fairy Tale Route. 08:00 a.m. – Departure from Dortmund. 10:15 a.m. – Arrival in Trendelburg, a picturesque walled village where we’ll visit the large medieval castle and the famous Rapunzel Tower (admission included) – we’ll see the princess´s long blonde braid which still hangs from the window. 11:15 a.m. – Departure from Trendelburg. We’ll continue along scenic roads, crossing forests that will remind us of the tale of Hansel and Gretel. 12:00 p.m. – Höxter. We’ll have time for lunch in this lively small town, home to Corvey Abbey, an old monastery from the 9th century and a World Heritage Site (admission included). 02:30 p.m. – Departure from Höxter. We’ll continue our route, making a brief stop in Polle to photograph the exterior ruins of Cinderella’s Castle. 03:45 p.m. – Hamelin, a city renowned for the tale of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”. Hamelin, renowned for the tale of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.” We’ll immerse ourselves in the Grimm Brothers´ story, following the mouse´s footprints through the city. There will be time for a walk. 05:30 p.m. – Departure from Hamelin. 06:30 p.m. – Arrival in Hanover. We’ll take a walk through the center before heading to our hotel.

Note: On some dates, the accommodation might be in Cologne or another nearby city, in which case, the departure from Cologne on Thursday will be at 07:30 a.m.

Day 08 – Hanover – Goslar – Quedlinburg – Berlin

Total distance covered: 370 km. Scenery: charming landscapes in Saxony, the Harz highland area, and medieval villages. 08:00 a.m. – Departure from Hanover. 09:30 a.m. – Goslar. This UNESCO World Heritage site is considered one of the prettiest towns in Germany, with its historic houses and Market Square. We’ll have time to explore and take a leisurely walk. 11:15 a.m. – Departure from Goslar. We’ll continue our journey through one of the most beautiful areas in Germany. 12:00 p.m. – Quedlinburg. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, this city boasts a fascinating historic center with over 2,100 half-timbered houses that have remained unscathed for centuries. The town hall and castle are also noteworthy. There will be free time for a walk and lunch. 02:15 p.m. – Departure from Quedlinburg. We’ll travel towards Berlin.05:00 p.m. – Berlin.

Day 09 – DEPARTURE

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.

HOTEL DETAILS:

MERCURE BERLIN TEMPELHOF ★★★★ or similar