Kids and Castles Tour – 2011

The Best of German Castles and Towns

Board your flight from your home destination to Frankfurt, Germany.

This itinerary assumes this to be an overnight flight. 

Air fare independently arranged.

Arrival in Frankfurt, Germany.  Your flight should arrive at the Frankfurt Airport by 11:15 a.m. at the latest for the complimentary transfer at noon.

When the group is complete we drive directly to the RHINE for lunch in one of the charming villages on the River.

Transfer to the four-star Bellevue Rheinhotel in Boppard, one of the best hotels in the Rhine area. This Art Nouveau style hotel is situated directly on the river, with a dock at its front door, and has welcomed guests since 1877. We will spend the next three nights here.

You can spend some relaxing moments at the on-site swimming pool and sauna. Health conscious guests can work out at the fitness centre.

Tonight we meet for a welcome drink followed by dinner at the hotel.

>  Your tour includes: Transfer from airport to hotel, welcome drink, three-course dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after, Bellevue Rheinhotel in Boppard

Cruising all day on the Rhine on the most beautiful stretch of the river, the part recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.  We travel upstream past the Loreley Rock and lots of medieval Castles on both sides of the river to most charming RUEDESHEIM (Rüdesheim or Ruedesheim in German).
 
Time for lunch and souvenirs in famous Drosselgasse, and afterwards we take a cable car uphill through the vineyards to Niederwald Monument.  Be prepared for incredible views over the valley.
 
From there a short drive downstream again to visit the RHEINFELS at St. Goar, one of the most amazing and largest ruins on the river.  Dinner in Boppard tonight.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Rhine cruise from Boppard to Rudesheim, tickets for cable car in  Rudesheim, guided tour of Rheinfels, three-course dinner,  Bellevue Rheinhotel

Today we cross the river by ferry to Braubach, the Town of Roses where we take a guided tour of the MARKSBURG, an 11th century castle, the only one on the Rhine that was never destroyed.

We continue to KOBLENZ, meaning confluence, where the Moselle joins the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck (the German Corner).  Admire the equestrian statue of Wilhelm I.  Time to explore Koblenz on you own before we head along the Moselle to visit the twelfth century BURG ELTZ, majestically rising above the end of the wild Eltz Valley, one of Germany’s most beautiful castles, surrounded by the river on three sides.  Inside visit.

We return to the Rhine, dinner on your own tonight in Boppard, with a big selection of nice outdoor restaurants.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and guided tours of Marksburg and Burg Eltz, Bellevue Rheinhotel

Today we leave the Rhine area and head south to HEIDELBERG, on the banks of the Neckar river.  In medieval times the Electoral Palatinate with Heidelberg as the political centre was one of the most advanced European States.

See the beautiful red-walled Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss in German), including the great vat with a guided tour.  Afterwards we take a cogwheel train down into the city where you have more time for sightseeing, shopping and postcards.
 
Later continue to Stuttgart where you can go shopping, join an included excursion to the Wilhelma, one of the most beautiful and oldest zoos in Germany, or visit the Mercedes Benz Museum.  Dinner in a garden restaurant tonight.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, tour of Heidelberg Castle, Cogwheel Train, transfer and entrance to Wilhelma or Mercedes Museum, dinner, overnight in Stuttgart

Today we drive to LEGOLAND DEUTSCHLAND at Gunzburg (Günzburg or Guenzburg in German), a fantastic world created using over 50 million LEGO bricks.  With countless attractions and spectacular shows, a special adventure awaits everyone here!

The IMAGINATION area is for those fascinated by research and experimentation. ADVENTURE LAND is hidden in the middle of a LEGO brick jungle.  A suspension bridge takes you inside a giant castle in KNIGHTS' KINGDOM, the realm for all budding knights and damsels.  Racing drivers, pilots, helmsmen and pirates are in their element in LEGO X-TREME, TEST TRACK, LEGO CITY and PIRATE LAND.

Late afternoon arrival at your hotel in the Bavarian Alps near the Royal Castles at the southern end of Germany's famous Romantic Road.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance to Legoland, three-course dinner, overnight in Fussen area

Today at Fussen (Füssen or Fuessen) we visit SCHLOSS NEUSCHWANSTEIN (Neuschwanstein Castle), Germany's most famous castle.  First we go up to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge), sitting high above the Poellat Gorge, where you can take the best pictures of the castle.  From there we walk downhill for our inside tour of Neuschwanstein with a castle guide.

Back down in the village of Hohenschwangau, you have time to eat and go for a stroll on beautiful Lake Alpsee, where young Ludwig learned to swim.

Afterwards we go by cable car up to MOUNT TEGELBERG, the mountain above the castle, and later ride a bobsled on the foot of the hill.  Dinner tonight in a great place in the mountains.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fee and Neuschwanstein Castle Tour, horse carriage, cable car, three-course dinner, overnight in Fussen area

Our last traveling day takes us to medieval ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER in Frankonia where you feel like you just jumped back into the 16th century.  Completely surrounded by its medieval ramparts with countless towers, Rothenburg is famous for its ancient houses, fountains, cobbled lanes, hidden corners and street signs.  Also famous for the Meistertrunk, in which – according to legend – the burgomeister saved the town by emptying a 6-pint tankard in one single draught.

Back to Frankfurt for overnight. 

Farewell dinner tonight at our hotel.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, three-course dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after, hotel in Frankfurt

Time to say "Auf wiedersehen".

Transfer to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight home.

>  Buffet breakfast, transfer to airport

Astrid Baur is a German native who has successfully conducted over 200 tours throughout Europe and Germany for thousands of happy clients. Astrid will take you around Bavaria, which she knows by heart.

You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go. The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are not rushed.

The tour language is English only.

Astrid organizes the tour personally, and you can contact her directly as explained in the Contact Information section below.

Comments, experiences and recommendations from guests on the May and June 2009 Bavarian Castles and July 2009 Kids and Castles Tours are featured in the European Castles Tours  References Video .

The 2011 Adult prices have already been reduced by US $ 100 per person.  But you can save even more.

Book the 2011 tour by August 31, 2010 and save US $ 100 for each adult and child.