Germany - from Berlin to Frankfurt including Passion Plays in Oberammergau

 
Itinerary

1. Day
Berlin
Arrival in Berlin, capital of Germany, and welcome by the local guided, who will accompany the group throughout their stay: sightseeing tour including visit to the glass cupola of the "Reichstag", seat of the German Parliament. Accommodation for two nights. D

2. Day
Berlin
Visit to the Pergamon Museum on the Museum Island (World Heritage Site), which houses the famous Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, the Ishtar Gate and the Street of Processions from Babylon etc. In the afternoon, cruise "Unter den Brücken von Berlin" on the Spree river. Walk along the Spree river to the Nicolai quarter, gamete of the "Old" Berlin; visit to the New Synagogue. BD

3. Day
Potsdam – Meissen – Dresden (approx. 220 km/137 miles)
Drive to the "Prussian Versailles", the very magnificent castles and parks of Potsdam: Sanssousi (World Heritage Site) with picture gallery, Chinese Tea House, New Palace. Afterward drive to Meissen: guided tour through the factory and museum of the world-famous porcelain manufactory. Then drive to Dresden: Accommodation for three nights. BD

4. Day
Dresden (World Heritage Site)
Walking tour through the re-blossomed "Elbflorenz" of the Albertinian Electors wit the Castle and Castle Church, Theatre Square with the famous Semper Opera , the Semper Gallery and "Zwinger", the main building of the Saxon rococo; Bruehl's Terraces. In the afternoon, time at leisure. BD

5. Day
Dresden – Nuremberg (approx. 330 km/205 miles)
Dresden: Visit the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady): This baroque cathedral was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II. It has been reconstructed and completed in 2004 as a landmark symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies. Visit the "Alte Meister" painting gallery with the Cranach's Katharinen Altar and other masterworks of the European painting. Afterward drive to Nuremberg and accommodation for two nights. BD

6. Day
Nuremberg-Rothenburg o.d. Tauber-Nuremberg (approx. 250 km/155 miles)
Full-day excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber: This once "free imperial city" is known over the world and ranks among Germany's top visitor attractions. It lies on a plateau at the intersection of the "Romantic Road" and the "Castle Road". Sightseeing in this picturesque medieval town with its well-preserved buildings dating from the 14th century. Time at leisure. Drive back to Nuremberg. BD

7. Day
Nuremberg
Walking tour along the "Historischen Meile", which highlights the major architectural and artistic landmarks of an historic city which enjoyed its Golden Age in the late Middle Ages. As a result of its political influence as the foremost imperial city of the Middle Ages and home of the imperial regalia, combined with its economic prosperity as a strategically-located commercial center, Nuremberg came to be one of the largest and greatest cities in Europe. Names such as Albrecht Duerer and Hans Sachs reflect the city's artistic and intellectual prowess at that time. BD

8. Day
Nuremberg – Munich (approx. 200 km/125 miles)
Early drive to Munich: Sightseeing tour by bus and on foot through Munich, the capital of Bavaria: Historic old city with its famous buildings and squares including the Marienplatz with the town hall and its 'Glockenspiel', the Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) with its distinctive onion-topped towers, the Olympic Park and the Nymphenburg Palace, baroque residence of the Bavarian kings. In the evening enjoy a convivial Bavarian evening with traditional music and meal. Accommodation for one night. BD

9. Day
Munich – Oberammergau (approx. 100km/62 miles)
Munich: In the morning, visit to the Olympic Park and drive to Dachau: Visit to the site of Germany's first concentration camp, nowadays memorial site and museum. Guided tour in the museum with its reconstructed barracks and crematorium where the holocaust is documented. Afterwards, as a strong contrast, drive through the beautiful and scenic Bavarian countryside and visit two of the most famous, delightful fairytale castles that belonged to King Ludwig II – Linderhof and Neuschwanstein. Drive to Oberammergau: Accommodation in or near Oberammergau for two nights. BD

10. Day
Oberammergau
World-renowned, this quaint Bavarian town is the site of the extravagant Oberammergau Passion Play - performed only once every ten years. The permanent exhibition explains the tradition and history behind this spectacle. Take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Beginning in the afternoon and involving almost all residents of the village, the play has a running time of approx. five hours with a three-hour intermission. BD

11. Day
Oberammergau – Stuttgart (approx. 280 km/170 miles)
Drive to Stuttgart: In the afternoon walking tour through the Old City with its historical buildings and squares: i.e. "Altes Schloss", "Neues Schloss". Two art museums promise to provide a wonderful experience: The well-known State Gallery and the impressive new Stuttgart Art Museum. The visit in Stuttgart will end with wine tasting in the delightful Neckar Valley, which is famous for its distinctive wine. Accommodation for two nights. BD

12. Day
Black Forest (approx. 250 km/ 155 miles)
Full-day excursion to the legendary Black Forest, one of the world's most famous highlands. Visit Germany's highest water falls and the world biggest cuckoo clock in Triberg, famous for its cuckoo clock production. Time at leisure. Afterward drive to the "Vogtsbauernhof" Black Forest Open Air Museum where culture and history come to life; the museum provides a unique insight into farm life over the last 400 years. Return to Stuttgart.
BD

13. Day
Stuttgart – Maulbronn - Heidelberg (approx. 150 km/93 miles)
Stuttgart: Visit the spectacular new Mercedes-Benz Museum, approximately 180 vehicles will be on display - this is unequalled world-wide. Drive to Maulbronn Monastery, a unique Cistercian Monastery from 1147-1537 (World Heritage Site) and probably the best preserved medieval monastery monument north of the Alps. Then drive to Heidelberg: Accommodation for one night. BD

14. Day
Heidelberg – Speyer – Bingen (approx. 190 km/118 miles)
Heidelberg: Walking tour through the Old City, with the dominating ruins of the Heidelberg Castle, the Karls gate (Karlstor), the Renaissance house "Zum Ritter Sankt Georg" (Knight St. George), the Church of the Holy Spirit, the "Marstall" which was the Heidelberg Castle's arsenal and now houses the university's cafeteria. Afterward drive to Speyer: The imperial Cathedral of Speyer (World Heritage Site) is one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Germany; built by the emperors and designated as their last resting place as a symbol of their power. Drive to Bingen/Rüdesheim am Rhein. Accommodation for two nights. In the evening visit to a typical wine tavern. BD

15. Day
Rhine River cruise – departure (approx. 65 km/40 miles)
Rhine Cruise along the romantic Rhine Valley from Rüdesheim to St. Goarshausen (approx. 25 km). At the mighty slate rock Lorelei - it rises up almost vertically to 132m above the water-level - the river is squeezed into its narrowest and deepest (24 yards) point, so the Rhine at this point used to be very difficult to navigate and the correct passage is (today) clearly marked with buoys. Even in the 19th century, reefs and rapids made it extremely dangerous for ships to pass this point. The legend tells us that a siren called "Lorelei" bewitched the hearts of the sailors and, when they looked up to the rock, their boat crashed and they sank. On the way, you will pass castle ruins, vineyards, and picturesque riverside villages. Then transfer to Frankfurt-Airport and return to the USA. B