On our Historic Highlights Wine Rail Tour, visit the historic highlights of Germany on the famous Rhine, Main and Moselle Rivers. They are home to some of the foremost cultural treasures in Germany.
Museum Freiburg ©Thomas H. Giesick
Mighty monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, gentle vineyard slopes that have produced fine wines since ancient times, and rivers, shrouded in myth and legend. A tour of discovery through the cities on the famous German rivers enthralls the senses with high-caliber culture and internationally acclaimed wines.
The 7 Day Historic Highlights Wine Rail Circle Tour includes second class rail tickets. It can be upgraded to first class rail for an extra of US $ 99 per person which includes the seat reservation from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Koblenz (see the tableau this is already included in the price of your tour). Here you also find everything else that is included: rail tickets and tours.
Price per Person
| two sharing a double room | one in a single room | three sharing a triple room |
| US $ 1,079 | US $ 1,729 | US $ 859 |
Would you like to submit your personal information so we can check availability for your specific travel dates for this beautiful tour? On our BOOKING INQUIRY page you find a form which you may use to forward your personal information:
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Electoral Palace ©onnola and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress ©Ralf Schulze Koblenz
Day 1 Koblenz
From the Frankfurt International Airport Long Distance Rail Station (which is connected to Terminal 1 at Frankfurt International Airport) a direct speed-train takes you in just about an hour to Koblenz. Your hotel is located in walking distance from Koblenz Central Station.
Koblenz – the first stop of your Historic Highlights Wine Rail Circle Tour is located in midst the picturesque landscapes of Rhine and Mosel and surrounded by four low mountain ranges, the Historic Highlight City of Koblenz is known as the “Gateway to the Romantic Rhine“. Koblenz’s abundance of cultural monuments and historical buildings, the cozy little lanes and alleyways, and the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a charming town where its guests feel right at home.
Start by exploring the narrow alleys and vibrant plazas of the Altstadt (Old Town), situated in the corner of town bordered by the Mosel to the north and Rhine to the east. A scenic walk that gives a sense of the breadth of this charming quarter is along the Mosel and Rhine promenades. Stroll across the Balduin Bridge, first builtacross the Mosel starting in 1342. The view back to the Altstadt offers a unique view with the turrets of the Old Castle and the two pointed steeples of St. Florin’s Church. The two rivers play a major role in the German mythos. The Rhine symbolizes strength and pride, while the Mosel is more nurturing. Just a short stroll upstream along the Rhine promenade, sculpted figures of “Father Rhine and Mother Mosel” lie caressing and affectionate on a bed of grapes. Behind them in stately counterpoint stands the sprawling neo-classical Elector’s Palace, built in the late 1700s (closed to the public). Make your way to the Deutsches Eck – or German Corner – where the Rhine and Mosel meet. It’s here that a giant copper statue of Emperor Wilhelm I on horseback was erected in 1897, close to the spot where the Order of German Knights had its headquarters as early as 1216. The statue was destroyed by bombs in 1944. From 1953, the bare pedestal was known as the “Memorial to German Unity“.
Across the Rhine stands the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, looming 388 feet above the river and reminding visitors of Koblenz’s symbolic strength and historic significance. Today, the Fortress houses a memorial to the German army, a youth hostel, the Regional Museum and a restaurant with excellent regional food. Built on the occasion of the German Wine Exhibition in 1925, the Wine Village is situated on the Rhine banks (in the Empress- Augusta-Gardens). It has been a destination for connoisseurs of good wine and regional specialties for nearly 75 years. The complex includes a genuine vineyard and half-timbered houses from some of the most famous German wine-growing areas. Sit inside for a relaxing view out onto the river, or enjoy the romantic ambiance of sharing a glass of wine on the outdoor trellised courtyard.
Porta Nigra and Trier Cathedral in Trier ©Dennis Jarvis
Day 2 Day Trip to Trier
The train will take you from Koblenz to Trier. The rail tracks run along the Mosel River and the rail journey itself is very scenic. Along the way you will see medieval Castles like Eltz Castle towering above the Mosel River.
This day trip to Trier will make you feel like you’ve been transported far back in time. As Germany’s oldest city, Trier is a real historic highlight of Germany. Trier began as a metropolis of the Roman Empire and enjoyed prosperous medieval and Renaissance eras as well. Today the city’s glorious history can be witnessed at every step on a stroll through the bustling Old Quarter. Trier is considered the cradle of German wine culture, a tradition begun by the Romans when they established the still active Mosel vineyards. There is a Wine Teaching Path that winds through Trier’s vineyard-dotted surrounds to the village of Olewig, where local vintners offer tours of their wineries and wine cellars, tastings and light food.
