Best of Germany and Austria

Europe Germany
OVERVIEW
Modern cities, medieval towns and all the sights in between make this Best of Germany and Austria experience one you’ll remember. Beyond the beauty of the Rhine and Wachau, you’ll explore Vienna’s musical treasures and Alpine landscapes.
EXPERIENCES
Berlin: During a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist, admire Berlin landmarks like the Tiergarten and the neo- Renaissance Reichstag.

Berlin: Take in panoramic views of the city from the observation platform of the Berlin TV Tower.

Cologne Cathedral: The towering Cathedral of Cologne is an impressive introduction to this riverside city.

Dachau: Join a Local Specialist for a guided visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, a powerful reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust. Walk through the former barracks and memorial sites, hear the stories of those who were imprisoned here, and gain a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in history.

Frankfurt: Spend the day exploring the sights of Frankfurt.

Melk: Take in the beautiful landscapes of Wachau Valley.

Munich: Admire the magical countryside at the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.

Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Visit the medieval center of Rothenburg.

Salzburg: Join your Local Specialist to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' See the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.

Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Specialist reveals the historic core of the city. Tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.

Wurzburg: See the Residenz Palace as you explore the old town with your Travel Director. Stand on the statue-lined Alte Mainbrucke and see the Marienburg fortress.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this?		 Book Now!
13/07/2025 25/07/2025 £3,014 Book
03/08/2025 15/08/2025 £3,014 Book
31/08/2025 12/09/2025 £3,190 Book
07/09/2025 19/09/2025 £3,339 Book
14/09/2025 26/09/2025 £3,795 Book
21/09/2025 03/10/2025 £3,427 Book
28/09/2025 10/10/2025 £3,339 Book
10/05/2026 22/05/2026 £3,375 Book
24/05/2026 05/06/2026 £3,375 Book
31/05/2026 12/06/2026 £3,375 Book
14/06/2026 26/06/2026 £3,375 Book
28/06/2026 10/07/2026 £3,375 Book
12/07/2026 24/07/2026 £3,375 Book
09/08/2026 21/08/2026 £3,375 Book
30/08/2026 11/09/2026 £3,375 Book
06/09/2026 18/09/2026 £3,375 Book
13/09/2026 25/09/2026 £3,375 Book
20/09/2026 02/10/2026 £3,375 Book
27/09/2026 09/10/2026 £3,375 Book
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Sheraton Offenbach - Meals: Welcome Reception
DAY 10: Holiday Inn Salzburg City - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: Imperial Riding School - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12: Imperial Riding School - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 2: Mercure Koeln Belfortstrasse - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 2: Steigenberger Köln - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3: Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Prinzhotel - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Four Points by Sheraton Munich Arabellapark - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Four Points by Sheraton Munich Arabellapark - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli - Meals: Breakfast
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • High-speed train from Cologne to Berlin
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
  • Optional Experiences and free time
ITINERARY

Embrace centuries-old heritage charm and modern style in the vibrant city of Frankfurt, our springboard for a delightful exploration of the best of Germany and Austria. Spend your day exploring the Altstadt and soaking up the atmosphere of a bygone era, before meeting your Travel Director for an orientation of the medieval Römerplatz and dynamic financial district. Later, we join our fellow travellers for a memorable Welcome Reception to launch our journey through the heart of Europe.

The legend of Loreley kick-starts our morning as we board a leisurely cruise along the mighty Rhine past castles and vineyard-clad hills. We stop to Connect With Locals over a Be My Guest lunch and hear tales of knights and feuding lords and ladies in a 13th century castle perched high above the Rhine valley. Continuing to the cultural capital of the Rhineland, we view the spectacular Gothic spires of Cologne Cathedral. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the city's great artistic treasures and historic town squares.

