FIRST THINGS FIRST: Consider our Flight and Early Arrival Options
Your flight to Frankfurt should arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary - this means you should depart your home airport the day prior. Your round-trip travel time on this journey is 10 days (9 days, 8 nights land). The trip ends in Munich. Airfare is not included. Inquire about our Business Class and Premium Economy Airfare.
Many of our travelers arrive a "full day early" to recover from their overnight flight toFrankfurt. Inquire for details. You might also consider a pre-tour in Berlin, the capital of Germany.
REMINDER REGARDING THE EURO CURRENCY
The currency in Germany is the Euro. It is always a good idea to have some local currency with you upon arrival. You can also access more cash with your ATM card. You may use a credit card in most shops and restaurants.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Frankfurt: The Adventure Begins
DAY 1: WELCOME TO FRANKFURT
Your Journey begins in Frankfurt. After clearing customs and collecting your baggage, meet our driver for your included transfer to our hotel in Frankfurt. After check-in, relax or explore at leisure until our City Tour in the afternoon.
Today's Adventure: Historic City Tour
Meet your Journey Tour Captain for a walking tour of the historic areas of Frankfurt. You will walk through the Altstadt and see the impressive Römer or Rathaus (City Hall) where you will see the Memorial to the 1933 Nazi Book Burning. You will see the old St. Nicholas Church, the Frankfurt Cathedral, Goethe's House and the Old Jewish Cemetery. The tour will end at the Kleinmarkthalle, a fascinating indoor market with fresh foods and wines from Europe and the Middle East.
Walking on your Journey
We enjoy walking the streets and stairs of Germany, so be ready to explore the cities and towns by foot. Plan to be on your feet for up to three (3) hours standing and walking up and down stairs and on uneven surfaces, hopping on and off private and public transportation in all weather conditions. Our pace is unhurried but you must be physically capable of walking.
Welcome to Frankfurt Dinner
Join your Tour Captain for a Welcome Reception where we toast the beginning of our journey together. We will then proceed to our gala welcome dinner at a restaurant featuring German cuisine paired with regional wines.. Our approach to dining is unique in the travel world. We visit local and family-owned restaurants where you choose your dinner from the menu. We include Premium Beverages (wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks). The Deluxe travel package features the indicated included dinners. The Classic travel package includes the Welcome Dinner in Frankfurt. Classic package guests may upgrade to all the indicated dinners - see your proposal for details.
Accommodations in Frankfurt, 2 Nights with breakfast
DAY 2: Rudesheim and the Rhine Valley
Today's Adventure: Medieval Rudesheim and Rhine Valley Exploration – World Heritage Site
Meet your Tour Captain after a delicious included breakfast at your hotel for a pleasant one-hour drive in your private micro-coach along the Rhine River with its dramatic scenery on the way to Rudesheim. View the castles, vineyards and small villages along the World Cultural Heritage Middle Rhine. Our special sightseeing today includes:
Special sightseeing today includes:
- Medieval Rüdesheim - stroll among the half-timbered buildings of the Old Town and Drosselgasse. We will take a cable car over the vineyards up to the Niederwald Monument which commemorates the unification of Germany and offers spectacular views of the Rhine River.
Return to Frankfurt in the late afternoon.
Journey Exclusive
We will enjoy the famous Rüdesheimer coffee laced with locally-produced Asbach brandy. The presentation itself is a memorable experience. On some itineraries, we may enjoy Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum alternatively to the coffee experience for a guided tour of this unique museum.
Journey is Different: Your Journey Tour Captain will invite you to an optional dinner, and they can also help you with dining reservations if you choose to explore lovely on your own.
To Heidelberg
DAY 3: HEIDELBERG CASTLE
This morning enjoy a leisurely start with breakfast and then join your Journey Tour Captain as we make our way to the medieval city of Heidelberg.
Today's Adventure: Heidelberg Castle
Following our castle tour, we make our way to the Old Town Square where we can enjoy lunch on our own. Afterward, we enjoy a short tour of the Old Town with its marketplace and imposing Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit.
Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure until our welcome dinner tonight. You might stroll along the Philosophers' Way on the banks of the Neckar River or hike to Saints' Mountain. Perhaps visit the Oldest German Botanical Garden adjacent to the University or tour the Palatinate Museum.
Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure until our welcome dinner tonight.
Welcome to Heidelberg Dinner
Tonight join your Tour Captain for a Welcome to Heidelberg Dinner featuring the many specialties of Baden-Württemberg cuisine.Heidelberg is the asparagus capital of the world so you can enjoy it in many forms during the growing season. Unique to Journey, you will dine in a local restaurant where you order what you wish from the menu. Dinner is paired with Premium Beverages - wine, beer, soft drinks.
Accommodations in Heidelberg, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel Europäischer or Similar
Classic: NH Heidelberg or Similar
Exploring the Romantic Road
DAY 4: ROTHENBURG
Today's Adventure: Legends & Treasures of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Our Journey Adventure takes us on the historic trade route between the center of Germany to the south known as the Romantic Road. Our destination is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, considered to be the Jewel among Germany's medieval towns. On arrival in the late morning, we enjoy a tour of Rothenburg with our Tour Captain who also is our certified expert guide. Highlights include the Gothic St. Jakob's Church which houses the magnificent 500-year-old carved wood altarpiece of the Last Supper known as the Altar of the Holy Blood by Tilman Riemenschneider. The medieval town is best seen by walking and one of the most popular activities is the Rampart Walk along the well-preserved fortifications of the town.
