Highlights of Germany (6040)

12 Day Tour from Frankfurt to Frankfurt

2021 Tour Details View 2022 Tour Details »

Spectacular scenery, medieval towns, fairy-tale castles, a fascinating history, and world-class beer…this is Germany!
On this Germany tour, you'll see Germany's highlights and visit its most famous cities, as well as its medieval towns and scenic areas. Your vacation begins and ends in Frankfurt with overnights in the Rhineland, Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Munich, and the Stuttgart area.

Magnificent scenery awaits you on this value-minded Germany vacation. Enjoy a cruise on the Rhine River, passing castle-crested hills, terraced vineyards, and pretty wine towns. In Bavaria, visit King Ludwig II's 19th-century Neuschwanstein Castle, nestled high in the Alps. Drive along the Romantic Road with its charming villages, cobblestone streets, walled cities, half-timbered houses, and scenic countryside, and stop in Rothenburg, a walled town that has retained its medieval character.

Among the tour highlights is Lübeck, a Hanseatic city and UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 12th century and Veste Coburg Castle, built in 1225 and one of Germany’s largest castle complexes. Today, the complex houses the former art collections of the dukes of Coburg.

You’ll also enjoy sightseeing of the must-see sights in the cities, including Munich’s Marienplatz, the main square in the city. In Dresden, see the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion, where the 40 bells of the Glockenspiel sound every quarter of an hour.

From the beautiful scenery and exciting cities to the historic sights and fun experiences, this Germany tour has it all!

Small-Group Discovery

Select Cosmos 2021 Europe tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos European tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Headsets throughout the tour.
Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
Save $200 per couple on select 2021 air-inclusive Europe vacations*
Plan A Vacation Day Flash Sale - Save an additional $50 per person on select 2021 Cosmos Europe vacations.*
Highlights of Germany map

 Photo Highlights

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Hanseatic city of Lübeck
  • Speicherstadt and Kontorhous District of Hamburg

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfasts daily; 5 dinners


Notes:

September 10, 17, & 24 Departures – Oktoberfest
November 26 & December 3 Departure – include visits to Cologne, Lübeck, Dresden, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, and Munich Christmas markets.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN FRANKFURT AREA, GERMANY

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

DinnerDinner

Day 2 FRANKFURT AREA–RHINE CRUISE–COLOGNE–RHINELAND

Today’s highlight is an included Rhine cruise to enjoy scenic views of the Rhineland, including the famous Lorelei rock. The next highlight is Cologne with free time to visit the city center.
Today’s Distance: 193 mi/ 310 km

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 3 RHINELAND–HAMELIN–HAMBURG

Journey into Niedersachsen to visit Hamelin. Admire its town center with the colorful historical buildings and magically fancy gables echoing the story of the Pied Piper. Continue to Hamburg.
Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 HAMBURG–LÜBECK–BERLIN

Start the day with an orientation drive in Hamburg, one of Germany’s greatest maritime cities. Later, depart for Lübeck, formerly a free Hanseatic city and independent state. Lübeck, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the cultural capital of northern Germany. Thomas Mann, Günther Grass, and Willy Brandt—all Nobel laureates—were among the famous residents of this city. Later, arrive in Berlin and enjoy your first evening in the capital of Germany.
Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 BERLIN

No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin was once the city of contrasts with the wall separating two different worlds. Now, the city has developed into a harmonious blend of new and old, preserving its historical buildings and impressive boulevards as well as creating brand new buildings in the most daring architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. Consider an optional excursion this afternoon.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 BERLIN–DRESDEN–LEIPZIG

Travel southwest to Dresden, the old capital of Saxony and at one time rightly called the “Florence on the Elbe.” See the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion and much more on your included sightseeing. Then it’s on to Leipzig, where composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn lived the last years of their lives. It was Mendelssohn who founded the Leipziger Conservatory in 1843.
Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 7 LEIPZIG–WEIMAR–COBURG–NUREMBERG

