German Explorer - duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 1: Munich - Hop on Hop off Tour

Arrive in Munich and transfer to your hotel. Later, take the Hop-on-Hop-off Tour. The highlights include the Pinakotheken Art Museums and the National Theater with the Royal Palace. In the ancient part of town, view the world famous Hofbraeuhaus and the colorful open air market (Viktualienmarkt). Overnight.

Day 2: Munich - BMW Museum Tour

After breakfast, take a half day tour to the world famous BMW Museum, a leading tourist attraction. Learn about the company's history and see engines and turbines, aircraft, motorcycles and vehicles. See the futuristic-looking, even conceptual studies, from the past 20 years. The use of headphones and clever, often indirect lighting, lend the exhibition a largely peaceful atmosphere. In the evening, spend time at the one of the beer gardens and relish the locally brewed beer which Munich is famous for. Overnight.

Day 3: Munich - Freiburg

After breakfast, board a train to Freiburg (4 hours). Arrive in Freiburg and transfer to your hotel. Freiburg is not only the oldest university town of Germany, but is also habitually associated with the famous Black Forest region, with its traditional cherry-and-chocolate gateau and of course, cuckoo clocks. The day is free to explore the sights and sounds of this beautiful little town.Overnight.

Day 4: Freiburg – Lake Titisee Day Trip

After breakfast, take a train to Lake Titisee, the crown jewel of the Black Forest region, via Hoellental. Visit the Cuckoo Clock factories, which this charming town is known for. One of the most scenic but lesser known lakes is Lake Schluchsee. There are trains every hour to Lake Schluchsee, which is one of the most renowned hiking areas in the Black Forest. Return to Freiburg for overnight.

Day 5: Freiburg – Heidelberg

After breakfast, take a train to Heidelberg, 2 hours away from Freiburg. Check in at your hotel and after lunch on your own, proceed for the famous Heidelberg Castle, showpiece of German Romanticism, a complex of partially destroyed buildings in Gothic and Renaissance styles surrounded by beautiful gardens and containing the world's largest wine barrel. See the medieval town centre with the mighty Old Bridge and Germany's oldest university, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Knight's House with its precious renaissance facade. Overnight.

Day 6: Heidelberg - Cologne

After breakfast, take the train to Cologne (2 hrs 30 mins) on arrival check in and transfer to your hotel. Cologne is home to more than 30 museums, hundreds of galleries, Romanesque churches and the Cologne Cathedral, a World Heritage Site. You can visit the Zoo, the Yakult Children's Opera or the Phantasialand Theme Park. The Hohestrasse and Odysseum Knowledge Adventure Park are other attractions. Overnight.

Day 7: Cologne – Panorama Cruise

Breakfast. This morning, take the 1 hour Panorama Cruise from KD-Landing Place and see the skyline of Cologne from the river Rhine. Enjoy beautiful views of the city's most important sights whilst listening to the commentary. The cruise covers the former fishing village of Rodenkirchen and then heads northwards to the fairground. Afternoon free to explore on your own. Overnight.

Day 8: Cologne – Frankfurt - City Tour

After breakfast, board the train to Frankfurt (1 hour). Arrive and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon take a city tour to see the most interesting sights, which include the historic heart with the Roemer, the famous old city hall, the Cathedral, St. Paul's Church and Old Sachsenhausen and see the Goethe House - birth place of the great poet; see the International Fair Grounds, the Old Opera and the banking quarter, the old Hauptwache, the famous Zeil shopping area, the big towers of the former city wall and the museum. Overnight.

Day 9: Frankfurt

Breakfast. Check out of your hotel.