Founded in 16 B.C. under Emperor Augustus, Trier expanded as an imperial residence and Capital of the Western Roman Empire. To serve its emperors and a growing population, the Romans built a city of such unprecedented proportions that it was known as Roma Secunda. The ancient city’s most famous relic is the Porta Nigra, the beautifully-preserved fortified gate from the great age when the city was known as Augusta Treverorum.
Today Trier contains the largest collection of ancient Roman buildings outside of Rome itself, all concentrated in a centralized and pedestrian-friendly area. Visitors can gaze in wonder at the size and majesty of the Basilika, used in the early 4th century by Emperor Constantine as an audience hall and throne room, and housing the largest unsupported room of antiquity. They can explore the expansive ruins of the Imperial Baths, remodeled during the 4th century as a barracks for more than 1,000 soldiers. And in the Amphitheater, they can sit in the same terraced seats occupied by fans cheering for gladiator and animal fights some 2,000 years ago. Be sure to visit the Rheinisches Landesmuseum, an outstanding archaeological museum with Germany’s most extensive Roman collection. While the stunning ancient architecture is the city’s strongest draw, travelers should also take in buildings like the baroque St. Paulin’s Church and the Church of our Lady, Germany’s oldest Gothic church. Behind the medieval façades of the Cathedral, architectural styles from the 4th through 18th centuries can be seen. Perhaps one of Trier’s most charming areas is its former Cathedral City, a mostly intact medieval district. A warren of narrow alleys runs between medieval houses in this former city-within-a-city.
Trier’s expansive Electoral Palace, built as a “wing” to the Basilika, is considered one of the finest examples of Rococo style in Germany, and its Baroque Palace Gardens are a peaceful green oasis in the middle of the city. Another popular attraction is the Karl Marx Haus birthplace of German philosopher, economist, sociologist, and revolutionary socialist Karl Marx. At your convenience you take the train back to Koblenz where your hotel is located.
Freiburg Minster and Museum ©Thomas H. Giesick
Day 3 Freiburg
In about three hours the trains takes you to the Historic Highlight City of Freiburg. Your hotel is located in walking distance from Freiburg Main Station.
Today Freiburg is a cheerful “little big city” with southern flair and a charming mix of tradition and progress. It’s a German city with an almost Mediterranean climate and certainly the attending ambiance and joie de vivre. France, after all, is just 25 kilometers (15 miles) away. The Austrians also left their cultural fingerprint here thanks to the city’s 400 years as part of the Habsburg Empire. The site of this cosmopolitan university town is unmatched: right at the foot of the Black Forest and in the middle of the “three-country corner” where Germany, France and Switzerland meet.
In Freiburg, you encounter historic sights at every corner. The Cathedral Square is surrounded by impressive buildings, the tallest of which is the steep-roofed historical Kaufhaus (Old Merchants’ House) with its colorfully adorned bartizans. Sights worth visiting include the Old and New Town Halls, the Haus zum Walfisch (House of the Whale) with its superb late Gothic portal, the Basler Hof (Basel Court) and the two medieval city gates (Martinstor and Schwabentor) still standing today. Picturesquely encircling the magnificent Gothic Cathedral begun in 1200, the medieval Old Quarter features architectural treasures including a colorful marketplace, twisting, narrow lanes and miniature streams flowing through the streets and alleyways.
The cathedral’s 381-foot tower ranks among the masterworks of Gothic architecture, distinguishing Freiburg’s incomparable silhouette. If you attempt to climb the Cathedral tower, you’ll be rewarded at the pinnacle of your climb with a breathtaking view. And even at such lofty heights, the enchanting ambiance of this old university town is palpable. The old city center’s numerous historical monuments, museums, theaters, cozy restaurants and quaint bars all make this city so popular among students and visitors alike. You will quickly note a unique city feature, the so-called Bächle – or little streams – built nearly 600 years ago as a water supply and to fight fires. The water flows down to the Rhine, providing a way for tired backpackers to cool their feet and a race course for kids with rubber ducks. These babbling little streams offer a charming and often whimsical air to the Old Town.
The city was an historically important center of commerce, and the historic Merchant’s Hall (1520-30) is a symbol of the significance of trade in medieval Freiburg. The municipal market, customs and financial administration building is identified as a center of trade by its arcades hall, and its façade is decorated with coats of arms and statues indicating the city’s links with the House of Habsburg. A popular day trip within the city limits is the Schauinsland, Freiburg’s 4,213-foot “hometown” mountain. The scenery viewed from the cable car running to the summit spans far out over the Rhine plain, past vineyard hills toward the gray-silhouetted backdrop of the French Vosges mountain range. From the summit, the view extends deep into the Black Forest and south to the Alps. Tiny villages, with their red roofs and narrow steeples, and ivy-draped castle ruins perfect this idealistically quaint setting.