Leave Leipzig to visit Weimar, home to many intellectuals of the past but mainly known for the name given to the historical period of the “Weimar Republic.” This city is also famed as the home of the Bauhaus architectural movement in the 1920s. Next stop is Coburg. Visit the dominating and mighty Veste Coburg Castle, built in 1225. Continue to Nuremberg for a visit to its town center, dominated by the imperial castle.
Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 NUREMBERG–ROTHENBURG–MUNICH

As you leave Nuremberg, stop for a photo at the famous Zeppelinfield. On the way to Munich, visit the quaint Medieval village of Rothenburg on the Romantic Road. Marvel at its towered gates and battlements, squares of half-timbered houses and decorated fountains.
Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9 MUNICH

With a Local Guide, take advantage of the included sightseeing tour of the city known as Germany’s “Secret Capital.” Time to admire the beautiful main square, Marienplatz, do some shopping, and sample Munich’s famous beer!

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 10 MUNICH–NEUSCHWANSTEIN–STUTTGART AREA

Leave Munich and drive into the heart of the Bavarian Alps to visit the most famous 19th-century, neo-romantic castle of the world, King Ludwig II’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Overnight in a lovely village outside Stuttgart.
Today’s Distance: 192 mi/ 310 km

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 11 STUTTGART AREA–HEIDELBERG–FRANKFURT AREA

The day starts with a scenic drive for a taste of the Black Forest landscapes and villages, followed by a visit to Heidelberg—location of Germany’s oldest university and inspiration for the German Romantic movement. From here, continue to Frankfurt.
Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 12 FRANKFURT AREA

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast Breakfast


Transportation:

Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Rhine cruise

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ZSUZSANNA LUKA

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

“Traveling, researching the history and culture of new places has always been a passion of mine so when the opportunity arose to become a Tour Director I did not hesitate, and I still enjoy it - sharing my knowledge, passion and experience with guests, doing my best to ensure that their trip exceeds their expectations and becomes a wonderful memory. On tour there are travelers from all around the world, so I also learn a lot from them, broadening my horizon with each tour. It is not easy to choose a favorite country or a favorite tour as there is something unique and delightful in every corner of the world, but perhaps the Balkans and Transylvania are closest to my heart, as they are regions I am closely linked to.”

Tour Director - ZSUZSANNA LUKA

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Hamburg
Berlin
Munich

Hamburg

Hamburg Evening Harbor Cruise

Hamburg Evening Harbor Cruise

Join an exciting evening cruise around Hamburg's impressive Hafen (harbor) for a unique perspective of Hamburg, Germany's second-largest city and Europe's second-largest port.

Price Range: $

Berlin

Food and Fun at Ziko's Grill

Food and Fun at Ziko's Grill

Enjoy a night of delectable food and lively atmosphere during this memorable dinner experience in the heart of Berlin.

Price Range: $$

WWII Berlin and the Cold War

WWII Berlin and the Cold War

From the Wannsee Conference House and Allied Museum to a nuclear bomb shelter built to protect more than 3,000 people, this interactive tour will enhance your visit to Berlin in a truly memorable way!

Price Range: $

Munich

Dinner at a Bavarian Beer Hall

Dinner at a Bavarian Beer Hall

Get a firsthand look at Munich's rich beer heritage as you visit an authentic Bavarian beer hall for a typical 3-course dinner with Bavarian beer!

Price Range: $$

Dachau Concentration Camp

Dachau Concentration Camp

Come face to face with the horrors of Dachau, Germany's first concentration camp and the model for the brutality of the Third Reich, during this moving guided visit of the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.

Price Range: $

 Private Touring

Private Touring: Cosmos European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Cosmos tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience. For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party. Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $2,735*
18 guests in a party: $535*

Contact Cosmos or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Cosmos Private Touring.

*Supplement pricing is per person (USD) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2021 travel year. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.


The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).