Explore the Soul of Central Europe: A Journey Through Germany and the Timeless Charm of Prague
Monday, May 5, 2025: DEPARTURE TO FRANKFURT
Departure from Miami to Frankfurt. Please arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight: 22:05 – 13:45 (+1)
Tuesday, May 6, 2025: ARRIVAL IN FRANKFURT (H)
Arrival in Frankfurt and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025: FRANKFURT - RHINE CRUISE - HEIDELBERG (FB)
Breakfast. Departure to Rüdesheim, where we will embark on a pleasant cruise along the Rhine, passing through the Loreley Valley, considered a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. Disembark and continue to Heidelberg on the banks of the Neckar River. Lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a panoramic tour of the historic center, which was rebuilt in Baroque style during the 18th century after being reduced to ashes by the troops of Louis XIV at the end of the 17th century. We will also visit the Palatine Castle that dominates the city and is considered one of Germany's most famous historical landmarks. It hosts popular events such as the Schlossfestspiele (theater festivals) and dances like the Ball der Vampire (Vampire Ball). Inside, you'll find one of Heidelberg's symbols, the Great Barrel, which is 7 meters wide, 8.5 meters long, and can hold 222,000 liters. Free time to continue exploring the city. Dinner and accommodation.
Thursday, May 8, 2025: HEIDELBERG - BADEN-BADEN - BLACK FOREST PANORAMIC ROAD (SCHWARZWALDHOCHSTRASSE) - HOHENZOLLERN CASTLE - FREIBURG (HB)
Breakfast. Today, we embark on a fascinating route, first heading to Baden-Baden. We'll have time in this spa town, frequented by Roman Emperor Caracalla. The city flourished during the Belle Époque, becoming a retreat for the 19th-century European bourgeoisie, leading to the development of thermal establishments, a racetrack, and a casino considered one of the most luxurious in the world. Next, we journey through the heart of the Black Forest, traveling along the impressive panoramic road known as the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse, which connects Freudenstadt with Baden-Baden, offering unforgettable landscapes, including the mountain lake Mummelsee, the peaks of Schliffkopf, Alexanderschanze, and Kniebis. We continue to one of Germany's most charming places, Hohenzollern Castle, fortified with turrets and battlements. We'll tour the seat of the German noble family of Hohenzollern, who ruled Prussia and Brandenburg from the medieval period until the end of World War I. The castle remains in the family's possession, preserving some of its most precious treasures. Departure to our hotel in Freiburg. Accommodation.
Friday, May 9, 2025: FREIBURG - GUTACH - TRIBERG - TITISEE - BLACK FOREST - FREIBURG (HB)
Breakfast. Departure to Gutach, where we'll visit the Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum. Through a guided tour, we'll experience the region's past life, exploring ancient wooden farmhouses on a mountainside, life-sized and entirely wooden. We continue to Triberg, where we'll have free time to explore the town's main attraction: the Triberg Waterfalls, reaching up to 163 meters in height over seven levels, considered among Germany's most famous. We proceed to the picturesque town of Titisee, nestled by the lake of the same name. Free time to enjoy this idyllic spot, surrounded by lush forests, and an opportunity to purchase a souvenir from the Black Forest. Return to Freiburg and free time to explore the cathedral, the new Town Hall, Cathedral Square, Augustinerplatz, etc. Accommodation.
Saturday, May 10, 2025: FREIBURG - COLMAR - WINE ROUTE: RIQUEWIHR - STRASBOURG (HB)
Breakfast. We head to Colmar, which developed during the Middle Ages as an important wine trade center and retains a significant heritage. Free time to enjoy its German Gothic-style historic center, including Little Venice (La Petite Venise), a neighborhood of traditional Alsatian houses along the Launch River, and the districts of various guilds that once inhabited the city. We continue with a tour along the Alsace Wine Route, where, in addition to lunch, we'll visit a winery to taste the region's excellent wines. We'll explore one of the area's most representative villages: Riquewihr, considered one of Alsace's most beautiful towns, with its typical colorful Alsatian houses, timber framing, and flower decorations. Afterwards, we proceed to Strasbourg, where we'll take a panoramic excursion through the Old Quarter and its stately homes; the "Petite France," one of the city's liveliest areas, known for its cobblestone streets; canals; and well-preserved timber-framed houses, like the Tanners' House; and streets like Grand'Rue and its surroundings, with clothing and souvenir shops, as well as ceramics, wine, special teas, etc. We'll then visit the cathedral to admire its magnificent façade, the largest picture book of the Middle Ages. Hundreds of sculptures seem to emerge from the wall, enhancing the effects of light and shadow. The pink sandstone color changes depending on the time of day and the sky's hue. Free time. Accommodation.
