8-Day Culturally Immersive Germany Heart Tour from Frankfurt to Berlin: Dortmund, Hannover, Eisenach, and Leipzig｜1 Dinner Included

What you'll experience

Highlights

8 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Frankfurt

   We'll transfer you to the hotel and you'll have some free time. In the afternoon, you'll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.
   
   IMPORTANT:
   Check-in: Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at 02:00 p.m. 
   
   Note:
   The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.
   All mentioned hotels below are for your reference only, you might also check-in other same-level hotels.

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Best western macrander frankfurt(Strahlenbergerstraße 12, 63067 Offenbach am Main, Alemania), Crowne plaza frankfurt congress(Lyoner Str. 44 -48)
2. 2

   Day 2 — Frankfurt - Cruise on the Rhine - Cochem - Cologne - Dortmund

   Total distance covered: 369 km.
   Scenery: Picturesque landscapes following the Rhine and Moselle Valleys, with charming villages along the way.
   
   08:00 a.m. - Departure from Frankfurt. Today, we'll explore the stunning Rhine and Moselle Valleys, two rivers rich in history and dotted with picturesque villages.
   09:00 a.m. - Rüdesheim am Rhein. This charming medieval village is bustling with tourists and commercial activity. After some free time, we'll go on a two-hour boat ride on the Rhine. We'll cruise along the most scenic part of the river, featuring fortresses, medieval villages, ancient churches, and hillside vineyards. We'll arrive in Sankt Goar and continue our journey along scenic roads toward the Moselle Valley.
   12:15 p.m. - Cochem. A picturesque village dominated by its castle which dates back over a thousand, years, Cochem is the perfect spot for lunch and a leisurely walk.
   03:00 p.m. - Departure from Cochem.
   04:45 p.m. - Cologne. We'll visit its impressive Gothic cathedral, which, at 154 meters tall, was the tallest building in the world until the late 19th century. Enjoy a walk along the Rhine River and through the lively city center.
   07:00 p.m. - Departure from Cologne for our hotel.
   08:15 p.m. - Dortmund. Accommodation.
   
   Note: During fairs or congresses, accommodation may be in a nearby city.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Nh dortmund(Königswall 1, 44137 Dortmund, Alemania), Mercure hagen(Wasserloses Tal 4 58093 HAGEN ALEMANIA)
3. 3

   Day 3 — Dortmund - Fairy Tale Route - Hanover

   Total distance covered: 290 km.
   
   Today, we'll embark on a magical journey, reminiscing about our favorite childhood stories and movies as we travel through the towns that inspired the Brothers Grimm, now known as the Fairy Tale Route.
   
   08:00 a.m. - Departure from Dortmund.
   10:15 a.m. - Arrival in Trendelburg, a picturesque walled village where we'll visit the large medieval castle and the famous Rapunzel Tower (admission included) – we'll see the princess´s long blonde braid which still hangs from the window.
   11:15 a.m. - Departure from Trendelburg. We'll continue along scenic roads, crossing forests that will remind us of the tale of Hansel and Gretel.
   11:45 p.m. - Höxter. We'll have time for lunch in this lively small town.
   01:00 p.m. – Höxter. We'll drive a few kilometers to the banks of the Weser River.
   01:15 p.m. – Corvey Abbey (admission included). We'll take time to visit this ancient monastery, a spiritual, cultural, and economic center that served as a driving force for Christianization in Europe. Founded in the ninth century, it is now a World Heritage Site.
   02:15 p.m. –Departure from Corvey Abbey.
   02:45 p.m. –Polle. We'll visit the ruins of Cinderella's Castle (admission included).
   03:30 p.m. –Departure from Polle.
   04:15 p.m. –Hamelin - renowned for the tale of "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." We'll immerse ourselves in the Grimm Brothers´ story, following the mouse´s footprints through the city. There will be time for a walk.
   05:45 p.m. - Departure from Hamelin.
   06:45 p.m. - Hanover. We'll take a walk near the old town hall before heading to our hotel.
   
   Notes:
   -On some dates, the accommodation might be in Cologne or another nearby city, in which case, the departure from Cologne on Thursday will be at 07:30 a.m.
   -Corvey Abbey is closed from November to February.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Maritim airport hotel hannover(MaritimstraBe 1 CP 30855 Langenhagen), Vienna house by wyndham remarque osnabrueck(Natruper-Tor-Wall 1, 49076 Osnabrck, Alemania)
4. 4

   Day 4 — Hanonver – Goslar – Göttingen - Bad Sooden - Eisenach

   Total distance traveled: 283 km
   Scenery: rolling hills covered with lush forests, landscapes dotted with gabled-roof houses, and picturesque valleys where small rivers wind through traditional villages.
   08:00 a.m. – Hannover. Departure after breakfast.
   09:45 a.m. – Goslar. Stop to explore this town that once held the status of Free Imperial City, with a magnificent medieval old town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Market Square with its fountain crowned by an imperial eagle, as well as the Guild Hall. Time to stroll around half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and the majestic Church of St. Peter.
   11:30 a.m. – Departure from Goslar towards Rammelsberg Mines. We will learn about the history and operation of this former industrial complex, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the mines were exploited since the Middle Ages for non-ferrous metal production, their peak came at the end of the 16th century when they became a major silver mining center. Admission to the museum included.
   12:45 p.m. – Departure from Rammelsberg Mines.
   1:30 p.m. – Göttingen. Time to explore the historic old town and have lunch in this city whose university—considered the best in Germany—has educated many figures of great importance in European and world history. You'll be surprised to discover the tributes to many of them on marble plaques scattered throughout the city.
   3:30 p.m. – Departure from Göttingen. We continue our journey through Thuringia, traveling past rivers, hills, and green valleys.
   4:15 p.m. – Bad Sooden. Brief stop to visit this small and picturesque spa town nestled among mountains, beautifully preserved and known for its many healing springs.
   5:30 p.m. – Departure from Bad Sooden.
   6:30 p.m. – Eisenach. Arrival in this city with a splendid Baroque and Renaissance old town, home to the birthplace of Bach—one of the greatest composers in music history—and the house where Martin Luther, the theologian and monk who launched the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, spent much of his childhood. Dinner included and transfer to the hotel.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Pentahotel eisenach(Weinbergstrae 5,)
5. 5

