German Classics Rail Circle Tour. This 8-Day High-Speed Rail Circle Tour: Frankfurt-Cologne-Dusseldorf-Berlin-Weimar-Erfurt-Frankfurt. Includes a 2-Day Berlin Welcome Card and a one-hour Rhine Panorama Cruise in Cologne!
Visit some of Germany’s most famous cities by traveling on board of the High-Speed ICE trains. Find out for yourself how history and presence have put their stamps on these metropolises, giving each one of them its very special flair. Frankfurt, city of banks, discreetly displaying its interesting history, Cologne, full of Roman and medieval sights, Berlin, history hiding everywhere in a very vibrant city, Weimar and Erfurt, both very beautiful historic cities, no longer only known by insiders.
Brandenburg Gate Berlin © Thomas H. Giesick
The tour includes second class rail tickets. We can upgrade the tour to first class rail for an extra of US $ 199 per person. This includes seat reservations for the long-distance rails (see the tableau this is already included in the price of your tour). Here you also find everything else that is included, transfers, rail tickets, tours, and admissions.
Price per Person
| two sharing a double room | one in a single room | three sharing a triple room |
| US $ 1,099 | US $ 1,599 | US $ 959 |
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Cologne Cathedral, House of 4711 and Dusseldorf © Thomas H. Giesick
Day 1 Frankfurt Int. Airport/Cologne
Your Magic Cities Rail tour of Germany starts right from Frankfurt Int. Airport. The airport has a long distance train station right at the terminal and the High-Speed ICE train takes you in less than one hour directly to Cologne Central Station. Your hotel is located in walking distance from the station. Cologne, one of the oldest cities in Germany. Travel time to Cologne is about two hours. The Romans founded a village located on the River Rhine and called it “Colonia”. Just outside Cologne Central Station, you find Cologne´s most famous landmark, the Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) which is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe. Each of both towers has a height of more than 500 ft., the Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the landmark still is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne. In the Cathedral, you find the High Altar made out of black marble (which was installed in 1322) as well as the Shrine of the Three Kings (created in the 12th century). Admission to the Cathedral is free. For a fee, it is possible to climb up the tower and to visit the treasury. If you are interested in perfume, a visit to the Fragrance Museum in Cologne, the birthplace of the Eau des Cologne, is a must do. The Fragrance Museum is located less than 10 walking minutes from Cologne Cathedral and a visit allows you to discover three centuries of fragrance history. Another Museum, the NS-Documentation Center of the City of Cologne, may be interesting to visit for those of you interested in the history of the “Third Reich”. It is located in the former headquarters of the Cologne Gestapo (secret police) which is also only about 10 walking minutes from Cologne Main Station (If you are interested in Nazi Germany/WWII history, you may also want to take a look at our History Rail Tour“Fascination and Terror –Rise and Fall of the Third Reich”). The Old Town of Cologne is located just a little south of Cologne Central Station. Shopping is great along the “Hohe Strasse”, a pedestrian zone, and in the streets going east toward the Rhine River you will find many places to eat and enjoy a Koelsch, a local specialty beer.
During your one-hour Panorama Cruise on the Rhine River you will see the many sights of Cologne.
Day 2 Dusseldorf
Your Germany Vacation Package continues with a short, less than 30 minute, train ride on board the High-Speed ICE train from Cologne to Dusseldorf. Your hotel is located within walking distance from the rail station. Take a walk on Dusseldorf’s Rhine embankment promenade, which was built between 1990 and 1997. It is an expression of the city’s Mediterranean lifestyle. Dusseldorf is known for its exquisite shopping experience and Dusseldorf’s Koenigsallee (King´s Alley), called the “Koe”, is more than a street to shop on – it’s an international trademark. The “Who’s Who” of the fashion world presents itself here, you will find numerous flagship-stores, small boutiques, luxurious jewelers and impressive shopping malls. Do not miss the Old Town which is also known as the “longest bar in the world“: more than 300 restaurants, taverns, and night-clubs are lined up next to each other. Make sure to try the local beer specialty, The “Altbier” (old beer), a top fermented ale in a dark copper color. Prost!
Day 3 Berlin
Today you will be on your longest rail journeys along your Germany Rail Circle tour. In a little less than 4.5 hours, the High-Speed ICE train will take you from Dusseldorf directly to Berlin Central Station. Germany´s capital city is a great and dynamic metropolis. The Unification of East and West Berlin 25 years ago changed the city in many ways. Berlin fascinates visitors its culture and history are unique. Your tour includes the 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card. With this card, you will have discounts to 200 museums, city tours, and attractions and it includes a pass for unlimited free use of the Berlin public transportation system. With your tour package, you will receive Berlin Walking tour suggestions as well as information about the public buses “M100” and “M200”: the buses are public Double Decker buses which cover many sights of Berlin and are a perfect way to explore the city by hopping on and off those buses. They run very frequently all day from 5 am until midnight, and if you take both routes you will have a circle taking you from the former Center of East Berlin (“Berlin Alexanderplatz”) to the Center of West Berlin (“Bahnhof Zoo”, “Ku´damm” shopping area). Bus M200 takes you south of the “Tiergarten” to West Berlin´s Bahnhof Zoo where you may want to visit the “Gedachtniskirche” (Memorial Church) as well as the KaDeWe, continental Europe´s largest department store, which is located close to the Ku´damm. Bus M100 takes you back through the Tiergarten and partly north of it, passing the “Siegessaule” (Victory Column), Bellevue Palace (built in 1786 for the younger brother of Friedrich II, Ferdinand of Prussia. Today the seat of Germany´s President), the Reichstag (German Parliament), the Brandenburg Gate and the Museum Island back to Berlin Alexanderplatz.
