Winter Wonderland: Germany’s Iconic Cities and Alpine Landscapes

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Guided Walking Tour of the Heidelberg's Altstadt and Castle

On this 4 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Heidelberg and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the Heidelberg University, the Old Bridge, Altstadt, Town Hall and Heidelberg Castle.

Early Morning/Morning

Hike Along the Philosophenweg

Enjoy a gentle hike up into the hills above Heidelberg from the Old Bridge to get magnificent views of the castle on the other side, then trek up further to visit the wonderfully atmospheric ruins of St. Michael's ruins and Thingstätte, the pseudo-Grecian amphitheater built by the Nazis in the mid-1930s to stage opera and theater plays extolling the virtues of the Aryan race.

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Guided Walking Tour of Nuremberg's Old Town & Imperial Castle Courtyards

Discover a truly extraordinarily place on this 2-hour private guided walking tour of Nuremberg’s medieval walled old city. Enjoy a pleasant walk around the Old Town, passing churches, art treasures, wells and fountains as you make your way up to the Imperial Castle. Explore the outer courtyards with your guide before returning to the Main Market Place.

Early Morning to Late Afternoon

Excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Massive stone walls studded with 42 towers; half-timbered colorful houses with red-tiled roofs; cobblestone streets and flower-filled window boxes: this is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the most fairy-tale towns in all of Europe, and the most popular stop on Germany's famous "Romantic Road". This little slice of storybook heaven is one of the most photographed towns in Europe, with thousands of visitors from all over the world coming to experience its magical atmosphere. If traveling by train, it is located only a little more than an hour from Nuremberg, although you will need to make two connections on the journey.

9:15 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Nürnberg Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and you can easily reach the station from almost anywhere in the city, as it is the public transport hub. Uber is not yet available in Nuremberg, but if staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walk Tour of Historic Munich

Munich contains many reminders of a long and varied history but also encompasses the modern features of a strong and vibrant city. The insights of a local help make sense of the traditions, trends, and promises of Bavaria's Capital - sometimes referred to as the city of laptops and lederhosen. On this tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Munich and point out the many hidden treasures.

Morning to Late Afternoon

Excursion to Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Nestled in a magnificent setting at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the German capital of summer hiking. The town has also been on the international winter-sports map ever since hosting the 1936 Winter Olympics.  Once two different villages, Garmisch and Partenkirchen, the two halves of the town do show sharply contrasting characters: Garmisch is lively and international (in winter at least), while Partenkirchen better preserves its original Alpine charm. Perhaps the biggest draw for tourists is the opportunity to ride the famous Zugspitzbahn railway to Germany's tallest mountain, the Zugspitze.

Morning to Late Afternoon

Excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle

An inspiration for the Disney Castles, numerous fairy tales, and countless dreamers, the Castle of Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most famous castle in the world. The eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II created this amazing palace in the 19th century as an idyllic version of a medieval castle. You can visit by taking a guided tour from Munich or traveling independently by train and bus. In addition to enjoying spectacular views you can take a guided tour of the castle interior which is well worth the experience (but keep in mind that there a lots of steps to negotiate). If traveling independentally, be sure to book your interior tour reservations at least two days in advance.

To Be Determined

Transfer to Airport by Taxi or Train

Munich has one main airport, Munich International Airport, where almost all visitors depart. The most affordable and often fastest way to reach the airport is by train. The "S-bahn" local trains takes 40 minutes and leaves directly from the main station in central Munich (München hbf). Other regional trains to the airport depart from other stations in Munich, so you may have an even better departure option near your hotel.  Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi or if you have the app, Uber is also a good option. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 3 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over 2 hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.