Historic Germany Tour

Arrival at Munich airport. Transfer from MUC to hotel. Dinner at Leisure. Overnight in Munich.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, walking guided tour of Schloss Nymphenburg. This castle was the summer residence of the Prince-electors and kings of Bavaria. The oldest part of the building (1664-1674) was built by Barelli from an Italian model. Lunch at leisure. Remainder of the day and dinner as well. Overnight in Munich. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. You can join our regular tour: OPTION A) Guided tour of Munich (half day) Meet at München Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station in Munich. This private tour is a customized experience, so be sure to include any specific requests to the guide at any time. Stop at Marienplatz, the city’s main square since 1158, and find the Old Town Hall, one of the city's most beautiful buildings from the Gothic era, and the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. Also, see Munich’s famous watering hole, Hofbräuhaus — a festive 3-floor beer hall dating back to the 16th century and Frauenkirche, a church that serves as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. Throughout the tour, the guide will provide ample information about Munich’s past and present. It’s a great introduction to the city of Munich and all that it offers its visitors and residents alike. Then, learn about the rise and fall of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany’s Third Reich while visiting many of the locations that were key to that time period. Munich was the city where Hitler rose to power and many of the Nazi party’s policies were conceived here. Witness the historical sites associated with the city’s Nazi era. See the building where Hitler first joined the Nazi party. Discover the former headquarters of the Gestapo (located in the former Wittelsbacher Palace) and see where visit the place (Bürgerbräukeller) where the infamous Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch, took place in 1923. This was a failed coup attempt by Hitler and other party leaders to seize power in Munich. The tour ends back at the starting point. Note: - The Gestapo headquarters were located in the former Wittelsbacher Palace. This building completely torn down in 1964. Today, a building of the BayernLB is located at the site of the palace. A copy of one of two stone lions at the entrance area is the only keepsake of the palace. - The infamous Beer Hall Putsch took place in the Bürgerbräukeller. This large beer hall was demolished and developed with the construction of the Gasteig Culture Centre, the Hilton Munich City Hotel and the headquarters of GEMA. OR for those who have already visited Munich in the past): OPTION B) Eagles Nest (full day - 315 km) Our full day guided Berchtesgaden region tour with Hitler’s infamous “Eagles Nest”, once the site of Hitler’s Mountain Retreat. Travel along the impressively narrow road on the rocky spur of the Kehlstein (1834m). When you arrive, a lift takes you up the last 100m to the top, where you can take refreshments in the «Eagle's Eyrie». This place, now a tearoom, was given to Hitler for his 50th birthday by the Nazi party. There is a magnificent view over the surrounding peaks. Overnight in Munich. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Not far from Hohenschwangau Castle, Ludwig II of Bavaria ordered the construction of this fairy-tale palace: Neuschwanstein Castle. Perched on a rocky ridge overlooking the Pöllat gorge, the sheer drama of Neuschwanstein Castle leaves all who see it spellbound. The fairy tale castle of Hohenschwangau is still furnished, lending it the feel of a genuine residence, although the Biedermeier furnishings do contrast rather strangely with the Gothic style of the rooms, popular at the time. Continue to Linderhof. The exquisite little palace of Linderhof is the epitome of glitter and luxury and its lavish ornamentation is so overwhelming as to even endow the structure with a certain harmony. Overnight in Munich. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Dachau. This memorial site highlights to visitors the unbearable reality of Germany's first concentration camp, which was opened in March 1933 upon the orders of Hitler. The remains of the camp bear witness to the Nazis' system in this camp which was first designed to incarcerate German political opponents, before it went on to house tens of thousands of deported Jews. Prior to its liberation by American troops in April 1945, 43 000 people perished here. Continue for Nuremberg, a modern metropolis and capital of Franconia, boasts a rich heritage. Its medieval center and characteristic German allure resulted in it being chosen as the site of the great meetings of the National Socialist Party and also explained the ensuing deluge of bombs at the end of the Second World War. Enjoy the guided walking tour of old town. Few towns have had to face up to the history of national socialism as much as Nuremberg. The buildings still standing today on the former rally grounds of the Nazi party testify to the régime's delusions of grandeur. The documentation center opened in 2001. Its modern layout, diverse displays and educational focus provide a clear insight into the structure and development of the Nazi party, the history of these rally grounds, as well as the town's period of Nazi history. After the visit of the building, we proceed to Rothenburg. Overlooking the winding course of the River Tauber, the town of Rothenburg is surrounded by imposing ramparts. Particularly well preserved, it contains an impressive number of medieval buildings on a spectacular cliff-edge site. After a brief guided walking tour of town, enjoy your free time (shopping, sample local Schneeballen or pastry) until 8 PM for the night watchman tour. Overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber / Nuremberg / Würzburg area. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Wurzburg. On the east bank of the Main, from the top of Marienberg fortress, the view over Würzburg and its old bridge and bell-towers is such that it is difficult to imagine that much of the town was destroyed during WWII. During your guided tour of the town, visit the Würzburg Residence. This superb palace was built between 1720 and 1744 under the direction of architect Balthazar Neumann, replacing the old Marienberg fortress as the bishops' residence. Drive to Cologne (about 4hrs drive) The very pleasant Rhenish metropolis can at first disconcert by the abundance of 1970s edifices. However, these quickly pale into insignificance thanks to a profusion of major international league museums, the landscaped banks of the Rhine, the Belgian designer district (around Rudolfplatz) and a host of cultural events. Late afternoon, you will enjoy a short walking guided tour of this city during which you will see the Kölner Dom (entrance not included), the most famous Gothic structure in Germany. Overnight in Cologne. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Board the boat for a Rhine river cruise. Cologne departure: 09:30 AM Linz arrival: 14h50 PM The coach will take you to Eltz Castle for the visit at 16h00. After the visit drive to Koblenz where you will spend the night. This city initially flourished because of its advantageous position at the confluence of the Rhine and the Mosel. Much damaged during the Second World War, it has been rebuilt and is today a thriving little city. Today, the city offers numerous leisure activities ranging from cruises on the Rhine and the Mosel, a lively summer festival and a host of bars and restaurants in its fully pedestrian city centre. Overnight in Koblenz. (B) Note: - It is not possible to do a cruise from Cologne to Kobern-Gondorf at once. Furthermore, with the daily cruise timetables, we cannot do Rhine cruise + Moselle Cruise in one day.

