DAY 1: UK - Frankfurt.
Fly to Frankfurt where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for one night. (D)

DAY 2: Frankfurt - Rhine Cruise - Cologne.
Begin today with a leisurely cruise along one of Germany's most famous rivers - the romantic Rhine. Board your cruiser and sail between steep, forested banks and awesome Rhineland panoramas. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock which is said to have been home to sirens who lured sailors to their demise, before heading to Cologne for a visit to the impressive Gothic cathedral with its breathtaking interior. (B, D)

DAY 3: Cologne - Hamelin - Hamburg.
This morning, journey into Niedersachsen, the Lower Saxony region, to visit Hamelin, a town popularised in the allegorical tale of the Pied Piper by the Brothers Grimm. Spend time exploring the beautiful medieval old town with its Haemelschenburg Castle, decorative town centre and colourful historical buildings. Perhaps head to the Hochzeitshaus to view the elaborate gables, accompanied by clockwork figures, depicting the Pied Piper's tale. Enjoy a fanciful retelling of the story before continuing on your journey to Hamburg where you will arrive in time for an optional harbour cruise. (B)

DAY 4: Hamburg - Lübeck - Berlin.
Enjoy an orientation drive around cosmopolitan Hamburg, Germany's second largest and greatest maritime city. Observe the impressive merchants' houses, glistening canals and lavish promenades before continuing on to the 'Queen of Hansa': Lübeck. The founding city of the Hanseatic League, Lübeck was a former centre for all the sea-borne trade around the Baltic and North Seas. Still adorned with beautiful medieval and gothic architecture, the city is considered the cultural capital of northern Germany and the oval Old Quarter (the setting of Thomas Mann's Buddenbrooks novel) is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later today, journey along the autobahn to Berlin, reaching the city in time to enjoy your first evening in Germany's vibrant capital. (B)

DAY 5: Berlin. Included sightseeing.
No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin was once the city of contrasts with the wall separating two different worlds. Now the city has developed into a harmonious blend of new and old preserving its historical buildings and impressive neo-classical boulevards as well as creating brand new buildings in the most daring architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing tour, with a local guide. In the afternoon there is an optional excursion to historic Potsdam to visit the Sanssouci Park, a marvel of landscape gardening and architectural wonders, and the Cecilienhof Castle. (B)

DAY 6: Berlin - Dresden (included sightseeing) - Leipzig.
This morning travel south to Dresden, the old capital of Saxony and often called 'the Florence of the Elbe', to experience this beautiful city effortlessly blending the traditional and the modern. Take an included tour of the sights today including the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion, the beautifully restored Frauenkirche and much more. Later, resume your journey to Leipzig, where the great composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn lived the last years of their lives. The city is home to the renaissance Old Town and St Nicholas Church - the site where the 'peaceful revolution' was born, which led, eventually, to the reunification of Germany. Laden with historical architecture and a vibrant cultural scene, Leipzig is your base for tonight. (B, D)

DAY 7: Leipzig - Weimar - Coburg - Nuremberg.
Your first stop today is Weimar, renowned as an intellectual centre throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries and former home to scholars such as Goethe, Schiller and Liszt. Famed for having the historical period 'Weimar Republic' named after it, the city's cultural and architectural importance was also recognised by its appointment as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After time in Weimar, continue to Coburg to admire the mighty Veste Coburg Castle, built in 1225 and dominating the town from the hillside. After some free time in the town's picturesque centre, journey to Nuremberg for one night. (B, D)

DAY 8: Nuremberg - Romantic Road - Rothenburg - Munich.
This morning, start with an included visit to some of Nuremberg's highlights including gothic churches, ancient ramparts and elegant patrician houses. Later travel along one of Europe's most beautiful routes, the Romantic Road, passing villages and hamlets protected by ancient medieval towers, spectacular terraced vineyards, stunning natural landscapes, picturesque half-timbered houses and richly decorated stonework. Enjoy a stop in the charming, picture-postcard town of Rothenburg, set alongside the Tauber River, before continuing on to the Bavarian capital, Munich, for two nights. (B, D)

DAY 9: Munich. Included sightseeing.
Discover for yourself why the city is often called 'Germany's secret capital' as you experience the best of Munich today on an included city sightseeing tour, with local guide. Take time to admire the beautiful main square, Marienplatz, perhaps do some shopping, or stop and sip its most famous product: beer. There are several optional excursions for you to choose from so you can tailor today to best suit you and really make the most of this fantastic city. (B)

DAY 10: Munich - Oberammergau - Neuschwanstein - Black Forest Area.
Today you will drive into the heart of the beautiful Bavarian Alps and enjoy a short stop in the charming village of Oberammergau, famed for its house wall paintings, wood carvings and the Passion Play performed here once every 10 years. Later, continue to the most famous 19th century neo-romantic castle of the world: King Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein Castle. This spectacular fairy tale styled castle is perched high in a dominant cliff-top position overlooking the frontier town of Fussen. Leaving the castle, journey across the delightful landscape to the Black Forest for one night. (B, D)

DAY 11: Black Forest Area - Heidelberg - Frankfurt.
Leaving the beautiful Black Forest today, head to Heidelberg for a short visit to the medieval Old Town with its pretty cobbled streets, lovely gateway and charismatic central square. Home to Germany's oldest and best-known university, the city is also regarded as the inspiration and source of myths for the German Romantic movement. From here, just a few more miles to Frankfurt where you'll stay overnight. (B)

DAY 12: Frankfurt - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)