Compare Romantic Germany & Impressive Austria by Journeys Connect vs Oktoberfest The Germanic Experience - 2022 by Insight Vacations

Day 1: Arrive In Frankfurt, Germany

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Mövenpick City Center

Arrival at Frankfurt airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Frankfurt is the financial and commercial heart of Germany, a city full of fascinating contrasts between modern development and historic landmarks. At 7 pm you will meet your guide at the welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Frankfurt / Heidelberg / Black Forest

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Accommodation: Best Western Hotel Hofgut Sternen

In the morning we travel from Frankfurt to Heidelberg. Visit the famous castle ascending with the cable car and enjoy a sightseeing tour of its historic city center. Idyllically located on the shores of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town and one of the most popular destinations in the country. We continue to the famous Black Forest region. This night we will have an authentic experience: Enjoy a typical Black Forest dinner and overnight in a romantically located hotel. If you like, have a little walk to the beautiful Ravenna Gorge or see the region’s oldest chapel, both are next to the hotel.

Day 3: Black Forest / Lake Titi / Lindau / Füssen

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Hirsch

After breakfast we enjoy a short presentation on the cuckoo clock production. We continue to a small traditional Black Forest farm where we will have a cheese tasting and you will see the true life of the Black Forest. After we will travel to Lake Titisee, nestled in the legendary Black Forest. We continue the tour to the small island of Lindau in Lake Constance, which offers spectacular views of the Alps. Depending on weather conditions we will take the Alpine road from Lindau to Oberstaufen and Immenstadt to our final destination Füssen, the southernmost point on our tour of Romantic Germany.

Day 4: Neuschwanstein / Wieskirche / Oberammergau / Ettal / Innsbruck

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Grauer Bär

We begin the day with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, built by Ludwig II, the notorious “Mad King“. In the midday we travel to Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play and lovely crafts. Along the way we visit the Wieskirche Church before continuing the tour to visit Linderhof Castle. This is one of the 3 castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one where the king actually lived for a significant amount of time. After a brief stop at the Ettal Benedictine Abbey we continue to our final destination, Innsbruck.

Day 5: Innsbruck / Munich

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Maritim Hotel Munich

In the morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Innsbruck, Austria, located in the Inn valley, in the heart of the Alps. In the afternoon we travel to Munich.

Day 6: Munich

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Accommodation: Maritim Hotel Munich

After breakfast we visit the city’s main attractions, concluding the tour at the Marienplatz square with its famous clock tower. The capital of Bavaria state, Munich, is famous for its Oktoberfest, which is annually celebrated in September. The afternoon is free to explore at your leisure. In the evening you enjoy a traditional Bavarian dinner.

Day 7: Munich / Passau / Linz

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Arcotel Nike

In the morning we travel to Passau. This city, on the border between Germany and Austria, has a very privileged location on the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz rivers. In the afternoon we cross the Austrian border to the city of Linz, a picturesque town on the banks of the Danube river.

Day 8: Linz / Dürnstein / Melk / Vienna

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Arcotel Wimberger

After breakfast we enjoy a short stop at the village of Dürnstein, nestled in the heart of the magnificent Wachau Valley. The charming town of Dürnstein offers the unique combination of a breathtaking scenery and traditional architecture. It was in the Kuenringer Castle, whose ruins still overlook Dürnstein, that the English King Richard Lionheart was held prisoner. We continue to Melk for a short visit to the famous Abbey. Finally we arrive the magnificent capital of Austria.

Day 9: Vienna

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Arcotel Wimberger

Sightseeing tour of Vienna. We admire the Opera, Hofburg Palace, Heroes Gate, Parliament, the Council and the other attractions. Afternoon free to explore Vienna at your leisure. At night attend a gala dinner accompanied by live classical music (optional, not included).

Day 10: Vienna / Lake District / Salzburg

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel NH Salzburg City

In the morning we continue to the Lake District and ascend Mount Zwölferhorn by cable car to enjoy wonderful views over the Lake Wolfgang. Continue to the city of Salzburg, where the genius composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. Sightseeing tour with examples of breathtaking Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque artistry. Our visit also includes the world famous Mirabell Gardens and we see the house where Mozart grew up.

Day 11: Salzberg / Berchtesgaden / Chiemsee / Munich

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Maritim Hotel Munich or Mövenpick Munich Airport

After breakfast we travel along the Königsee River Valley, through the Bavarian mountains, along romantic farmhouses to Obersalzberg. Special buses and an elevator will bring us to the Eagle´s Nest. From there we continue to Lake Chiemsee, the “Bavarian Sea” for a short stop. Onwards to Munich.

Day 12: Munich / Usa

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Munich airport for return flight to US.

