Itinerary D II reverse: „The Budget Tour“ (services optional)
Day 1:
Arrival at Frankfurt airport; rendezvous with guide or airport assistant and coach.
Departure to Bernkastel-Kues on the Moselle River (139 KM). Arrival at your destination, the beautifully
preserved Bernkastel-Kues, possibly the most charming of towns on this leg of your journey, where you will
take up residence at the Romantik Hotel Bellevue; dinner & overnight stay there.
Day 2:
Visit of Germany' oldest city, Trier; where you'll be taking in the Roman ruins, among them the former imperial
thermae (mineral springs and baths) and the Porta Nigra („Black Gate“), the largest and most intact of Roman
city gates in existence. Apart from the Trier's charming old town center, Germany's oldest Cathedral St. Peter
merits a closer look, as does St. Matthew, which stands guard over the tomb of St. Matthew the Apostle.
Overnight stay in the Romantik Hotel Bellevue.
Day 3:
Day trip towards our next destination of St. Goar (162 KM) on the Rhine River.
Sightseeing stopovers along the wondrous and steep valley of the Moselle: Cochem is a charming and wineheady
town in the shadow of an imperial fortress. Burg Eltz is the valley's most stunning fairy-tale castle, its
appearance unscathed since medieval times. Winningen, one of the prettiest villages on the Moselle and host
to the oldest wine festival in Germany. Koblenz, on the confluence of Rhine and Moselle, one of the oldest
cities in Germany; its fortress of Ehrenbreitstein is considered to be the largest of its kind in central Europe.
Arrival in St. Goar, overnight stay in the Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels
Day 4:
Day trip into the „Rheingau“ region, world renowned for its Riesling: Rüdesheim (32 KM, ferry to St.
Goarshs.), best known tourist spot not far from the entrance to the Unesco-protected Rhine River Valley;
Schloss Johannisberg (7 KM), former monastery where the late harvest technique was reputedly first
discovered around 1775.
Tour and wine tasting in the famed medieval Eberbach monastery and vineyards (11 KM).
Afternoon visit of Wiesbaden, an elegant spa town of international fame during the 19th century, preferred by
royal and noble families from all over Europe. Home of the cellars of Henkell, manufacturer of sparkling wine.
Overnight stay in the Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels.
Day 5:
Today starts off with a trip into the „Rheinhessen“ region, known as the „land of a thousand hills“, which boasts
almost ideal conditions for grape growing, making it Germany's largest wine region. Its capital is Mainz (63
KM), the former Roman provincial capital, venerable cathedral town and once a focal point of the Holy Roman
Empire, best known for its most celebrated son, the printer Johannes Gutenberg. Mainz is home to the
Kupferberg cellars, manufacturer of a respected brand of sparkling wine.
The next leg of the journey takes you southwards along the Rhine to Heidelberg (91 KM), the romantic
university town nestled in the folds of the Neckar River, overlooked by the most spectacular castle ruin in
Germany. Close by, the town of Schwetzingen nurtures one of the most elegant baroque gardens in Europe –
definitely worth a visit before embarking on the return trip to St. Goar along the Palatinate Wine Route (148
KM).
Overnight stay in the Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels.
Day 6:
Departure towards your last haven in Germany, Volkach in Franconia, northern Bavaria (255 KM, 3 hrs. Net)
The day's stopover will be in Würzburg, the regional capital, where you will visit the former Prince Bishop's
elegant residential palace and the fortress Marienberg overlooking the old town. After a trip through the socalled
Franconian Wine country, along the Main river, past picturesque vineyards and charming villages, arrival
in Volkach, Overnight stay at the Romantik Hotel & Vineyard zur Schwane
Day 7:
Day trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (75 KM), the epitome of German romanticism, a picture-book medieval
townscape virtually unchanged for centuries. The return trip along the „Romantic Road“ is no less picturesque
and a fitting closure to your stay in Germany.
Overnight stay at the Romantik Hotel & Vineyard zur Schwane
Day 8:
Departure for Frankfurt international airport (152 KM).
Pricing details:
Hotels:
✔ Romantik Jugendstilhotel Bellevue, Traben-Trarbach, Moselle, Germany:
Situated directly on the banks of the River Moselle is the most beautiful Art Nouveau hotel in Germany. Rediscover the
charm of the Belle Époque in the gourmet restaurant while enjoying a wide selection of first-class wines from the
region. The Beauty Lounge and Pantá Rhei wellness studio plus pool and sauna areas offer complete relaxation.
✔ Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels, St. Goar on the Rhine, Germany :
Enjoy the magic of a hotel in a genuine German fairy tale castle: romance from the highest battlements to the deepest
dungeons, a stunning view of the Rhine Valley, total relaxation in the in-house wellness facilities and the most delightful
of wines and cuisines to top it off.
✔ Romantik Hotel Zur Schwane, Volkach on the Main, Germany:
600 years of hospitality and winemaking conspire offer a concentrate of pure, unblemished tradition in Franconia,
Germany's smallest and least known wine region, only recently discovered by wine connoisseurs and tourists alike.
Gently blended with the newest viticulture technology and and state-of-the-art cuisine, the result is an unprecedented
and inspiring experience for even the loftiest of expectations.
List of services included:
· 7 overnight stays in the abovementioned hotels
· continental breakfast buffets
· all coach trips by comfortable long-distance coach, air conditioning/heating, WC, travel seats
· qualified english speaking tour guide during the entire trip
· introductory information provided by the German Wine Institute and the Federal Board of Tourism
· travel insurance package (cancellation, property, luggage & casualty insurance, etc.)
· bankruptcy insurance (according to mandatory german guidelines)
Services not included:
· concerts or additional events (optional)
· service tips (optional)
· flight booking (optional)
Quote: retail price USA
· Double room, per person from € 1300
· Single room, per person from € 1800