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

DAY    2            ARRIVE FRANKFURT - ASCHAFFENBURG - ROTHENBURG                           (2 NIGHTS)
We will be met at the airport by our tour manager/guide and transfer to Germany's Romantic Road. Our first stop will be in Aschaffenburg, a town that enjoys a scenic position on the hilly right bank of the River Main. We will visit Schloss Johannisburg, a majestic, red-sandstone castle which was once occupied by the Mainz bishop-electors. Inside, the castle houses a fine collection of European paintings from the 15th to the 18th century and the library is home to several valuable medieval codices. After free time to explore the old quarter, we continue to Rothenberg, one of the oldest towns on the Romantic Road.

DAY    3            ROTHENBURG
We will begin with a Walking Tour around the old walled city, beginning at the entrance to the old walled city, followed by a walk along the cobbled streets to the Rathaus (town hall). We will visit the town hall filled with Renaissance works and we will Climb the Tower for a beautiful view over the city. We continue with a visit to the Museum of Medieval Justice, the former headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, which has been turned into a museum displaying medieval attitudes towards crime and dissidence. Our day continues with a stroll along Herrngasse, famous for its mansions and courtyards, and will conclude with a visit to St. Jakobskirche, a beautifully constructed 14th century Gothic church. We will have the opportunity to view one of Germany's most precious works of art, Tilman Riemenschneider's Holy Blood Altarpiece, painted in 1504. This evening we will embark on the Nightwatchman Tour, where we join the town's nightwatchman on his rounds of the medieval city.

DAY    4            ROTHENBURG - WURZBURG - BAMBERG (2 NIGHTS)
Today we travel to nearby Wurzburg, a city that saw 80% of the town's buildings destroyed during an Allied raid on March 16, 1945. Wurzburg, which lies on the banks of the River Main, has risen from the ashes and once again enchants visitors with its rich heritage and historical sights. Our day commences with a visit to Festung Marienberg, a fortress that served as a residence for the Prince Bishops until 1719. Today the fortress houses a Museum, which exhibits the 1,200-year history of Wurzburg. We continue to the city center, where we will have a free time to explore before visiting Dom St. Kilian, Germany's fourth largest Romanesque church, famous for its three-nave basilica, twin-tower façade, and its group of bishop's tombs by Tilman Riemenschneider. Our afternoon concludes with a visit to the Residenz in Wurzburg, a vast complex constructed in the mid 18th century. Our tour of the palace complex will be highlighted by the Treppenhaus, with the largest fresco in the world adorning the vault of the staircase; the Garden Chamber, a vast low hall with Rococo stucco work; the Venetian Room, named for the Venetian Carnival Tapestry; the Hofkirche, and the centerpiece of the palace; and the Kaiseraal, the sumptuous emperor's chamber. We continue our journey along the Romantic Road as we travel to Bamberg, situated on seven hills like Ancient Rome.

DAY    5            NURNBURG & BAMBERG
This morning we travel to Nürnburg, where we will take a Walking Tour of the Altstadt, featuring the ruins of the ramparts that once surrounded the city, in addition to more modern sites. We will view: the Justice Palace, where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946; Bergstrasse; the Dürer Monument; St. Sebald Church; Hauptmarkt; the Albrect Durer House; Handwerkerhof; and Marktplatz. We return to Bamberg, where we will take a Walking Tour through the Old Quarter. We will view Klein-Venedig or "Little Venice," a district of fishermen's cottages with facades adorned with pots of geraniums, the Gothic Altes Rathaus, Wasserschloss Concordia, a spectacular Baroque palace, and Karmelitenkloster, before entering the beautiful Domplatz. As one of Germany's loveliest squares, it is surrounded by the Bishop's Palace, the Neue Residenz, the Alte Hofhaltung and Bamberg Cathedral, which we will visit. The cathedral dominates the skyline of Bamberg and is highlighted by the Hochaltar des Peterschores, the Marian Altar by Veit Stoss and the Tomb of Heinrich II and Kunigunde.

DAY    6            BAMBERG - REGENSBURG - ZWIESEL - PASSAU (2 NIGHTS)
This morning we travel to Regensburg, a city dating back to Roman times. Upon our arrival we will take a Walking Tour, where we will view the Steinere Brucke, a bridge across the Danube, the Wurstkuche, the Altes Rathaus, the Alte Kapelle, Schloss Thurn und Taxis, and St. Jakob Kirche. Our afternoon concludes with a visit to Dom St. Peter, which towers above the city and is a fine example of the Rayonnant style. We continue into the Bayerischer Wald (Bavarian Forest), where we will stop in the small town of Zwiesel to visit the Old Glassworks, where we will watch workers using blow irons to produce vases, jugs and other glass objects. After time to shop for some of Europe's finest glass, we continue to Passau.

DAY    7            PASSAU
Today we will explore Passau, whose long history goes back to the Roman times. The city lies on a peninsula between the rivers Danube and Inn near the Austrian border. We will begin with a Walking Tour of the city center, beginning at the Schaiblingsturm, a tower which remains from the Gothic town walls. We continue past the Neue Bischofsresidenz and the magnificent Altes Rathaus, before stopping for a visit to the Passauer Glasmuseum, which houses a vast collection of Bohemian, Austrian and Bavarian glasswork. Our morning concludes with a visit to the Dom St. Stephan, a true masterpiece of Italian Baroque, with twin towers and onion domes. This afternoon we will visit the Veste Oberhaus, a former castle of the prince-bishops, which now houses the Kulturhistorisches Museum, featuring displays on local and regional history and art. Our visit will also include the Passauer Tolpel (Fool of Passau), a statue of St Stephan with a mocking expression and the Observatory Tower, where we will be afforded stunning views over Passau and the region.

DAY    8            PASSAU - BURGHAUSEN - THERESIENWISE - MUNICH
                          (3 NIGHTS)
This morning we begin our journey into Munich, Bavaria's magnificent capital city. En route, we will stop in the picturesque town of Burghausen, situated on the River Salzach. We will visit Wohrsee Castle, the largest castle in Europe, a complex which towers over the town on a high ridge. Our visit will include the main castle, the residential quarters, the six courtyards, and the Prince's quarters. 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    9            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.

DAY    10          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    11          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.