Sunday, May 11, 2025: STRASBOURG - FRANKFURT (HB)
Breakfast. We'll have the morning free to continue exploring the city, visit a museum, or sample its wines and rich cuisine, with dishes like baeckeoffe, a beef stew, or foie gras. Afterwards, we head to Frankfurt, where we'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city. Taking advantage of the holiday, enjoy the city's lively atmosphere along the Rhine, savor ebbelwei (local cider), enjoy a typical German meal in one of the city's taverns, or visit one of its museums, such as Goethe's House, the Museum of Contemporary Art, etc. Accommodation.
Monday, May 12, 2025: FRANKFURT - ERFURT - BERLIN (HB)
Breakfast. Departure to Erfurt, located at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and the capital of Thuringia. The city has been a meeting point for intellectuals and a nerve center of the Protestant Reformation. Luther praised it on several occasions, calling it "The crowned city of many towers," due to its vast artistic heritage. Free time to explore the city's historic center, virtually intact, featuring St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Severus Church, a unique ensemble of German Gothic architectural masterpieces; timber-framed houses; and, of course, the Krämerbrücke, Europe's longest bridge lined with houses hosting artisan workshops, galleries, small taverns, music and antique shops. Continue to Berlin. Free time for an initial contact with Germany's capital. We recommend the optional guided tour of "Berlin by Night," where we'll explore the Jewish Quarter, scene of the tragic "Kristallnacht" during the Nazi era; the government district with the Reichstag and the Chancellery; the Brandenburg Gate; Potsdamer Platz; etc. (included in the excursion supplement). Accommodation.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025: BERLIN (HB)
Breakfast. Departure for a panoramic tour with a local guide, where we'll see the Brandenburg Gate, one of the city's most important symbols; Museum Island; Alexanderplatz; the St. Nicholas Quarter; Gendarmenmarkt Square; the remains of the Wall; and Unter den Linden Avenue, among others. Rest of the day free or, if you wish, you can take an optional excursion with a local guide to Potsdam, where Truman, Stalin, and Attlee, Churchill's successor, decided Germany's fate in 1945 with the signing of the Potsdam Agreement. This city features places like the Dutch Quarter and gardens and palaces built from the 18th century onwards. We'll also visit the "Bridge of Spies," where information was exchanged between East and West Europe during the Cold War. After this optional visit, we'll return to Berlin. Dinner and accommodation.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025: BERLIN - DRESDEN - PRAGUE (HB)
Breakfast. Departure to the Saxony region to visit the city of Dresden, known as the "Florence of the Elbe." Free time or, if you wish, an optional panoramic tour to admire its magnificent artistic heritage, destroyed by bombings during World War II: the Zwinger, the Hofkirche, the Semperoper, etc., all masterfully restored today (included in the excursion supplement). Continue to Prague and check-in at the hotel. We recommend the optional evening walk through the city's historic center (included in the excursion supplement). Dinner and accommodation.
Thursday, May 15, 2025: PRAGUE (HB)
Breakfast. Departure for a panoramic tour of the city, where, in addition to seeing the famous Charles Bridge, we'll stroll through the Old Town's narrow streets (Stare Mesto), its main square with the famous astronomical clock, Republic Square with its Art Nouveau gem "The Municipal House," the Powder Tower, Wenceslas Square, etc. Rest of the day free to explore the Jewish Quarter, visiting some of its synagogues, such as the Spanish Synagogue or the Staronová, considered the oldest in Europe, etc. For a more comprehensive view of the city, we recommend an optional visit to Prague Castle and the Baroque Quarter. We'll start at St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic-style church housing the crown jewels, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane, one of the city's most charming spots. Next, we'll explore the Baroque Quarter of Mala Strana, where we'll visit the Church of Our Lady of Victory, home to the "Infant Jesus of Prague." Accommodation.
Friday, May 16, 2025: PRAGUE (HB)
Breakfast. Free day or the possibility of taking the optional full-day excursion to the world-renowned spa town of Karlovy Vary (included in the excursion supplement). Located in a valley surrounded by high mountains and lush forests, we'll be dazzled by its Victorian gardens, the richness and beauty of its buildings, and its cobblestone streets, once frequented by figures like Beethoven, Bach, Goethe, etc. During the visit, we'll see, among others, the Geyser, a thermal water jet reaching 12 meters high at 72ºC, the Grand Hotel Pupp, the Theater, etc. We'll also have free time to stroll or shop for typical products such as the magnificent Bohemian crystal. Return to Prague. Accommodation.
Saturday, May 17, 2025: PRAGUE - MIAMI
Breakfast. Free time until transfer.
This deluxe journey through Germany and the Czech Republic invites you to explore fairy-tale castles, vibrant cities, and centuries of art, history, and culture in Central Europe.
EXCURSION SUPPLEMENT ($290)
Night tour of Berlin with a local guide.
Panoramic tour of Dresden with a local guide.
Night tour of Prague with a local guide.
Excursion to Karlovy Vary with a local guide.
