Black Forest, the Bavarian Alps, & Austria

Your tour commences this evening in wonderful Frankfurt: a city of contrasts – from modern skyscrapers to beautifully maintained old buildings. Join us tonight for a welcome drink before dinner in your hotel. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers. (D) Stay: Maritim Hotel Frankfurt, Germany

We spend the morning in the nearby ancient university town of Heidelberg. Set in the wooded Neckar Valley, it is noted for its twin-towered bridge and red sandstone castle. We have included a funicular ride up to the castle and entrance to the castle courtyard and terrace. From here you can enjoy the magnificent views of the city and Neckar River below. Entrance is also included to see the world's largest wine barrel and the German Apothecary Museum.

Later, we drive deep into the Black Forest to enjoy an afternoon stop in Gengenbach. With its watchtowers and market square surrounded by lovely half-timbered houses, it is easy to see why it has been called a “pearl among the Black Forest towns”. We continue to nearby Schönwald, where we spend the next four nights. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Zum Ochsen, Germany

Our morning will be spent in Strasbourg, the seat of the European Parliament.

On arrival, we board a glass topped boat to enjoy a river cruise around the heart of this beautiful city. Retaining its old world charm, there are three bridges spanning the River Ill, massive fortified towers and the pedestrian streets around the Place de la Cathédrale and Place Broglie are a delight. Take time to enjoy one of the numerous cosy bistros and cafés. Late afternoon and evening is at leisure in Triberg, in the very centre of the Black Forest, famous for its cake, and home to the world's largest cuckoo clock and Germany's highest waterfall - Triberger Wasserfälle. (B) Stay: Hotel Zum Ochsen, Germany

Crossing the Rhine in France, we spend the morning in postcard perfect Colmar.

On arrival we will enjoy an orientation tour through the heart of town on the ‘Petit Train'. Brightly painted, half-timbered houses on narrow, twisting lanes make a perfect backdrop. The River Lauch winds its way through the centre, known as the Little Venice district. Your afternoon will be spent driving along the Route Alsace du Vin (Alsace Wine Road). Stretching from Strasbourg to Colmar, we pass the pretty villages of Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg on this famous wine road. At one of the local wineries we will stop to enjoy a wine tasting of various classic local wines. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Zum Ochsen, Germany

This morning we visit the capital of the Black Forest – the gothic city of Freiburg. Sensitively restored, Freiburg is one of the most charming of German cities, located where the Black Forest meets the Rhine Plain. Arcaded shopping streets and little streams lead through the old town to its great gothic cathedral. Lunch today is included on the terrace of a restaurant on the shores of Lake Titisee, offering the most splendid panoramic views across the lake to the forest.

Afterwards, enjoy a cruise on the crystal clear waters of this famous lake and time to explore in the lake resort town of Titisee. Your evening is at leisure in Schönwald. (B/L) Stay: Hotel Zum Ochsen, Germany

Heading south-east we soon arrive on the western shore of Lake Constance. Crossing a short causeway we visit the Flower Island of Mainau where a local guide leads us through the 111 acres of beautiful gardens and landscaped grounds.

Originally created nearly 200 years ago by Prince Nikolaus, these magnificent botanical gardens also boast an arboretum and an Italian rose garden complete with pergolas, sculptures, fountains and 500 varieties of roses. In summer it is splendid with its rhododendrons along with huge displays of over 350,000 flowers. After catching a ferry across Lake Constance to Meersburg, we follow the northern lakeshore to enjoy an afternoon break in the old harbour town of Lindau.

Later we continue to Füssen, in the mountains of Bavaria. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Hirsch Füssen, Germany

We start the day in Hohenschwangau. On one hill overlooking the little village you have the neo-gothic castle of Hohenschwangau and on the other side above the village is a wooded mountain spur and Neuschwanstein – the fairytale castle of ‘mad' King Ludwig. We take a leisurely stroll up the wooded road to enjoy a guided tour through Neuschwanstein Castle's state rooms, king's apartments, halls and throne room; all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga.

