Best of Germany
Operated by Trafalgar

Best of Germany

From
CAD 4,796
Duration
12 days
Countries
Germany
Activity
easy

The adventure

Book your Germany tour with confidence. Free 3 day booking hold and flexible change options. From the Rhine to Bavaria, explore Germany with Trafalgar.

At a glance

Duration
12 days
Route
Frankfurt → Heidelberg
Countries
Germany
Activity level
easy
Style
Culture & History
Group size
Ask
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Ask an agent

Day by day

Picturesque town by a calm river with dense forest hills in the background at dusk.
Your journey through

Germany

Day 1Welcome to Frankfurt
Explore the historic architecture of Römer Square in Frankfurt, Germany.Welcome to Frankfurt
Welcome to Frankfurt and savor an opportunity to see the sights on your own before meeting your Travel Director this afternoon for an orientation of Römerberg and the financial district. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception with your fellow travelers, including a light dinner and welcome drink to kick off your discovery of the best of Germany.
Day 2Cruise Along the Rhine and Journey to CologneResist the alluring calls of Lorelei and board your leisurely cruise along the Rhine. Glide past vineyard-clad hills, stopping for a Be My Guest experience. Share stories of knights and feuding lords and ladies over lunch before continuing to Cologne, where we’ll view the Gothic spires of its magnificent cathedral during our orientation of the city.
Resist the alluring calls of Lorelei and board your leisurely cruise along the Rhine. Glide past vineyard-clad hills, stopping for a Be My Guest experience. Share stories of knights and feuding lords and ladies over lunch before continuing to Cologne, where we’ll view the Gothic spires of its magnificent cathedral during our orientation of the city.
Day 3Onwards to the Port City of HamburgJourney through the lush green landscape of Lower Saxony as we make our way to the international trade center of Hamburg, where we'll join our Travel Director for an orientation tour of the city's iconic sights. Spend some time at leisure exploring the city's seafaring heritage. Wander along the trendy Mönckebergstrasse, visit one of the city's brewhouses or consider a guided cruise through the city's harbor and discover why Hamburg is called Germany's 'Gateway to the World'. Tonight, we will dine at our hotel.
Journey through the lush green landscape of Lower Saxony as we make our way to the international trade center of Hamburg, where we'll join our Travel Director for an orientation tour of the city's iconic sights. Spend some time at leisure exploring the city's seafaring heritage. Wander along the trendy Mönckebergstrasse, visit one of the city's brewhouses or consider a guided cruise through the city's harbor and discover why Hamburg is called Germany's 'Gateway to the World'. Tonight, we will dine at our hotel.
Day 4Journey to BerlinFollow the picturesque Elbe Valley from Hamburg, crossing the former ‘Iron Curtain' to the historic city of Berlin, whose once-turbulent history has shaped its rebirth as a charismatic capital city. Join your Local Specialist to explore the iconic landmarks of unified Berlin. See the Neo-Renaissance Reichstag, the Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden.
Follow the picturesque Elbe Valley from Hamburg, crossing the former ‘Iron Curtain' to the historic city of Berlin, whose once-turbulent history has shaped its rebirth as a charismatic capital city. Join your Local Specialist to explore the iconic landmarks of unified Berlin. See the Neo-Renaissance Reichstag, the Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden.
Day 5Discover the History and Icons of BerlinEnjoy a full day to explore Berlin on your terms. You might choose to join an Optional Experience uncovering the city’s defining moments with a Local Specialist visiting the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and what remains of the Berlin Wall. Later, you could head out of the city on another Optional Experience to Potsdam and Wannsee, cross the famous 'Spy Bridge', wander the UNESCO-listed gardens of Sanssouci Palace and dine lakeside.
Enjoy a full day to explore Berlin on your terms. You might choose to join an Optional Experience uncovering the city’s defining moments with a Local Specialist visiting the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and what remains of the Berlin Wall. Later, you could head out of the city on another Optional Experience to Potsdam and Wannsee, cross the famous 'Spy Bridge', wander the UNESCO-listed gardens of Sanssouci Palace and dine lakeside.
Day 6Off to DresdenA short drive south brings us to Dresden, the ‘Florence on the Elbe', where we'll hear about the city's restoration following its devastation during World War II as you admire its beautiful Baroque façades. See the Semper Opera, Zwinger Palace and the fully reconstructed Frauenkirche. Consider delving into the treasures of Dresden, joining an Optional Experience to explore this elegant city.
Boat on the Elbe River with Dresden's historic bridge in the background, sunny day.Off to Dresden
A short drive south brings us to Dresden, the ‘Florence on the Elbe', where we'll hear about the city's restoration following its devastation during World War II as you admire its beautiful Baroque façades. See the Semper Opera, Zwinger Palace and the fully reconstructed Frauenkirche. Consider delving into the treasures of Dresden, joining an Optional Experience to explore this elegant city.
Day 7Venture to Historic NurembergVisit the village of Mödlareuth, which inherited the moniker of 'Little Berlin' due to its wall separating 'east' and 'west' Germany. Gain insights into a divided Germany at its open-air museum and see a section of the original wall with its security features. This afternoon, arrive in the Bavarian city of Nuremberg, once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire and today the economic, social and cultural capital of Franconia. During your orientation see the mighty castle ramparts and stand in the Hauptmarkt main square which is dominated by the impressive Frauenkirche, a great example of the Gothic brick-style architecture of the region. Spend the rest of your day at leisure indulging in the local specialties.