Reichstag, German Chancellery, Bellevue Palace © Thomas H. Giesick
Day 4 Berlin
On your second day in Berlin along your Europe Rail tour, your Berlin Welcome Card will still be valid. However, your tour package also includes walking suggestions which cover many of the sights around Brandenburg Gate which can best be visited by foot. From the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag (German Parliament) the walking tour passes by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, to Berlin´s new city center, the “Potsdamer Platz”, to “Checkpoint Charlie”, to East Berlin´s Culture- and Shopping Street “Friedrichstrasse” (site of the “golden twenties”), to the “Gendarmenmarkt”, where the German and French cathedrals are located, via the promenade street “Unter den Linden” to the Museum Island.
The remains of the wall can be visited at Berlin´s East Side Gallery where parts of the wall have been turned into a piece of art. If you are interested in Third Reich history a “must visit” is the documentation center “Topography of Terror“. It is located at the site from where the Nazis planned and managed most of their crimes. For those of you interested to visit a Concentration Camp Memorial site: a half day trip to the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen in Oranienburg can be arranged (see Day 7 of our History Rail Tour “Fascination and Terror –Rise and Fall of the Third Reich”).
Day 5 Weimar
On Day 5 of your Magic Cities and German Classics Rail Circle Tour, you will travel by High-Speed ICE train and Speed-Rail IC train via Leipzig to the German Classics City of Weimar. Weimar is famous for its cultural heritage, home of many musicians, writers and poets such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. Your hotel is located in walking distance from Weimar Central Station. From your hotel, a nice walk through the Carl-August-Alley will take you into the inner circle of the Old Town. The whole town can easily be visited by foot.
Goethe and Schiller Monument and Hotel Elephant in Weimar ©Thomas H. Giesick
Weimar is one of the most historic cities in Germany and it is the place where Germany’s first democratic constitution was signed after the First World War, giving its name to the “Weimar Republic” period in German politics from 1919 to 1933. Adolf Hitler often visited the city – probably he liked the classic touch of Weimar seeing himself in the long tradition of German Classics. At the Hotel Elephant, which is located right at the market square, Hitler had the hotel room renovated for him. The room still exists and it has a balcony overlooking the marketplace where he often greeted crowds. Among the many sights to visit in Weimar is the City Palace. Inside there are memorial rooms in honor of Christoph Martin Wieland, Johann Gottfried Herder, Friedrich Schiller and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and also houses the Palace Museum with its large painting collection. If you plan to visit the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek (historical library) with its beautiful Rococo hall, you will have to let us know in advance so we can purchase tickets for you, waiting time is up to 6 months. The Goethe National Museum, the Schiller House as well as the Liszt House are among sights to visit. The Marketplace and the “Park an der Ilm”, a beautiful park located close to the Marketplace at the Ilm River, with Goethes Gartenhaus (Garden House). If you are interested in the architecture of the “Bauhaus” you may want to visit the Bauhaus Museum.
Day 6 Erfurt
In about 15 minutes the High-Speed ICE train will get you to Erfurt. Your hotel is located within walking distance from Erfurt Central Station. See where Martin Luther studied, bow heads where he prayed and walk the same medieval streets. At almost every turn, there’s a reminder of the man who launched the Reformation. Erfurt was the young Luther’s spiritual home. In 1505 he graduated from the University with a Masters in philosophy. It is said that a violent storm close to Erfurt that same year prompted him to become a monk at the Augustinerkloster (Augustinian Monastery) in gratitude for his survival. Martin Luther stayed there until 1511 and was ordained as a priest in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Even after he had left the city, he often returned to preach to enthusiastic crowds, in the university church (St. Michael’s) for example. It has been more than 500 years since Luther was a student at the collegium maius, the old Erfurt University’s main building, which is now being restored.
The Augustinian Monastery, dating back to 1277, houses an exhibition that shows the life and work of its most renowned resident. You can visit Luther’s cell in addition to its impressive library with many rare books. Another important structure in Erfurt is the Barfusserkirche, or the Black-friars’ “Church of the Barefooted.” Most of the church was destroyed in 1944, but even in its present condition, the church is one of the greatest examples of German ecclesiastical architecture of the 14th and 15th centuries. Luther also preached here in 1529 before the Franciscan monastery was discontinued. Other significant sites for those interested in the Reformation and its leader are the Luther monument (next to the Merchants’ Church on the Anger road) and the “Haus Zum Schwarzen Horn” at Michaelisstrasse 48. This building housed Mathes Maler’s printing workshop, where many of Luther’s pamphlets were printed. Do not miss having a Thuringer Rostbratwurst, a Thuringian sausage. You will find several grills in the Old Town where these delicious sausages are being served!