Day 4 Day Trip To Lake Titisee and the Black Forest
The train from Freiburg takes you along the Höllental (“hells valley”). The scenic highlight of Titisee – Neustadt is doubtless the fantastic setting of Titisee lake whose crystal-clear water attracts thousands of enthusiastic swimmers to the healthy climate of the resort town bearing the same name. Since its conversion to a pedestrian zone and waterfront promenade, Seestraße is considered the loveliest street for strolling in the Southern Black Forest.
In Donaueschingen, you might want to visit the source of the River Danube, the so-called “Karstaufstoßquelle“. From the Main Station make a left and a right at the roundabout. Follow the street to the Church on the right-hand side. The source is behind the church. It has been as the historical source of the Danube ever since the Roman general Tiberius visited it in 15 BC. The source is framed in a romantic wrought iron basin, which lies in the palace grounds right next to the Prince of Fürstenberg’s palace. On your way to the source of the Danube, you will see the “Fürstlich Fürstenbergische Brauerei“, a famous German Brewery where some of the best German beers are brewed (since 1283!). You might want to visit the restaurant “Braustübl” which is open daily from 11 am.
Lake Titisee shores © Thomas H. Giesick
When people tell you they are going to go visit the Black Forest, chances are pretty good they mean they are headed to Triberg. In a region that is laden with tourist attractions, there is none that compares to this small city in the centre of the Black Forest. Deep in the heart of the Black Forest, Triberg is home to the highest waterfall in the country. After your visit of the waterfall you might want to visit one of the most beautiful churches in the Black Forest, the Wallfahrtskirche Maria in der Tannen (Church of Our Lady of the Fir Trees). It lies on the western edge of town, an 10-minute walk from the center. Triberg also claims to be the birthplace of the cuckoo clock, so if you’re in the market for a traditional timepiece, this is the place to find it. Nearly every restaurant and café offers the famous Schwarzwälder Torte (Black Forest Cake). Give it a try!
Day 5 Rudesheim
Today a train takes you from Freiburg to Rudesheim am Rhein , gate to the Mittelrheintal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic highlight of Germany. The stunning valley measures around 65 kilometres in length, here the majestic Rhine Rivers breaches the Rheinische Schiefergebirge (schistose mountain). Along the Mittelrheintal are so many historic monuments and cultural landmarks as just about no where else in Europe. The vineyards towering high above the rapidly floating river are a sight to see.
Rudesheim is not only famous for its “Drosselgasse” (a lively alley with restaurants and taverns stretching from the river into Rudesheim Old Town). Rudesheim am Rhein is also famous for its scenic location in midst steep vineyards along the Rhine River and for the Riesling which is grown here. The Riesling is a dry white wine which is very popular in Germany. Explore the Old Town of Rudesheim and also maybe take a walk into the vineyards from where you have great views of the Rhine River and the scenic area surrounding it. If your arrival in Frankfurt is before noon you may consider taking a funicular ride up to the “Niederwalddenkmal”, a monument which was constructed to commemorate the foundation of the German Empire. From next to the “Germania” figure you have a great view over Bingen (across from the Rhine river). In the evening make sure to try a glass of Riesling and enjoy dinner in one of the many wine taverns, e.g. at the Wine Restaurant Rudesheimer Schloss where you will find local specialties as well as German “Gemutlichkeit”.
Day 6 – Rhine River Cruise through the Upper Rhine Valley
A Rhine River Cruise is scheduled for Day 4 of your Vacation Package. A cruise ship of the “Weisse Flotte” (White Fleet) operated by the largest Day-Cruise company – the “KD”, Koln-Dusseldorfer – will take you from Rudesheim am Rhein thru the very scenic and romantic Upper Rhine-Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Niederwald Monument, Vine Yards in Rudesheim am Rhein ©Diana Schulz and View Katz Castle in St. Goarshausen ©Thomas H. Giesick
The cruise follows the Rhine downstream for 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) to St. Goar which is located across from the famous Loreley Rock. Along this cruise you will get off the Cruise ship three times to visit scenic wine villages along the way. For your visit of Oberwesel, St. Goar and Bacharrach you have about two hours in each of the villages. Total cruising time will be a little more than 4.5 hours (both ways), 1:40 hours downstream and almost 3 hours upstream. So actually on your way back from St. Goar you will have more time to see the historic villages, castles, ruins and scenic landscape. We will provide you with detailed tour information for this Rhine Cruise so you will be able to identify the Castles and historic sights you see along this beautiful Rhine River cruise!
