2012: HIGHLIGHTS OF GERMANY (6040)
12 days from Frankfurt to Frankfurt, or 13 days incl. travel
This comprehensive vacation focuses on the crown jewels of Germany, starting and ending in Frankfurt. Begin with a panoramic Rhine River cruise. Then, see Cologne with its gothic cathedral, the historic buildings of legendary Hamelin, the harbor city of Hamburg, and Hanseatic Lubeck. Enjoy two overnights in Berlin, Germany's once-divided capital, then the cultural centers of Dresden and Leipzig. Stop in Weimar, where the Bauhaus movement started in the 1920s, and Coburg, with its medieval fortress. From Nuremberg, discover the half-timbered houses of picture-postcard Rothenburg, then follow some of the scenic Romantic Road. Wander at leisure in Munich's Marienplatz and experience the gem of the Bavarian Alps: King Ludwig's fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Enjoy more German panoramas as you drive through the famed Black Forest and stop in Heidelberg before returning to Frankfurt, where you'll say 'Prost!' to this exciting adventure.Note:
HOTELS
FRANKFURT Tryp (F) or Mercure (F) at Friederichsdorf, COLOGNE AREA Ramada (F) at Bruhl or Holiday Inn Stadtwald (F) at Cologne, HAMBURG NH Hamburg City (F) or Park Inn (F), BERLIN Abba (F), LEIPZIG Ramada Treff (F) or Ramada (F) at Halle, NUREMBERG Ramada Park Hotel (F), MUNICH Rivoli (ST), BLACK FOREST AREA Ramada Treff (ST) at Bad Herrenalb, FRANKFURT Holiday Inn City (F)
- December 6 departure includes visit to Cologne, Lubeck, Dresden, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, and Munich Christmas markets.
HOTELS
FRANKFURT Tryp (F) or Mercure (F) at Friederichsdorf, COLOGNE AREA Ramada (F) at Bruhl or Holiday Inn Stadtwald (F) at Cologne, HAMBURG NH Hamburg City (F) or Park Inn (F), BERLIN Abba (F), LEIPZIG Ramada Treff (F) or Ramada (F) at Halle, NUREMBERG Ramada Park Hotel (F), MUNICH Rivoli (ST), BLACK FOREST AREA Ramada Treff (ST) at Bad Herrenalb, FRANKFURT Holiday Inn City (F)
Call 800-843-4332 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10577035
- Tour Operator
- Cosmos
- Offer
- Offer valid through 3/31/2012
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Frankfurt | Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to see some of Frankfurt. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D) |
| Day 2 | FRANKFURT-RHINE CRUISE-COLOGNE | Today's highlight is an included Rhine cruise from Oberwesel to Boppard to enjoy scenic views of the Rhineland, including the famous Lorelei rock. The next highlight is Cologne and a visit to its impressive gothic cathedral, started in 1248 and completed in 1880. (B,D) |
| Day 3 | Cologne Area-Hamelin-Hamburg | Leave the Cologne area this morning and journey into Niedersachsen to visit Hamelin. Admire its town center with its colorful historical buildings and magically fancy gables. Also hear the story of the Pied Piper. Continue to Hamburg, where you arrive in time for an optional harbor cruise. (B) |
| Day 4 | HAMBURG-LUBECK-BERLIN | Start the day with an orientation drive to see one of Germany's greatest maritime cities. Later this morning, a comfortable drive to Lubeck, formerly a free Hanseatic city and independent state. Lubeck, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the cultural capital of northern Germany. Thomas Mann, Gunther Grass, and Willy Brandt-all Nobel laureates-were among the famous residents of this city. Continue eastwards on the Autobahn to reach Berlin in time to enjoy your first evening in the capital of Germany. (B) |
| Day 5 | Berlin | No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin was once the city of contrasts with the wall separating two different worlds. Now the city has developed into a harmonious blend of new and old, preserving its historical buildings and impressive boulevards as well as creating brand new buildings in the most daring architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. In the afternoon there is an optional excursion to historic Potsdam to visit Sanssouci Park, a marvel of landscape gardening and architectural wonders, and Cecilienhof Castle. (B) |
| Day 6 | BERLIN-DRESDEN-LEIPZIG | This morning, travel southwest to Dresden, the old capital of Saxony, at one time rightly called the 'Florence on the Elbe.' See the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion and much more of this city on your included sightseeing. Then it's on to Leipzig, where the great composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn lived the last years of their lives. It was Mendelssohn who founded the Leipziger Conservatory in 1843. (B,D) |
| Day 7 | LEIPZIG-WEIMAR-COBURG-NUREMBERG | Leave Leipzig for a stop in Weimar, home to many intellectuals of the past but mainly known for the name given to the historical period of the 'Republic of Weimar.' This city is also famed as the home of the Bauhaus architectural movement in the 1920s. Next stop is Coburg. Visit the dominating and mighty Veste Coburg Castle, built in 1225. Continue to Nuremberg for a visit to its famous town center dominated by the Imperial Castle. (B) |
| Day 8 | Nuremberg-Rothenburg-Munich | Visit picture-postcard medieval Rothenburg by the Tauber River. Then, travel west and then southwards through the beautiful scenery of the Romantic Road. Continue to the Bavarian capital, Munich, for two overnights. (B) |
| Day 9 | Munich | With a Local Guide, take advantage of the included sightseeing tour of the city known as Germany's 'secret capital.' Time to admire the beautiful main square, Marienplatz, do some shopping, and sample its most famous product-beer! (B,D) |
| Day 10 | Munich-Neuschwanstein-Black Forest | Leave Munich and drive into the heart of the Bavarian Alps to visit the most famous 19th-century neo-romantic castle of the world, King Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein Castle. Enjoy more fairytale scenery on your way through the Black Forest for an overnight here. (B) |
| Day 11 | BLACK FOREST AREA-HEIDELBERG-FRANKFURT | The day starts by traveling to Heidelberg for a short visit. This city is the location of Germany's oldest university and became an inspiration and myth for the German Romantic movement. From here, just a few more miles to Frankfurt. (B) |
| Day 12 | Frankfurt | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe. Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $660No triple room reduction.Note:- December 6 departure includes visit to Cologne, Lubeck, Dresden, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, and Munich Christmas markets.
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While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages, you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines' special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our low air-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these 'deals' you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.
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Applicable Taxes and Fees (Airfare & Charges Not Included in the Price)
Air-Inclusive Vacations
Air-inclusive prices provided online include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees between $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. The total airfare price, the base airfare price, and the applicable government taxes and fees are broken-out line-by-line and shown while booking online and on the invoice after your travel is booked.
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Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities: port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature.
