Day 1 Frankfurt - Mainz
Depart Dublin on your direct flight to Frankfurt. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the historic town of Mainz. Mainz is one of the main centres of the German wine industry and has been a wine growing region since Roman times. Later today, join your Tour Director for an orientation tour of Frankfurt, seeing the Romerberg Square, the 14th century cathedral and the house where Goethe was born.

Day 2 Mainz – Rothenburg
Begin your exploration of Germany with a visit to Heidelberg, the city of the 'Student Prince', set on the banks of the River Neckar. Sightseeing includes the view over the old quarter of the city from the heights of the famous castle fortress. Now on to Rothenburg-ob-der Tauber, the most well preserved town on the Romantic Road. Step back into the 16th Century as you walk through narrow cobbled streets lined with high-gabled houses to the Market Square dominated by its magnificent Renaissance town hall. In the evening, the group will enjoy a  highlight dinner of delicious local cuisine.

Day 3 Rothenburg – Munich
Enjoy an enchanting journey through peaceful countryside and villages of flower-decked farmhouses as you follow the Romantic Road south to Munich. Our orientation tour of the Bavarian capital passes the Olympic Stadium with its amazing 'hanging roof’ and continues along the imposing Ludwigstrasse, past the university and Victory Arch into the heart of the city. Enjoy some time in Marienplatz, the square at the heart of the city of Munich, which is home to the world-famous Rathaus-Glockenspiel. This entertaining cultural attraction consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures which chime and re-enact two stories from the 16th century every day.

Day 4 Bavarian Alps Excursion
Travel through the beautiful scenery of the German Alps, and visit Oberammergau, home to the Passion Play since 1634, here we see the historic theatre and admire the colourfully painted chalets. Afterwards, continue along part of the German Alpine Road to the Wieskirche, a masterpiece of Bavarian rococo, before arriving at the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein, perched on a spectacular Alpine mountainside. Ascend to the castle by horse drawn carriage to visit exuberantly decorated apartments, including the Throne Room and Lohengrin Grotto. Tonight you may wish to join the locals for a lively evening of dinner and foaming beer at one of Munich's world-famous 'Bier Kellers'.

Day 5 Munich – Dresden
Drive north across the Danube to Nuremberg, a treasure trove of early German history and medieval architecture. Tour the Old Town, carefully rebuilt after wartime destruction, and see the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings and the massive ramparts with its 46 towers. Take time to shop for delicious Lebkuchen (gingerbread) before heading for Dresden – known as “the Florence of the Elbe”.

Day 6 Dresden – Berlin
Join a local guide to see the splendours of the city. From the Frauenkirche, which has recovered from the destruction of WW II, walk past 'The Procession of the Dukes', a huge mosaic on the façade of the Royal Palace. See the cathedral, Semper Opera House and baroque Zwinger Palace, before departing for the German capital, Berlin.

Day 7 Berlin
Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour along the Unter den Linden past the Humboldt University and Opera. Stop on Museum Island before passing the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of the reunification of Germany. See the glass-domed Reichstag building and drive through the Tiergarten. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore Berlin at your own pace and perhaps sample some of the traditional local cuisine.

Day 8 Return home
Depart Berlin on your flight home to Dublin.