3-Week Epic All Around Germany Tour

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

The UNESCO-protected Rhine River Gorge, between the towns of Koblenz and Bingen, is often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. Its inspiring natural beauty, steep vineyards, many castles, and Roman-founded towns that dot its banks draw foreigners and Germans alike. Picturesque views, fairy-tale castles perched on high cliffs, and the Lorelei Rock, where legends say a siren lured sailors to their doom await you. Well, except the siren...

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

The UNESCO-protected Rhine River Gorge, between the towns of Koblenz and Bingen, is often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. Its inspiring natural beauty, steep vineyards, many castles, and Roman-founded towns that dot its banks draw foreigners and Germans alike. Picturesque views, fairy-tale castles perched on high cliffs, and the Lorelei Rock, where legends say a siren lured sailors to their doom await you. Well, except the siren...

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

The UNESCO-protected Rhine River Gorge, between the towns of Koblenz and Bingen, is often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. Its inspiring natural beauty, steep vineyards, many castles, and Roman-founded towns that dot its banks draw foreigners and Germans alike. Picturesque views, fairy-tale castles perched on high cliffs, and the Lorelei Rock, where legends say a siren lured sailors to their doom await you. Well, except the siren...

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

The UNESCO-protected Rhine River Gorge, between the towns of Koblenz and Bingen, is often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. Its inspiring natural beauty, steep vineyards, many castles, and Roman-founded towns that dot its banks draw foreigners and Germans alike. Picturesque views, fairy-tale castles perched on high cliffs, and the Lorelei Rock, where legends say a siren lured sailors to their doom await you. Well, except the siren...

Take a trip back into the recent past and learn about the old West Germany.

For modern history buffs, the Haus der Geschichte is a museum dedicated to the story of the German state since 1945, looking at the social and economic rebirth of a nation in ruins. 

Experience a unique gallery space filled with groundbreaking modern art.

The Kunstmuseum is a splendid hub of German art, showcasing bright works by Rhineland expressionist August Macke, challenging pieces by abstract painter Ernst Wilhelm Nay, and slabs of contemporary colour by modernist Thomas Rentmeister. Its starkly beautiful modernist interior also contains a substantial collection of post-1945 German art. 

See the home where Ludwig van Beethoven was born in an attic room in 1770.

Beethoven was born here thanks to his father's position as court musician with the Electorate of Cologne, whose capital Bonn was at the time. You'll see family portraits, pianos, Beethoven's death mask and ear trumpets, and the room he was born in. Other than the very creaky wood-floors, the museum is without listening stations as you'd expect, so you have to be a true Beethoven admirer to truly appreciate the exhibits by themselves. But thankfully there is music and his life story told on the audio guide, which we highly suggest if you want to get the most out of the museum.

See one of the Bonn's liveliest squares in front of the historic town hall.

The Bonn town hall is an attractive 18th century roccoco building. Visiting VIPs during the town's halycon days as federal capital, like Charles de Gaulle and John F. Kennedy, would roll out in front of the crowds on the Rathaus steps. Today the square in front of the town hall is filled with cafes and is a favorite gathering place for both locals and visitors.

See one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the entire world, built on top of an old warehouse.

Hamburg boasts one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the world in the Elbphilharmonie. Built onto the top of an old warehouse at a cost of 789 million EUR (a bit more than the estimated 200 million EUR) and opened in 2017, you can be sure to get your money's worth from a performance here. The glassy construction resembles a hoisted sail or a wave. The Elbphilharmonie has three concert venues, including the illustrious Great Concert Hall that accommodates 2,100 visitors seated to surround the performers. About 10,000 individually installed microshaped drywall plates disperse sound waves.  It's a sight, and sound to behold. 

Experience a by-gone era of the high seas on this former cargo ship.