Later this afternoon we will take a cable car ride up to Tegelberg to take in the excellent views down onto the fairytale castles far below. Your evening is at leisure in Füssen. Please note: The guided tour through Neuschwanstein Castle incorporates climbing up and down a number of staircases and, as there are no elevators, the inside visit to the castle this morning may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties or limitations. (B) Stay: Hotel Hirsch Füssen, Germany

There is nothing quite like a day in the mountains! Our first stop will be a visit to Linderhof, an extravagant French Rococo Palace – yet another of King Ludwig's amazing creations. Lunchtime will be in the nearby village of Oberammergau with its ornately painted buildings where the famous Passion Play is performed every ten years. To complete your visit we have included entrance and a guided tour through the fascinating Passion Play Theatre and Museum.

In the afternoon we drive through Bavarian farmlands and forests to make a stop in arguably the most beautiful church in Europe – Wieskirche (the ‘Church in the Meadows'). Surrounded by green fields, the interior of this World Heritage Listed church is an astounding Rococo creation. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Hirsch Füssen, Germany

Taking the beautiful Fern Pass across the Bavarian Alps, we descend into the Inn Valley to visit the nearby winter resort city of Innsbruck. There will be time at leisure to explore the sights of the Alstadt (old town) such as the Hofburg Imperial Palace, cobblestoned streets and the renowned Golden Roof.

Later, we follow the dramatic Inn Valley through the rolling Tyrolean hills and villages, to enjoy a short afternoon stop in the pretty village of Rattenberg. We then continue to the Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart, where we stay four nights. (B/D) Stay: Imlauer Hotel Pitter Salzburg

We have allowed a full day to explore Salzburg. A local guide will take us on a walking tour of this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music'. Your afternoon will be at leisure to explore the myriad of narrow, cobblestoned streets, ornate squares and churches, fascinating shops and traditional coffee houses. The views from the enormous Festung (Fortress), sitting high above the city, are magnificent. (B) Stay: Imlauer Hotel Pitter Salzburg

A fascinating day ahead as we visit Berchtesgaden and Hitler's Eagles Nest. We take a breathtaking bus journey up the winding Kehlstein road and then, joined by a local guide, and in Hitler's personal luxurious brass elevator, we ascend inside the mountain for a guided tour of the Kehlsteinhaus. This alpine retreat is better known as Hitler's Eagles Nest and the mountain views are spectacular.

Lunchtime will be spent in the picturesque and historic town of Berchtesgaden, before we visit the old Salt Mines. After dressing up in a salt miner's uniform, we enjoy a fun filled ride on a small train deep underground, take wooden slides (or steps) and then float on a barge across a crystal clear underground lake, beautifully illuminated by a light show. (B/D) Stay: Imlauer Hotel Pitter Salzburg

Our day is spent exploring the Austrian Lakes District! After a leisurely start we explore the picturesque town of Hallstatt. Set on a rocky terrace jutting into the quiet dark water of the lake and surrounded by towering peaks, this is considered the oldest inhabited village in Europe and perhaps the most beautiful in Austria. Lunchtime is at leisure in St. Wolfgang, on the extraordinarily picturesque Lake Wolfgangsee. Our return journey takes us alongside Wolfgangsee (lake) and around Lake Fuschl. Your evening is free in Salzburg. (B) Stay: Imlauer Hotel Pitter Salzburg

Entering Germany, we stop in the town of Prien on Lake Chiemsee. Here we board a boat to cross over to the island of Herreninsel where we enjoy a guided tour through ‘Mad' King Ludwig's Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee. Utterly extravagant, the State Rooms were modelled on the Palace of Versailles.

Later, we continue to Munich for our final evening together and celebrate with a farewell dinner. (B/D) Stay: Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany

Your tour ends today after breakfast. (B)