Breakfast at the hotel. 09h00AM Depart from Koblenz and bus drive to Braubach. 10:00AM Visit Marksburg Castle (turreted castle & fortress overlook the river from hilltop post) Lunch at leisure. Then board again the boat for a Rhine river cruise, lower part. Braubach cruise departure: 15:05PM Rudesheim arrival: 20:15PM Situated between the Rhine and the mountains, the capital of Rheingau, Rüdesheim, enjoys an envious position. The narrow streets, among which is the celebrated Drosselgasse, are crammed with visitors attracted by the wine cellars where the famous Rieslings can be sampled. There are also distilleries and cellars. Overnight in Rudesheim / Mainz area. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Heidelberg, German’s old university town, founded in 1386, the center of German Romanticism, has inspired numerous poets who were attracted here by the natural beauty of the site and its castle ruins, the red sandstone of which contrasts sharply with the greenery of the surrounding woodland. Visit the ruined Renaissance hilltop castle: Rondell, the Great Tower, the Elizabeth Gate, the Gothic hall of the Well Wing and more. Stop by Church of Holy Spirit and Knight's house during our old town guided walking tour. Continue to Baden-Baden. Sheltered between the Black Forest and the Baden vineyards, Baden-Baden is one of Germany's most elegant health resorts. Palaces and Belle-Époque villas lining the banks of River Oos set the scene. The town is well known for its bath (massage) and casino is popular come night-fall. Overnight in Baden-Baden / Black Forest Area (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive through one of Germany’s most picturesque regions- Black Forest. Stop at Lotharpfad adventure trail next to the Black Forest high road for approx. 30 minutes (1/2 mile) circular board walk (on your own). The observation platform offers views across the high ridges of the northern. Black Forest and into the valley towards Oppenau. In the Gutach valley, this Black Forest Open Air Museum (Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernof) demonstrates the skill of the local inhabitants in rural housing, agriculture, and arts and crafts. Near the village of Furtwangen, the source of the Breg River (source of the Danube river) feeds a stream that flows for 2,900km/1,800mi before reaching the mouth of the Black Sea. Stop at Furtwangen, home to a museum that showcases a splendid collection of clocks from the Black Forest. OPTIONAL: taste Kirshwasser (schnapps) and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Gateau). Price : 12.00 EUR (45min stop) Nearby Hexenloch is a steep wooded gorge abounding in waterfalls. Overnight in Baden-Baden / Black Forest Area (B).

Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up from hotel: 8 AM Drive to Colmar (+/- 2hrs drive) 10:00-12:00 Guided tour of Colmar: Full of charm, Colmar's old town has been superbly preserved. Its old Alsatian dwellings, incredibly picturesque with their flower-covered balconies, corbelled turrets, oriel windows and half-timbering, are numerous. As you wander around its storybook charm of streets and squares don't be surprised to come across lots of interesting monuments and works by the sculptor Bartholdi (who has a museum here – entrance not included). Highlights include the former custom's house (Koïfhus), the Maison Pfister, and St Martin collegiate church. The charming Petite Venise district is nearby. 12:30: Continue to Zurich Airport for Departure. Zurich Airport approx. arrival: 14h30 / 15h00 ** End of Tour services. **