9-Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04)

Take a train from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg. The city is idyllically located in the midst of vineyards, with the medieval Fortress Marienberg towering above. Wurzburg is an old bishop’s seat and a lively town, proudly showcasing monuments of different eras. Culture, art, history, and hospitality are ever-present in this remarkable city! Fortress Marienberg (admission included), Wurzburg’s landmark, has of course changed its appearance a great deal since it was first mentioned. Today, the oldest part of the fortress is the “Rundkirche” (round church), which was built in the year 1000. The Cathedral, the Marienkapelle, the “Alte Mainbrucke” (old bridge across the river Main), the Juliusspital, and the “Kapelle” are musts, but make sure that you do not miss out on the “Furstbischofliche Residenz“, Prince Bishops Residence (admission included). This “Palace above all Palaces” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Enjoy the beautiful Christmas Market in Wurzburg. The market in Wurzburg is very atmospheric; the wooden stalls are decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments! If you do not have dinner at the Christmas Market, you will find typical Franconian restaurants in Wurzburg’s Old Town that serve hearty cuisine and, of course, the world-famous Frankenwein (Franconian white wine).

By regional rail, you will get from Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The Bavarian medieval town is definitely a highlight along your tour. Your charming hotel is located in the Old Town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (within the City Wall). Taking a walk through this charming little town is truly a journey back in time. Rothenburg ob der Tauber was once a powerful free imperial town, and its monuments, landmarks, and buildings still bear witness to these days. Marvel at the half-timbered buildings and on top of the historic town walls, which have been withstanding time for hundreds of years. Visit the town’s most famous spot, the Ploenlein Square, probably the most photographed place in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Also very interesting to see is the Spitalbastei Gate, created by Leonhard Weidmann. The Latin inscription on the gate reading: ” Peace to those who enter, health to those who leave”. The Gothic St. James Church is the town’s most prominent church. Here, you can take a minute and relax in quietness while you enjoy the beauty of the famous Altar of the Holy Blood and the Twelve Apostles Altar. Rothenburg ob der Tauber also offers museums that are cultural highlights, such as the Doll and Toy Museum, where the history of playthings is shown, as well as the Crime Museum, where the visitor gets an insight into the law and especially its execution during the last 700 years. Before you join the English-speaking tour with the Night-Watchman (a true highlight—already included in the price of this holiday package), visit the charming Christmas Market (Reiterlesmarkt), which is located in front of the historic Town Hall.

By rail, it takes less than 1,5 hours from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Nuremberg. Your hotel is located within walking distance of Nuremberg Central Station, (which is located just outside the Old City Wall surrounding Nuremberg Old Town and the Imperial Castle). Nuremberg’s history reaches back to the year 1050; its name “nourenberc” translates into “rocky hill”. Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the “Kaiserburg” (Imperial Castle), towers above the Old Town, which is protected by the five-kilometer-long city wall. Many towers and gates can still be visited. The medieval castle is one of the most important imperial palaces, dating from the middle ages of the 11th century (admission included). In the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party had chosen Nuremberg for their Nazi Rallies and if you are interested in that part of history, you may want to visit the Documenation Center Nazi Rally Grounds which are located just south of the Old Town.

In about 2 hours and 40 minutes the high-speed “Rail Jet” (RJ) will take you throughout Austria, from Vienna located in the east of Austria, close to the borders to Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, to Salzburg, all the way in the west of Austria, right at the German border. Salzburg, beautiful town close to the Alp Mountains, birthplace of Mozart is also the site of the popular movie “The Sound of Music”. Your hotel is located in walking distance of Salzburg Central Station and in the early afternoon – after you have checked in – you will join the English-speaking most unique 4-hour Sound of Music tour yourself! This tour is an ideal opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp while taking in local historical sights both from the city of Salzburg and also the picturesque lakes and mountains surrounding the city. After the tour you may want to walk across the Salzach River to take a look at Mozart’s birth house and the small shopping streets in the area. Here you also find a wide choice of restaurants for dinner.

