Starting in Berlin and ending in Munich, this tour spans three countries. In just 15 days you will experience several of central Europe' s most magnificent cities. In Austria the tour stops at Dürnstein, an enchanting town on the Danube in the famous Wachau region, then continues on to the unforgettable Alpine landscapes of western Austria and Bavaria.
This trip will be customized according to your wishes.
Unlike other European capitals, Berlin is a young city that only grew in importance with the rise of Prussia to a European powerhouse in 1815.
Yet there is hardly a city that affected – and was affected by – 20th century history more than Berlin. After the peaceful reunification Berlin became a world city of culture, politics, media and science. In the 21st century the city has become a magnet for entrepreneurs, creative people and immigrants. Berlin’s architecture, festivals, nightlife and creative alternative scenes attract millions of visitors to the city.
The hotel is a tremendous value in the heart of Berlin. Its location on a quiet, tree-lined street just off the Kurfürstendamm couldn't be better.
The five-story building, built around 1900 as a private residence, has a nostalgic, old-fashioned look with ornate designs on its cream-coloured facade, tall windows, romantic balconies edged with flowerboxes, and a large tree shading the entrance. You step inside to a hallway with a black-and-white marble floor, mirrored walls, and a vaulted ceiling. The rooms are spacious and nicely furnished in a traditional style with dark wooden furniture, pastel-coloured fabrics and lace curtains. Many of the rooms face onto the quiet courtyard.
Broker: Sunny Cars GmbH
Company: Europcar
Vehicle: VW Golf or similar (CDMR)
Location: Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Desk at Airport)
The political and cultural capital of Saxony has an eventful history. Although already mentioned in 1206, it was largely insignificant until the 15th century.
After it survived the 30-year war, it burned to the ground in 1685. The city of the Saxon Elector was then rebuilt in glorious fashion and given a uniform baroque townscape which earned her the name “Florence of the North”. In February 1945 the hitherto scarcely damaged city was razed to the ground in one night by a devastating bomb attack. For decades the ruins of the Frauenkirche were a memorial to the horrors of war. The glorious restoration of the Frauenkirche in 2005 unleashed the ambition of the city to reconnect with its former splendor and beauty before the 2nd World War. The old town between the Zwinger (palace) and Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) has been restored to its former glory and many other sites in the city are being rebuilt.
Behind its impressive Baroque façade this small luxury hotel is an elegant retreat in the heart of the city. It offers a gourmet restaurant, impeccable service and a stunning spa overlooking the rooftops of Dresden.
Reminiscent of a 19th century palace, the décor is distinctly regal. The comfortable Biedermeier-style bedrooms and suites are furnished with classical furniture. The city centre is at your doorstep: the Residenzschloss, the Saxon State Opera and the new market (Neumarkt) are all within easy walking distance. After a busy day of sightseeing, guests can treat themselves to a gourmet dinner on the restaurant terrace with breathtaking views of the famous Church of Our Lady.
You will cross the border near the German city of Breitenau, about 35 km south of Dresden. Although the Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004, border controls remain in place, so all passengers should have their passports ready.
After crossing the border you will enter Bohemia, a region historically settled by ethnic Germans that has been the object of much contention through the centuries.
The city on the Vltava, also known as the city of 100 towers or the Golden City, is considered one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe.
Since 1992 the entire historical old town has been declared a World Heritage Site. The region has been densely populated since prehistoric times. In the 6th century the Slavs settled there first. German and Jewish merchants made the city one of the main trading centers of Central Europe in the 10th century. The real heyday of Prague began in the 14th century with Charles IV. who became King of Bohemia in 1346. The Charles Bridge and Charles University, which is the oldest university north of the Alps, bear his name. Until World War II the city was inhabited by Czechs, Germans and Jews. Especially for the German culture the city has contributed substantially, as evidenced in names such as Albert Einstein, Franz Kafka or Rainer Maria Rilke.
This historical residence stands next to the US and German embassies on a hill below Prague Castle and is only a five-minute walk from Charles Bridge.
Having been recently restored, the bedrooms and suites offer the best of Prague's past combined with contemporary comfort. Largely devoid of big city bustle and traffic, this peaceful part of town creates a welcoming atmosphere for both short and extended stays. A private garden and underground parking garage complement the high standard of service. All 21 suites are stylishly furnished with parquet floors, kitchenettes and marble bathrooms.
You will first cut through the south-east section of Bohemia to Jihlava, an ancient mining town situated on the boundary between the regions of Bohemia and Moravia.
From there you will head straight south to the Austria border, which you will cross near Slavonice. You should be prepared to show your passports at the border crossing.
The region known as the Wachau occupies a 30 km strip of the Danube Valley between the cities of Krems and Melk. The area was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000 due to its natural beauty in harmony with its architectural landmarks, which include numerous castles, monasteries and ruins.
Along this stretch the Danube flows through a narrow valley sandwiched between the Bohemian Massif and the Dunkelsteiner Forest, lined with terraced vineyards and dotted with historical towns and medieval villages. High night-day temperature fluctuations contribute to the special aroma of the wines and this is where Austria's most famous wines, including Grüner Veltliner, are produced.