The ship is docked on the Elbe River within a short walk of the Speicherstadt. Built in 1961, it has been converted into a maritime museum having been made obsolescent by the massive container ships of today. Visiting the ship is a must for those that have a technical interest in sea-faring and naval engineering, but it is also interesting for those with a more general interest in how life was lived on the high seas. So in addition to massive engine and mechanical rooms, you'll also see cabins, dining quarters, a swimming pool, and much more.

Experience the world in miniature on the planet's largest model railroad system.

Whether you're a model train enthusiast or not, you can't help but be mesmerized by the world's largest model railroad system at Minatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland).​​​​​​​ This mind-boggling exhibit goes into breathtaking detail to create a bewildering number of scenes. If you're well traveled in Europe, you'll instantly recognize some of the most iconic places on the continent. Tiny, and humourous, details populate the exhibit, such as the man leading his pigs into Rome's Termini rail station, or the nude flash mob on a Swiss mountain side. The Wonderland includes a restaurant and one of the best gift shops in Hamburg. 

Get lost in the dizzyingly labryinthine Maritime Museum, one of the best of its kind.

You could spend several days on the nine "decks" of the Maritime Museum, exploring three thousand years of extraordinarily precious exhibits. Highlights include the deck dedicated to German military navel history, and the exhibit explaining the Cape Horn Captains' Brotherhood - captains who sailed a commercial sailing ships around the notorious waters at Cape Horn. Pick up some brilliant trivial knowledge as well, including the tale of Mississippi boat pilots who would measure the river depth beneath them; when they had 3.65m, indicating there was no danger of grounding, they would exclaim "Mark twain!" One of those pilots was then know as Samuel Langhorne Clemens. 

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

The Brandenburg Gate was built as a symbol of peace, perverted into a symbol of power by the Nazis, and became a symbol of division during the Cold War. Now, however, it is a symbol of reunification. Completed in 1791, it was topped by the quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by the goddess of peace. Napoleon seized the quadriga as a spoil of war, but after his defeat, it was returned to the city and met by cheering crowds along the way, transforming the goddess of peace into a goddess of victory, holding a  Germanic cross.

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Officially, the Reichstag is actually the Bundestag, which means the federal parliament. The Reichstag was reduced to a ruined shell by arson in 1933 and by World War II fighting, but it was rebuilt with a striking egg-shaped glass dome. Visitors are given a free audio guide that discusses the building’s history and architecture, while also orientating you to the sites of Berlin. It is an excellent introduction to the city. Note that it is usually necessary to book well in advance!

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

The Brandenburg Gate was built as a symbol of peace, perverted into a symbol of power by the Nazis, and became a symbol of division during the Cold War. Now, however, it is a symbol of reunification. Completed in 1791, it was topped by the quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by the goddess of peace. Napoleon seized the quadriga as a spoil of war, but after his defeat, it was returned to the city and met by cheering crowds along the way, transforming the goddess of peace into a goddess of victory, holding a  Germanic cross.

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Officially, the Reichstag is actually the Bundestag, which means the federal parliament. The Reichstag was reduced to a ruined shell by arson in 1933 and by World War II fighting, but it was rebuilt with a striking egg-shaped glass dome. Visitors are given a free audio guide that discusses the building’s history and architecture, while also orientating you to the sites of Berlin. It is an excellent introduction to the city. Note that it is usually necessary to book well in advance!

Sit behind the wheel of East Germany's infamously toxic Trabi.

This little museum is devoted to East Germany's iconic product - the Trabant automobile. Here you'll learn to appreciate the “fewer parts means less trouble” principles of the fibreglass car. 

Learn about the horrors of Nazism and the security apparatus it used to enforce its will in this documentation center.

The center has free admission. It is located on a site that headquartered Adolf Hitler's elite killers, the SS, the Gestapo secret police and the Reich Main Security Office, making it the main cog in the Nazi security regime. Standing there today in testament to the evil perpetrated during those years is the Topography of Terror, Germany’s most significant museum on the agents of Nazi terror. 

Unveil a fascinating story of triumph, tragedy, and also everyday life in Germany's leading Jewish history museum.