Day 6 Munich

On board of the high-speed “Rail Jet” (RJ) you will continue your travels along the Germany and Austria Rail tour back into Germany; it takes about 1:40 hours from Salzburg to Munich Central Station. Your hotel is located in short walking distance from the station. The price of your tour already includes admission to many sights in Munich (Munich Residence and Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain) and with your tour package you will also receive walking suggestions for a self-guided walking tour through Munich City Center. Along this walking tour you will visit the Marienplatz with the New Town Hall (with the “Glockenspiel”), the Konigsplatz (King´s Square), cultural center in the 19th century and later, during the “Third Reich”, site of Nazi Party mass rallies and location of the Nazi Party headquarters in Germany, the English Garden as well as the the State Opera House. You will be able to visit famous churches like Munich Frauenkirche, “Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), with a height of 325 ft. a Munich landmark, St. Peters Church, built in the 14th century and the Asam Church, which was built as a private chapel and integrated into an apartment building. The tour will pass by the most famous Munich shopping streets (Kaufinger street and Neuhauser street) as well as by the “Viktualienmarkt”, a traditional farmers market (open every day except on Sundays). The tour will take you by the famous “Alois Dallmayr” luxury delicatessen and coffee store as well as to the Hofbrauhaus of course, probably the world’s most popular beer hall. This may be a great place to enjoy a hearty dinner and a fresh Mass of beer (one mug holds 33.8 US fl oz)!

Day 7 Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles

Another highlight of your Europe Rail tour will be a visit of the world famous Neuschwanstein Castle. You will be on an all-day escorted coach tour which will first take you to Oberammergau for a photo stop (you may want take a look at the Festival Hall where the Passion Play takes place every ten years.) The coach will then take you to Linderhof Palace, the Royal Villa of King Ludwig II. The Palace and Park were inspired by Versailles and the rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished. After a short drive through Austria and back into Germany you will get to Neuschwanstein Castle. The picture of Neuschwanstein is probably present in everybody’s mind and Neuschwanstein really seems to be taken out of a fairy tale. You will join an English-speaking guided tour through the Castle. The tour of the interior, the Throne Hall, the Hall of the Singers, the Grotto and all of the private rooms which were built for King Ludwig II, will make the picture perfect! After the tour of the inside make sure to take some time to explore the castle grounds. The view of Neuschwanstein from the bridge behind the castle is like no other! Your luxury coach will take you back to Munich where you will arrive in time for dinner.

Today you continue your Germany and Austria Rail tour by taking an “InterCity” or “EuroCity” train from Munich to Heidelberg. The direct train takes a little less than three hours – it also passes by the cities of Ulm and Stuttgart and it is likely that you will see cargo trains running by carrying the latest models of Mercedes and Porsche cars which are produced Stuttgart. Since the rail station in Heidelberg is a little bit outside of the Old Town, where your hotel is located, your tour already includes a taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to your hotel. Heidelberg is a beautiful historic town located along the banks of the Neckar River and the most significant sight is certainly the ruin of Heidelberg Castle, which is towering above the city. Since your hotel is located right inside of the Old Town of Heidelberg it is easy to explore historic Heidelberg by foot. Your tour package will include walking tour suggestions for the Old Town. Along the walking tour you will see the Old Bridge from where you have a nice view of the Old Town and the Castle ruins above. You will also pass by the “Marktplatz” (market place) which is the main square of Heidelberg, the “Peterskirche” (St. Peter´s Church) and the historic University of Heidelberg. Heidelberg´s University was founded 1386 and it is the oldest University in Germany and with more than 30.000 students it is still one of the most important universities in Germany today. If you want to enjoy a view over Heidelberg and the Neckar River you may want to walk up to the grounds of the castle ruins or – for a small fee, take  the historic funicular up and down Heidelberg Castle.

Today your Germany and Austria Vacation Package ends. Depending on the departure time of your flight from Frankfurt International Airport we will arrange a transfer from your hotel to the airport. The airport shuttle bus will pick you up right at your hotel. Travel time from your hotel in Heidelberg to Frankfurt International Airport is about an hour.