Special Activities Include:
- Rothenburg - Enjoy a visit to the enchanting Käthe Wohlfahrt world-famous Christmas Store and Village where it's Christmas all year around. Rothenburg has many shops with excellent quality German souvenirs, jewelry and goods.
Evening At Leisure: In the late afternoon we return to Heidelberg for an evening at leisure. Your Tour Captain will invite you to an optional dinner or you may explore on your own.
Bavarian Dreams
DAY 5: MUNICH
After breakfast this morning we bid farewell to Heidelberg and board the fast train with 1st class tickets for the comfortable three hour journey to Munich, our home for the next four nights.
Discovery Walk
After our hotel check-in and time to freshen up, we will make our way with the Tour Captain to the center of Munich's Old Town to have lunch on our own. After lunch, we meet our Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk through the heart of Munich. The name Munich, Home of the Monks, is derived from Benedictine order monks who established a monastery in the 8th century in what would become the Old Town of the city. A monk is depicted on the city's coat of arms. You will see the Marienplatz, the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and will walk to one of the most famous buildings in Munich, the Hofbrauhaus.
Following the Discovery Walk, you will have free time to explore or relax until our dinner tonight.
Welcome to Munich Dinner
Tonight join the Tour Captain for a Welcome to Munich Dinner in a traditional Wirtshaus - often part of a Brauhaus - where you will enjoy typical Bavarian cuisine and beer. It will be an evening of hearty food and merriment. As always with Journey, you choose what you wish from the menu and dinner includes Premium Beverages - beer, wine and soft drinks.
Accommodations in Munich, 4 nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel Bayerischer Hof or Similar
Classic: Hotel Torbraeu or Similar
BACK TO TOP
DAY 6: MUNICH
Today's Adventure: Exploring Historical Munich – Bavarian Rules and Dark History
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, we enjoy our walking tour of the history and historical sights of Munich. We will visit St. Peter's Church, the oldest recorded parish church in the city. It is possible to climb the 299 foot tower for spectacular views of the city. We will pass through the Viktualienmarkt, the amazing outdoor market and gathering place with its central Maypole. We will visit the Munich Residenz Palace, the heart of Royal Bavaria, and see the adjoining Opera House situated on Max-Joseph Platz. We will learn the dark history of the rise of the Nazi party in Germany and see some of its remnants. We will return to Marienplatz for the noontime bells and music of the enchanting Glockenspiel.
Journey Special Experience
Your tour this morning ends at a traditional Brauhaus for a Bavarian pretzel and beer
Afternoon for Individual Exploration
The afternoon is yours for individual exploration. May we suggest the magnificent English Gardens, the Asam Church or one of the many museums. You might enjoy a special excursion to the BMW Museum and the BMV Welt to see the current models. We can assist you with transportation and tickets. You might climb the 300 steps of St. Peter's Church Tower for spectacular views over Munich.
Tonight, the Tour Captain will invite you for an optional dinner or you may choose to explore on your own. We can assist you with reservations or suggestions.
Bavaria
DAY 7: BAVARIAN DISCOVERY
Today's Adventure: The Bavarian Alps, Castles and Painted Houses
After a delicious included breakfast, meet your Tour Captain for our day in the Bavarian Alps. We will travel in our comfortable coach on a 1 ¼ hour journey to enchanting Oberammergau, nestled in the Bavarian Alps.This picturesque town is known for woodcarvers and frescoed houses, and is most renowned for its presentation of the Passion Play every ten years since the 17th century in thanksgiving for the delivery of the townspeople from Bubonic Plague.
Following our visit to Oberammergau, we will make our way to the nearby Neuschwanstein Castle,built by King Ludwig II, known as the Mad King, where we will visit the grounds for spectacular views of this fairytale castle said to be the inspiration for Cinderella's castle at Disneyworld. You may wish to hike up to Queen Mary's Bridge for unparalleled views over the river gorge to the castle.
We continue our adventure to Linderhof Palace, another residence of King Ludwig and designed after Versailles. You will be awed by the brilliance of the gold furnishings and mirrors in the palace and the beautifully manicured gardens and fountains.
Note: The order of our adventure today may change depending on our admission time to Linderhof Palace.
We will return to Munich in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure. Your Tour Captain will invite you for an optional dinner or you may explore on your own.
Special Sightseeing today Includes:
- Neuschwanstein Castle: Enjoy views of the castle before we make our way to nearby Linderhof Palace.
- Linderhof Palace: Admission and Tour of this beautiful palace featuring stunning views.
- Oberammergau: Explore the quaint village and learn of its inspiring history.
BACK TO TOP
DAY 8: MUNICH AT LEISURE
Today belongs to you to explore at leisure, for last-minute shopping or for special excursions.
May we suggest Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial which is a short distance from Munich, Olympic Park of Munich, Beer and Oktoberfest Museum, Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens, Schleissheim Palace Complex. We can assist you with tickets and transportation.
Our Special Journey Finalé
Tonight join your Tour Captain and fellow travelers to celebrate our journey together.. We will toast one another with a festive toast and then continue to our gala finalé dinner. As our journey ends, we reminisce about our exploration of fascinating Germany. . We say Auf Wiedersehen - until we meet again!
Day 9: DEPARTURE DAY
This morning we bid Farewell to Journey's Germany Adventure. You can fly from Munich International Airport for your transatlantic flight. Your departure transfer is not included; however, we can arrange it for you. Or you might want to extend your journey to other parts of Europe - perhaps a post-tour in Salzburg.
Ready to book this Journey: Click Here
SEE ITINERARY