Cologne, Berlin, Munich: Germany’s Heartland


	After landing in Frankfurt you will head straight to the Rhine Valley for a stay in a medieval castle overlooking the river. From ancient Cologne, the next stop, you will cut across Germany’s midsection to Berlin, spending a night in the castle that inspired Sleeping Beauty on the way. From there the route will take you south to Munich via classic Weimar, then back to Frankfurt via Neuschwanstein castle and romantic Heidelberg.				14 days USD 2,099.00¹ EUR 1,650.00 Recommended travel period: April – October

1st day: Medieval Castles

		You arrive at the airport in Frankfurt.

		Rental car pick-up Type: Seat Ibiza or similar Pick-up location: Frankfurt, Airport		Duration of rental: 14 days

		Via Mainz Distance: 100 km Travel time: 1:30 h more ... You will pass Mainz, an ancient Roman city with a magnificent medieval cathedral. The most famous stretch of the Rhine with terraced vineyards, castle ruins and picture-book villages begins at Bingen, where the Rhine enters a deep valley.

Majestic accommodations: A 12th century castle

A castle chamber

Accommodation: A medieval castle overlooking the Rhine
During the 12th century the Dukes of Schöneburg ruled the area from this castle on a hill above the town of Oberwesel and levied duties on Rhine commerce. The castle was burned down in 1689 and lay in ruins for over 200 years until it was bought and restored by an American named Mr. Rhinelander in the early 1900s.

Today the modern, luxury hotel is owned once again by the town of Oberwesel and has been managed by the Hüttl family since 1957. It offers 20 elegant, individually furnished rooms and two suites with four-poster beds and balconies facing the Rhine River. Guests can stroll through the surrounding forests, meadows and vineyards or just relax and enjoy the one-of-a-kind views.

2 nights
Bed & Breakfast

		Middle Rhine Valley more info »

3rd day: Cologne

		Via Bonn Distance: 150 km Travel time: 3:00 h more ... You will follow the Rhine Valley to Koblenz, where the Moselle River flows into the Rhine. Shortly before reaching Cologne you will pass Bonn, the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany and the birthplace of Beethoven. Important sites include the 11th century cathedral and Beethoven-Haus, which contains the largest Beethoven collection in the world, including the last piano owned by the composer.

A tradition in Cologne since 1863

Accommodation: An award-winning hotel next to Cologne Cathedral
The 5-star hotel has been an institution in Cologne since it was first opened in 1863. In 1910 it made headlines when it began offering ensuite bathrooms with running warm water, a rarity at the time that was considered the epitome of luxury and comfort. This tradition has been proudly maintained over the last century: exactly 100 years after it began offering warm water, the hotel in the heart of Cologne was named the Hotel of the Year by one of the country's leading hotel and restaurant guides. The exceptional service extends from the "pillow card," which enables guests to select just the right pillow for a good night's rest, to the free minibar and valet parking. Two restaurants are available: a gourmet restaurant often referred to as "Cologne's Dining Room" by the locals, and a relaxing Oriental café recently named Germany's foreign cuisine restaurant of the year. The rooms are surprisingly quiet despite the central location just steps from the train station and the Cathedral.

1 night

		Cologne more info »

4th day: Weserbergland

		Ruhr Valley Distance: 400 km Travel time: 5:00 h more ... The route leads to the east around the edge of the Upper Rhine Valley. Near Wuppertal you will enter the Ruhr Valley. This heavily populated region was Germany's industrial centre during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Restful: Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Oak trees over 600 years old: Reinhard Forest

Accommodation: Sleeping Beauty's Castle
The Grimm brothers didn't invent the story of Sleeping Beauty. It was related to them by an elderly woman who presumably had this castle in mind, as she grew up just a short distance away. The 700-year-old castle was in a state of decay when the Grimms travelled around the country gathering material for their famous collection of fairy tales. Today the former hunting lodge of the landgraves of Hesse is a fully renovated hotel. The tower rooms with walls over six feet thick are particularly striking. Over 100 steps lead from top to bottom.

The castle is surrounded by the Reinhardswald, one of Germany's last remaining ancient oak forests. Black storks, wildcats and ravens have been reintroduced in the area.

