Great Cities and Castles Route with Berlin

Today’s journey will be full of surprises. From Kelheim, we’ll board a boat for a short cruise along the Danube valley, passing through the Danube Gorge.

Our first stop will be Kloster Weltenburg, a beautiful Benedictine monastery founded in 1040.

Next, we’ll visit Dachau, where we’ll tour the Nazi concentration camp museum. After having lunch, we’ll continue to Munich, where we’ll visit the impressive BMW Welt, a modern multifunctional exhibition facility of the prestigious German vehicle brand BMW Group. We’ll also see the park that houses the Olympiastadion, an architectural marvel where the 1972 Olympic Games were held.

After this, you’ll have free time in the historic center. You can stroll through Marienplatz, the heart of Munich, visit the picturesque Viktualienmarkt open-air market, relax in the Englischer Garten, or enjoy the traditional beer houses.

Note: In winter or when Danube’s water level is too low, the cruise will not operate. In this case, this section of the circuit will be adapted so we can stop to visit Landshut. Kloster Wetelbug will also be closed in winter, but you will still be able to see it from the outside.

Today, we’ll explore the Rhine and Moselle Valleys, two rivers full of history and dotted with charming villages.

We´ll begin with a short cruise on the Rhine, between the villages of Rüdesheim and Sankt Goar, undoubtedly the most picturesque section of the river.

Next, we’ll head to the Moselle River, stopping for lunch in Cochem, a picturesque village on the Rhine riverbank overlooked by its imposing castle, which dates back over a thousand years.

Afterward, we’ll travel to Cologne, where you´ll have time to visit its impressive Gothic cathedral. Standing at 154 meters tall, it was the tallest building in the world until the late 19th century. You can also enjoy a walk along the Rhine River and through the lively city center before we continue to our hotel in Dortmund.

Note: During fairs or congresses, accommodation may be in a nearby city.

Today, we’ll embark on a magical journey, reminiscing about our favorite childhood stories and movies as we travel through the towns that inspired the Brothers Grimm, now known as the Fairy Tale Route.

Our first stop will be Trendelburg, a picturesque walled village where we’ll visit the large medieval castle and its famous Rapunzel Tower (admission included).

We’ll continue along scenic roads, crossing forests that will remind us of the tale of Hansel and Gretel. We’ll stop for lunch in Höxter, a vibrant town where we’ll visit Corvey Abbey, an ancient 9th-century monastery and World Heritage Site (admission included).

We’ll then stop in Polle to visit the ruins of Cinderella’s Castle (admission included).

Our journey will continue to Hamelin, renowned for the tale of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”. After following the mouse tracks, we’ll proceed to Hanover, where there will be time to take a stroll near the old town hall.

Notes:

• During fairs or conferences, accommodation may be arranged in a nearby city.
• Corvey Abbey is closed from November to February.

After breakfast, we’ll travel to the Rammelsberg Mines, a historic silver mining site near Goslar that was in continuous operation from the Middle Ages. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mines offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s industrial past. We’ll include admission to the museum, where we’ll learn more about the lives of the miners and the legacy of this extraordinary site.

Our journey will then take us to Goslar, renowned for its magnificent medieval old town, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town enchants visitors with its beautifully preserved half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and the majestic Church of St. Peter.

We’ll continue toward Göttingen, a vibrant university and scientific center once home to the Brothers Grimm. Here, we’ll have time to enjoy lunch and take a leisurely stroll through its charming historic center.

In the afternoon, we’ll travel across the region of Thuringia, making a stop in the picturesque spa town of Bad Sooden, nestled among forested hills. With its well-preserved timber-framed architecture and tranquil atmosphere, it’s a true hidden gem.

Later, we’ll arrive in Eisenach, home to a magnificent historic center and rich in Baroque and Renaissance architecture. The town is home to the Bach House, where the famous composer was born, and Luther’s House, a key site in the life of the Protestant Reformer. Dinner included.

We’ll start the day with a visit to the impressive Wartburg Castle (tickets included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German. Perched high above the town of Eisenach, this fortress offers not only a journey through German history, but also breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

After the visit, we’ll return to Eisenach, where you’ll have free time for lunch and to explore at your own pace. If you’re passionate about music, you might want to visit the Bach House, the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach. Alternatively, you can explore the Automobile Museum, located in the former main factory of East Germany’s car industry, home to an impressive collection of vintage vehicles.

Our journey will continue to Gotha, where we’ll admire its majestic Baroque palace (exterior visit) and stroll through its charming historic center.

We’ll then travel to Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, a lively city known for its grand cathedral and beautifully preserved medieval old town. One of its highlights is a picturesque bridge lined with houses, continuously inhabited for more than 500 years.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Leipzig, one of Germany’s most culturally and historically rich cities. This vibrant metropolis was home to renowned composers such as Bach and Wagner, played a major industrial role during the era of the GDR, and today thrives with a population of over half a million.

Leaving Leipzig, we’ll stop at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, inaugurated in 1913 and standing 91 meters tall, commemorating a famous battle from the Napoleonic Wars.

We’ll then continue to Dresden, the capital of Saxony, known for its Baroque and Renaissance architecture, grand palaces, and scenic walks along the Elbe River.

Nearby is Meissen, renowned for its porcelain, which has been manufactured here since the 18th century. We’ll have time to stroll and enjoy lunch in the old town of this small, lively city, dominated by its large castle and cathedral.

In Moritzburg, we’ll take a stroll through “Cinderella’s Castle,” located on an island in an artificial lake, featuring magnificent architecture and expansive gardens.

Finally, we’ll continue to Berlin, arriving around 7:00 p.m.