Highlights of Germany

4.4/5 Based on 14 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Group Scenic
Our Price From 2,910 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 83 Per Person
 Trip Length
12 Days
 Trip Starts
Frankfurt
 Trip Finishes
Frankfurt
12 Day Highlights of Germany Itinerary (Cosmos)
Countries Explored: Germany
Trip Style
Regional Discovery
Departures
Accommodation
3 - 4 Star
Max. Group Size
50
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
6040

Overview

Read 14 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Cosmos 12 Day Highlights of Germany. Spectacular scenery, medieval towns, fairy-tale castles, a fascinating history, and world-class beer…this is Germany! On this comprehensive tour, you’ll see the country’s highlights and visit its most famous cities, as well as its medieval towns and scenic areas. Your holiday begins and ends in Frankfurt with overnights in the Rhineland, Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Munich, and the Stuttgart area.

Magnificent scenery awaits you on this value-minded Germany...read more holiday. Enjoy a cruise on the Rhine River, passing castle-crested hills, terraced vineyards, and pretty, historic towns. In Bavaria, see King Ludwig II’s 19th-century Neuschwanstein Castle, nestled high in the Alps. Drive along the Romantic Road with its charming villages, cobblestone streets, walled cities, half-timbered houses, and scenic countryside, and stop in Rothenburg, a walled town that has retained its medieval character. Among the tour highlights is Lübeck, a Hanseatic city and UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 12th century and Veste Coburg Castle, one of Germany’s largest castle complexes. Today, the fortress houses the former art collections of the dukes of Coburg.

You’ll also enjoy the must-see sights in the cities, including Munich’s Marienplatz, the main square in the city. In Dresden, see the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion, where the 40 bells of the Glockenspiel sound every quarter of an hour. From the beautiful scenery and exciting cities to the historic sights and fun experiences, this Germany tour has it all!

Itinerary

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)

Today's highlight is an included Rhine cruise to enjoy scenic views of the Rhineland, including the famous Lorelei rock. Next is the city of Cologne, the city known for its joyous attitude, with free time to visit the city centre. Today's Distance: 193 mi/ 310 km (B)

Journey into Niedersachsen to visit Hamelin. Admire its town centre with the historical buildings and magically fancy gables echoing 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 Lubeck, formerly a free Hanseatic city and independent state. Lubeck, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the cultural capital of northern Germany. Thomas Mann, Gunther 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)

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 contemporary architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. Consider an optional excursion this afternoon. (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. Today's Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km (B/D)

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. Today, the castle houses the former art collections of the dukes of Coburg. Continue to Nuremberg and admire its town centre, dominated by the imperial castle. Today's Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km (B)

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. Today's Distance: 217 mi/ 350 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, and sample Munich's famous beer! (B/D)

Leave Munich and drive into the heart of the Bavarian Alps to see 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: 192 mi/ 310 km (B/D)

The day starts with a scenic drive for a taste of the Black Forest landscapes and villages, followed by a visit to Heidelberg-location of Germany's oldest university and inspiration for the German Romantic movement. From here, continue to Frankfurt. Today's Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B)

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Trip Inclusions

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.

  • 11 Breakfasts
  • 4 Dinners

  • Frankfurt Area Hotel Frankfurt Messe (First-Class)
  • Rhineland Hotel Achat Monheim (First-Class)
  • Hamburg NH Altona Hamburg (First-Class)
  • Berlin B&B Hotel Berlin City Ost (Superior Tourist-Class)
  • Berlin B&B Berlin-Tiergarten (Superior Tourist-Class)
  • Leipzig NH Leipzig Messe (First-Class)
  • Nuremberg B&B Hotel Nürnberg-City (Superior Tourist-Class)
  • Munich Ibis Muenchen Parkstadt Schwabing (Tourist Class)
  • Stuttgart Area Seminaris (Superior Tourist-Class)
  • Frankfurt Area Leonardo Royal Frankfurt (First-Class)

  • Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
  • (2024) September 27 Departure – Oktoberfest
  • (2024) December 6 & 13 Departures – Christmas markets. Included visits to Cologne, Lübeck, Dresden, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, and Munich Christmas markets.
Why Travel with Cosmos?
Why Travel with Cosmos?

Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more

Personalise Your Adventure
Personalise Your Adventure

Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more

Cosmos's Expert Guides
Cosmos's Expert Guides

Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more

Trip Reviews (14) View All Most Recent 'Highlights of Germany' Reviews

4.4
AVG. RATING 4.4 / 5
14 Reviews
5 Star
50%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
1 Star
Anniversary trip through Germany   7 , QLD, Australia, Apr 2019
We had the best time, everyone on board the coach was friendly. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative. The coach driver was very experienced and gave you a good sense of security, the coach was always clean and tidy and very comfortable.

The highlight of the trip if we had to only pick one was the Neuschwanstein Castle, it was perched ...read more on a rocky cliff below snow capped mountains. It was just like a fairy tale with views down into the town below with an interior that needs to be seen to be believed.

We have enjoyed all 4 Cosmos trips that we have been on and would happily recommend Global Journeys to our friends and family.
12 day Highlights of Germany with Cosmos 2 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2018
Probably got what we paid for (budget) and what we expected with a coach with 42 other people. We all got along and there were no late starters getting on the coach each time which made life easy. Tour was mostly rushed with a lot of driving hours sitting on the coach. Guide was a nice person but gave too much information at once e.g. what we are eating ...read more tonight and it's morning, who cares?!! But overall a glimpse of the country and good value. Probably suited to people with limited mobility on a budget.
Amazing and exhilarating Global journey 4 , NSW, Australia, Aug 2017
Sincere thanks to Global Journeys and Cosmos for the professional organisation of a memorable trip.

The tour Director Bodi, and the coach Driver Norbert were a source of strength, knowledge and consideration for each of us individually, and collectively for the group. They extended an incredible opportunity to enculturate to the country and the ...read more people, shared with us the history, the socio-political context, the cuisine, the norms to adhere to, always in a very sensitive and informed manner. Body and Norbert were very respectful of the citizens, and every tour member.

The tour group comprised an incredible mix of warm, easy going, kind and caring people from all across the world. The coach was very comfortable and the trips were informative, scenic, comfortably paced mostly, and very enjoyable. The local coaches did their utmost to facilitate maximum knowledge and understanding, within the time limits. Some hotels were uniformly liked by everyone, a few didn't meet standards of comfort, although hotel staff were very helpful. It was truly an enjoyable journey with many fond memories which will last a lifetime. Sincere gratitude to Yvonne and the Global team.
First Overseas Trip   1 , NSW, Australia, Oct 2016
I didn't know what to expect as this was my first overseas adventure. The pace of the tour was very good, great transport and free WiFi was a bonus. Visited many different towns of which I preferred visiting the smaller towns rather than the main towns as the smaller towns had so much more interesting buildings and places of interest. I saw some amazing ...read more sights as well as architectural beauties, which included castles and churches and age old houses. The group of people that were on the same tour as myself were so friendly and it was a pleasure being included in the group. The accommodation - some were very nice to stay in after a long day travelling on the coach and sightseeing and other accommodation was quite poor. The same applied to the included dinners, some were good and some were not edible, however, the two optional dinners that I attended were great.

As I have already stated this was my first overseas tour and I didn't really know what to expect. I understand that our Tour Guide was a Tour Director and not a Tour Guide, myself I would of preferred a tour guide to take me to the important places of each town, rather than providing us with an out of date map and having free time to explore the towns. In saying that I did enjoy the free time to explore the town on my own and overall I enjoyed the tour immensely, which went all too quick. My travel operator was extremely helpful and nothing was too much trouble for her to answer my many questions and assist me through the process. I will travel and book another tour with Cosmos & book with Global Journeys which will be either Greece, Italy or Spain. Thanks again.
Fabulous tour 1 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2016
This was my fourth tour with Cosmos and again great value. It covers major and very minor places that you wouldn't normally see on your own. Our tour guide Buddy was very friendly and helpful and as all the tour guides at Cosmos could not do enough for us. I feel it could be slowed down to take one extra day as it is quite fast paced and a few very ...read more early mornings. I understand Cosmos saves money by staying just out of the major towns but the hotel in Munich was way below par. It took quite a walk and two modes of transport to get into town. If it was raining it would have been awful. All other hotels were fine with wonderful beds and good food although all did not have a restaurant.
Pleasant Tour of Germany 0 , QLD, Australia, May 2016
The accommodation was better than expected for a low budget tour. The tour bus was excellent as were the driver and the tour director. All places visited were enjoyable, it is just a shame more time was not allotted to enjoy them. I would have preferred to have more local guides as there were only three included. Also, traffic delays meant that ...read more we didn't have as much visiting time as we would have liked.
Play Youtube Video

Brochure

Worldwide

Cosmos Worldwide (2023-24)

From Europe’s grand cathedrals to America’s Grand Canyon, we’ll show you the iconic treasures and hidden gems of the world like only Cosmos can. Empty your bucket list without emptying your pockets! Follow your wanderlust to the world’s most fascinating places – from the Great Pyramids to the Great Barrier Reef; or from the Rocky Mountains to the rocky...more shores of Scotland. Cosmos makes it affordable to answer when adventure calls.

Availability

Exclusive Savings
Friday 03 May 2024
Tuesday 14 May 2024
Status
From: $3,719 $3,645
Save $74 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 17 May 2024
Tuesday 28 May 2024
Status
From: $3,419 $3,351
Save $68 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 14 Jun 2024
Tuesday 25 Jun 2024
Status
From: $3,719 $3,645
Save $74 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 28 Jun 2024
Tuesday 09 Jul 2024
Status
From: $3,719 $3,645
Save $74 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 26 Jul 2024
Tuesday 06 Aug 2024
Status
From: $3,419 $3,351
Save $68 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 09 Aug 2024
Tuesday 20 Aug 2024
Status
From: $3,419 $3,351
Save $68 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 30 Aug 2024
Tuesday 10 Sep 2024
Status
From: $3,839 $3,762
Save $77 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 06 Sep 2024
Tuesday 17 Sep 2024
Status
From: $3,529 $3,458
Save $71 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 13 Sep 2024
Tuesday 24 Sep 2024
Status
From: $4,129 $4,046
Save $83 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 27 Sep 2024
Tuesday 08 Oct 2024
Status
From: $3,679 $3,605
Save $74 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 06 Dec 2024
Tuesday 17 Dec 2024
Status
From: $3,239 $3,174
Save $65 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 13 Dec 2024
Tuesday 24 Dec 2024
Status
From: $2,969 $2,910
Save $59 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 14 Jun 2024
Tuesday 25 Jun 2024
Status
From: $4,639 $4,546
Save $93 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 28 Jun 2024
Tuesday 09 Jul 2024
Status
From: $4,699 $4,605
Save $94 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 26 Jul 2024
Tuesday 06 Aug 2024
Status
From: $4,039 $3,958
Save $81 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 09 Aug 2024
Tuesday 20 Aug 2024
Status
From: $4,039 $3,958
Save $81 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 30 Aug 2024
Tuesday 10 Sep 2024
Status
From: $4,799 $4,703
Save $96 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 06 Sep 2024
Tuesday 17 Sep 2024
Status
From: $4,149 $4,066
Save $83 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 13 Sep 2024
Tuesday 24 Sep 2024
Status
From: $5,289 $5,183
Save $106 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 27 Sep 2024
Tuesday 08 Oct 2024
Status
From: $4,579 $4,487
Save $92 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 06 Dec 2024
Tuesday 17 Dec 2024
Status
From: $3,859 $3,782
Save $77 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Friday 13 Dec 2024
Tuesday 24 Dec 2024
Status
From: $3,589 $3,517
Save $72 Enquire
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Cosmos. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

Similar Tours

13 Day Alpine Adventure, Bernina & Glacier Express (Cosmos)

13 Days Munich Zurich

Operated By: Cosmos

From 4,458
Save 98
13 Day The Best of Spain & Portugal (Cosmos)

13 Days Madrid Madrid

Operated By: Cosmos

From 3,233
Save 76
18 Day The Best of Europe (Cosmos)

18 Days London Paris

Operated By: Cosmos

From 5,820
Save 137