Itinerary: May 15-26, 2014
Thursday, May 15: Travel Day
Flights to and from Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) must be self-arranged. We recommend booking sites such as Vayama.com, CheapoAir.com, IcelandAir.com. Flights should arrive in Frankfurt on May 16 no later than 12:00p.m. (Your departing flight on May 26 should leave after 10:00a.m. Those who are extending their trips will receive assistance in making their plans). Meals provided on flight. Please note that you need to pack light: each tour member is allowed to bring just one airline-carry-on-size piece of luggage (approx. 21" x 14" x 9") plus a small day pack or shoulder bag. You will always carry your own bags from the bus to your room.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/pack-light.htm
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/10-tips-for-packing-light.htm#page=0
Flights to and from Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) must be self-arranged. We recommend booking sites such as Vayama.com, CheapoAir.com, IcelandAir.com. Flights should arrive in Frankfurt on May 16 no later than 12:00p.m. (Your departing flight on May 26 should leave after 10:00a.m. Those who are extending their trips will receive assistance in making their plans). Meals provided on flight. Please note that you need to pack light: each tour member is allowed to bring just one airline-carry-on-size piece of luggage (approx. 21" x 14" x 9") plus a small day pack or shoulder bag. You will always carry your own bags from the bus to your room.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/pack-light.htm
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/10-tips-for-packing-light.htm#page=0
Day 1: Friday, May 16 (Frankfurt and Upper Middle Rhine Valley)
- Arrival at Frankfurt International Airport by noon. Collect luggage and go through customs. Meet with tour director at TREFFPUNKT (arrival area) between 12:30-1:30pm. Early arrivals may choose to enjoy a pastry and coffee at one of the many excellent dining options at the airport.
- Visiting historic Frankfurt (Cathedral and Old City/Roman Town)
- Tour along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley middle section (UNESCO World Heritage Site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1066)
- Check in at Bellevue Rheinhotel in Boppard (****) We will be here for 3 nights.
- Welcome dinner at hotel
- Updates/Review of the first segment of the tour
Day 2: Saturday, May 17 (Mainz, Eberbach, Niederwald)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Tour Mainz with local guide
- Tour of Eberbach Monastery (location where the movie Name of the Rose was filmed)
- Wine tasting at the Eberbach Monastery
- Cable-car ride to visit the Niederwald Monument*
- Dinner at hotel
- Concert
Day 3: Sunday, May 18 (Rhine River cruise, Loreley, and Schönburg Castle)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Optional: attend local church service and meeting with locals
- Boat trip on the Rhine River
- Visit to the Loreley
- Visit of historic Bacharach
- Dinner reception at Schönburg Castle
- Concert at Schönburg Castle
Day 4: Monday, May 19 (Koblenz, Mosel Valley)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Guided tour of Koblenz
- Guided tour of the Mosel Valley from Koblenz to Bernkastel
- Check-in at Hotel Bären (****). We will be here for four nights.
- Welcome dinner at hotel
- Updates/Review of the second segment of the tour
Day 5: Tuesday, May 20 (Bernkastel - Kues)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Morning - leisure and rest time
- Afternoon: tour of Bernkastel - Kues
- Dinner at Hotel
- Concert
Day 6: Wednesday, May 21 (Trier)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Excursion along Mosel River
- Guided tour of Trier
- Time for individual exploration and dinner in the city (on your own)
- 8pm meet and return to hotel
Day 7: Thursday, May 22 (Cochem)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Guided tour of Cochem Castle
- Visiting Cochem (town)
- Dinner at hotel
- Concert
Day 8: Friday, May 23 (Alzey, Worms, Speyer, Heidelberg)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Departure via Nibelungen Way
- Stopover in Alzey (one of the Nibelungenstädte and capital of exquisite wines and regional cuisine)
- Visiting Worms, including the Cathedral and Rashi Synagogue
- Speyer Cathedral and city tour
- Check-in at Leonardo Hotel (****). We will be here for three nights.
Day 9: Saturday, May 24 (Heidelberg)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Meeting with public officials and representatives of the Greater Heidelberg Community
- Guided walking tour of Heidelberg
- Time for individual exploration and dinner in the city (on your own)
- Concert
Day 10 : Sunday, May 25 (Dilsberg)
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Optional: attend local church service
- Meeting with German Families
- Visiting the medieval walled town and castle ruins of Dilsberg, described by Mark Twain in his travel journal and by the American Virtuosi/Borowsky family in their Postcards from Dilsberg
- Gala concert and final reception
Monday, May 26 - Departure
- Gourmet buffet breakfast at hotel
- Departure/Transfer to Frankfurt Airport
Nota bene:
- We will do everything possible to meet and exceed the above itinerary. However, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary.