Rhine Valley / Castle tour:

• Ehrenbreitstein

Today we will stop in Koblenz at Festung Ehrenbreitstein, a fortress on the same-named mountain on the right side of the Rhine opposite to the town of Koblenz in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Enjoy this amazing fortress and the amazing view of Koblenz from high above the city.

• Bonn

We will take a bus tour of Bonn and all its sights. After the tour we will take a closer look at the Münster Basilica which is Bonn’s largest church. The square in front of this church also features a statue honouring famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Then we will stroll to the city to the birth place and house of Ludwig van Beethoven. This sight features a little museum and gift shop. Afterwards there should be ample time to walk the streets and have a snack before meeting at the bus to go back to the hotel.

UNESCO Cathedrals Cologne and Aachen

• Cologne Cathedral

After breakfast we will get on the bus and head towards Cologne to visit one of the best known architectural monuments in Germany and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. Colognes most famous landmark is described by UNESCO as an “exceptional work of human creative genius” and certified a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the guided tour through famous cathedral you will have ample time to climb up the buildings tower and enjoy a fascinating view above the roofs of Cologne.

• Aachen Cathedral

We continue to Aachen and visit the Aachen Cathedral – a Roman Catholic church often referred to as the “Imperial Cathedral”. It is the oldest church in northern Europe and and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chapel was the place of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens.

Essen – European Capital of Culture 2010

In the morning we will depart to Oberhausen and discover the industrial monument called Gasometer. It was built in late 1920’s as Europe’s biggest disc-type gas holder. And nowadays it is an impressive reminder of the heavy industry character of the Ruhr area. Get an impression of great engineering skill reflected in its construction and follow the exhibition”Out of this World – Wonders of the Solar System”, that is a project by the European Capital of Culture 2010.

At midday we will take a lunch break in Oberhausen. You will have the chance to refresh yourselves in Europe’s biggest shopping and leisure center called CENTRO.

In the afternoon we continue to Essen – the European capital of Culture 2010 and visit the Zollverein World Heritage Site, a place formerly known as the“most beautiful coal mine in the world”. Now it is the best-known industrial monument and center of creative economy in the Ruhr area. Follow the path of the coal amongst gigantic machines and learn more about the impressive architecture while listening to a former coal miner.

In the evening we will return to the hotel.

Rüdesheim (UNESCO)

After breakfast we will get on the road to St. Goarshausen where we will board a ship to cruise to Rüdesheim. On the way you will enjoy amazing views of the Rhine and the surroundings like the Loreley.  Then we will arrive in Rüdesheim, which is a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge and thereby part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town belongs to the Frankfurt Rhine Main Region and is Germany’s biggest tourist attraction. Only Cologne Cathedral draws more tourists from other countries. Making the town worth seeing is, not only the excellent wine – the Rüdesheimer Berg is among Germany’s best winegrowing areas – or even the Old Town itself, but also the picturesque Rheingau landscape together with the Romantic Rhine.

For our sportier Whine lovers we offer an alternative day that contains a hike on the Rhine trail and wine tasting in the area as well as a visit of Dragon’ Rock and an experience on the oldest cog railway in Germany. The Dragons Rock ruin can be seen in the Seven Hills across the river from your hotel. You can make your decision after your arrival in Germany and getting familiar with the terrain, the trail does contain some challenging inclines, uphill and downhill narrow paths through vineyards with spectacular views. You can find closer description of this option in our Germany Daily Tours, its called Rhine and Wine.

• Marksburg (UNESCO)

Today will take the trip to the Marksburg castle. It is the only hill castle on the Rhine that has never been destroyed. It has been lived in for over 700 years and is a great representation of an ever-changing and developing castle that grew into its shape over the course of centuries.

• Burg Eltz

Burg Eltz is a medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier, Germany. It is still owned by a branch of the same family that lived there in the 12th century, 33 generations ago. The Rübenach and Rodendorf families' homes in the castle are open to the public, while the Kempenich branch of the family uses the other third of the castle. We will have an English-speaking guided tour of this castle.