This morning, we board a high-speed train to historic Berlin, whose once-turbulent history has shaped its rebirth as the charismatic capital of Germany. Join a Local Specialist for an exploration of 'East meets West' and delve into the story behind their reunification. See the imposing Brandenburg Gate, the Tiergarten, Unter den Linden and the Reichstag building, with its famous glass dome. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Ascend the Berlin TV Tower for spectacular 360° views of the city from the Berlin TV Tower. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city on your own. Perhaps see the remnants of the Berlin Wall, visit the infamous Checkpoint Charlie or enjoy an Optional Experience to the District of Potsdam, the former Prussian royal seat.

Celebrate beauty through your admiration of art and architecture in beautiful Würzburg, where you will see the Prince-Bishops' residence and Marienberg Fortress, on the banks of the Main. Continue to Rothenburg and dine tonight in your hotel. Your Stays With Stories accommodation this evening is the historic Prinzhotel, built in the traditional half-timbered style lying within the 15th-century fortified town walls.

This morning, we embark on an orientation walk through the medieval centre of Rothenburg, seemingly frozen in time and encircled by a fortified town wall that remains intact after centuries. Travelling south through picture-perfect landscapes of Bavaria, we arrive in Munich. We check into our Stays With Stories accommodation, the Arabella Sheraton Munich which once saw Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop and Freddie Mercury belt out tunes in the then-hotel basement recording studio. Famous producer Giorgio Moroder founded a recording studio here in the early 1970s until the noise of the nearby subway trains forced the music to continue elsewhere.

Stroll through the heart of Munich this morning, taking in the distinctive towers of the Cathedral, the lively Marienplatz, and the impressive town hall with its charming Glockenspiel. A short walk leads to the 13th-century St. Peter’s Church, the Viktualien food market square and a traditional beer hall. Spend the afternoon with a Local Specialist at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, a powerful experience that offers insight into this dark chapter of history. The evening is yours, whether you choose to explore Baroque palaces, browse bustling markets or soak up the atmosphere in one of Munich’s many beer halls.

Indulge in a world of fantasy and fables during your visit to Neuschwanstein Castle (Subject to Availability), built as a retreat for King Ludwig II to retire from public life. Wind your way through the countryside, climbing higher into the Bavarian Alps bound for Innsbruck, where you'll spend the next two nights. This evening, dinner is served at your hotel.

This morning, you'll embark on a short orientation tour that includes views of the Old Town, Hofburg Palace and the ornate Golden Roof, built to commemorate the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I. Spend your free time exploring Innsbruck's iconic sites and delving into Tyrol's complex history and culture, or simply relax and admire this dazzling city with its magnificent Alpine backdrop. Next, admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store. You could consider joining a traditional dinner and Tyrolean folklore show this evening.

Travel to Salzburg where spires and domes rise in the shadow of Hohensalzburg Castle, one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe. Join a Local Specialist for a fascinating walking tour of a city that featured in ‘The Sound of Music'. View Mozart's birthplace and family house in Getreidegasse, and the Domplatz dominated by Salzburg Cathedral. This evening, we dine at our hotel.

Indulge in the Austrian tradition of koffee and kuchen at Wastlbauer eco-farm on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Meet Eva, the owner, for a tour of her self-sufficient farm and wet your appetite over freshly baked pastries. This experience advances UN Global Goal 12: Responsible production and consumption. Scenic landscapes provide a beautiful backdrop for our drive past Lake Mondsee to the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley. Sloping vineyards line the Danube from Melk Abbey to Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner and subsequently found by Blondel, his faithful minstrel. This afternoon, we arrive in the imperial capital of Vienna. We have the evening at leisure to enjoy the sounds of the 'City of Music' or consider an evening of Viennese classical music.

Explore the splendour of Vienna at the exquisite Hofburg Palace, the former winter residence of the Habsburg Dynasty - one of the highlights of your guided sightseeing tour of Vienna with a Local Specialist. Enjoy views of the grand State Opera House and Ringstrasse, a beautiful sweeping boulevard built in the 19th century to replace the city walls. Admire the ornate, colourful roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the city's most beloved icons, before spending the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant to celebrate a beautiful sojourn through Germany and Austria.

We bid farewell to our companions at the end of a wonderful holiday.
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