Germany's most beautiful corners

Travel via Basel to Heidelberg. Enjoy a guided city tour and the relaxed atmosphere of this university town with heart. The day concludes with a visit to the romantic Heidelberg Castle. Dinner at the hotel.

You travel to Rüdesheim to cover a stretch of your journey along the Rhine. The two-hour boat trip takes you through the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, past steep vineyards and many old castles. Sailing past the legendary, steep Loreley rock is one of the highlights. Free lunch break in St. Goarshausen, then continue by coach to Düsseldorf. There, stroll along the famous Königsallee, which impresses with its tree-lined water canal and magnificent bridges.

The day begins with a guided city walk starting at the Burgplatz, where the castle tower offers views over the Rhine and the promenade. A few steps take you to the leaning tower of St. Lambertus Church and on along cobbled lanes to the market square with the Renaissance town hall and the equestrian statue of Jan Wellem. To finish, browse the Carlsplatz market, sample Rhineland specialities and then return to the Rhine embankment promenade. On the way to Münster you stop at the magnificent Nordkirchen Palace. It is the largest moated palace in Westphalia and, thanks to its baroque splendour and vast park, is also known as the "Westphalian Versailles".

Today you will first join a guided tour of Münster's old town. The historic old town is shaped by the Gothic St. Paulus Cathedral, the Prinzipalmarkt with its gabled houses and arcades, and the historic town hall where the Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648. The baroque palace now serves as the main university building. Afterwards, continue to the lively Hanseatic city of Hamburg.

Today you meet your city guide at the St. Pauli Landing Stages and set off on a voyage of discovery together. First you drive through the Speicherstadt and learn what was stored there in the past and what is stored there today. Naturally, your route also passes the Elbphilharmonie and the HafenCity. You will also see the luxury villas of celebrities on the banks of the Alster, as well as the town hall and the "Michel" (St. Michael's Church). Afterwards you are invited on a harbour cruise. Depending on the water level, you sail through the Speicherstadt and through various locks and harbour basins. Up close you will see the huge container ships. The afternoon is entirely at your leisure.

You leave Hamburg and reach the capital, Berlin, in the early afternoon. There, a gripping city tour showcasing all the highlights of East and West awaits you. Berlin combines historic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and the Berlin Wall with modern

architecture. At Schlossplatz you visit the Berlin Palace / Humboldt Forum. It gleams on three sides with ornate baroque facades from the royal era. The modern east side faces directly onto the Spree and presents an entirely new face. Look forward to an evening in perhaps the most exciting metropolis in Europe.

Free day at your leisure. You may wish to visit the new Deutschlandmuseum: experience 2,000 years in 60 minutes. (Optional) excursion to Potsdam. You will see Potsdam's most important sights, such as the Alter Markt, the Luisenplatz, the Dutch Quarter and the numerous 19th-century townhouses. The most famous attraction, however, is the park and the renowned Sanssouci Palace (exterior viewing only). Finally, enjoy a leisurely boat trip on the Wannsee.

From Berlin you take a break halfway in the Spreewald. A punter tells you about local customs and traditions, as well as the landscape's features and special characteristics, during a boat trip through the canals. You pass through the unique Hochwald landscape. A taste of the famous Spreewald gherkins is of course included. Arrival in Dresden early in the evening.

Before setting off for Munich today, you take a guided walk through Dresden. Dresden, an art city of European standing, offers a wealth of architectural monuments. See, among others, the Frauenkirche and the Brühl Terrace, the "Balcony of Europe", famous for its magnificent view over the Elbe Valley. The Zwinger is considered an outstanding masterpiece of baroque festive architecture. Beyond the Gemäldegalerie, the Theaterplatz opens up, framed by the Semper Gallery, the Opera, the Taschenberg Palais, the Palace and the Court Church. Continue to Nuremberg. Immerse yourself in the wonderful old town and, on a guided tour, discover the most important sights, ending at the Imperial Castle, whose Sinwell Tower offers a magnificent view over the red rooftops. In the evening, check into your hotel in Munich and enjoy dinner together.

Before your journey home begins, you are welcomed for a city tour. It starts in the centre of Munich. Discover highlights such as Königsplatz, the Kunstareal, Nymphenburg Palace, the Olympic Park, BMW, Schwabing, Ludwigstrasse with Odeonsplatz, Prinzregentenstrasse and the famous Maximilianstrasse. Afterwards, return to Switzerland via St. Gallen.