The palace in Dürnstein was built by a princess in 1632. She chose the location well: a high cliff overlooking the beautiful Danube as it winds through vineyards on the way to Vienna. Today the palace is a luxury Relais-et-Chateaux hotel considered one of the best properties in Austria.
Meals are served on the popular garden terrace above the river. The individually decorated rooms are complemented by elegant lounges with period furniture. Among many other activities, guests can take a dip in the indoor or outdoor swimming pools, enjoy a sauna or steam bath, walk up to the medieval castle ruins above the picturesque town of Dürnstein, stroll along the river or among the vineyards, or take day trips to nearby Vienna.
The city on the Danube, which is situated at the crossroads of the transport routes from the Baltic to the Adriatic and from southern Germany to the Great Hungarian Plain, is much more than the capital of Austria.
For many centuries Vienna was the center of a powerful empire covering much of southeast Europe, the seat of the powerful Habsburg Monarchy which ruled from the Middle Ages to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.The city's illustrious past is reflected in its stately palaces and other majestic landmarks along the ring surrounding the old town, such as the Staatsoper (state opera) and the ducal Hofburg. Today Vienna, former capital of the former multinational state, is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a touch of nostalgia for the glorious days of old. It is still the mecca of classical music with the world's largest music conservatory, the most famous concert halls with countless music events each year.
The small hotel with 26 bedrooms is imbued with homelike atmosphere rarely found in a commercial establishment.
This is not due to chance: It was the intention of owner Otto Wiesenthal from the start to provide guests with an extra measure of hospitality. Before opening his hotel in 1991, Herr Wiesenthal was in the computer business, where his unpleasant experiences with impersonal hotels inspired him to create an inn where guests are welcomed as friends. Located on a quiet side street outside the Inner Ring, the hotel is a 15-minute walk to the heart of Vienna. A staircase leads up one level to the reception area. The reception staff will gladly assist with sightseeing plans, dinner reservations and tickets for events. On the same floor there is a cozy lounge with an open fireplace, which is a popular meeting point for regular guests and local artists and musicians.
Guided Tour with Gerda
“You only see what you know”
After a walking tour with certified guide Gerda you will know Vienna in a way that could never be accomplished on your own. The Vienna native combines her love for the town with her knowledge as a state-certified tourist guide (Austria Guide) ever since her return home from a long stay abroad (South Africa, Germany, Italy).
She will take you on an informative, entertaining 1 1/2-hour walk through the history-laden streets of the Old Town, the former centre of the Habsburg dynasty and the powerful capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Key stops include the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Kohlmarkt (Vienna's elegant shopping avenue), the Spanish Riding School and, of course, St. Stephan's Cathedral in the heart of the city. The tour can be modified to accommodate your special interests.
Unless otherwise arranged, you will be picked up at your hotel at 10 a.m.
As you proceed eastwards from Lower Austria to Upper Austria you will move further and further into the shadow of the Alps.
Just west of Linz you will pass Mauthausen, site of the largest concentration camp in Austria during WW II (now a museum). Before reaching Salzburg you will pass the town and lake of Mondsee, considered one of the most scenic locations in Upper Austria.
The city located at the northern boundary of the Alps is one the most beautiful in central Europe. The backdrop of the Alps to the south contrasts strongly with the rolling plains to the north.
The closest Alpine peak – the 1,972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The inner city, or old town, is dominated by baroque towers and churches. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is Salzburg's most famous son. The houses where he was born and also lived in are popular tourist attractions and there are many monuments remembering the “Wolferl” in the city. His family is buried in a small church graveyard in the old town.
The historic villa was built in 1863 by an Italian master builder and from 1923 to 1938 was the residence of the world-famous von Trapp family, whose life underlies the musical “The Sound of Music”.
The property is situated in the middle of a picturesque park near the historical centre of Salzburg. Since 2008 the hotel has been restored to its former glory and is open to the public for the first time as a hotel. Numerous photos recall the former inhabitants of the villa, creating a family charm. The former bedrooms are now stylish and individually furnished guest rooms. In the dining room you start the day with a rich Breakfast, which you can finish later with a glass of wine on the large terrace or in the cosy salon.
You will cross the border into Germany just a few kilometers outside of Salzburg. The short distance to be covered allows time for a stop at scenic Lake Chimsee.
One of Ludwig the Mad's (Ludwig II) most spectacular projects after Neuschwanstein is located on the island of Herrenchiemsee: An opulent palace designed as a replica of the Palace of Versailles.
Although it is still a relatively young city, Munich’s charisma extends far beyond the Bavarian borders. Around the 11th century a few monks settled on the Isar – hence the name (apud Munichen – with the monks).
Because of its strategic location at a bridge and also at the intersection of two trade routes, the city soon became the residence of the Wittelsbach family who reigned as dukes, electors and kings of Bavaria. The city experienced a boom in the Baroque era and finally also in the 20th century. Munich became the capital of Art Nouveau – but also of the National Socialist movement. In 1919 Hitler already tested the demonic effect of his speeches in the Hofbräukeller. Although Munich is a high-tech location today, the Bavarian folklore is lovingly cared for, especially in the last week of September when the Oktoberfest beer festival takes place.
Location: Munich (Railway Station)
The rental car will be picked up at your accommodation.
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 Service Hotel by the travel website Venere.
Ph.: +49 (0)2268 92298-23
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