Magic of Advent on the Rhine and Main

A comfortable coach will take you into the center of Bamberg, which is affectionately known as the “Frankish Rome”. The walking tour will enable you to immerse yourself in the magic and history of this town. With its historic old quarter, its churches and monasteries, bridges, narrow streets and squares, its half-timbered houses and baroque facades, it has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. During the walk, you’ll see magnificent sights such as the imperial cathedral, the old imperial residence, the new residence palace and rose garden, the old town hall and the former fishing village that is now Bamberg’s “Little Venice” area.

Start your tour with a visit to the Würzburg Residence, a masterpiece of southern German Baroque architecture, built in the early 18th century by Balthasar Neumann. Highlights include the grand staircase, adorned with breathtaking frescoes by the Venetian artist Tiepolo, and the opulent Imperial Hall. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through Würzburg’s historic old town and discover its many landmarks. Visit the market square with the picturesque St. Mary's Chapel, then continue to the Old Main Bridge, a striking stone arch bridge spanning the River Main. There, we invite you to savor a glass of exquisite Franconian wine while enjoying the stunning panoramic view of the Marienberg Fortress and the surrounding vineyards.

Rothenburg is referred to as Germany’s well-preserved “Jewel of the Middle Ages” with its ramparts, city gates, town hall and the St. Jakob parish church. Renaissance and Gothic influences shaped the town. Towers, city gates, walls, half-timbered gables – all these have remained unchanged since the Thirty Years’ War. The Middle Ages come alive in Rothenburg.

Upon your arrival, join the town walk with a local guide who will point out major points of interest, such as the St. Jakob Parish Church, where art lovers can admire the “Heiligblutaltar” (Holy Blood Altar) by Tilman Riemenschneider, one of the greatest German sculptors of the Middle Ages. After the guided tour, enjoy some free time and buy souvenirs or visit the famous Christmas Museum of Käthe Wohlfahrt.

Stroll into the small town of Miltenberg and discover the historic market square, the high-gabled half-timbered houses and the old town hall. The all-surmounting Mildenburg Castle provides the backdrop for this entertaining walking tour of the town, which ends with a tasting of gingerbread.

Afterwards, immerse yourself in the lively history and romance of the neighboring town of Wertheim and explore the medieval alleys and numerous half-timbered houses during the city tour. Worth seeing are especially the Angel Fountain and the Collegiate Church late Gothic Kilian's Chapel.

A comfortable coach will take you to Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall. At the end of the tour you may take the chance and stroll around the Christmas market of Heidelberg.

Speyer, the venerable emperor’s city on the Rhine, has had a rich and turbulent past. Religious architecture steeped in history, impressive facades of various styles, winding alleys and romantic squares expressthe character of the city. The city tour includes a visit to the Romanesque Imperial Cathedral from the exterior, with its striking twin tower portal, and visits to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate (Altpoertel) and the Jewish Ritual Bath. Afterwards, the Christmas market will fill you with warmth as the smell of punch and toasted almonds, hot roasted chestnuts and freshly baked apples envelopes your nose.