   Day 5 — Eisenach - Gotha - Erfurt - Lepizig

   Total distance covered: 218 km.
   Scenery: We'll journey through the lush, green heart of Germany, surrounded by magnificent forests and medieval towns where church spires and towers rise above red-tiled rooftops.
   
   Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the visit to Wartburg Castle.
   
   After breakfast, we'll visit the magnificent Wartburg Castle (tickets included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortress holds a key place in history as the location where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German, making the Scriptures accessible to the general public and laying the foundation for Protestantism.
   Later, we'll have free time for lunch in Eisenach. If you're passionate about music, you may want to visit the Bach House, dedicated to one of the greatest composers in history. Alternatively, you can explore the Automobile Museum (admission included), located in the former main plant of East Germany's automobile industry, home to a fascinating collection of vintage vehicles.
   01:30 p.m. – Departure from Eisenach.
   02:15 p.m. – Gotha. We'll make a brief stop to explore the medieval heart of the city, where you'll see beautiful buildings from the early days of industrialization. From the outside, we'll admire the immense Baroque palace—one of the largest in Germany.
   03:30 p.m. – Departure from Gotha.
   04:00 p.m. – Erfurt. Arrival in the capital of Thuringia, a vibrant city with a remarkably well-preserved historic center. You'll see its majestic cathedral and numerous churches, towers, and chapels in impressive German Gothic style. A highlight of the city is the Krämerbrücke, a stunning medieval bridge that has been continuously inhabited for over 500 years. At 120 meters in length, it is the longest bridge with buildings in all of Europe.
   05:30 p.m. – Departure from Erfurt.
   07:30 p.m. – Leipzig. We'll arrive in the early evening in one of Germany's cultural and historical treasures. Leipzig was home to renowned composers such as Bach and Wagner. It was a major industrial hub during the East German era, and today, it's a dynamic city of over half a million people.
   09:00 p.m. – Transfer to the hotel.

   

   Wartburg

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Pentahotel leipzig(Großer Brockhaus 3, )
6. 6

   Day 6 — Leipzig - Dresden - Meissen - Moritzburg Castle - Berlin

   Total distance covered: 343 km.
   Scenery: Gently rolling plains, fields of grain, scattered forests, and the banks of the Elbe River, where terraced vineyards and charming villages with traditional Saxon character appear.
   
   08:00 a.m. – Leipzig. Departure after breakfast.
   08:15 a.m. – Brief stop at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, located on the outskirts of Leipzig. This 91-meter-high monument, inaugurated in 1913, commemorates a significant battle of the Napoleonic Wars.
   08:30 a.m. – Departure from the Monument to the Battle of the Nations.
   10:00 a.m. – Dresden. Arrival in the capital of Saxony, known as the "Florence on the Elbe" for its stunning baroque and renaissance architecture, palaces, and scenic walks along the Elbe River.
   12:00 p.m. – Departure from Dresden.
   12:45 p.m. – Meissen. Time to stroll and have lunch in this charming city's old town, dominated by its impressive castle and cathedral. Meissen is also famous for its porcelain, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, produced since the 17th century.
   03:00 p.m. – Departure from Meissen.
   03:30 p.m. – Moritzburg. Stop in this small town, renowned for its baroque castle, which sits on an island in an artificial lake. Enjoy time to explore the castle´s exterior, often referred to as "Cinderella's Castle," its wonderful architecture and beautiful gardens.
   04:30 p.m. – Departure from Moritzburg.
   07:00 p.m. – Berlin.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Vienna house easy by wyndham postdamer platz(Dennewitzstrasse 44, Berlin, Berlin 10783), Holiday inn berlin city center east prenzlauer ber(Prenzlauer Allee 169,)
7. 7

   Day 7 — Berlin

   08:00 a.m. - Panoramic tour of Europe's most modern city with a local guide (if not already done on the previous day upon arrival). From our coach, you'll have the chance to see Museum Island, the Television Tower, the main shopping streets in the city center, the old cathedral destroyed during the Second World War, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the city's magnificent parks. We'll also stop at the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall Museum, providing insights into the city's challenging history during the 20th century.
   The afternoon will be free for you to explore the city. If you wish, you can optionally visit Sachsenhausen, one of the largest Nazi concentration camps.
   In the evening, we'll transfer to the lively Kantstrasse area, which offers a variety of restaurants for dinner. After, we'll return to the hotel.

   

   Museum Island

   

   Brandenburg Gate

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Vienna house easy by wyndham postdamer platz(Dennewitzstrasse 44, Berlin, Berlin 10783), Holiday inn berlin city center east prenzlauer ber(Prenzlauer Allee 169,)
8. 8

   Day 8 — Berlin

   After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
   
   Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. 

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

Tour operator