River Castles Tour – 2010 and 2011

The German Rivers Rhine, Moselle, Neckar and Main and their Castles

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 five 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 RUDESHEIM (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.

We re-board our Rhinesteamer back and later have a great dinner in a typical Rheinkeller with wine tasting.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Rhine cruises from and to St. Goar, tickets for cable car, three-course dinner with choices and wine tasting, 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 take a cable car up to EHRENBREITSTEIN Fortress for an inside visit at the Museum of the Rhine.

From Koblenz we take a boat back, have dinner on board, and dock in front of our hotel.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees to Marksburg and Ehrenbreitstein, Rhine cruise from Koblenz to Boppard, three-course dinner on board, Bellevue Rheinhotel

Morning stop at the Peace Museum of REMAGEN, located in the only surviving tower of the former railway bridge which fell into the American hands almost intact on March 7, 1945, but collapsed ten days later under the weight of armored vehicles.

We continue to COLOGNE (Köln in German), the biggest city on our tour and on the Rhine.  See the famous gothic Cathedral, and join the locals in one of Germany's longest pedestrian zones for a Koelsch or a cup of coffee.

Late afternoon arrival back at your hotel.  Dinner.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, guided walking tour of Cologne, entrance to Peace Museum, three-course dinner, Bellevue Rheinhotel

Today we drive upstream along the MOSELLE River, which in scenery, castles and vineyards does not stand in the shadow of its big brother, the Rhine.

Our first stop is the twelfth century BURG ELTZ, rising majestically above the rear end of the wild Eltz Valley, one of Germany's most beautiful castles, surrounded by the river on three sides.  Inside visit.

We continue to COCHEM, located on an idyllic bend on the river, where you have time for lunch on the Moselle Promenade.

Then on to TRIER, Germany's oldest city, with lots of Roman sights.  We get a deeper insight into this place with a guided walking tour, which takes you inside the Porta Nigra, a roman fortress from the second century, and the best preserved roman construction north of the Alps.  The tour also includes the Cathedral, one of Germany's oldest churches with foundations dating from the fourth century, and the Church of our Dear Lady, the oldest purely gothic church in Germany.  All three sights are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Time for dinner on your own in Trier tonight before we return to the hotel.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees for Burg Eltz, Porta Nigra, Cathedral, Church of our Dear Lady, local guide in Trier, Bellevue Rheinhotel

Today say goodbye to the Rhine after your visit to Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar 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.

Tonight we are staying in a typical country hotel in the Neckar valley on the BURGENSTRASSE (Castle Road).

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Heidelberg Castle Tour, Cogwheel Train, three-course, hotel in Neckar valley

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.

After lunch we take the ROMANTIC ROAD all the way to where it starts, to WURZBURG (Würzburg or Wuerzburg in German) on the Main River.  Take a guided tour of Wurzburg Residenz (Residence), this superb baroque palace, one of the biggest in Germany, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Admire the staircase, the frescoes by Tiepolo, the Hofkirche and the Gardens.

Afterwards you have time to see more of Wurzburg on your own and get your final shopping done.

Back to Frankfurt for overnight.

Farewell dinner tonight at our hotel.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and tour of Residence, three-course dinner with choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea, 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 along the rivers, which she knows by heart.

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 .

2011 Early Bird Special

Book a 2011 River Castles Tour by August 31, 2010 and save US $ 100 per person from the above prices.