Germany and Austria

Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Frankfurt.

Day 2 - Arrive Frankfurt (Offenbach)
Welcome to Germany and the city of Frankfurt. After check-in, our Tour Director takes us on a late afternoon orientation tour which explores the dynamic financial centre and medieval Römerplatz. Afterwards we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Hotel: Sheraton Offenbach

Day 3 - Frankfurt (Offenbach) – Rhine Cruise – Cologne
This morning our day starts with a drive to St. Goar where we embark on a scenic Rhine cruise past medieval castles and terrraced vineyards. We rejoin our coach at Boppard and continue via Bonn to Cologne where an orientation tour includes the gothic cathedral. Then enjoy free time before dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Renaissance Cologne

Day 4 - Cologne – Hamburg
Today's drive takes us via Lower Saxony en route to Hamburg for the night. On our arrival, an orientation tour in this Hanseatic port shows us the major points of interest. Later, why not take a cruise on the famous harbour? Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Leonardo

Day 5 - Hamburg – Berlin (2 nights)
This morning it's a fast run to historic Berlin – once a divided city, now enjoying new freedom and excitement since the infamous Wall came down in 1989. The rest of your day is free. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Map

Day 6 - Berlin sightseeing and at leisure
Today the city's history and momentous events mingle on our interesting sightseeing tour. We will see the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard, the Reichstag Building, German State Opera House, Tiergarten and the shopping and entertainment district of Kurfürstendamm. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 7 - Berlin – Bayreuth – Würzburg
Today our journey takes us past Potsdam and across the River Elbe. From here we continue past Leipzig into western Germany and on to the town of Bayreuth, home of the Wagner Festival. Later, in Würzburg, our Tour Director shows us the Marienburg Fortress, the Prince-Bishops’ Residence and a special Hidden Treasure! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Maritim Würzburg

Day 8 - Wurzburg – Rothenburg – Munich – Oberammergau (2 nights)
We drive via the Romantic Road to picturesque Rothenburg for a walking tour. Then to the Bavarian
capital, Munich, where orientation includes the Olympic Stadium and the Marienplatz before continuing to Oberammergau. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 9 - Oberammergau
This morning is at leisure. This afternoon after lunch we take our seats for the awe-inspring and moving Passion Play performance. (Buffet breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 10 - Oberammergau – Salzburg – Vienna (2 nights)
Enjoy breathtaking scenery on our drive past Lake Mondsee to the Danube Valley. Then from the Monastery of Melk, vineyards line the river to Dürnstein where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner and subsequently found by Blondel, his faithful minstrel. We arrive in Vienna, with the afternoon at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Renaissance Wien

Day 11 - Vienna sightseeing and at leisure
Highlights of this elegant Austrian capital are revealed on our sightseeing tour - from the Opera to the Hofburg and, from St. Stephen's Cathedral to the Parliament. Also included is a walking tour into the oldest and most secret part of old Vienna. Then free time to maybe visit the Prater Amusement Park.
Later, why not take in a concert of Strauss music or a little opera? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 12 - Vienna – Innsbruck
We travel by the Vienna Woods and the Salzkammergut en route to Innsbruck where our Tour Director shows us the Golden Roof, the Hofburg Palace and another Hidden Treasure! Later we enjoy a Highlight Dinner of Tyrolean specialities in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Hotel: Innsbruck

Day 13 - Innsbruck – Oberammergau – Neuschwanstein – Freiburg
Today we head into Germany to Oberammergau, home of the famous Passion Play. On to view Neuschwanstein – mad King Ludwig's fairytale castle. Later, we skirt around Western Europe's largest lake, the Bodensee, Lake Constance. Into the green wooded hills of the Black Forest where cuckoo clocks were first invented, to the university town of Freiburg for the night. Here an orientation tour shows us the cathedral and the many frescoed buildings of this once Austrian city! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Novotel

Day 14 - Freiburg – Heidelberg – Frankfurt (Offenbach)
Our first stop this morning is at Heidelberg where there's time for a walking tour in the courtyards of the castle, which dominates the university city of 'Student Prince' fame. From here we drive through the Rhineland on our way back to Frankfurt. This evening join your Tour Director and your traveling companions for a Farewell Dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Hotel: Sheraton Offenbach

Day 15 - Frankfurt – USA
This morning time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and touring friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Highlights:

Frankfurt
Rhine Valley
Cologne
Hamburg
Berlin
Bayreuth
Wurzburg
Rothenburg
Munich
Oberammergau
Salzburg
Danube Valley
Vienna
Innsbruck
Neuschwanstein
Freiburg
Heidelberg

Sightseeing Highlights

Frankfurt: Orientation including the Old Town.
Rhine Valley: Scenic Rhine Cruise seeing the Lorelei Rock (weather permitting).
Cologne: See the gothic Cathedral.
Hamburg: Orientation tour.
Berlin: Sightseeing in this re-united city.
Bayreuth: See the Wagner Festival Theatre.
Würzburg: See the fortress and Prince-Bishops' Residenz.
Rothenburg: Orientation tour of this medieval city.
Munich: Orientation including the Olympic Stadium, Marienplatz and Glockenspiel.
Salzburg: Sightseeing including the Domplatz, Mozart's birthplace and locations used in "The Sound of Music".
Danube Valley: See the Monastery of Melk and Dürnstein Castle.
Vienna: Sightseeing includes St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg and Parliament.
Innsbruck: Orientation including the Olympic ski-jump, the Golden Roof, Wilten Basilica and Hofburg Palace.
Oberammergau: See the remarkable and awe inspiring Passion Play.
Neuschwanstein: View the fairytale castle.
Freiburg: Orientation tour of this fashionable Black Forest town.
Heidelberg: View the Castle.