Day 7 Frankfurt
After breakfast, for the last time with your Germany Rail Vacation Package, you will take the High-Speed ICE train directly to Frankfurt. Travel time is about 2:15hrs. Your hotel is located close to Frankfurt Central Station. Frankfurt is a very modern metropolis which nevertheless offers many historic sites such as the Romerberg with its historic town hall, the “Romer” as well as the beautifully restored timber-framed houses; Goethe Haus where the world famous poet once lived and the Paulskirche, symbol for democracy and freedom in Germany. The Frankfurt museum riverbank is one of the most important locations for museums in Germany and Europe. The exhibition buildings are lined up on both sides of the Main riverbank, several famous museums are to be found in the city center. Visit the “Staedel”, the German Museum of Architecture as well as the Museum of Applied Art or the “Schirn Kunsthalle” to name only a very few. Don’t miss out on Frankfurt’s “Zeil“, a huge pedestrian zone where shopping is the name of the game.
Romer, Opera House, Skyline of Frankfurt © Thomas H. Giesick
Day 8 Frankfurt Int. Airport
Today your 8 Day Magic Cities and German Classics Rail Circle Tour ends. Depending on the departure time of your return flight you may have some more time for sightseeing in Frankfurt. Travel time from Frankfurt Central Station to the terminal at Frankfurt International Airport is less than 15 minutes and your rail ticket is valid for any train that day. You have a wide variety of trains going during the day (about every 10-15 minutes) and you may use the train at your convenience. You may also extend your stay in Frankfurt if you like. Just let us know and we will be happy to add accommodation to your package. It is also possible to extend the package by two extra days in nearby Rudesheim am Rhein: from there we are able to arrange an all-day Rhine River Cruise through the Upper Rhine Valley.
Would you like to download an overview of the 8 Day Magic Cities and German Classics Rail Circle Tour (8R04) as a pdf to print it out or to forward it to a friend? Please download it right here:This is already included in the price of your tour
| Day 1 - Frankfurt Int. Airport to Colonge/ Cologne | Unrestricted ticket (not restricted to a specific time or train type - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Frankfurt Int. Airport directly to Cologne (travel time about an hour) | Hotel Domspitzen (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Cologne Central Station | 1-hour Cologne Panorama Cruise |
| Day 2 - Cologne to Dusseldorf/ Dusseldorf | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Cologne directly to Dusseldorf (travel time about 30 minutes) | Dusseldorf Mitte Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Dusseldorf Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Cologne |
| Day 3 - Dusseldorf to Berlin/ Berlin | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Dusseldorf directly to Berlin (travel time about 4:15 hrs), ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Berlin | Hotel Amano Grand Central (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Berlin Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Dusseldorf, 48 hrs Berlin Welcome Card, Berlin Walking suggestions |
| Day 4 - Berlin | Ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Berlin | Hotel Amano Grand Central (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Berlin Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Berlin, 48 hrs Berlin Welcome Card, Berlin Walking suggestions |
| Day 5 - Berlin to Weimar/ Weimar | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Berlin to Weimar (travel time about 2:20 hrs) | Kaiserin Augusta Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Weimar Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Berlin |
| Day 6 - Weimar to Erfurt/ Erfurt | Ticket from Weimar to Erfurt (travel time about 20 minutes) | Mercure Erfurt Altstadt Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Erfurt Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Weimar |
| Day 7 - Erfurt to Frankfurt/ Frankfurt | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Erfurt to Frankfurt Central Station (travel time about 2:10 hrs) | Hotel Concord (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Frankfurt Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Erfurt |
| Day 8 - Frankfurt to Frankfurt Int. Airport/ Frankfurt Int. Airport | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Frankfurt Central Station to Frankfurt Int. Airport (travel time about 10 minutes) | no hotel needed | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Frankfurt |
Your tour package includes all tickets, vouchers, and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. The tour package also contains tour information sheets (20-35 pages) with general information about the tour and a day by day itinerary which you can download from our website once your booking is confirmed.
This is not included in the price of your tour
- Airfare from/to your origin to/from Frankfurt International Airport to your origin
- all meals other than breakfast (which is included)
- gratuities (tips)
You have booked the tour already and would like to download the to-europe tour information package for this tour now? Please download them right here:
(EXTENDED) 4-DAYS MAGIC CITIES TOUR SOUTH Hi Thomas, I just wish to thank you for organizing our tour through Germany Austria and back to Paris. And a special thank you for contacting Renaissance Salzburg Congress Center Hotel. They provided us 3 nights’ accommodation at the Renaissance Arc de Triomphe, Paris which was more than we expected. I have recommended TOEUROPE to other travelers and I hope they take my advice for future travels. We will definitely contact you when next we travel to Europe. – Daren & Jane M., Australia
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