Good blend of big cities and small towns. Oh yes, drank a lot too! Great tour companions. Best of Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 14 Days Tour - Travelstride Best of Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 14 Days Tour 2024 About Rick Explore Europe Our Tours Great Guides Great Hotels Great Groups Rick's 10 Commitments The Most Value for Your Money Tour News Tours on Sale Tour Forum Travel Tips Watch, Read, Listen Travel Forum Shop Online Burg Eltz in the Mosel Valley, Germany Previous Next An umbrella or a waterproof jacket or sunscreen is advisable depending on the season. Really enjoyed getting to know Germany. Things to Do Best Museums Best Food What to Pack See More Austria Trips 5 million happy guests and counting Overall Rating 4.6 out of 5 4.6 Based on 102930 independent reviews What to pack for Austria Opera attire The opera is a must-do attraction in Austria, made even more enjoyable when you dress the part. Enjoyed every minute! Thanks Firebird for making my Christmas trip to Germany unforgettable! After several Rick Steves Tours I have high expectations for his tours. Request A Quote. There was a lot of hours on the bus but they seemed to go by fast. We saw so many wonderful things and met some great people as well. Talk to a Tour Consultant Day-by-day itinerary The hotels were decent and, overall, the tour was a very good value. Tours are always great. Silent tears with five strangers Berlin! Fantastic! This evening, we'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the city's history and traditions on a walking tour before capping the day with a hearty "Welcome to Bavaria" dinner together. Sounds magical, doesn't it? Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). "Michael treated us to an amazing lunch at a beirgarten in Wrzburg. There was always a quick response and resolution to my requests. Berlin , Cologne , Frankfurt , Innsbruck , Munich , Salzburg , Vienna , Wurzburg. (4) Well-chosen hotels. You'll also time-trip through the medieval charms of Rothenburg, walk in the revolutionary footsteps of Luther, reflect on the tumultuous events of World War II, and marvel at the modernity of 21st-century Berlin. On this tour of Germany and Austria, your Rick Steves guide will bring this region's rich history and culture to life in festive Munich, Baroque Salzburg, sparkling Lake Hallstatt, monastic Melk, the blue Danube, and royal Vienna with cozy villages and alpine vistas all along the way. Our guide, Matthias, was wonderful. I really enjoyed Erfurt. Munich, however, was my favorite city and with a fun, entertaining, and incredibly informative guide in Patrick, I felt that city was a gem.". Very busy. We also enjoyed the bus rides and the exciting cities". Much better than I anticipated. Our guide, Daniela, was well versed in Germanys history! For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Germany guidebook. Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria (Classic, 12 Days), Exploring the Alpine Countries Austria - Germany - Switzerland (Vienna to Lucerne) (2023), Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria (Small Groups, 12 Days), Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland (8 Days), Grand Central Europe & Zurich (2023) (Vienna to Zurich, 2023), Shrines of Alpine Europe - Faith-Based Travel, Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria (Bern to Innsbruck) (2023), Porsche Tour | Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy GPS Guided, Grand Central Europe & Zurich (2024) (Zurich to Vienna, 2024). In particular, Erfurt and Rothenburg. 13 Day Germany and Austria Tour from Frankfurt to Vienna Travel 13 days, 2 countries and 11 cities Accommodation 12 nights Meals 12 Breakfasts, 1 Welcome Reception, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners Itinerary View day-by-day trip itinerary We'll enjoy a superb dinner with drinks, followed by a concert of Viennese classical music. Staff at airports across Italy will go on strike on Saturday 15 July over a failure to renew their contract which expired six years ago. 10 days in Germanyor 7 days in the Netherlands? All the local guides were fantastic, and when coupled with Daniela's (our RS tour guide) experiences and knowledge; believe me, we had the first class treatment. The tour was well organized; the tour leader was well organized and offered a lot of background information that enhanced our appreciation of the places we visited. He tested positive in what was, for me at least, one of the most beautiful areas of Germany that our tour was scheduled to visit. Auf Wiedersehen! I got a whole new understanding of history from her talks during bus time. "Having last been to Berlin 40+ years ago, I was amazed at how much the city had changed. Check here the best travel itineraries. Email Sign-up Travel Credit: Receive a $125 per person ($250 per couple) discount toward your first tour (operated by Trafalgar or Insight Vacations) when you sign up for GET emails; valid for each full-paying adult who signs up with a unique email address. And Hamburg and Berlin. 