DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Frankfurt.

DAY    2            ARRIVE FRANKFURT - RUDESHEIM (2 NIGHTS)
We will be met at the airport by our tour manager/guide and transfer into the beautiful German Rhineland as we travel to Rudesheim, a city with a picturesque location on the banks of the Rhine River. Upon our arrival, we will take a Walking Tour, where we will view the remains of three castles, historic mansions and half-timbered houses, before strolling along the famous Drosselgasse, which is lined with countless wine bars and shops. Our afternoon concludes with a Cable-Car Ascent to the Nierderwald Monument, a huge statue (34 ft) of Germania, built to commemorate victory in the Franco-Prussian War and the unification of Germany. From the base of the monument, we will be afforded magnificent views of Bingen and the Rhine Valley.

DAY    3            THE RHINE & COLOGNE
This morning we will take a Rhine River Bus Tour, one of the best ways to get a really intimate look at the Rhine Valley, a region that helped shape the history of Europe. Our tour will offer stops for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, including vineyards and medieval castles, as well as a visit to Marksburg Castle, which towers over the river and the town of Braubach and is the only castle on the Rhine never to have been damaged. This afternoon we will explore Cologne, a former Roman town and today a center for art and culture. We will visit the Kolner Dom, the most famous Gothic structure in Germany. In addition to its grandiose size and spectacular Gothic exterior; the cathedral also features wonderful stained-glass windows, massive Gothic oak Stalls, and a stunning High Altar. Highlighting the cathedral are the Shrine of the Three Kings, a huge Romanesque reliquary said to hold relics of the Three Kings, and the Altar of the Magi, the work of Stephan Lochner. Those that choose can also ascend to the Viewing Platform for wonderful views of Cologne. After a bit of free time in Cologne, we will return to our hotel in Rudesheim.

DAY    4            RUDESHEIM - WORMS - HEIDELBERG (1 NIGHT)
This morning we will journey to Worms, an important historic and religious city in Germany. We will begin with a visit to Dom St. Peter, towering physically and historically above all the other ancient buildings of the city. The basilica is a fine example of High Romanesque and the interior features a highly decorated 14th-century side chapel of St. Nicholas, with its Gothic baptismal font and new stained-glass windows. After a bit of free time to explore or shop in Worms, we continue to Heidelberg, situated on the banks of the Neckar River, and one of Germany's most beautiful towns. We begin with a visit to Heidelberg Castle, a dignified ruin and one of the finest Gothic-Renaissance castles in Germany. Our visit will include the Palace of Friedrich IV, which features the gallery of princes and kings of the German empire from the time of Charlemagne, the Wine Vat Building for a look at the Great Cask, a symbol of the abundant and exuberant life of the Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Chemist's Tower, housing the Pharmaceutical Museum, which shows a chemist's shop with utensils and laboratory equipment from the 18th and 19th centuries. Our day concludes with a walk along the Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Walk), built in 1871 on the slopes of Heiligenberg (650 ft), which offers magnificent views of Heidelberg and the castle.

DAY    5            HEIDELBERG - ULM - BIBERWIER - GARMISCH -
                          PARTENKIRCHEN (2 NIGHTS)
This morning we begin our journey into Bavaria. Our first stop today will be in Ulm, birthplace of Albert Einstein, where we will visit Ulm Munster, a magnificent Gothic cathedral with the tallest spire in the world. Those that choose can ascend the Spire and enjoy one of Germany's finest panoramic views. We continue into the Bavarian Alps, where we will stop just past Biberwier, in the shadow of the gray and powerful Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain. We will enjoy an afternoon Luge Ride, one of the great alpine experiences, where we ride an oversized skateboard on a concrete bobsled course, which banks on the corners. (Luge rides subject to season, weather and availability) We continue to the twin villages of Garmisch and Partenkirchen, which make up Germany's top alpine resort. In spite of their urban flair, the towns maintain the charm of an ancient village, often with country folk in traditional dress. The town and its environs offer some of the most panoramic views and colorful buildings in Bavaria.