The history of Germany’s once-thriving Jewish population and culture is brilliantly detailed behind American architect Daniel Libeskind’s equally brilliant and shimmering titanium-zinc facade.

Sit behind the wheel of East Germany's infamously toxic Trabi.

This little museum is devoted to East Germany's iconic product - the Trabant automobile. Here you'll learn to appreciate the “fewer parts means less trouble” principles of the fibreglass car. 

Check out some Picasso paintings in this museum located on the tree-lined boulevard just opposite the palace entrance.

The musem holds a collection of rarely seen Picasso paintings, as well as other notable artwork, including some Cezannes, van Goghs and Klees. There are several other worthwhile museums, as well as cafes and beautiful villas all located nearby on the street known as Schloßtraße.

Get pleasantly lost in the royal park surrounding the palace.

The elegant formal Baroque garden directly adjacent to the palace has been restored to its original layout from the 1700's, complete with ornate fountains featuring replica antique sculptures. Beyond the gardens, you will find a delightfully relaxing forested park, which is criss-crossed by gravel paths and interspersed with canals and other waterways. It is a delight to explore either on foot or bicycle.

Discover that German design isn't always sleek and efficient in this beautiful baroque palace built with its beautiful collections of art and furnishings.

Originally a modest summer retreat, it grew into an exquisite baroque edifice with opulent private apartments, richly festooned festival halls, collections of precious porcelain and paintings by French 18th-century masters. Especially fascinating is the Porzellankabinett, a room with walls lined from top to bottom by fine Japanese and Chinese porcelain.

Check out some Picasso paintings in this museum located on the tree-lined boulevard just opposite the palace entrance.

The musem holds a collection of rarely seen Picasso paintings, as well as other notable artwork, including some Cezannes, van Goghs and Klees. There are several other worthwhile museums, as well as cafes and beautiful villas all located nearby on the street known as Schloßtraße.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

Stand in the very spot from which Hitler once mesmerized crowds with his dark vision.

The Zeppelin Field with its Grandstand designed by Albert Speer was the most important part of the Party rally grounds during the Third Reich. Bigger than 12 football fields, it could hold far more than 100,000 people. Two gigantic outside flights of stairs and pillar colonnades flanked the center part, decorated with a colossal gold-plated swastika bedded on a laurel wreath. Each end originally had towers adorned with fire bowls. It was here that the famous “Cathedral of Light” provided the spectacular effect, with over 150 very strong floodlights beamed right up into the sky. The empire that was supposed to last a millennium lasted only 12 years, and all that can be found today are the crumbling remains of the large staircase and the center section.

Search for the traces of a vast amphitheater that once surrounded a WWI Memorial Hall, which was perverted by the Nazis for use in their propaganda machine.

Built 1929-30, the Hall of Honor memorializes the dead from the First World War. However, the Nazis used it for their own means, and it become a part of their rituals and cult of death. This was the original location of the Party Rallies, and in 1933 the park in front of the Hall of Honor was transformed into the Luitpold Arena in order to improve the theatrical effect. A pathway of granite slabs was laid down the middle, creating a direct line to the newly built speaker’s pulpit from where Hitler would later stand to address the masses. Now you will find nothing but some stairways and mounds in the parkside to give you an idea of where the arena once stood.

Learn how Nuremberg and its rally grounds fit into the Nazis' perverse vision of the global domination and Aryan purity.

The unfinished Congress Hall is one of the largest examples of National Socialist architecture. It was designed to evoke the grandness of the Colosseum in Rome and was meant to hold over 50,000 people. The exterior was finished in late 1938 and construction work continued during the war with the help of Soviet prisoners, but Hitler’s vision was never finished. Today it is home to the Documentation Center, a multi-media museum that provides visitors with detailed information on the ‘fascination and terror’ of the Third Reich. The permanent exhibition has a strong focus on Nuremberg’s history during the Third Reich as well as information that spans from the early days of the National Socialism in 1918 to the end of the war and the Nuremberg Trials in 1945. Aside from the museum, visitors can also gain a great perspective of the grandness of Hitler’s vision for the Congress Hall from the protruding walkway that has been since been built as part of the museum.