1 night
Bed & Breakfast

		Weserbergland more info »

5th day: Berlin

		Via Hildesheim Distance: 400 km Travel time: 5:30 h more ... You will pass the town of Hildesheim with its beautifully restored medieval market square and surviving city walls. The "seven hills" of the Hildesheim region were the setting of the most famous German fairy tale: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The place to relax: Green oasis in the heart of Berlin

Bright colors, clear lines: Balinese décor in Berlin

Accommodation: A boutique hotel in downtown Berlin
The extraordinary hotel near the centre of Berlin prides itself as an oasis of tranquility. The bedrooms in the two carefully restored turn-of-the-century buildings have been designed with great imagination and attention to detail. Instead of numbers the 16 rooms in the first building bear a name that reflects their creative décor, such the Maritime Room, the Safari Room and the Movie Room.

The 19 bedrooms in the second building were decorated in the bright, friendly style known as Balinese. The accommodation is a delightful alternative to travellers who are tired of indifferent staff and run-of-the-mill hotel rooms. In the evening guests can relax by candlelight in the lush garden - the perfect conclusion to a hard day of sightseeing.

2 nights
Bed & Breakfast

		Berlin more info »

7th day: Weimar

		Via Wittenberg Distance: 300 km Travel time: 3:00 h more ... This stretch will take you to Wittenberg, the cradle of the Reformation. It was here that Martin Luther spent must of his adult years teaching and preaching. We recommend taking a walk to the Lutherhaus museum, the Rathaus (city hall) and All Saints' Church (known as the Castle Church or Schlosskirche), where Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door.

Near Germany's cultural capital: A park hotel

Accommodation: A park hotel
The mansion that once belonged to a cavalry captain named Carl von Kalckreuth is situated in a tranquil park just outside Weimar. The onsite restaurant is known for its exquisite cuisine, select wines and "black beer", a dark lager beer popular in the region. The 60 comfortable rooms overlook the rolling hills around Weimar, the nearby castle grounds or the hotel orchard.

1 night
Bed & Breakfast

		Weimar more info »

8th day: Munich

		Bayreuth, Nuremberg Distance: 400 km Travel time: 4:00 h more ... After passing through the forests of Thuringia you will reach Bayreuth, the site of the annual Richard Wagner festival, and Nuremberg. The latter city crowned by the Imperial Castle is particularly worth a visit.

Next to Nymphenburg Palace: 19th century Villa

Accommodation: A B&B at Nymphenburg Palace
The attractive Neo-Renaissance villa was built in 1886 next to the Nymphenburg Palace and park, one of the most famous sites in Munich. The 17th century palace, now open to the public, has played an important role in numerous historic events. The small, family-run hotel next door prides itself on its 23 individually designed bedrooms and friendly service. Bicycles are loaned for free, for example, and tickets for the local public transportation system for the ride downtown can be purchased at the reception desk. In spite of the quiet location, Germany's largest beer garden is just minutes away. The hotel staff will gladly provide restaurant recommendations and assist with the planning of local activities. Indeed, the little inn was recently named a "Best Service Hotel" by the travel website Venere. Free parking is available.

2 nights
Bed & Breakfast

		Munich more info »

Baroque city: Munich

Like many cities, Munich started out as a small town enclosed by a wall and then expanded beyond it. The 'inner city' occupies such a small area that most sites are close together and easy to visit. The closeness gives a sense of the original wall - in fact, the gates still remain. The River Isar flows through the city, which is very green for its size. The enormous English Garden is a park with a lake and beer garden (of course) and is well worth a visit. Munich has true continental weather, meaning very warm in the summer and very cold in the winter. The splendid Prealpine lakes are less than an hour's drive away to the south. Munich is much more than the venue for the Oktoberfest - it is the high-tech capital of Germany, where many international companies have their European headquarters. There is too much to see in just a few days: the German National Museum is only the most famous of the countless museums and galleries. Beautiful baroque churches and beer gardens abound.

Tip: Guided Tour of Munich
Munich - the heart and soul of Bavaria - is where you'll find the sights, sounds and tastes of traditional Germany. Often called the "most northern city in Italy" for its stunning baroque architecture, Munich's palaces, royal avenues, theatres and churches make it one of the most colourful cities in Germany.

Munich's long and important history - at times gruesome, at times amusing - has always been fascinating. Munich and its surrounds were central to the rise of the Nazi party. You can examine the infamous streets where some of the darkest stories of human history took root and grew into Hitler's dictatorship. Following the American occupation in 1945, the heavily damaged city of Munich emerged from the rubble and was restored to its former glory, more so than any other German city scarred by war.