Dining Highlights

13 hot Buffet breakfasts
5 three-course dinners
Lunch in Oberammergau
Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Innsbruck
Farewell dinner with wine in Frankfurt
21 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights

First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard
The services of one top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
A qualified local city guide in Berlin, Salzburg and Vienna.
A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.
Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 15 (conditions apply)

Best of Germany & Austria 2010 (Oberammergau) Optional Excursions

G9 - BERLIN. Berlin By Night & Dinner
Tonight join in the fun of hearty German food, wine, beer and music. Afterwards enjoy the illuminated landmarks of the German Capital.
52 (€)

G35 - BERLIN. Berlin’s Secret Past: Reichstag Dome & the Wall
First we visit the German Parliament Building taking an elevator to its new glass Dome, designed by Norman Foster, which over the past few years, has become the symbol of re-united Berlin. We take a walk inside the Dome to admire its ultra-modern architecture and the views extending over the landmarks on both sides of the former Wall. Then we re-board our coach to stop off at the Holocaust Memoria, the site of Hitler's Bunker, before reaching the famous ‘Wall of Freedom’, the only sizeable part of the Wall still standing – the remnant of Berlin’s ‘Tale of Two cities’.
24 (€)

G34 - BERLIN. Lake District Dinner
We are able to admire the architecture of this vibrant city as our scenic drive takes us to the green outskirts of the city, used as the Royal Hunting grounds in centuries past. Today it is an exclusive residential district and it is here that we find our charming chalet-style restaurant forming an elegant setting for our atmospheric dinner of German specialities.
50 (€)

G31a - BERLIN. Potsdam
En route, we will stop off at the Wannsee Villa, regularly used by the SS and Nazi Regime for their guests, and the infamous Conference in 1942 to plan the 'Final Solution'. We then tour the Cecilienhof, which witnessed the signing of the treaty which was to change the face of Post-War Europe, leaving East Germany and Eastern Europe to the Soviets. Finally we shall visit the Glienicke Bridge, scene of the Cold War 'Spy Swaps'. On Mondays when the Cecilienhof is closed we will visit the interior of the Neue Palais.
42 (€)

G18 - HAMBURG. Harbour Cruise and Hanseatic Life
A short drive with our local expert guide takes us to the 'St Pauli' district, frequented by sailors and where the Beatles' career began to take off. We visit St Michael's one of Germany’s most beautiful baroque churches, then relax on a guided cruise around one of the largest ports in Europe, sixty-eight miles from the sea. Enjoy refreshments whilst admiring the floating dry docks, tugs and ocean-going vessels and see why Hamburg is called Germany's 'Gateway to the World'.
37 (€)

A27 - INNSBRUCK. Horse & Carriage Ride
A spectacular drive leads us to a typical mountain village. Then we enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through the magnificent alpine scenery. We stop for a drink before our return to Innsbruck.
35 (€)

A8 - INNSBRUCK. Tyrolean Evening
Enjoy a lively evening of traditional entertainment. Singers, dancers, and musicians dressed in national costume provide a colourful show of folklore and fun. (includes two drinks)
39 (€)

G20 - MUNICH. Herrenchiemsee Excursion
A short steamer ride on Lake Chiemsee to fairytale King Ludwig's favourite island with stunning views of the Alps. Here we tour his palace, commonly known as the 'Versailles' of Bavaria.
48 (€)

G33 - MUNICH. Seasonal Bavarian Dinner
A short drive leads us to the lake and riverside restaurant and beer-garden where a dinner of various seasonal dishes is served. Drinks included.
47 (€)

A13 - SALZBURG. Berchtesgaden and Hohenringstrasse Excursion
Should optional A14 not be available, A13 will be offered as an alternative. A scenic drive in the Bavarian Alps to Berchtesgaden within sight of Hitler’s Bavarian Redoubt. Then via the Hohenringstrasse, we ascend 5000 ft along one of the most beautiful mountain roads of Europe.
34 (€)

A14 - SALZBURG. Eagle’s Nest Tour & Bavarian Alps
Driving deep into the National Park past bucolic farmhouses and picturesque villages, we arrive at the ruins of Obersalzburg. From here we transfer to special motorcoaches adapted to the scenic mountain climb to Hilter’s notorious ‘Eagle’s Nest’. Through the arches we will have splendid views up to the ‘Hohen Göll’ and across snow-capped peaks. (NB. This optional is weather dependent, and may not be available on all departures)
45 (€)

A28a - VIENNA. Dinner & Vienna Palace Concert
We will enjoy a delicious meal of Viennese specialities, with drinks, followed by a wonderful concert of Viennese classical music including some of the most famous works of Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by some of the most highly acclaimed soloists and dancers in Austria. A glass of champagne is included during the interval.
93 (€)

A1 - VIENNA. Imperial Highlights
We enjoy a guided visit to the Palace of Schönbrunn, with its magnificently preserved state rooms and exquisite gardens. From the summer residence of the Hapsburg monarchs, we continue to the Crypts and Vaults of the Imperial family to hear more about their fascinating story.
40 (€)
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Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.