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.
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 to the RHINE for lunch in one of the charming villages on the River.
Transfer to the four-star Bellevue Rheinhotel in Boppard, one of the best hotels in the Rhine area. This Art Nouveau style hotel is situated directly on the river, with a dock at its front door, and has welcomed guests since 1877. We will spend the next three nights here.
You can spend some relaxing moments at the on-site swimming pool and sauna. Health conscious guests can work out at the fitness centre.
Tonight we meet for a welcome drink followed by dinner at the hotel.
> Your tour includes: Transfer from airport to hotel, welcome drink, three-course dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after, Bellevue Rheinhotel in Boppard
Bellevue Rhinehotel, Boppard
Day 3 – CASTLES, CASTLES, CASTLES – RUDESHEIM, RHEINFELS
Cruising all day on the Rhine on the most beautiful stretch of the river, the part added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. We travel upstream past the Loreley Rock and lots of medieval Castles on both sides of the river to most charming RUEDESHEIM (Rüdesheim or Ruedesheim in German).
Time for lunch and souvenirs in famous Drosselgasse, and afterwards we take a cable car uphill through the vineyards to the Niederwald Monument. Be prepared for incredible views over the valley.
From there a short drive downstream again to visit the RHEINFELS at St. Goar, one of the most amazing and largest ruins on the river. Dinner in Boppard tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Rhine cruise from Boppard to Rudesheim, tickets for cable car in Rudesheim, guided tour of Rheinfels, three-course dinner, Bellevue Rheinhotel
St. Goar, with Rheinfels above
Day 4 – MARKSBURG, KOBLENZ, ELTZ CASTLE
Today we cross the river by ferry to Braubach, the Town of Roses where we take a guided tour of the MARKSBURG, an 11th century castle, the only one on the Rhine that was never destroyed.
We continue to KOBLENZ, meaning confluence, where the Moselle joins the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck (the German Corner). Admire the equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. Time to explore Koblenz on you own before we head along the Moselle to visit the twelfth century BURG ELTZ, majestically rising above the end of the wild Eltz Valley, one of Germany’s most beautiful castles, surrounded by the river on three sides. Inside visit.
We return to the Rhine, dinner on your own tonight in Boppard, with a big selection of nice outdoor restaurants.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and guided tours of Marksburg and Burg Eltz, Bellevue Rheinhotel
Marksburg
Day 5 – HEIDELBERG, STUTTGART
Today we leave the Rhine area and head south to HEIDELBERG, on the banks of the Neckar river. In medieval times the Electoral Palatinate with Heidelberg as the political centre was one of the most advanced European states.
See the beautiful red-walled Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss in German), including the great vat, with a guided tour. Afterwards we take a cogwheel train down into the city where you have more time for sightseeing, shopping and postcards.
Later continue to Stuttgart where you can go shopping, join an included excursion to the Wilhelma, one of the most beautiful and oldest zoos in Germany, or visit the Mercedes Benz Museum. Dinner in a garden restaurant tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, tour of Heidelberg Castle, Cogwheel Train, transfer and entrance to Wilhelma or Mercedes Museum, dinner, overnight in Stuttgart
Heidelberg
Day 6 – LEGOLAND GERMANY, BAVARIAN ALPS
Today we drive to LEGOLAND DEUTSCHLAND at Gunzburg (Günzburg or Guenzburg in German), a fantastic world created using over 50 million LEGO bricks. With countless attractions and spectacular shows, a special adventure awaits everyone here!
The IMAGINATION area is for those fascinated by research and experimentation. ADVENTURE LAND is hidden in the middle of a LEGO brick jungle. A suspension bridge takes you inside a giant castle in KNIGHTS' KINGDOM, the realm for all budding knights and damsels. Racing drivers, pilots, helmsmen and pirates are in their element in LEGO X-TREME, TEST TRACK, LEGO CITY and PIRATE LAND.
Late afternoon arrival at your hotel in the Bavarian Alps near the Royal Castles at the southern end of Germany's famous Romantic Road.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance to Legoland, three-course dinner, overnight in Fussen area
Legoland
Day 7 – NEUSCHWANSTEIN, TEGELBERG
Today at Fussen (Füssen or Fuessen) we visit SCHLOSS NEUSCHWANSTEIN (Neuschwanstein Castle), Germany's most famous castle. First we go up to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge), sitting high above the Poellat Gorge, where you can take the best pictures of the castle. From there we walk downhill for our inside tour of Neuschwanstein with a castle guide.
