Germany | River Castles Tour
For hundreds of years the Rhine has ranked as one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and now this region - truly one of the most beautiful in Germany - has been recognised with the title "World Heritage Upper Rhine Valley" by UNESCO. Spend plenty of time discovering the river, its castles and ruins, tales and legends and also those of its tributaries - Moselle, Neckar and Main. The days are planned to offer you many highlights, but they are also leisurely paced with time for you to explore on your own.
| Duration: | 8 Days |
|---|---|
| Tour Code: | ITW442 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 01 Jul 2012, 01 Sep 2012 |
| Price: | From $2,785 |
| Single Supplement: | 265 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 18 to 30
Day 1 - WELCOME TO THE RHINE
Arrival in Frankfurt, Germany. We drive directly to the Rhine for lunch in one of the charming villages on the River. Transfer to your Hotel Jakobsberg, one of the best hotels in the RHINE Area, built on the site of a former monastery founded in 1157 by Emperor Frederik I, known as Barbarossa. We will spend the next five nights here.
In the afternoon rest and enjoy the hotel facilities - pool, sauna, gym, in-outdoor tennis, in-outdoor golf, bowling - or go hiking in the beautiful countryside. Tonight we meet for a welcome drink followed by dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 2 - CASTLES, CASTLES, CASTLES - RUDESHEIM
Cruising all day on the Rhine on the most beautiful stretch of the river, the part recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. We travel upstream past the Loreley Rock and lots of medieval castles on both sides of the river to most charming RUDESHEIM (Rüdesheim or Ruedesheim in German).
Time for lunch and souvenirs in famous Drosselgasse, and afterwards we take a cable car uphill through the vineyards to Niederwald Monument. Be prepared for incredible views over the valley. We re-board our Rhinesteamer back and later have a great dinner in a typical Rheinkeller with wine tasting. (B,D)
Day 3 - MARKSBURG, KOBLENZ, EHRENBREITSTEIN
Today we cross the river by ferry to Braubach, the Town of Roses where we take a guided tour of the MARKSBURG, an 11th century castle, the only one on the Rhine that was never destroyed.
We continue to KOBLENZ, meaning confluence, where the Moselle joins the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck (the German Corner). Admire the equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. Time to explore Koblenz on you own, before we take a cable car up to EHRENBREITSTEIN Fortress for an inside visit at the Museum of the Rhine. From Koblenz we take a boat back and have dinner on board. (B,D)
Day 4 - REMAGEN, COLOGNE
Morning stop at the Peace Museum of REMAGEN, located in the only surviving tower of the former railway bridge which fell into the American hands almost intact on March 7, 1945, but collapsed ten days later under the weight of armored vehicles.
We continue to COLOGNE (Köln in German), the biggest city on our tour and on the Rhine. See the famous gothic Cathedral, and join the locals in one of Germany's longest pedestrian zones for a Koelsch or a cup of coffee. Late afternoon arrival back at your hotel and dinner. (B,D)
Day 5 - MOSELLE RIVER, BURG ELTZ, COCHEM, TRIER
Today we drive upstream along the MOSELLE River, which in scenery, castles and vineyards does not stand in the shadow of its big brother, the Rhine. Our first stop is the twelfth century BURG ELTZ, rising majestically above the rear end of the wild Eltz Valley, one of Germany's most beautiful castles, surrounded by the river on three sides. Inside visit. We continue to COCHEM, located on an idyllic bend on the river, where you have time for lunch on the Moselle Promenade.
Then on to TRIER, Germany's oldest city, with lots of Roman sights. We get a deeper insight into this place with a guided walking tour, which takes you inside the Porta Nigra, a roman fortress from the second century, and the best preserved roman construction north of the Alps. The tour also includes the Cathedral, one of Germany's oldest churches with foundations dating from the fourth century, and the Church of our Dear Lady, the oldest purely gothic church in Germany. All three sights are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Time for dinner on your own in Trier tonight before we return to the hotel. (B,D)
Day 6 - RHEINFELS, HEIDELBERG, BURGENSTRASSE
Today say goodbye to the Rhine after your visit to Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar and head south to HEIDELBERG, on the banks of the Neckar river. In medieval times the Electoral Palatinate with Heidelberg as the political centre was one of the most advanced European States.
See the beautiful red-walled Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss in German) including the great vat with a guided tour. Afterwards we take a cogwheel train down into the city where you have more time for sightseeing, shopping and postcards. Tonight we are staying in a typical country hotel in the Neckar valley on the BURGENSTRASSE (Castle Road). (B,D)
Day 7 - ROTHENBURG, THE ROMANTIC ROAD, WURZBURG
Our last traveling day takes us to medieval ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER in Frankonia where you feel like you just jumped back into the 16th century. Completely surrounded by its medieval ramparts with countless towers, Rothenburg is famous for its ancient houses, fountains, cobbled lanes, hidden corners and street signs. Also famous for the Meistertrunk, in which -- according to legend -- the burgomeister saved the town by emptying a 6-pint tankard in one single draught.
After lunch we take the ROMANTIC ROAD all the way to where it starts, to WURZBURG (Würzburg or Wuerzburg in German) on the Main River. Take a guided tour of Wurzburg Residenz (Residence), this superb baroque palace, one of the biggest in Germany, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the staircase, the frescoes by Tiepolo, the Hofkirche and the Gardens. Afterwards you have time to see more of Wurzburg on your own and get your final shopping done. Back to Frankfurt for overnight. Farewell dinner tonight at our hotel. (B,D)
Day 8 - DEPARTURE
Time to say "Auf wiedersehen". Transfer to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight home.
YOUR TOUR DIRECTOR
Astrid Baur is a German native who has successfully conducted over 200 tours throughout Europe and Germany for thousands of happy clients. Astrid organises the tour personally and will take you around Bavaria, which she knows by heart. The tour language is English only.
You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go. The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are not rushed. And there is no packing and unpacking, as we stay in the same place every night.
Inclusions
- Door-to-door transportation on a 47-seat coach
- 7 breakfast buffets
- 6 three-course dinners with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after dinner
- 7 nights accommodation
- All entrance fees and local guides
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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