Discover some of Germany's most beautiful cities without the need for a rental car. Travel through their history from Roman Times in Cologne to the fall of the Berlin Wall and beyond into modern Berlin: an eclectic mix of old and new. Visit Dresden, which has been destroyed and rebuilt twice in its entirety, yet reconnecting with its former splendor. After a visit to Munich the tour finishes in Heidelberg: the famous student town with its castle ruin and more than one secret to tell.
This trip will be customized according to your wishes.
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).
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
Founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, Cologne is Germany's second oldest city. The city marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire and was therefore of great strategic and military importance to the Romans.
For many centuries now it has been a leading trading and transportation hub due to its location along the Rhine River. Cologne became one of the focal points of Western culture during the Middle Ages when, under the rule of Friedrich II, the relics of the Three Wise Men were brought to Cologne in 1164 after being captured from Milan. Cologne Cathedral, one of the most magnificent structures north of the Alps, was built to house these relics, although construction wasn't completed until 600 years later. Today the landmark is the emblem of Cologne and is also a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The old town facing the Rhine together with the city boasting 12 Romanesque churches among its numerous other historical sites creates a unique ensemble and Cologne is also known as the center of the German Mardi Gras celebrations that peak during the carnival period.
In the heart of Cologne's Old Town, just minutes from the Cathedral, the Rhine River and the main shopping streets and as part of one of Cologne's oldest family breweries, this hotel is a very special address.
The 37 rooms are modern and well designed – some with Cathedral views and their own beer on tap. The brewery has lots of character with the Köbesse (traditionally rude waiting staff) serving authentic Cologne cuisine and amazing views of the Dom and the City. One of Cologne's best known bands – Die Höhner – shows off memorabilia of 40 years of band history over two floors.
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.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
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.
The hotel is located in Hamburg's centre, near to Mönckebergstraße, the traditional Kontor office quarter, the central station and Rathausmarkt and not far from the Alster Lake and Hafen-City.
The former Kontor building doesn't just accommodate a quirky, cool hotel, but also a temporary home for everyone enjoying urban life. The 65 rooms and studios reflect design and true hospitality in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. A decent Breakfast is served in the Kontorkitchen or in the lounge.
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.
Tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. You can book them online on www.raileurope.com or on arrival at the station.
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.
For much of the trip south you will pass through the great forests of the Spreewald, an area designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1991.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
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.
Travelling southwest through Saxony, you will pass along a low mountain range on your left called the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains), which forms the border between Germany and the Czech Republic. The city named Chemnitz was called Karl-Marx-Stadt during the GDR era but quickly reassumed its old name after reunification in 1990. You will cross the now invisible border between West and East Germany near Hof. A change of trains is required at Nuremberg.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
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.
The 4-star hotel with an authentic Bavarian ambience is just a few steps 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.
Important stops along the way include Augsburg, the second oldest city in Germany after Trier, and Ulm, which boasts the world's tallest church, Ulm Cathedral.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
The capital of the Palatinate (Kurpfalz) is at the point where the Neckar coming from the Odenwald enters the Rhine valley.
It is considered the cradle of German Romanticism and has inspired poets such as Brentano, Arnim or Eichendorff. The city is mentioned for the first time at the end of the 12th century. 200 years later the university was established and the castle under Palatine Count Rupert was built. In 1693 the town and castle were destroyed and rebuilt in the 18th century in baroque style. Rising majestically above the roofs of the old town are the ruins of the Heidelberg Castle – the most spectacular in its location, size and beauty in all of Germany. The classical-romantic view of Heidelberg's Old Town and the castle can be enjoyed from the Philosphengärtchen (Philosophers' Garden) and along the Philosophers’ Way on the north bank of the River Neckar.
Heidelberg is a romantic old university town with a long pedestrian street, the Hauptstraße, which constitutes the dynamic heart of the city.
The hotel stands at the beginning of this key avenue. Its stately facade dates from 1592, the year the gold sign was imprinted that still hangs above the door. Official records show the building served as a town hall for a decade before becoming the Hotel Zum Ritter. Thanks to the hotel's impressive facade and central location, its lovely panelled dining room is popular among the throngs of tourists that flock to Heidelberg. This makes the hotel a very bustling place in the evenings. It has been extended to the rear, and in the newer wing you find ten spacious, modern bedrooms with custom-fitted furniture and floor-to-ceiling draperies. The remaining rooms vary from small single rooms to large bedrooms overlooking the busy main street. The decor is more modern than old-world.
The short trip takes less than an hour but requires a change of trains in Mannheim.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de . Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
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