Castles of Germany

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Munich with Neuschwanstein & Nuremberg, Castle Road (Rothenburg ob der Tauber & Heidelberg), Kronberg with Frankfurt & Burg Eltz

This private luxury tour focuses on Germany's most famous, beautiful and romantic castles, including a section of the Castle Road. It also includes private touring of the cultural highlights of Munich, Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Heidelberg.

Begin in Munich, the dynamic capital of Bavaria. During private touring, explore the highlights of 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.

Next, visit Nuremberg, a historically wealthy town and the center of the German Renaissance. See highlights such as Nuremberg Castle, the Old Town, 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. Then travel along the famed Castle Road, and stay at a historical castle hotel.

Continue along the Castle Road, stopping to visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber, an exceptionally well-preserved medieval town and one of the most charming towns in Germany. Next, explore Heidelberg, one of Germany's most beautiful cities and a favorite of the Romantic poets. Explore the castle ruins that loom over the city and offer views of the Neckar Valley below. Also walk the narrow streets of the Old Town, and see Germany's oldest university. Other touring options include Hornberg Castle, the castles of Neckarsteinach or the fortified town of Bad Wimpfen.

End your tour at a luxurious 19th-century castle hotel in the forested hills of Kronberg, a village on the outskirts of Frankfurt. During private touring, visit Frankfurt to tour highlights such as the landmark Kaiserdom church and the Goethe House, where one of Germany's greatest writers was born. During leisure time, explore the hotel's beautiful parkland, book a spa appointment or a round of golf, or perhaps visit the town of Kronberg.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Burg Eltz, a hilltop medieval castle that was the inspiration for several later castles, including Neuschwanstein. If desired, opt for a short cruise or scenic drive through the Rhine Gorge, a dramatic and historically significant section of the Rhine River (and part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site) with medieval villages, vineyard-covered hillsides and castles perched high above.

This tour can be extended to include additional castles, palaces, villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites and other notable attractions in Germany and neighboring countries.

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