Highlights of Germany

Welcome to Germany! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for the welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Today's highlight is an included Rhine cruise to enjoy scenic views of the Rhineland, past vineyards, castles, and quaint villages. Next is the city of Cologne, the city known for its joyous attitude, with free time to visit the city center. Today's Distance: 193 mi/ 310 km (B)

Journey into Niedersachsen to visit Hamelin. The medieval town center, with its historical buildings and magically fancy gables, still echoes the “Pied Piper” legend. Continue to Hamburg. Today's Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km (B)

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

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 contemporary architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. (B)

Travel southwest to Dresden, the old capital of Saxony and at one time called the “Florence on the Elbe.” On the included guided sightseeing tour, see the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion where the 40 bells of the Glockenspiel sound four times per hour, and much more. 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. (B/D) Today's Distance: 227 mi/ 365 km.

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 to the Bauhaus architectural movement in the 1920s. Next stop is Coburg. Visit the mighty Veste Coburg Castle, built in 1225. Continue to Nuremberg and stroll its town center, dominated by the imperial castle. (B) Today's Distance: 270 mi/ 435 km.

As you leave Nuremberg, stop for a photo at the famous Zeppelinfield. On the way to Munich, visit the quaint Medieval village of Rothenburg on the Romantic Road. Marvel at its towered gates and battlements, squares of half-timbered houses and decorated fountains; you'll feel like stepping back in time. Today's Distance: 221 mi/ 355 km (B)

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, visit one of the important museums, and sample Munich's famous beer! (B)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)