Compare Romantic Germany 2021 by Tauck vs Christmas in Central Europe, Berlin to Vienna by G Adventures

Day 1 Arrive Frankfurt

Tour begins at 6:00 PM, Hotel Villa Kennedy. A transfer is included from the Frankfurt Airport to the five-star Villa Kennedy, built around a Renaissance-style villa in downtown Frankfurt. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner.

MEALS : D

PORTOFCALL : Frankfurt, Germany

Day 2 Cruise the Rhine River to Rüdesheim

Begin today's travels aboard a morning riverboat cruise on the Rhine from St. Goarshausen to Rüdesheim. Glide past green hillsides and romantic castle ruins that line the storied banks and lush hilltops of the river. Disembark in the wine town of Rüdesheim for time at leisure; check out its famous Dros­sel­gasse, a cobblestone lane of half-timbered houses, wine taverns and cozy cafes. Return to Frankfurt, where you're free to explore on your own tonight; your hotel is in easy reach of the pubs, restaurants and nightlife of the Left Bank district.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Rüdesheim, Germany

Day 3 Medieval Heidelberg to the Black Forest

Travel along the "Yellow Roads" through typical villages of the agricultural region known as the Bergstrasse en route to the enchanting medieval town of Heidelberg, where a tour leads you to the ruins of its Gothic castle that was the inspiration of poets and painters. Enjoy some free time in town before continuing to your hotel, Traube Tonbach, the grande dame of Black Forest spa resorts. Dine at leisure in the hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, D

PORTOFCALL : Heidelberg, Germany

Day 4 Luxury cars or cooking & Black Forest romance

Choose between a self-guided tour of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart – a treasure trove of historic cars and exhibits that trace the evolution of the legendary automaker – or an interactive cooking lesson at the hotel, with chefs who’ll demonstrate the art of regional delicacies, from Maultaschen to Black Forest Cake. Enjoy time at leisure then join us for dinner at a romantic pudelstein hut in the Black Forest.

MEALS : B, L, D

PORTOFCALL : Baiersbronn, Germany

Day 5 A castle in Meersburg en route to Neuschwanstein

Drive the scenic Black Forest into the foothills of the Alps en route to a private visit and lunch at the Neus Schloss Meersburg ("New Castle in Meersburg"), a historic 18th-century former bishop's castle overlooking Lake Constance, now home to several museums. Continue on to the beautiful fairy-tale landscapes of Neuschwanstein, where the imagination is inspired by green meadows, dark forests and crystal clear blue lakes.

MEALS : B, L, D

PORTOFCALL : Oberammergau, Germany

Day 6 Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau and on to Munich

Start your day with an experience straight out of a storybook... a tour of Linderhof Palace. This opulent rococo showplace, enlarged by Bavaria's King Ludwig II from the 1860s to the 1880s, was greatly inspired by Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles, complete with a Hall of Mirrors and an exact (but smaller) copy of the French palace's Ambassador's Staircase. Then you're off to the village of Oberammergau; enjoy a walking tour with a local guide (including a visit to the venue of the Passion Play), followed by some free time to explore as you please. Along with the Passion Play, the village is also renowned for its tradition of skilled woodcarving and the charming lüftimalerei (frescoes) that decorate many homes, depicting scenes from Bavarian folktales. Depart Oberammergau and head to the legendary city of Munich, arriving early evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

PORTOFCALL : Oberammergau, Germany

Day 7 A day in Munich

Upon arrival, take a sightseeing tour of the Bavarian capital that includes the celebrated Maximilianstrasse, the 17th-century Residenz, and the old town hall. Explore more of Munich at your leisure this afternoon, or join us for a poignant to Dachau; this evening is free to spend as you please in Munich.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Munich, Germany

Day 8 Rothenburg on the Romantic Road

Today, you'll visit the medieval town of Rothenburg, on Germany's legendary "Romantic Road," where you'll have time to discover Rothenburg's sites including its renowned Gothic cathedral, cobblestone streets and gabled houses that have remained much the same over the centuries. Arrive late afternoon at your hotel in Bad Windsheim have dinner as you please in town.

MEALS : B, L

PORTOFCALL : Rothenburg, Germany

Day 9 "Horseless carriages" in Rothenburg, then on to Dresden

Depart Rothenburg, and then travel in style aboard old-timer Aaglander cars – “horseless carriages," complete with lunch and sparkling wine – before continuing on to Dresden. You'll stay in Dresden at an 18th-century palace, rebuilt in all its splendor as a luxury hotel, in the heart of the city’s historic center.