Day 1: Welcome to Berlin

On arrival at Berlin’s Brandenberg Airport, transfers leave for the hotel at 10:30 & 13:30. This afternoon, perhaps visit nearby Check Point Charlie - once the best-known Berlin Wall crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Later, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception with the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.

Day 2: Discover Berlin

Marvel this morning at the landmarks of the old East and West sections of Berlin during your sightseeing tour with a Local Expert. See the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden and the Reichstag Building which were all major points of focus in 1990 during the reunification of East and West Germany. Also see the Tiergarten and Kurfürstendamm famous for its shopping and entertainment. Stop a while on Museum Island before enjoying an afternoon at leisure in this once divided city.

Day 3: Journey to Dresden

A short drive south brings you to Dresden – known as ‘Florence on the Elbe’. Join a Local Expert to see the splendours of the city. From the Frauenkirche, which has risen again from the destruction of World War II, walk past ‘The Procession of the Dukes’, a mosaic of colossal proportions on the Royal Palace façade. See the enormous cathedral, Semper Opera House and Baroque Zwinger Palace. Tonight we’ll go to Dresden-Pillnitz, where we enjoy dinner with wine at the Schloss Hotel. The baroque castle complex was built upon order of the King Augustus II the Strong in 1720, with inspiration from the Far East. Until 1918 the palace served as the summer residence for the House of Wettin.

Day 4: Journey to Munich

In Nuremberg witness the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings in the Old Town as well as the massive ramparts. Perhaps shop for delicious Lebkuchen (gingerbread)? Continue across the Danube to Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria, lying near the foot of the German Alps. At night, perhaps consider dinner at one of Munich’s famous ‘Bier Kellers’?

Day 5: Munich

Be welcomed into fun-loving Munich for an orientation tour which shows you the Feldernhalle on the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, English Garden, Hofbrauhaus, St Peters Church, and the famous Marienplatz. Munich hosts the most famous beer festival in the world: Oktoberfest, which has been running since 1810 and now sees over six million visitors each year. This afternoon enjoy the festival atmosphere, amusement rides, entertainment, beer and local Bavarian specialties for dinner. With tables reserved, your dedicated host will ensure you have a memorable time.

Day 6: Visit the BMW Museum Relaxed Start

After a relaxed start, take the opportunity to travel through time and experience fascinating BMW, with a history spanning 9 decades. See some of the most famous and valuable automobiles, motorcycles, and engines during a tour of the museum.  In the evening, join special guest Patrick von Richthofen, a descendent of Manfred von Richthofen otherwise known as ‘The Red Baron’, for an unforgettable dinner.

Day 7: Journey to Salzburg

A short drive over the Austrian border leads to Salzburg, steeped in musical history. A Local Expert will show you the gardens of the Mirabell Palace, the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress, the cathedral in the old town, Mozart’s birthplace, and locations that brought the city alive with the Sound of Music.

Day 8: Explore Berchtesgaden

Our day trip today takes us into ‘real’ Alpine Bavaria. Drive over the German border, past picturesque farmhouse, and villages to Obersalzberg. Nearly 75 years ago, this small mountain paradise was the summer playground for top Nazi brass. Here we transfer to special coaches for a scenic drive up the mountain to Hitler’s notorious “Eagle’s Nest”. Used as a restaurant since the 50’s, there are splendid views through the arches up to the ‘Hohen Goll’ and across the snow-capped peaks. A breath-taking drive to appreciate the picturesque scenery of the region takes past hill tops and mountain villages. We stop at the Maria Gern Church and look inside before looping back to Salzburg.

Day 9: Journey to Vienna

Cross the Austrian border and head east through the rolling countryside to stop in the shadow of the great Monastery of Melk. Join a river cruise along the stunning Wachau Valley, where the Danube meanders below forested cliffs, topped with picturesque churches and ruined castles. Pass the fortress of Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart languished in prison until discovered by his faithful Welsh minstrel, then alight beneath the vine laden cliffs of Krems. Immerse yourself in the vineyards and cellars of the local winery to learn about and sample the unique Wachau style wine. Finally, we head for the Austrian capital, and to our central hotel.

Day 10: Discover Vienna

Much of Vienna’s present day charm is due to the long reign of the Habsburgs, so in the morning, join a Local Expert for a guided visit of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens.  Then get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament Building. Demel is a well-known Viennese institution for its cakes and pastries. Previous noble costumers include Empress Elizabeth and Princess Pauline von Metternich. Enjoy coffee and cake in one of the splendid Coffee houses to begin your leisurely afternoon in this imperial city. As night falls, experience an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music. The best-loved works of Johann Strauss and Mozart, performed by highly acclaimed soloists and dancers, are combined with a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare, with drinks included.

Day 11: Auf Wiedersehen Vienna

Your journey concludes after breakfast with transfers arriving at Vienna Airport at 07:00 and 09:00.