Itinerary
Day 1 – DEPARTURE
Board your flight from your home destination to Frankfurt, Germany.
This itinerary assumes this to be an overnight flight.
Air fare independently arranged.
(You will return home from Vienna Airport.)
Day 2 – WELCOME TO THE RHINE
Arrival in Frankfurt, Germany. Your flight should arrive at the Frankfurt Airport by 11:15 a.m. at the latest for the complimentary transfer at noon.
When the group is complete we drive directly to the Rhine for lunch in Rüdesheim.
Afterwards board a Rhinesteamer and cruise on the most beautiful stretch of the river, the part added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 2002. Relax as we go downstream past the Loreley Rock and lots of medieval castles on both sides of the river, and on to charming Boppard, our home for the next two nights.
Tonight we meet for a welcome drink followed by dinner at the hotel.
> Your tour includes: Transfer from airport to hotel, welcome drink, Rhine cruise, three-course dinner, hotel in Boppard
Rüdesheim
Day 3 – BURG ELTZ, COCHEM, MOSELLE DRIVE
Today we drive upstream along the MOSELLE River, which in scenery, castles and vineyards does not stand in the shadow compared to its big brother, the Rhine.
Our first stop is the twelfth century BURG ELTZ, rising majestically above the rear end of the wild Eltz Valley, one of Germany's most beautiful castles, surrounded by the river on three sides. Inside visit.
We continue to COCHEM located on an idyllic bend on the river, where you have time for lunch on the Moselle Promenade.
Back to Boppard for free time in the afternoon. Dinner tonight in a wine cellar with wine tasting.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Burg Eltz entrance and tour, three-course dinner with wine tasting, hotel in Boppard
Burg Eltz
Day 4 – HEIDELBERG, ROTHENBURG
Today we say goodbye to the Rhine and head south to HEIDELBERG, on the banks of the Neckar river. In medieval times the Electoral Palatinate with Heidelberg as the politcal centre was one of the most advanced European States. See the beautiful red-walled castle including the great vat with a guided tour. Then we take a cogwheel train down into the city where you have more time for sightseeing, shopping and postcards.
We continue to medieval ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER in Frankonia where you feel like you just jumped back into the 16th century. Competely surrounded by its medieval ramparts with countless towers, Rothenburg is famous for its ancient houses, fountains, cobbled lanes, hidden corners, and ornate street signs. Also famous for the Meistertrunk, in which – according to legend – the burgomeister saved the town by emptying a 6-pint tankard in one single draught.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Heidelberg Castle entrance and guided tour, three-course dinner, hotel in Rothenburg
Rothenburg
Day 5 – ROMANTIC ROAD, DINKELSBUHL, MUNICH
We leave Rothenburg this morning and drive along the ROMANTIC ROAD to DINKELSBUHL. Go for a walk in this beautiful town also completely surrounded by its medieval walls.
Continue on the Romantic Road via Nordlingen and Augsburg and on to MUNICH for early afternoon arrival.
Take your pictures of Nymphenburg Palace, the summer residence of the Wittelsbacher family, the place where Ludwig II was born, and do an Orientation Tour of Germany's secret capital featuring the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Tower, Leopoldstrasse, Schwabing, Ludwigstrasse, Odeonsplatz, Koenigsplatz, and Karlsplatz.
Our Munich Orientation tour ends by the Residenz and the Opera, where we get off and continue the last few metres on foot to Marienplatz, the very heart of Munich, known for the Glockenspiel carillon in the Town Hall.
Tonight why not have a beer at the famous Hofbrauhaus, Munich’s most famous beer hall, or have a traditional Bavarian dinner in one Munich’s fine restaurants? Dinner is on your own tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Munich orientation tour, hotel in Munich
Nymphenburg
Day 6 – NEUSCHWANSTEIN, INNSBRUCK
We leave Munich this morning and drive south to the Bavarian Alps. When we arrive in the village of Hohenschwangau we go up to Marienbrucke (Mary’s Bridge), sitting high above the Poellat Gorge, where you can take the best pictures of Neuschwanstein Castle. (If Mary's Bridge is closed because of ice or snow on the path, you will be taken to another lookout where you can take wonderful pictures of Neuschwanstein.)
Afterwards we walk down for our inside tour of NEUSCHWANSTEIN – Germany's most famous castle – with a castle guide.
Back down in the village of Hohenschwangau, you have time to have a bite to eat, and to go for a stroll on Lake Alpsee, one of the most beautiful Lakes in the region, where young Ludwig learned to swim.