1. We absolutely loved our dinners with our group. I feel like I know Germany much better as a result of this tour. Summer, while the most crowded, has the best weather. The hotel accommodations were excellent as were the restaurants the tour provided. This was our 2nd Rick Steves Tour and it was another outstanding adventure! Beyond that, my main tour guide as well as each location's local guide added so much knowledge and color to each location. "It is almost impossible to understand how Germany has reinvented itself in the years after both WWII and the reunification of West and East. "Our time in the Rhine Valley and in Bacharach was phenomenal. The scheduling and organization of this tour was second to none. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning. Day 1. I tested positive for Covid on the morning of the 5th day of the tour. They provided the depth to past and present Germany which enhanced my understanding of German background and culture.". A great tour. Standing next to the Brandenburg Gate, with one foot on each side of what was one that terrible barrier to freedom, was mind-blowing. Dreaming about a specific country to visit? "Hamburg was my big Wow moment because my great grandfather born in 1853 emigrated from Hamburg on a ship to Cincinnati as a tin smith in 1874 at age of 21. Our tour leaders were helpful & extremely knowledgeable. A wonderful evening of all things Viennese! Your guide will provide an orientation for the many fun adventures you can choose. Also, climbing up to Wartburg Castle to see where Martin Luther translated the New Testament and then singing A Mighty Fortress is Our God outside the castle was memorable.". It is customary to shake hands when you meet someone (even children) in Germany. (I've been on many RS tours before.) Many of the small cities we visited were places I would never have gotten to on my own. Mattie was a superb guide with lots of talents like opera singing!, Bus driver Dirk was superb on those tight medieval streets! "My favorite wow moment was touring the castle at St Gore and having dinner with at a restaurant on the Rhine and seeing the Residence Museum". Best of Germany & Austria Tour 2023 | Trafalgar Each room has a story to tell, so of course, youll have a Local Specialist to bring it to life and to make the most of your time. "Any of the medieval walled cities. The tour director Peter, the local guides and the drivers were fantastic. Continuing to the cultural capital of the Rhineland, we view the spectacular Gothic spires of Cologne Cathedral. We use cookies to analyze traffic and provide you with personalized content and ads. This time it took less than 30 seconds to walk thru the Gate from "West" Berlin to "East" Berlin. Ate lots. We will be mailing it to you shortly and you can expect it to arrive in the next 7-10 days! View Cologne Cathedral, the Golden Roof in Innsbruck, Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg, Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, See the Lorelei Rock, the Marienberg Fortress and the Prince-Bishops' residence in Wrzburg and Melk Abbey. Free 3 day booking hold and flexible change options. Best Austria And Germany Tours Both charming Austria and fairytale Germany deserve an honorable place on a travel bucket list of any traveler. We really enjoyed the "taste" of each city that we went to and the information ahead of time let us plan for what we would do in our free time. Priceless. This was my first RS tour but it will not be my last! Better than anticipated, great group of people, city guides were outstanding and Daniela is a valuable asset to your organization. Our trip to Germany was planned ideally and we faced no worries or inconveniences along the way. Adult Price: 103 Note: This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. It was great to learn the history and significance of the places we stopped at. He had 8 children the youngest was my grandpa who Im named after. "At St Nikolai church, left a ruin as a monument to the destruction of WWII, I was at the top of the steeple looking over the city, when beneath me the carillon began playing Dona Nobis Pacem. So a favorite fairy tale came to life.". You'll have easy connections to home, or on to other points in Europe. If you want to blend in with the Berlin crowd, shop for good quality second hand clothes in the Friedrichshain or Mitte districts. His knowledge of the art and music was outstanding. I could not believe adreline rush I got! Prost! Great idea of our guide Michael.". EXCELLENT tour guide, assistant tour guide, and bus driver. 10 Day Bavaria Itinerary & Road Trip Guide - Earth Trekkers Spacious bus. Light to strenuous walking (your choice). Discover them both on your tour. Where to start? I thought Barbara offered more than I expected and she gave all of herself to the tour, "Dresden was so much more than I thought it would be and wish I could have stayed longer". This was our 14 RS tour and it was excellent! The tour was fantastic! $361.18. "I really enjoyed Munich, the walking tour we were given there, the group dinner and the beer gardens of Munich.". Barbara would pass out treats on the bus from certain areas of Germany we were in. Such a lovely surprise!". Plan on many more tours with RS, "I thought it would be the Rhine River Cruise. As usual, our guide (Michael) was wonderful. Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements are completely up to you. This afternoon, we arrive in the imperial capital of Vienna. He relayed the history of the town and some of its people's experience with the Nazis. Deals. This is a guided group trip that includes accommodation in hotels, transport, meals and others. All the hotels were well placed for us to venture out and explore the cities and towns, too. Things went well for our "Best of Germany in 13 Days" tour! It was also my first trip since the pandemic began and I felt very confident with the precautions that were in place. From the first greeting of the tour to the last breakfast, the tour days exceeded my expectations. Particular kudos MUST be given you our guides history and context lectures during bus rides! We had a very interesting and informative tour of Germany and saw what I have to believe are the major highlights and several minor highlights as well. "I really enjoyed Cologne Cathedral. Very strenuous for people my age but worth the effort. This well-designed 9-Day Germany and Austria Rail Circle tour from/to Frankfurt Airport takes you to some of the most charming cities in Central Europe: Salzburg and Vienna in Austria, Munich, Nuremberg, Heidelberg and Regensburg in Germany. Sleep in Berlin. However, the months of May, June, September, and October are best for offering generally good weather, lighter crowds, and the full range of tourist fun. Munich: Admire the magical countryside at the Neuschwanstein Castle. Fun to meet new traveling companions who all came with different backgrounds and approaches to the adventure that was our tour. We built this tour for you, Take in the charming atmosphere of stunning Scotland, Set off on an adventure through picturesque Portugal, It's time to delve into the incomparable Irish spirit. Rhineland: In a medieval castle high above the Rhine River Valley, you'll enjoy an exclusive Be My Guest lunch and be transported back to a time of kings and knights. 2 day ticket Grand City Tour Hop on Hop off 22 stops. Frankfurt, Sankt Goar, Kamp-Bornhofen, Cologne, Berlin, Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, Refund Guarantee within 30 days of booking, Flexible changes up to 60 days before your tour departs, Cruise in the Rhineland and on to Cologne Connect with Locals, Off to Historic Munich Stays With Stories, Admire Neuschwanstein Castle and on to Innsbruck, Through the Wachau Valley to Vienna Stays With Stories. In Berchtesgaden National Park, we'll drive with our Local Specialist past farmhouses and picturesque villages, as we ascend the Obersalzberg. We learned so much from our fabulous tour guide, Barbara on the way to each stop. Travelling south through picture-perfect landscapes of Bavaria, we arrive in Munich. I never knew the actual Pied Piper village really existed! "I didn't have one favorite wow moment, as there were many. Its a good practise to say Guten Tag (Good Day) when you enter shops, banks and other establishments in Austria. (1) Lots of riding through striking country in an excellent bus, with a skilled and patient driver who instructed us (through the guide) not to use the toilet save in emergencies. All Rights Reserved. Hotels were quaint and took care of our needs. It has had the wow factor for hundreds of years. Be charmed by the fairytale atmosphere of the Neuschwanstein Castle, which towers over the rocky crags near Munich. Thank you for submitting a brochure request. Walk the gardens where the Von Trapp family crooned and danced in enchanting Salzburg. Our guide must be praised for his grace under pressure from COVID cases and other changes. Seeing real Canelletos in Dresden was fantastic too. Ways To Go. Michael, ie guide, and Big John our driver were gracious, welcoming, friendly. Destinations. It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. "RS itinerary continues to excel. Frankfurt: Spend the day exploring the sights of Frankfurt. Fast paced, full of info and I welcomed the free time to process and explore. If you are drinking with locals in Germany, look a person in the eye and say Prost before sipping on your beverage. A history relayed from family and personal memory - my only regret is that I'd record him to capture the details.". This was our 5th tour with RS. But I think the Brothers Grimm day in Hameln and the evening in Hannoversch Mnden were an exceptional experience no other American tour company could offer.". One that stood out was a day that we walked to a castle, went for a ride on the Rhine, toured a town, tasted wine, and walked vineyards. If a guided tour is more that 2 hours there needs to be a break of at least 30 minutes. Was worried it would be too much bus riding but our wonderful tour guide, Michael kept us engaged throughout, as well as giving us snacks just when I felt a little hungry. The tour was extremely informative, enjoyable, and I am already hoping to carve out a time to schedule another Rick Steves tour. ", Loved it. After visiting Hagia Sophis this spring on a Rick Steve's tour, it surprised me how pleased I was to see a magnificent structure built to the glory of God that didn't have the Christian heritage wiped clean. Went to Oktoberfest which was a lot of fun. The itinerary was great - provided so many opportunities. It was wonderful. 3. On this tour of Germa Read more, On this two-week tour, mountains, Mozart, and mugs of beer all clink together to create a totally yodel-y adventure. We were fortunate to be a small group of 14 plus our wonderful guides, Matti and Barbara, and the best bus driver, John. Find out your top choices for unforgettableactivities in Europe. Light walking: 24 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain.