Welcome to Germany! A seven day journey through the Rhine regions will expose you to a wealth of natural beauty, history, and music. From the outer ranges of the Alps, to the varied landscape of the Central German Uplands, and across the Lowlands, Germany is a country of great physical variety. Over time, Germany has played an overwhelming role in the world of art and music. See the country that Beethoven, Goethe, and Luther all once called home. Immerse yourself in the times and places in which some of these cultural and musical giants lived, and enjoy the picturesque vistas, conviviality and splendid wines of the Rhine region. You will find an extraordinary mix of history and nature, fine arts and culture.
Day One
- Depart North America for Frankfurt, Germany.
Day Two
- Morning arrival in Frankfurt.
- City walk of Frankfurt’s city center, including the Römerberg with its magnificent half-timbered houses, the Kaiserdom (imperial cathedral) where German kings and Holy Roman emperors were crowned over many centuries, and the Goethe Haus, the family home of the famous German poet, novelist and dramatist.
- Transfer to Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate.
- Check in to your hotel and enjoy an orientation walk.
- Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day Three
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Day excursion to Worms, one of Germany’s oldest cities, famous as one of the settings for the Nibelungenlied saga. It was in Worms where Martin Luther had to defend his theses in front of the Holy Roman Emperor.
- While in Worms, choose between an excursion to Heidelberg or Speyer, both beautiful towns with a storied past.
- Evening concert at the Worms Cathedral or the Speyer Cathedral. A concert is also possible in Heidelberg in a historic church, such as the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Day Four
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Guided walk of Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum. Learn about the inventor that changed the world, Johannes Gutenberg, and marvel at a fascinating collection of ancient documents, creative paper art and a hands-on print workshop.
- Friendship Concert with a local choir from Mainz.
Day Five
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart Berlin for Cologne.
- En route, enjoy a boat tour along the Rhine. Enjoy superb views of castles, vineyards and some of Germany’s most picturesque scenery.
- Optional wine tasting in Rüdesheim.
- Visit to Koblenz, once the seat of the powerful archbishop-electors of Trier. See the Deutsches Eck/German Corner at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Mosel.
- Continue your journey to Cologne and check in to your hotel.
Day Six
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Guided tour of Cologne. Visit the mighty Kölner Dom, the cathedral that symbolizes the city.
Day Seven
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Excursion to Bonn. Visit the Beethoven Haus and see where the famous composer was born. Enjoy the collection of original manuscripts, including that of the “Moonlight Sonata,” and see instruments once owned and played by Ludwig van Beethoven himself.
- Friendship Concert with a local choir in Cologne or Bonn.
- Festive Farewell Dinner.
Day Eight
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart Cologne for North America. Welcome Home!
Welcome to Germany! Whether you like history, culture, music, nightlife or all of the above, Berlin and Leipzig are amazing cities to visit. First, travel to Berlin for 3 nights and see such popular destinations as the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, the remains of the Berlin Wall and the Wall Victims Memorial, while taking in the city's contemporary skyscrapers, large zoo and many art and history museums. Having such great influence in the realms of science, technology, commerce, architecture and the arts, visiting Berlin is a tourist’s dream. It has also had incredible influence on the world of music. With seven symphony orchestras, two major concert halls, and a plethora of smaller venues and churches, Berlin is indisputably one of the world’s greatest cities for classical music. Throughout its history, Berlin has been the musical center of northern Germany, giving rise to such greats as Wilhelm Friedemann Bach and Richard Strauss. Today, Berlin still continues its musical tradition with a rich and varied music scene ranging from classical to jazz and ska to folk.
Leipzig has also been home to many talented musicians and world-renowned writers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. During your 4 night stay you will intimately experience the worlds of two of these incredible talents as well as that of many others, including Felix Mendelssohn. Hardly any other city in the world has a musical history which can match Leipzig’s. The Gewandhaus Orchestra and Concert Hall have cultivated classical music in Leipzig for over 250 years, while the sounds of the St. Thomas Boys Choir, almost 800 years old, can still be heard every weekend at St. Thomas’s Church. Even the Oper Leipzig extends an unbroken tradition of Opera dating back 300 years. Combine this grand musical history with breathtaking scenery and you will have nothing short of a most memorable and impressive experience in Germany!
Day One
- Depart North America for Berlin, Germany.
Day Two
- Morning arrival in Berlin.
- Transfer to Potsdam for lunch and a guided tour, including visits to Park Sanssouci and the Schloss Sanssouci, once the summer palace of Frederick the Great.
- Transfer to your hotel in Berlin.
- Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day Three
- Guided city tour of Berlin, including Charlottenburg Palace, the Brandenburg Gate and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum.
- Afternoon concert at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a poignant reminder of the devastation wrought upon the city by the bombings of World War II in late 1943.
Day Four
- Morning concert at the Berlin Cathedral, a magnificent basilica that has been dubbed the “Protestant St. Peter’s."
- Transfer to Sachsenhausen, a nearby former concentration camp, for a tour.
Day Five
- Depart Berlin for Leipzig.
- Panoramic tour of Leipzig, including the Church of St. Thomas and the Gewandhaus Concert Hall.
- Enjoy lunch at Auerbachs Keller Restaurant, the best-known and second oldest restaurant in Leipzig.
- Free afternoon in Leipzig.
- Late afternoon concert at St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche), a church built between 1212 and 1222 for the canons of the Augustinian order where Johann Sebastian Bach was choirmaster for 27 years until his death.
Day Six
- Depart on an excursion to Halle, the hometown of composer Georg Friedrich Händel.
- Visit the picturesque market square, the Red Tower, the Market Church of St. Mary, the Francke Foundations and the Händel House.
- Enjoy free time for lunch and independent exploration before returning to the your hotel in Leipzig for the night.
Day Seven
- Embark on a day trip to Dresden, commonly called, the “ Florence on the Elbe.”
- Guided city tour of Dresden, including the Frauenkirche and the Semper Opera House.
- Explore Dresden before transferring to the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross), home to the world-famous boys’ choir, the 700 year old Kreuzchor, and perform a concert.
- Return to Leipzig for the evening.
Day Eight
- Transfer to the nearby Mendelssohn Haus, the last and sole private residence of the great composer, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, where you will enjoy a tour.
- Return to Leipzig and enjoy the remainder of the day free.
- Festive Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in Leipzig.
Day Nine
- Depart Leipzig, Germany for North America. Welcome Home!
