Journey Through Germany

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Hamburg, Berlin & Potsdam, Dresden, Munich & Neuschwanstein, Baden-Baden & Alsace, Frankfurt

This luxurious private tour of Germany visits the country's most interesting historical and cultural destinations. Stay at exclusive luxury hotels in each location and enjoy comprehensive private touring with your own guides and drivers, with each day tailored to your interests.

Begin in Hamburg, Germany's second largest city. During private touring, visit the Baroque St. Michael's Church, see the landmark Elbphilharmonie concert hall (designed by Herzog & de Meuron and slated to open in 2017), and browse for spices, coffee and other goods in the Speicherstadt district. Perhaps drive along Inner Alster Lake, home to Hamburg's finest shops and boutiques, tour the Kunsthalle art museum, or attend a concert at Laeiszhalle one evening.

Continue to Berlin, the vibrant capital of Germany and one of Europe's most important cultural centers. During flexible private touring, see historical and cultural highlights such as the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and Holocaust Memorial. Opt to tour the Jewish Museum or one of the world-renowned institutions on Museum Island, such as the outstanding Pergamon Museum. Also visit Berlin's most interesting neighborhoods, markets, food halls, art galleries, modern architectural landmarks and shopping districts according to your interests.

One day, take a private excursion to nearby Potsdam, a UNESCO World Heritage-inscribed town famous for parks, palaces and lakes. Tour Sanssouci Palace and other palaces and pavilions among the vast pleasure gardens built for Prussian kings. Also browse shops in the Dutch Quarter and Old Town.

Next, transfer to Dresden, the capital of Saxony and a city filled with Baroque art and architecture. During private touring, visit highlights such as the landmark Frauenkirche church and the outstanding art collections of the Green Vaults, Zwinger and Albertinum. Other options include touring the Volkswagen factory or the prestigious Meissen porcelain factory.

Transfer by private vehicle to Munich, with touring en route. First, visit Nuremberg, a historically wealthy town and the center of the German Renaissance. See highlights such as the Old Town, Nuremberg Castle, the city walls and the Albrecht Durer House, where one of Germany's greatest artists once lived. If desired, also see sites associated with Nuremberg's World War II legacy, such as the Documentation Center of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds and the Memorium Nuremberg Trials. Time and interest permitting, continue to nearby Bayreuth, famous for its Richard Wagner Festival, to see the Opera House, a Baroque treasure, and perhaps one of the palaces and gardens in the vicinity. Alternatively, visit Bamberg, a well-preserved riverside town and UNESCO site that's also renowned for brewing excellent beer, including an unusual smoked beer.

Continue to Munich, the dynamic capital of Bavaria. During private touring, explore the Old Town. Visit Marienplatz to see the neo-Gothic city hall and its famed Glockenspiel. Stroll interesting shopping streets, see local gardens and browse the Viktualienmarkt outdoor food market. Visit the Frauenkirche—the symbol of the city—and the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum, if desired. Other touring options include the Residenz (the former royal palace) or the Alte Pinakothek art museum. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange a private tour of the BMW factory and museum or of the Nymphenburg porcelain factory.

One day, take a private excursion into the beautiful Bavarian countryside to visit Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle built in the 19th century for King Ludwig II. The model for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle, Neuschwanstein is a romantic vision of towers and turrets that rises out of a rocky hilltop and offers panoramic views of surrounding mountains, lakes and farmland. Also visit nearby Hohenschwangau, the neo-Gothic castle where Ludwig spent his childhood, as well as the Wieskirche (Church in the Meadow), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with spectacular Rococo interiors.

Transfer to Baden-Baden, an elegant spa town in the Black Forest, and stay at a luxurious hotel with a renowned spa and extensive grounds. One day, enjoy a private excursion into nearby Alsace (in France) to visit charming towns such as Strasbourg and/or Colmar and local wineries. During free time in Baden-Baden, enjoy the hotel's many facilities, including a renowned spa and excellent restaurants. Also explore the town's beautiful parks, quaint shops, and excellent museums such as the Museum Frieder Burda.

End your tour in the cosmopolitan city of Frankfurt. En route, visit Heidelberg, one of Germany's most beautiful cities and a favorite of the Romantic poets. Walk the narrow streets of the Old Town, see Germany's oldest university, and explore the castle ruins that loom over the city and offer views of the Neckar Valley below. Continue to Frankfurt and enjoy a private tour of the town's highlights, including the Kaiserdom, the landmark church in the center of the city, and the Goethehaus, where Germany's greatest poet was born.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world