You will be back in Rudesheim am Rhein in the evening – right in time to get ready for another night in this scenic wine village.
Day 7 Frankfurt International Airport
Rudesheim am Rhein is about an hour from Frankfurt International Airport and the price of the tour includes a private transfer from your hotel in Rudesheim am Rhein to Frankfurt International Airport. Depending on your departure time you may have some addtional time to spend in this beautiful wine village.
If you plan to book this tour during winter time please be aware that there is a limited cruise schedule which we will arrange for you.
Would you like to download an overview of the 7 Day Historic Highlights Wine Rail Circle Tour 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 Koblenz/ Koblenz | Unrestricted ticket (not restricted to a specific time or train type - also valid for Speed "IC" trains) from Frankfurt Int. Airport directly to Koblenz (travel time about 1:10 hrs) | Ghotel Hotel & Living Koblenz (or similar if not available), located within 8 walking minutes from Koblenz Central Station | |
| Day 2 - Day Trip to Trier/ Trier | Ticket from Koblenz to Trier and back to Koblenz (travel time about 1:20 hrs one way) | Ghotel Hotel & Living Koblenz (or similar if not available), located within 8 walking minutes from Koblenz Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Koblenz, Day Trip to Trier |
| Day 3 - Koblenz to Freiburg/ Freiburg | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Koblenz to Freiburg (travel time about 3:00 hrs) | Novotel Freiburg Am Konzerthaus (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Freiburg Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Koblenz |
| Day 4 - All Day Black Forrest Rail Circle Tour/ Freiburg | Ticket from Freiburg to Lake Titisee, from Lake Titisee to Donaueschingen, from Donaueschingen to Triberg and from Triberg back to Freiburg | Novotel Freiburg Am Konzerthaus (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Freiburg Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Freiburg, All Day Black Forrest Rail Circle Tour |
| Day 5 - Freiburg to Rudesheim am Rhein/ Rudesheim am Rhein | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Freiburg to Rudesheim am Rhein (travel time about 4:00 hrs) | Hotel Rudesheimer Schloss (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Rudesheim Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Freiburg |
| Day 6 - Rhine River Cruise/ Rudesheim | no train ticket needed | Hotel Rudesheimer Schloss (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Rudesheim Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Rudesheim am Rhein, all Day Rhine River Cruise |
| Day 7 - Rudesheim am Rhein to Frankfurt International Airport/ Frankfurt International Airport | no train tickets needed | no hotel needed | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Rudesheim am Rhein, private transfer from your hotel directly to Frankfurt Int. Airport |
The tour package we provide includes a day by day itinerary as well as all tickets, vouchers and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. It also contains general information about the cities you visit which you can downloaded from our website once your tour is confirmed.
This is not included in the price of your tour
- Airfare from/to your origin to/from Frankfurt International Airport
- 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 package for this tour now? Please download them right here:
8-Day HD & Bav SD Tour + 4 Day Rhine & Mosel Hi Thomas, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful tour! We loved the flexibility of car hire and cities on the tour. The Christmas Market tours look great. It’s a shame the flight to Germany from Australia is so expensive. Kind regards –Steve and Bernadette G., Western Australia, Australia
We are fortunate to have travelers from all over the world on our pre-packaged tours and we would love to have your feedback! If you have been traveling along this tour with us please leave us a review below – we greatly appreciate your time! (your Email address will not be displayed)
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I had a fabulous holiday... thanks to Thomas's recommendations on the cities to go. He is very thoughtful in choosing the right hotel and train timing with helpful information on what places to visit. Thank you for the time and work put in . Will certainly recommend your services to my family and friends.
Thank you
Joyce, Singapore
This is our 4th time using Thomas and his Team. My only wish would be that Thomas would do ALL OF EUROPE. To-Europe makes traveling to Germany so simple ... from your initial contact to your departure. Everything runs so well ... you don't even have to contact them while you are travelling ... since every detail was thought of and nothing was missed. If I or any of my friends return to Germany ... Thomas and his Team will be called ... even prior to booking airfare ... Thanks again!
Michaela put together a fabulous ‘self-guided’ rail tour for me that was perfect for my needs. The accomodation throughout was excellent and the train options all worked out well. Thank you for all of your hard work putting it together for me, meaning I could just relax knowing I was in good hands all of the time I was in Germany.
Many thanks,
Carolyn, Adelaide, Australia
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