MEALS : B, L, D

PORTOFCALL : Dresden, Germany

Day 10 Baroque Art in the City of Dresden

Your journey continues today with a guided sightseeing tour of the city of Dresden. Before World War II, Dresden was known as The Jewel Box for its magnificent art treasures and Baroque architecture. Heavily bombed during the war, much of the city’s former glory has since been restored, including the Royal Palace, whose museum, dating back to the 1720s, displays some 4,000 works of art. Tauck’s private tour through the New Green Vault takes in Renaissance and Classicist treasures, including jeweled gems of gold, silver, ivory and mother of pearl. The afternoon and evening are free to explore on your own.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Dresden, Germany

Day 11 Dresden at leisure & on to Berlin

Spend the morning as you please in Dresden, exploring the city's museums and enjoying lunch at leisure, then travel to Berlin for a three-night stay at a five-star hotel in the heart of the German capital, overlooking the Gendarmenmarkt Square in the city's historic Mitte district. Have dinner at leisure at your hotel this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

PORTOFCALL : Berlin, Germany

Day 12 A day well spent in Germany's capital city, Berlin

Join our local guide for a tour of remarkable Berlin, capital of a reunified Germany. View the Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) and the Französischer Dom (French Cathedral); Unter den Linden Boulevard; Brandenburg Gate; the Reichstag; and Checkpoint Charlie, the controversial crossing point between the former East and West Berlins during the Cold War era. The remainder of the day is free to explore Berlin as you please.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Berlin, Germany

Day 13 Your choice of treasures in Berlin

Set off for Berlin’s Museumsinsel (Museum Island), not far from your hotel. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses five museums and priceless cultural treasures that will astonish even the most seasoned museum visitor! You have your choice of guided visits at several museums today; your pass includes an audio guide for the museums of your choice. Then join us for a private cruise on the Spree river. Later, you'll have some time to explore more of Berlin as you like, perhaps sampling one of the locals’ favorite foods, currywurst, a dish so tasty and emblematic of Berlin that there’s a museum devoted to it. If you’re curious to see a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, you might go to the East Side Gallery, a stretch of wall inventively painted by commissioned artists after reunification to commemorate that momentous occasion. Please join us this evening for a farewell reception at the hotel followed by dinner at the trendy rooftop restaurant atop the German Bundestag (the restored Parliament building)... the views are spectacular!

MEALS : B, D

PORTOFCALL : Berlin, Germany

Day 14 Journey home

Our tours of Germany end in Berlin. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Regent Berlin to Berlin-Tegel Airport. You should allow 3 hours for check-in at the airport.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Berlin, Germany

Day 1 Berlin

Arrive at any time. After settling into your hotel, attend a welcome meeting with your CEO before enjoying a local dinner as a group.

Day 2 Berlin

Set out on an orientation walk with your CEO to get your bearings. See famous sights like the Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, and the historical Museum Island. Enjoy a Bratwurst/Currywurst tasting and do some shopping in Alexanderplatz. End your day with visits to the Christmas markets in Gendarmenmarkt square. Search for handmade souvenirs to bring home, and choose to try Glühwein (mulled wine) to warm yourself up as you wander through the little stalls.

Day 3 Berlin/Munich

Travel by train to Nuremberg this morning to visit one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world and arguably the most famous. Make sure to try some Nuremberg Lebkuchen, a German cake or cookie that is similar to gingerbread, before wandering through this charming winter fairytale filled with wooden stalls, old-fashioned carousels, and if you’re lucky some lazy snowflakes. In the late afternoon, travel to Munich where you can enjoy more markets with your CEO and then take advantage of free time to explore Bavaria’s capital on your own.

Day 4 Munich/Salzburg

Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Munich on your own. View the streets from above with a climb up to the tower of Old St Peter’s Church, give ice skating a try at Karlsplatz, or join a curling match on the Nymphenburg Schlosskanal, which turns into Munich’s longest curling rink in the winter. Depart for Salzburg in the afternoon and stop at the Hellbrunner Christmas Market. This especially atmospheric Christmas Market has been held here for almost 20 years and features over 700 conifers decorated with red Christmas balls and lights immersing the area in a warm glow. In the evening, you’ll have a chance to visit more of Salzburg’s markets with your CEO and group.

Day 5 Salzburg/Vienna

In the morning choose to walk the historic squares and quaint little side streets of Salzburg Old town. Climb Festungsberg Hill to visit Hohensalzburg Castle, or check out the birthplace of Mozart and visit the museum there. Then, the group will depart for Vienna, stopping at some local Christmas markets en route. Once in Vienna take advantage of free time to get acquainted with the city. Opt to explore Schönbrunn Palace which is like the Versailles of Vienna, or climb to the top of St. Stephen’s cathedral in the centre of the city for unparalleled views. In the evening, opt to go for dinner as a group and continue experiencing the capital of Austria.

Day 6 Vienna

It’s all about Vienna today. Set out on a CEO led orientation walk around the city. Then, take a break and indulge in some coffee and cake in one of the famous Viennese coffee houses. In the afternoon, wander around Vienna’s Christmas markets with your CEO and sip a warm mug of Glühwein for one last chance to experience the lively atmosphere of this European holiday tradition. The rest of the day is yours. Choose to visit famous landmarks in the city like, The Vienna State Opera House, Belvedere Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, or Vienna City Hall.

Day 7 Vienna

Depart at any time.