Day 1: DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2: ARRIVE FRANKFURT – WIESBADEN
Welcome to a contrasting journey of cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns and breathtaking natural scenery. On arrival at Frankfurt Airport, your transfer leaves for Wiesbaden at 09:30 & 12:00. Your luxury hotel is a member of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ nestled in the centre of this elegant spa town, opposite the magnificent Kurhaus. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome reception with drink and a light meal.(Welcome Reception)

Day 3: CASTLES OF THE RHINE EXCURSION
Begin the day with a relaxing cruise past steep sided vineyards, half-timbered taverns, the Cat and Mouse castles and the notorious Lorelei Rock. Alight at Boppard and continue to Koblenz where a gigantic equestrian statue of Wilhelm I guards the junction of the Rhine and Moselle. Cameras at the ready as you return along the eastern bank. Drive up to the twin castles of the ‘Enemy Brothers’ - from the ruined Liebstein fortress there is a fine panorama. Your next scenic viewpoint is at the mighty Niederwald Monument, comprising a 32 ton statue of Germania. Back in Wiesbaden you are at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4: WIESBADEN - HEIDELBERG - BLACK FOREST
Head to Heidelberg, on the banks of the River Neckar. Enjoy the view from the heights of the castle fortress before a guided visit. See the Great Wine Vat, with its associated tales of the dwarf court jester, Perkeo! Now it’s into the Black Forest, land of cherry cake and traditional farmhouses which dip their thatched roofs almost to the ground. Climb up to the High Road for superb views, then wind through the valleys and pine forests to visit one of the centres of the local cuckoo clock industry. Time then to browse among the shops and admire the brightly coloured houses before reaching your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5: BLACK FOREST – MUNICH
Leave the Black Forest via the small town of Donaueschingen, where a fountain forms the official source of the river Danube. Drive along the flower-decked shores of Lake Constance, which marks part of the Swiss border. Pass through the heart of Bavaria to fun-loving Munich. Your orientation tour shows you the Olympic Stadium, university, Victory Arch and ends in the Marienplatz, where crowds gather outside the Town Hall to watch the figures of the Glockenspiel stage an elaborate performance. Tonight, perhaps consider a lively evening at one of Munich’s famous ‘Bier Kellers’?(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6: BAVARIAN ALPS EXCURSION
Travel into the beautiful German Alps to visit the village of Oberammergau, home since 1634 of the Passion Play. After seeing the immense Theatre and colourfully-painted chalets, continue along part of the Alpine Road amidst beautiful scenery to the Wieskirche, a masterpiece of Bavarian rococo. Now to the ‘fairy tale’ castle Neuschwanstein, perched on a spectacular Alpine mountainside. This was Ludwig II’s favourite castle, though he spent little time here before his death. Visit exuberantly decorated apartments, including the Throne Room and Lohengrin Grotto. Return to Munich where you are at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7: MUNICH - ROTHENBURG
Drive north across the Danube to Nuremberg, still entirely enclosed by its fortifications. 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) before continuing to Rothenburg-ob-der Tauber, the most well-preserved town on the Romantic Road. Plunge back into the 16th Century as you walk through narrow cobbled streets lined with high-gabled houses to the market square dominated by its Renaissance town hall. This evening, you are offered a selection of restaurants to choose from for your dining pleasure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Day 8: ROTHENBURG - BAYREUTH - DRESDEN
Journey through wooded Swiss Franconia, passing rocky crags and ‘Hansel and Gretl’ style villages, to reach Bayreuth, famous for its annual Richard Wagner Festival. Your journey continues behind the former iron curtain to the ‘Florence of the Elbe’, Dresden.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 9: DRESDEN - BERLIN
Join a local guide 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. You also see the enormous cathedral, Semper Opera House and baroque Zwinger Palace. Now head north to the historic German capital.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10: BERLIN SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour takes you along the Unter den Linden past the Humboldt University and Opera. Stop on Museum Island before passing the Brandenburg Gate, symbol of the reunification. See Norman Foster’s glassdome atop the reconstructed Reichstag building and drive through the Tiergarten. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this once divided city, shopping along the Kurfürstendamm or exploring the new vibrant Potsdamer Platz. This evening to round off your tour, enjoy a farewell Celebration Dinner with wine at a lively Berlin restaurant.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 11: RETURN TO USA
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Departure transfers arrive at Berlin’s Tegel Airport at 08:00 & 10:00.(Buffet Breakfast)