Day 1 : ARRIVE IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY.

ARRIVE IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 2 : FRANKFURT–RHINE CRUISE–COLO...

FRANKFURT–RHINE CRUISE–COLOGNE–RHINELAND. Today’s highlight is an included RHINE CRUISE to enjoy scenic views of the Rhineland, including the famous Lorelei rock. The next highlight is Cologne with free time to visit its impressive gothic CATHEDRAL, started in 1248 and completed in 1880. Today’s Distance: 193 mi/ 310 km (B,D)

Day 3 : RHINELAND–HAMELIN–HAMBURG.

RHINELAND–HAMELIN–HAMBURG. Journey into Niedersachsen to visit Hamelin. Admire its town center with the colorful historical buildings and magically fancy gables echoing the story of the Pied Piper. Continue to Hamburg. Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km (B)

Day 4 : HAMBURG–LÜBECK–BERLIN.

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. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km (B)

Day 5 : BERLIN.

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 the most daring architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. Consider an optional excursion this afternoon. (B)

Day 6 : BERLIN–DRESDEN–LEIPZIG.

BERLIN–DRESDEN–LEIPZIG. Travel southwest to Dresden, the old capital of Saxony and at one time rightly called the “Florence on the Elbe.” See the ZWINGER CARILLON PAVILION and much more on your included sightseeing. Then it’s on to Leipzig, where composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn lived the last years of their lives. It was Mendelssohn who founded the Leipziger Conservatory in 1843. Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km (B,D)

Day 7 : LEIPZIG–WEIMAR–COBURG–NUREM...

LEIPZIG–WEIMAR–COBURG–NUREMBERG. Leave Leipzig to visit Weimar, home to many intellectuals of the past but mainly known for the name given to the historical period of the “Weimar Republic.” This city is also famed as the home of the Bauhaus architectural movement in the 1920s. Next stop is Coburg. Visit the dominating and mighty VESTE COBURG CASTLE, built in 1225. Continue to Nuremberg for a visit to its town center, dominated by the imperial castle. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km (B)

Day 8 : NUREMBERG–ROTHENBURG–MUNICH.

NUREMBERG–ROTHENBURG–MUNICH. On the way to Munich, stop to visit the quaint Medieveal village of Rothenburg on the Romantic Road. Marvel at its towered gates and battlements, squared of half-timbered houses and decorated fountains. Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (B)

Day 9 : MUNICH.

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, and sample Munich’s famous beer! (B,D)

Day 10 : MUNICH–NEUSCHWANSTEIN–STUTT...

MUNICH–NEUSCHWANSTEIN–STUTTGART AREA. Leave Munich and drive into the heart of the Bavarian Alps to visit the most famous 19th-century, neo-romantic castle of the world, King Ludwig II’s fairytale NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE. Overnight in a lovely village outside Stuttgart. Today’s Distance: 280 mi/ 450 km (B,D)

Day 11 : STUTTGART AREA–HEIDELBERG–F...

STUTTGART AREA–HEIDELBERG–FRANKFURT AREA. The day starts with a scenic drive for a taste of the Black Forest landscapes and villages, followed by visit to Heidelberg—location of Germany’s oldest university and inspiration for the German Romantic movement. From here, continue to Frankfurt. Today’s Distance: 124 mi/ 200 km (B)

Day 12 : FRANKFURT AREA.

FRANKFURT AREA. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)