Four Cities Railway Tour of Germany


	This tour of Germany combines the country’s largest cities: Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin and Munich. While this is an ideal route for those who prefer to travel by rail, the package can be easily amended to include a rental car. Additional destinations can be added as well.				9 days USD 1,099.00¹ EUR 865.00 Recommended travel period: throughout the year

1st day: Cologne

		You arrive at the airport in Frankfurt.

		Travel by rail from Frankfurt to Cologne Distance: 180 km Travel time: 1:00 h more ... You will take Germany's fastest train, the InterCityExpress (ICE), from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne. An older version of the ICE set the world speed record in 1988, reaching 406.9 km/h (253 mph).Prices for a 2nd class seat start at around € 60. Unless otherwise requested, Umfulana will book a train that departs late in the morning.

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.

2 nights

		Cologne more info »

3rd day: Hamburg

		Travel by rail from Cologne to Hamburg Distance: 430 km Travel time: 4:00 h more ... North of Cologne you will pass through the Ruhr Valley, Germany's industrial centre during the 19th and 20th centuries. You will then cross the state of Lower Saxony, whose southern hills increasingly give way to plains as you progress northward. Hamburg is located at the southern tip of the Jutland Peninsula, which connects Germany with Denmark.Prices for a 2nd class seat start at around € 70. Unless otherwise requested, Umfulana will book a train that departs late in the morning.

Turn-of-the-century symmetry: Jugendstil Villa in Hamburg

Accommodation: An Art Nouveau villa
Hamburg's smallest 4-star hotel actually consists of two late 19th century villas that were skillfully restored and joined together to form a single structure. Great care was taken in the process to preserve the historical buildings' original character. The owners' respect for tradition extended to the design of the five double rooms and five suites, each of which tastefully combines antique furniture with modern comfort and conveniences. Free parking is available in front of the hotel. From the peaceful location alongside the Eilbek River the city centre can be reached in just 15 minutes by underground.

2 nights
Bed & Breakfast

		Hamburg more info »

Germany's leading port city: Hamburg

Germany's second largest city and principal port started out as a castle called Hammaburg which was built by Emperor Charlemagne in 808 AD as a defence against Slavic invaders. Hamburg was officially granted the status of "Imperial Free City" by Frederick I (Barbarossa) in 1189. Its location close to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea soon made the northern outpost one of Europe's leading ports. Hamburg's rise to prominence was sealed by its trade alliance with Lübeck in 1241, which marked the origin of the Hanseatic League, a powerful union of trading guilds that maintained a stronghold on trade in most of northern Europe for over 400 years. Hamburg continues to cultivate this link to its glorious past even today, often referring to itself, like Lübeck and Bremen, as a "Free and Hansa City". It is the second wealthiest metropolis in the EU after London and a leading media, industrial, commercial and cultural centre.

But was the hamburger invented here? According to legend, an immigrant from Hamburg began selling beef patties in New York in the 1850s which soon bore the name of the vendor's hometown.

Tip: Guided Tour of Hamburg
Follow the history of the largest non-capital city in Europe with the help of our enthusiastic guide, who will show you how a tiny missionary outpost became Germanys gateway to the world. From pirates and the Hanseatic League to WWII air raids and the Great Fire, Hamburg has a special character set apart from the rest of Germany. As Europes second biggest port, Hamburg has always been open to adventurers and travellers from around the world and is still full of history, drama, and wild nights.

The two-hour walking tour covers all the main sites and lore:

- The Rathaus Hamburgs magnificent Town Hall
- 1943 Inferno - WWII bombing of Hamburg
- The infamous pirate Störtebeker
- St Petri and St Jacobi Hamburgs Medieval Churches
- Hanseatic League Europes first capitalists
- Hafen City Europes biggest inner-city development
- Chilehaus masterpiece of expressionist architecture
- Cholera Epidemic of 1892
- Trostbrücke the heart of medieval Hamburg
- St Nikolai Church poignant WWII ruins
- Deichstrasse and the Great Fire
- Speicherstadt historic warehouse complex

The private tour can be booked by Umfulana for EUR 120.00.

5th day: Berlin

		Travel by rail from Hamburg to Berlin Distance: 290 km Travel time: 1:30 h more ... During the latter half of the journey you will traverse Brandenburg, an ancient German state that was re-established after reunification in 1990. Bordered by the Elbe River to the west and the Oder River to the east, Brandenburg is known for its intact natural environment and its many protected areas. The state surrounds - but does not include - the nation's capital.Prices for a 2nd class seat start at around € 60. Unless otherwise requested, Umfulana will book a train that around 10:00 in the morning.

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: Munich

		Travel by rail from Berlin to Munich Distance: 585 km Travel time: 5:45 h more ... Before reaching Bavaria the train passes near or through several historical cities located in the former East Germany, including Wittenberg, where Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door in 1517, Leipzig, known as the "City of Heroes" for its role in the 1989 democratic revolution that culminated in reunification, and Jena, an old university city and Germany's cultural centre together with neighbouring Weimar during the early 19th century. After leaving the forests of Thuringia you will reach Bayreuth, the site of the annual Richard Wagner festival, and Nuremberg with its Imperial Castle. The final stop on the way to Munich is Ingolstadt, a city known to automobile enthusiasts as the headquarters of the Audi corporation.Prices for a 2nd class seat start at around € 100. Unless otherwise requested, Umfulana will book a train that departs around 9:50 in the morning.

Perfect location: Hotel next to the Hofbräuhaus in Munich

Accommodation: A downtown hotel next to the Hofbräuhaus
The 4-star hotel with an authentic Bavarian ambience is just a few doors from the famous Hofbräuhaus in the very heart of Munich. In addition to spacious, modern bedrooms with individually adjustable air-conditioning, the property features an award-winning restaurant, a cosy bar and spa/fitness facilities. An especially popular feature is the lavish breakfast buffet. All major sites in the Munich Old Town are within easy walking distance. Parking is available directly beneath the hotel.

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.

9th day: Frankfurt

		Travel by rail from Munich to Cologne Distance: 580 km Travel time: 4:45 h more ... The route will take you across south-central Germany to Frankfurt, then follow the course of the Rhine northwards to Cologne. Prices for a 2nd class seat start at around € 120. Unless otherwise requested, Umfulana will book a train that departs late in the morning.

		Departure

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 1,099.00¹
EUR 865.00

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: throughout the year

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:

9 days

Recommended
travel period:
throughout the year

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1) Price per person based on two people sharing a double room, flights not included. Prices may vary by season and due to differences in available services. All tours are sold in euros. Prices indicated in other currencies are for informational purposes only and may vary in accordance with changes in exchange rates.

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