DAY    6            DAY TRIP TO NEUSCHWANSTEIN, WIESKIRCHE
                          & LINDERHOF (THE LEGACY OF KING LUDWIG II)
This morning we will take a day trip into the heart of Bavaria to explore the former treasures of "Mad" King Ludwig II. We begin with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, situated on an outcrop of rock towering over a gorge in the River Pollat. This is one of Germany's most famous castles, though the king himself only lived there for 172 days. The Throne Room, designed in Byzantine style, with gilded mural paintings, mosaics and a huge chandelier, will highlight our tour. Our day continues to Wieskirche, where we will visit the unique Church of Zum Gegeisselten Heiland. The church is the most resplendent example of South German Rococo and one of the finest Rococo churches in the world, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. Our day in Bavaria concludes with a visit to Linderhof Palace, another of Ludwig II's residences, which clearly shows his fondness for France and Louis XIV. After touring the extravagantly decorated rooms of the palace, we will explore the extensive Park, featuring French-style Formal Gardens, Italianate terraced gardens, a Moorish kiosk, with a lavish Peacock Throne, and the Grotto with a lake, a stage, a throne and colorful lighting.

DAY    7            GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN - NYMPHENBURG PALACE -
                          THERESIENWISE - MUNICH (2 NIGHTS)
This morning we will visit Nymphenburg Palace, once the residence of the Bavarian kings. We will explore the splendid palace including, the Rococo Banqueting Hall with its vivid frescoes based on mythological themes, and the Gallery of Beauties, which displays portraits of the loveliest women of the time of Ludwig I. Our visit will also include the Carriage Museum, which houses coaches, carriages and sleighs once belonging to the Bavarian rulers, and a stroll in the formal Gardens. We continue to Theresienwise, the former fairgrounds on which the Oktoberfest festival began after the marriage of Ludwig I and Theresa. We will visit the Neo-Classical Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame) built by Leo von Klenze, an open hall, fronted by 48 Ionian columns, contains the busts of 77 prominent Bavarians. In front stands a gigantic statue of a Bavarian Goddess, and those that choose can Ascend to the Head for a wonderful view over Munich. We continue to Munich, Bavaria's magnificent capital city, where we will stroll down Maximilianstrasse, Munich's "Golden Mile," which is the equivalent of New York's Fifth Avenue. Here we will find the city's most elegant and expensive boutiques and restaurants.

DAY    8            MUNICH (THE HEART OF BAVARIA)
This morning we will explore the Aldstadt (Old Quarter) of Munich, beginning at the Karlstor, once a gate to the walled city. We continue with a stroll down Neuhauser Street, Munich's largest shopping street, with typical 19th century buildings, outdoor cafes and shops. Next we visit the Frauenkirche, the largest Gothic assembly building in southern Germany and the seat of the Archbishopric of Munich. With its twin towers, topped with onion domes, the church has become a symbol of the city. Next we will explore the area of Munich around the Marienplatz, dedicated to the patron of the city, the heart of the Altstadt. We will begin at the Neues Rathaus, where we will observe the Glockenspiel on the façade, the fourth largest chiming clock in Europe, which stages an elaborate performance twice a day. Those that choose will have the opportunity to climb the 55 steps to the top of its tower for a good overall view of the city center. After viewing Peterskirche and the Altes Rathaus, we will visit Asamkirche, a church designed by the Asam brothers, which offers the full effect of Gothic artistic expression and a mysterious theatrical illusion of another world. This afternoon we will visit the Alte Pinakothek, one of the world's great art museums. The museum houses a large and important collection that represents the greatest European artists from the 14th through the 18th centuries, including Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Durer, Holbein, Rembrandt, Rubens, Bruegel, Hals and El Greco. After dinner, we will attend a traditional Bavarian music and dance show at the world famous Hofbrauhaus.

DAY    9            DEPARTURE FROM MUNICH
Our enjoyable and rewarding trip will come to an end as our guide accompanies us to the airport for the return flight home.