After lunch we drive through the mountains to INNSBRUCK on the Inn River, the capital of the Tyrol. Enjoy a nice stroll to see the famous little Golden Roof below the impressive Austrian Alps, the fine baroque church, the Hofburg, built by Empress Maria Theresia, and maybe shop for Swarovski Crystal, which is made in Innsbruck.
In the evening, we have a nice Tyrolean dinner and a traditional folklore show with yodelling, alphorn blowing, Schuhplatting and dancing.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Neuschwanstein entrance and tour, entrance to Tyrolean dinner show, including three-course dinner, hotel in Innsbruck
Neuschwanstein
Day 7 – HERRENCHIEMSEE, SALZBURG
We drive back into Germany today to see Ludwig II’s largest castle, HERRENCHIEMSEE, on an island in Lake Chiemsee. Ludwig built this castle after a visit to Versailles, but only ever stayed in it for one week. To get to the island we take a boat and then we take a horse carriage to the Palace. Inside visit with a Castle Guide. Time for lunch on the island.
We continue East to SALZBURG, this world famous city where upon arrival you go on a walking tour. See the Mirabell Gardens, Getreidegasse with Mozart’s Birthplace, and the Cathedral. Later, if you wish, take the funicular up to Fortress Hohensalzburg for breathtaking views, or spend the afternoon shopping in the beautiful streets.
Dinner tonight in one of Austria's oldest restaurants.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Herrenchiemsee entrance and tour, entrances to Hohensalzburg, funicular, and Hellbrunn Gardens, service of local guide, three-course dinner, hotel in Salzburg
Herrenchiemsee
Day 8 – WACHAU VALLEY, VIENNA
We say goodbye to Salzburg this morning and go east the scenic way – along the Danube’s famous WACHAU VALLEY, known for vineyards, castles and the picturesque villages that placed it on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Enjoy a morning break in one of the pretty towns and try a glass of Wachau wine.
We arrive in VIENNA in the early afternoon and drive along the Ring Road which offers Vienna’s most famous sights: Opera, Hofburg, National Museum, Town hall, Burgtheater, University, Parliament and much more. Afterwards a walking tour of the heart of Vienna, including an inside visit at St. Stephen's Cathedral. Enjoy free time for shopping on Kaertnerstrasse or Graben or more sightseeing.
Dinner on your own tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, sightseeing tour of Vienna, entrance to St. Stephen's Cathedral, hotel in Vienna
Vienna Hofburg
Day 9 – VIENNA, SCHONBRUNN
This morning see SCHÖNBRUNN, Austria’s answer to Louis XIV's Versailles. See Maria Theresa’s summer palace and enjoy free time in the splendid baroque garden. Inside guided tour. Afterwards you are shown how apple strudel is made in the Imperial Kitchen, and you may try it together with a cup of coffee.
Your afternoon is at leisure. The to-do list is endless. Maybe ride the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater, known from the movie "The Third Man", visit the Opera or the Hofburg from the inside, relax in one of the beautiful parks, spend time in a typical "Kaffehaus", or get your final shopping done.
Great farewell dinner in a typical Heurigen tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, apple strudel and coffee, Heurigen Dinner, hotel in Vienna
Schonbrunn
Day 10 – RETURN FROM VIENNA
Time to say "Auf wiedersehen".
Transfer to Vienna Airport for your return flight home.
> Buffet breakfast, transfer to airport
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Tour Features
- All features as per itinerary, departure guaranteed
- Door-to-door transportation (all modes). Leave the navigating to us.
- 8 breakfast buffets
- 6 three-course dinners with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after dinner
- 8 nights' accommodation
- All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees paid
- No hidden extras, no optional excursions – already included
- Maximum group size of 30 people, fewer on most tours
- The tour language is English only.
- The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are never rushed. Ideal combination of free time and planned activities.
- Skip the lines at must-see attractions.
- All visits are inside, not drive-by. Learn the stories that bring old buildings to life.
- You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go.
- Tour director – Let our experts make every day and destination fascinating!
- Satisfaction assured – backed up by our money-back guarantee.
Complete printable itinerary in PDF format > Itinerary
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Images
Inside Burg Eltz
Heidelberg Castle
Rothenburg
Nymphenburg, Munich
Marienplatz, Munich
Neuschwanstein
Golden Roof, Innsbruck
Herrenchiemsee
Schönbrunn, Vienna
There are more pictures of tour destinations in the In Depth section below, in larger formats. There are three automated Slideshows and a Gallery for selecting and examining larger images.