Back down in the village of Hohenschwangau, you have time to eat and go for a stroll on beautiful Lake Alpsee, where young Ludwig learned to swim.
Afterwards we go by cable car up to MOUNT TEGELBERG, the mountain above the castle, and later ride a bobsled on the foot of the hill. Dinner tonight in a great place in the mountains.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fee and Neuschwanstein Castle Tour, horse carriage, cable car, three-course dinner, overnight in Fussen area
Marienbrücke and Neuschwanstein
Day 8 – ROTHENBURG, FRANKFURT
Our last traveling day takes us to medieval ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER in Frankonia, where you feel like you just jumped back into the 16th century. Completely surrounded by its medieval ramparts with countless towers, Rothenburg is famous for its ancient houses, fountains, cobbled lanes, hidden corners and 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.
Back to Frankfurt for overnight.
Farewell dinner tonight at our hotel.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, three-course dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after, hotel in Frankfurt
Rothenburg
Day 9 – RETURN
Time to say "Auf wiedersehen".
Transfer to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight home.
> Buffet breakfast, transfer to airport
Top Map Itinerary Features Images In Depth References Dates & Prices Contact Bottom
Tour Features
- All features as per itinerary, departure guaranteed
- Door-to-door transportation (all modes). Leave the navigating to us.
- 7 breakfast buffets
- 6 three-course dinners with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after dinner
- 7 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 > Kids and Castles Itinerary
Top Map Itinerary Features Images In Depth References Dates & Prices Contact Bottom
Images
Mouse Tower
Burg Rheinstein
Rheinfels
Being told tales about Rheinfels
Burg Eltz
Inside Burg Eltz
Legoland
Heidelberg Castle
Play Time
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.
Top Map Itinerary Features Images In Depth References Dates & Prices Contact Bottom
In-Depth
Some credit for the addition of this tour to our offerings goes to a reader of The Washington Post and Scott Vogel, a Post travel writer. Linda Giammattei wrote asking which German castles would be most interesting for her 14-year-old grandson, Scott Vogel sought out Astrid Baur's advice, and the resulting column is reproduced on a separate web page here, Washington Post: Germany, Castle by Castle. The castles recommended by Astrid at that time make up the core of this new tour.
Rüdesheim, vineyards, hilltop castles and ruins, St. Goar, and Koblenz
Burg Eltz, Cochem, Trier, Heidelberg, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Legoland Germany and King Ludwig's famous castle
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.
Tour Destinations map from the top of this web page
Clickable links to detailed articles on major tour itinerary features
Top Map Itinerary Features Images In Depth References Dates & Prices Contact Bottom
References
Comments by guests on past tours are posted on our References Page .
Comments, experiences and recommendations from guests on past tours are featured in our References Video
Top Map Itinerary Features Images In Depth References Dates & Prices Contact Bottom
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 of US $ 200.
Prices for children aged 4 through 14 are listed in the FAMILY table below.
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.
Kids and Castles Tour – 2025 Departure Dates
Your overnight flight leaves on ... |
Status |
---|---|
Friday, May 30, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
Friday, July 25, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
Kids and Castles Tour – 2025 FAMILY Prices (US $)
Arrangement | Per Adult |
Per Child Age 4-14 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 adult | 1 child | double room | 2,949 | 1,949 |
2 adults | 1 child | double room | 2,949 | 1,699 |
1 adult | 2 children | double room | 2,949 | 1,699 |
2 adults | 2 children | double room | 2,949 | 1,399 |
2 adults | 2 children | 2 rooms | 2,949 | 1,899 |
2 adults | 3 children | 2 rooms | 2,949 | 1,499 |
Kids and Castles Tour – 2024 ADULT Prices
Accommodation | Adult Price |
---|---|
Double Occupancy | US $ 2,949 |
Single Occupancy | US $ 3,149 |
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.
Top Map Itinerary Features Images In Depth References Dates & Prices Contact Bottom
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