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Tour details based on Nov 2011 - Apr 2012 departures.
Day 1 - FRANKFURT AT LEISURE
Welcome to Germany! From the Rhine Valley to the Alps, experience lively cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns and breathtaking natural scenery. Your airport shuttle service from Frankfurt Airport to the tour hotel departs at 09:30 & 12:00. Later, an orientation tour shows you Frankfurt's Römerberg Square, St Paul's Church and the birthplace of German novelist, poet and playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Sheraton Offenbach (D)
Day 2 - FRANKFURT - ROTHENBURG - MUNICH
Head to fortified Rothenburg, overlooking the winding Tauber River. Enter through medieval walls and immediately you are plunged back to the 16th century. Follow the cobblestone streets to the Market Square with its Town Hall. Perhaps visit Tilman Riemenschneider's 'Holy Blood' altarpiece in St Jakob's Church or pop into the Christmas Shop where you'll find the festive spirit all year round. Now follow the Romantic Road to fun loving Munich.
Hotel: Hilton Munich Park (BB)
Day 3 - MUNICH SIGHTSEEING
Your orientation tour shows you the Olympic Stadium, Victory Arch and university concluding in the heart of Munich at the Marienplatz with its soaring Gothic Town Hall and colourful Glockenspiel. For those arriving before Christmas there is time to shop in the festive Christmas market. Tonight, why not join the locals and enjoy a foaming stein of beer at the world famous Hofbräuhaus? (BB)
Day 4 - MUNICH - SALZBURG
Drive past Lake Chiemsee and cross the Austrian border to Salzburg, 'alive with the sound of music'. Walk with your local guide through the gardens of Mirabell Palace to photograph the city skyline, crowned by the massive Hohensalzburg fortress. Then cross the Salzach River to see Mozart's birthplace on the Getreidegasse, a lively shopping street lined with attractive wrought iron signs. Now follow the narrow lanes to the Cathedral Square to view the ornate domed cathedral and the splendid Residenz Fountain. This afternoon is at leisure.
Hotel: Castellani Park Hotel (BB)
Day 5 - SALZBURG - INNSBRUCK
A scenic drive takes you through snow capped mountains to Innsbruck. Visit the Wilten Basilica, its interior richly decorated with cherubs and angels, before continuing to Old Town to see the Imperial Palace and delightful Golden Roof. The rest of the afternoon you are at leisure among the cafes of the Old Quarter. Tonight enjoy a highlight dinner of traditional Tyrolean cuisine!
Hotel: Hilton Innsbruck (BB,HD)
Day 6 - INNSBRUCK - LIECHTENSTEIN - LUCERNE
Delightful scenery abounds as you make your way to the Arlberg Tunnel. Stop in Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of Europe's smallest countries. Cross the Swiss border and continue to lake-side Lucerne. Your Tour Director will show you the covered, wooden Chapel Bridge and you'll learn about the stirring and poignant history of the Lion Monument. Then you are at leisure to shop for Swiss watches and delicious chocolate.
Hotel: Astoria (BB)
Day 7 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
This morning take a spectacular cable-car ride up into the mountains, for magnificent snow-capped views and true Alpine majesty. Later, back in Lucerne you are at leisure in this beautiful city. Admire the superb baroque Jesuit church, stroll along the lake side promenades, explore the old walls and watch towers of the medieval fortifications, or browse the excellent shops. (BB,D)
Day 8 - LUCERNE - RHINE FALLS - HEIDELBERG - FRANKFURT
First stop at Schaffhausen to see the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls. Now cross the German border and drive deep into the Black Forest. Following the Rhine Valley north, head for the town of Heidelberg, dominated by its magnificent red sandstone castle. Stroll through the old town or perhaps see the old 'Student Prison'? After rejoining your coach, it's not far to your Frankfurt hotel where dinner awaits.
Hotel: Sheraton Offenbach (BB,D)
Day 9 - DEPART FRANKFURT
After breakfast, the Airport shuttle to Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 1 arrives at 09:00 and Terminal 2 at 09:15. (BB)
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