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In-Depth
The castles and communities of the German rivers Rhine, Neckar, and Main
Munich, Neuschwanstein, and Herrenchiemsee
Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Vienna
Individual images of the above tour features, organized by location, for selective viewing of enlargements.
The Slideshows and the Gallery present the same images in the same sequence, but using different techniques. The Slideshows are effortless. The gallery has more comprehensive captions.
2-page printer-friendly PDF including:
- Tour Destinations map from the top of this page, and
- Pictorial map of castles along the Rhine Gorge from Rudesheim to Boppard.
Clickable links to detailed articles on major tour itinerary features
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References
Unbelievable! We were met at the airport in Frankfurt and began our tour with a relaxing scenic cruise on the Rhine ....
The next day began what I can only describe as the trip of a lifetime. We visited several castles, a 10th century abbey, numerous cathedrals, beer gardens, centuries-old restaurants, had a wine-tasting evening, took the night watchman's tour in a medieval walled village ....
I can't say enough positive things about European Castles Tours. In fact, we're planning on using them again to tour Italy. Book them, you won't regret it!
- "cmbitt" on Trip Advisor, Pennsylvania
Read more ...
My husband and I truly enjoyed the “Best of Germany and Austria” tour. On the Rhine cruise from
Ruedesheim to Boppard we marveled at the 13th century castles amid the verdant vineyards.... Staying
overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber made us virtual participants in
the 14th century ....
All the hotels had bounteous breakfast
buffets. The dinners on the tour were all very delicious and featured tasty German and
Austrian cuisine. Our guides ... were very helpful and informative.... We loved what we saw in Germany
and Austria and would highly recommend this tour to others.
- William and Judy Claffey, Ohio
Read more ...
If you would like a vacation that someone else worries about all the details and you sit back and enjoy the sights, then a European Castles Tour is for you.... Not a minute is wasted yet there is still free time to enjoy individual interests. If you are considering another tour company, please consider the included traditional foods and drinks that are provided. Also there are no budget-busting optional excursions with these tours ....
The personal service and attention you will receive from your guide will be the icing on the cake.... I can't wait to begin planning my third tour!"
- April Cook, West Virginia
Read more ...
Lots more references are provided on a separate References Page .
Comments, experiences and recommendations from guests on past tours are featured in our References Video
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Dates, Prices and Reservations
Complete printable itinerary in PDF format >
This tour is offered on the following basis:
Tour prices are for the land segment only. Air fare is not included.
Prices are per person, in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy.
Single occupancy is available for a single supplement charge, triple occupancy rates are reduced, and there is a special rate for a child 8 to 16 years old sharing a room with two adults.
Guaranteed Departure: This tour is guaranteed to operate as scheduled and will not be cancelled due to a low level of participation.
A deposit of US $ 400 per person is required to secure a reservation on these tours.
Personal expenses, lunches and gratuities for the driver and local guides are not included.
Note re Inflation: Due to inflation in the general economy and additional inflation in the travel industry prices may need to be increased in mid-season. Prices in effect at the time deposits are paid are guaranteed not to change.
Best of Germany and Austria Tour – 2025 Departure Dates
Your overnight flight leaves on ... |
Status |
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Friday, June 13, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
Friday, September 19, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
Best of Germany and Austria Tour – 2025 Prices
Accommodation | Price Per Person |
---|---|
Double Occupancy | US $ 3,849 |
Single Occupancy | US $ 4,149 |
Triple Occupancy | US $ 3,349 |
Child 8-16 with 2 Adults | US $ 2,299 |
Reservation info and online form >
Dates for all scheduled major tours >
Private Tour Option
If our dates do not work for you we can arrange the tour for you or your party as a private tour. Same itinerary as above in a private limousine or van, with bilingual, professional private guide / chauffeur. Prices per individual are the same as for the regular group tour, plus a US $ 400 per day private tour premium for the group.
Contact us with your preferred dates and specific requirements at this private tour email link ... or phone one of the numbers below, or write to the address on our Contact page.
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Contact Information
Email is fast, flexible, and free. You can write to us at this email link (or castles.office@yahoo.com).
You can call us in Germany (Eastern Time + 6 Hours):
U.S. Phone: (202) 580 - 8732 / Direct number in Europe: +49 171 546 6839