The two-hour walking tour covers:

- The Glockenspiel
- Alter Hof (home to the monkey tower)
- New Town Hall
- The Hofbräuhaus (The world's largest and most famous beer hall)
- Die Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
- Viktualienmarkt (Famous Market)
- The Tradition of Beer Gardens

The two-hour tour can be booked by Umfulana for EUR 120.00. Individual routes (focusing on WW II sites, for example) can be arranged upon request.

10th day: Neuschwanstein

		Romantic Road Distance: 160 km Travel time: 2:30 h more ... Much of this journey follows a scenic stretch of road that connects some of the most enchanting villages, churches and landscapes in southern Germany. A few places worth noting along the way are the towns of Hohenfurch, Schongau, Peiting, Rottenbuch and Wildsteig and the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Where Ludwig II once tread: A mountain inn

Stunning view from the inn

Accommodation: A remote mountain-top castle
On a lofty summit originally selected by King Ludwig the Mad for the site of another fairy-tale castle after completion of Neuschwanstein sits a hotel which is like no other. Newly arrived guests are first struck by the endless vistas of mountains, green valleys, lakes, and forests at their feet. Then comes the hotel itself, in which every room was individually and imaginatively decorated by the owners themselves, resulting in living quarters that are not mere guest rooms but distinct creations that exude luxury, taste and comfort. Next to the hotel the ruins of Ludwig's final project still stand, within whose tranquil walls the visitor may better sense the lingering spirit of the eccentric ruler than at tourist-plagued Neuschwanstein, clearly visible in the distance. Travellers who brave the narrow road leading up to the castle will be richly rewarded.

2 nights
Bed & Breakfast

		Neuschwanstein more info »

12th day: Heidelberg

		Via Stuttgart Distance: 340 km Travel time: 4:00 h more ... After crossing the Danube and the Alpine pastures of Swabia you will reach scenic Stuttgart, the capital of Swabia and mecca for lovers of luxury automobiles. The Mercedes Benz Museum provides a comprehensive documentation of automotive history from its earliest beginnings to the present. Tip: The Swabian city of Ulm boasts the world's tallest church steeple and is worth a stop if time allows.

Heidelberg Castle: View from the hotel

Noble exterior: 18th century residence in Heidelberg

Accommodation: A boutique hotel on the River Neckar
On entering the rooms in this new boutique hotel guests are first struck by the stunning views of Heidelberg from every window. At night the illuminated castle and Old Town spread out before you will almost seem unreal. For more unrestricted panoramic views you can relax on the rooftop lounge, or spend the afternoon or evening even higher up in the hotel's private vineyard - with a well-stocked picnic basket provided by your host.

After admiring the view guests can begin to admire their temporary home away from home: every room and every piece of furniture in it were exclusively designed by a Florentine architect with an eye to balance and harmony. All items of furniture were handmade by local craftsmen. While thoroughly modern, the interior decor was designed to recapture the late 18th century spirit of Romanticism, when Heidelberg was Germany's philosophical and literary centre. The noble simplicity of the 18th century building's white exterior gives the impression of a private residence rather than a hotel. Downtown Heidelberg is just a few minutes' walk away across the famous Old Bridge.

2 nights
Bed & Breakfast

		Heidelberg more info »

14th day: Frankfurt

		Rhine-Main Valley Distance: 90 km Travel time: 1:00 h more ... This leg will take you around the edge of the Odenwald forest through the heavily populated Rhine-Main Valley.

		Rental car drop-off Drop-off location: Frankfurt, Airport

		Departure

Rental car: AVIS (Germany)

Max excess/deductible: EUR 800.

Cost of this tour

The price is per person based on two persons sharing a double room and includes accommodations (meals included as stated above) and rental car.

USD 2,099.00¹
EUR 1,650.00

Should you want to revise this itinerary, we can change any of the following items: the route, the number of persons travelling, the time schedule, the standard of accommodation and the type of vehicle, according to your wishes.

The tour can begin on any date desired.
Recommended travel period: April – October

Upon booking this tour you will receive:

the names, addresses and telephone numbers

for each accommodation

detailed directions to each accommodation

vouchers

If you have any questions, would like to request changes or book this tour, please call your personal consultant Dr. Jerry Crippen on +49 (0)2268 9098-21 or submit an enquiry via the Internet:

14 days

Recommended
travel period:
April – October

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