ETS

1. DAY: We pick you up at the Cologne/Bonn airport or in your hotel in Cologne and start with our program: Visit of the Cologne cathedral, and the old quarters. Upon request we will show you the museum of Roman History and the shopping streets. Then we travel to Siegburg to the abbey church St. Michael built 1067 and have lunch in the local brewery. From here we drive to the scenic Siegtal river valley and visit the historic city of Blankenberg with its 750 years old church. Overnight in a country hotel.
	2. DAY: Today we travel to see the Rhine river valley, its castles and vineyards. We will point out the Drachenfels rock and the prestigious hotel Petersberg. Our first stop is the bridge of Remagen, where the US-Army in WWII crossed the Rhine river in a spectacular military operation. Then we go to the fortress Ehrenbreitstein near Koblenz from where we have a great view to the “Deutsches Eck” where the Moselle meets the Rhine. Continuing to the Marksburg, the only castle on the Rhine which was never conquered or damaged. We will look across the river to see castles Stolzenfels and Burg Lahneck. Then we go by ferry boat across the Rhine to Boppard, a place to take a photo of the “enemy brother” castles separated by an extra wall. Those dangerous times. We end the day in St. Goar. Overnight in a *hotel or, if you like, in one of the castle **hotels. (at additional costs)
3. DAY: For the second part of our tour through the Lorely valley we start early. We first visit Burg "Rheinfels", the largest castle-ruin on the river with a beautiful view over the Rhine valley. Then we go to Kaub, a castle like a stone ship in the river. Past the castles of Schoenburg and Gutenfels we head for Ruedesheim. But first we go up to the Niederwalddenkmal, an impressive historical monument. If you like you can take the chair-lift over the vineyards back to Ruedesheim. The small city is know for its many wine restaurants. Overnight in the vicinity.

		4. DAY: We go to Heidelberg and up to the famous Heidelberg Renaissance castle. Enjoy the beautiful view across the town and the Neckar river from the big terrace. In the castle’s basement are the largest wine barrels in the world. Then we go down to the old city of Heidelberg, the market place, the old cathedral and the Karl-Theodor bridge of 1788 A.D. We then go on to medieval Rothenburg and try to arrive there by 8 PM to take part in the night watchman’s tour. Overnight in Rothenburg.
5. DAY: Medieval Rothenburg is one of the most visited historical places in Germany. You will have time to discover the many interesting attractions, starting with the original city wall form the 14th century. There is a city tour around noon starting from the market place. Your hotel is close by for you to rest, or to deposit your bags with gifts and souvenirs. You can also choose a trip in one of the horse-drawn wagons.
		6. DAY: We can leave in the morning or around noon if you want to stay for a few extra hours. Before leaving however, we take you to a special view point opposite the city walls. Now we travel south to the Alps in the Allgaeu region. After 160miles we are in the vicinity of Fuessen for our next overnight. Fuessen has a very pretty old section to visit.

7. DAY: The Bavarian King Ludwig II built his dream castle Neuschwanstein from 1869 to 1886. You will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the many rooms in the castle. From the “Marien Brücke” (Bridge of St. Mary) you have unique view to the castle and the castle Hohenschwangau and lake Alpsee. In the evening we go to one of the typical local guest houses, perhaps with live music. There is also a new musical “Ludwig II” outdoors at the lake. (extra costs)

8. DAY: The last day of our round trip starts at 9am to see Linderhof castle, another castle of Ludwig II., build in exquisite Rococo style. The castle is surrounded by very pretty gardens, including a famous mysterious blue grotto, where king Ludwig loved to listen music by Richard Wagner.

Then we go to the monastery “Kloster Etttal” a beautiful Baroque church. If the weather is nice we go to Germany’s highest mountain, to the Zugspitze 10.000 feet.

Form there you can enjoy a unforgettable view across the Alps. Now it is time to start our return trip to Munich. A special stop is in the beautiful village of Oberammergau with shops of famous wood carving art.

Nearby we can visit the church “Wies”, built between 1746-1754, a masterpiece of baroque style, with an extremely rich interior.

In the evening we will reach our hotel in Munich or the romantic hotel “Zur Post” in Fuerstenfeldbruck.

Price will includes a trip with a group of max. 8 persons, 7 overnights in 3 star hotels, breakfast and baggage service and entrance fees.

You can also take the trip in the other direction, from Munich to Cologne.

For four persons or more we can also start from Frankfurt

8 days the GERMAN Highlights