Historic half-timbered buildings in Nuremberg's old town under clear blue skies, capturing medieval charm.Venture to Historic Nuremberg
Visit the village of Mödlareuth, which inherited the moniker of 'Little Berlin' due to its wall separating 'east' and 'west' Germany. Gain insights into a divided Germany at its open-air museum and see a section of the original wall with its security features. This afternoon, arrive in the Bavarian city of Nuremberg, once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire and today the economic, social and cultural capital of Franconia. During your orientation see the mighty castle ramparts and stand in the Hauptmarkt main square which is dominated by the impressive Frauenkirche, a great example of the Gothic brick-style architecture of the region. Spend the rest of your day at leisure indulging in the local specialties.
Day 8Continue to Medieval Rothenburg and MunichStroll through the narrow lanes of Rothenburg – its beautiful medieval center seemingly frozen in time and encircled by a fortified town wall that remains intact after centuries. Admire the beautiful market square, lined with half-timbered houses, and the Old Town Hall before traveling through the Bavarian countryside to Munich.
Aerial view of Rothenburg, Germany showcasing colorful houses and medieval architecture under dramatic skies.Medieval Rothenburg and Munich
Stroll through the narrow lanes of Rothenburg – its beautiful medieval center seemingly frozen in time and encircled by a fortified town wall that remains intact after centuries. Admire the beautiful market square, lined with half-timbered houses, and the Old Town Hall before traveling through the Bavarian countryside to Munich.
Day 9Discover MunichThis morning, join a Local Specialist for a guided visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, a powerful experience that offers insight into this dark chapter of history. During your time in Munich, see the distinctive towers of the Cathedral of Our Lady, stroll through Marienplatz, and admire the impressive town hall with its charming Glockenspiel. Take time to admire the 13th-century St. Peter's Church and wander around local bakeries and traditional beer halls.
This morning, join a Local Specialist for a guided visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, a powerful experience that offers insight into this dark chapter of history. During your time in Munich, see the distinctive towers of the Cathedral of Our Lady, stroll through Marienplatz, and admire the impressive town hall with its charming Glockenspiel. Take time to admire the 13th-century St. Peter's Church and wander around local bakeries and traditional beer halls.
Day 10Admire Neuschwanstein Castle and the Black ForestTravel through the beautiful countryside to a land of fables and folklore. This morning, we tread in the footsteps of shy King Ludwig II and visit his Neuschwanstein Castle (Subject to Availability), built as a retreat for the king to withdraw from public life. We continue through the magical countryside to the Black Forest, whose mystical landscape inspired fantasy and fiction from the famous Brothers Grimm. This evening over dinner, we learn from a local expert about Hofgut Sternen’s innovative design and the traditions of the Black Forest on MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Travel through the beautiful countryside to a land of fables and folklore. This morning, we tread in the footsteps of shy King Ludwig II and visit his Neuschwanstein Castle (Subject to Availability), built as a retreat for the king to withdraw from public life. We continue through the magical countryside to the Black Forest, whose mystical landscape inspired fantasy and fiction from the famous Brothers Grimm. This evening over dinner, we learn from a local expert about Hofgut Sternen’s innovative design and the traditions of the Black Forest on MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Day 11On to Heidelberg and FrankfurtWitness a Black Forest treasure as you Dive Into Culture and learn about the centuries-old craft of cuckoo clock making. Later, travel to Heidelberg and perhaps have the chance to capture views of the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, as well as the Baroque-style Old Town. Spend the rest of the afternoon finishing up some last-minute shopping before continuing on to Frankfurt. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends, reminiscing over the iconic and unexpected highlights of our trip.
View of Heidelberg Castle overlooking a charming town square with classic architecture.Heidelberg
Witness a Black Forest treasure as you Dive Into Culture and learn about the centuries-old craft of cuckoo clock making. Later, travel to Heidelberg and perhaps have the chance to capture views of the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, as well as the Baroque-style Old Town. Spend the rest of the afternoon finishing up some last-minute shopping before continuing on to Frankfurt. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends, reminiscing over the iconic and unexpected highlights of our trip.
Map showing Heidelberg
Day 12Farewell GermanyAfter breakfast, say a fond farewell after a memorable holiday.
A well-lit, picturesque entrance of a modern home in Achim, Germany during sunset.Farewell Germany
After breakfast, say a fond farewell after a memorable holiday.

Discover Germany

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

A picturesque view of a riverside town by a serene lake surrounded by verdant forests.
Stunning autumn view of Hohenschwangau Castle amid mountains, lake, and forest.
Charming architecture of Meissen town reflecting in the Elbe River at sunset.
Scenic view of lush green Bavarian Alps in summer near Kempten, Germany.
Lush green fields and trees in a rural landscape, Coesfeld, Germany, on a bright spring day.

Upcoming departures

DatesPrice / personAvailability
6 Jun 202617 Jun 2026CAD 5,625AvailableBook my trip
13 Jun 202624 Jun 2026CAD 5,595AvailableBook my trip
20 Jun 20261 Jul 2026CAD 5,625AvailableBook my trip
27 Jun 20268 Jul 2026CAD 4,950AvailableBook my trip
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