Stand in the very spot from which Hitler once mesmerized crowds with his dark vision.

The Zeppelin Field with its Grandstand designed by Albert Speer was the most important part of the Party rally grounds during the Third Reich. Bigger than 12 football fields, it could hold far more than 100,000 people. Two gigantic outside flights of stairs and pillar colonnades flanked the center part, decorated with a colossal gold-plated swastika bedded on a laurel wreath. Each end originally had towers adorned with fire bowls. It was here that the famous “Cathedral of Light” provided the spectacular effect, with over 150 very strong floodlights beamed right up into the sky. The empire that was supposed to last a millennium lasted only 12 years, and all that can be found today are the crumbling remains of the large staircase and the center section.

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Another of the eccentric (some say mad) King Ludwig II's creations is Linderhof Palace, which with its fantastic grotto and Moorish pavilion testifies to the king's vision. The smallest of his three palaces that he built, it is the only one that he lived to see completed. The palace is in between Munich and Neuschwanstein, meaning many tours stop there along the way.

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

You definitely won't want to miss taking in the best views and photographs of Neuschwanstein from Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over the dramatic Pöllat Gorge. The minibus terminal is very close at just 5 min walk away, while it's a steepish 10-15min climb on a wide and well-groomed path to get there from behind the castle. As noted above, Mary's Bridge can get a little crowded, so you might have to wait for a gap before you can fit on.

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Another of the eccentric (some say mad) King Ludwig II's creations is Linderhof Palace, which with its fantastic grotto and Moorish pavilion testifies to the king's vision. The smallest of his three palaces that he built, it is the only one that he lived to see completed. The palace is in between Munich and Neuschwanstein, meaning many tours stop there along the way.

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

You definitely won't want to miss taking in the best views and photographs of Neuschwanstein from Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over the dramatic Pöllat Gorge. The minibus terminal is very close at just 5 min walk away, while it's a steepish 10-15min climb on a wide and well-groomed path to get there from behind the castle. As noted above, Mary's Bridge can get a little crowded, so you might have to wait for a gap before you can fit on.

The light and colors of this historic city are a happy sight to behold.

The Old Town of Heidelberg, Germany, seduces with its views. Framed by the Neckar River and overlooked by the majestic Heidelberg Castle, its cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, and the oldest university in Germany beckon visitors. Highlights include the Hauptstrasse, a bustling pedestrian shopping street, and the historic Holy Spirit Church. Heidelberg's Old Town embodies the romantic spirit of Germany.

Founded in 1386, this is Germany’s oldest and one of its most prestigious universities.

The university is currently comprised of 12 faculties with over 30,000 German and international students enrolled. The college is known for its reputable science, art, law, and medical programs. The most historic facilities are located around the Universitätsplatz and dominated by the Alte Universität (Old University, 1712–28; on the south side) and the Neue Universität (New University, 1931; on the north side).

The light and colors of this historic city are a happy sight to behold.

The Old Town of Heidelberg, Germany, seduces with its views. Framed by the Neckar River and overlooked by the majestic Heidelberg Castle, its cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, and the oldest university in Germany beckon visitors. Highlights include the Hauptstrasse, a bustling pedestrian shopping street, and the historic Holy Spirit Church. Heidelberg's Old Town embodies the romantic spirit of Germany.

Founded in 1386, this is Germany’s oldest and one of its most prestigious universities.

The university is currently comprised of 12 faculties with over 30,000 German and international students enrolled. The college is known for its reputable science, art, law, and medical programs. The most historic facilities are located around the Universitätsplatz and dominated by the Alte Universität (Old University, 1712–28; on the south side) and the Neue Universität (New University, 1931; on the north side).