Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary Tour of the Rhine Valley (7 nights / 9 days)

This tour will be customized to for music groups and per the needs and wishes of the leaders. It can include a performance component including participation in a Worship Service. Exchanges with local groups will be considered wherever possible. Venues will be chosen and confirmed depending on the performing group repertoire, size and wishes. The length of the tour can also be adjusted from 8 to 10 nights and more.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Departure US Overnight flights to Frankfurt, Germany.

Day 2 Arrival Frankfurt / Rhine Valley “Guten Tag” and welcome to Germany! Meet your English-speaking German tour escort and transfer by private bus through the Romantic Rhine Valley with stop en route in Rüdesheim. See the famous vineyards of the Rheingau – the top Riesling area. Enjoy a Rhine River Cruise passing the famous Lorelei Rock in the Middle Rhine Valley (UNESCO world heritage). Welcome dinner and overnight in Rhine Valley area

*Wine Tasting in Rüdesheim is available upon request

Day 3 Rhine Valley / Bonn Transfer to Bonn with a stop along the way to visit the picturesque towns of the Rhine Valley. A visit to St. Goar brings you to the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a region featuring a unique landscape that has become part of German cultural history, with picturesque views, castles, churches and local scenes of great artistic and historic significance. Continue by coach to Bonn, the birthplace of the world- famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Ludwig van Beethoven was born in December 1770. Bonn as the former capital of Germany still houses federal and international institutions. One of Bonn’s landmarks is the mighty Minster Church whose history dates back to early Christianity. Its impressive cloister is an oasis of peace and contemplation amidst the city’s turmoil.

For music performing groups: Concert possibly with a local music group

155 W 72nd Street, 401 New York, NY 10023 Tel: 212-580-0760 Fax: 212-874-4554 [email protected]

Day 4 Cologne / Bonn Morning excursion to Cologne, In medieval times it was the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire. Today is one of the nation's media, tourism and business hotspots. Guided tour of the Cathedral (UNESCO world heritage) a building of superlatives that is the center and hallmark of this city on the Rhine. Built on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on 15 August 1248. The previous building was apparently no longer deemed impressive enough to house the remains of the Three Wise Men, which Archbishop Rainald von Dassel had brought to Cologne from Milan after the latter city was conquered in 1164. Because of these relics, the cathedral became one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. Its two massive towers have dominated the city’s skyline since their completion in 1880. You will also visit the old town, highlights include the Dionysus Mosaic, Roemerstrasse, Gulichplatz, Farina-House (birthplace of Eau de Cologne), the Jewish Quarter, the Old Market Square, the Town Hall, and Great St. Martin Church.

For music performing groups: Concert as part of Beethoven`s 250th birthday celebrations in Bonn Area

Day 5 Bad Neuenahr / Bonn Guided tour of the Beethoven House in Bonn followed by a walking tour of the city center. Ludwig van Beethoven's birthplace presents the largest Beethoven collection in the world with Its impressive authentic documents combined with new media bear witness to Beethoven's life and compositions. Visit the spa town Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, the center of the Ahr Valley and embedded in vineyards. Your tour will include the two centers, the romantic half-timbered houses in the center of Ahrweiler surrounded by the entirely preserved medieval town walls, whereas in Bad Neuenahr you surrender to the exquisite flair of the spa town and the new art buildings, as well as the charm of the elegant salons of the casino and the modern health and fitness centers.

For music performing groups: Concert in the spa gardens

Day 6 Königswinter – Namedy / Bonn After breakfast transfer to the World Heritage Castle Drachenburg, situated below the Drachenfels. It was built from 1882 to 1884 and is now regarded as one of the most significant castle buildings of the late 19th century in Germany. You will travel uphill by the oldest cog railway in Germany operating since 1883. From the top enjoy the splendid view of the Rhine. Continue to Remagen, an important historical site during the WWII when it became the main road for the Allied Forces across and into Germany.

For music performing groups: Concert in the inner court yard of Castle Namedy

Day 7 Bad Ems / Mainz After breakfast check out and continue to Mainz for a guided walking tour including Cathedral representing a peak point of Germany’s Romanesque cathedral architecture and the Gutenberg museum. Founded by the Romans in the first century BC, Mainz is one of Germany’s oldest cities. This is a place where history, culture and commerce combine harmoniously.

Afternoon transfer to the spa town Bad Ems. The Emperor’s Spa thrills by its historical scenery: magnificent baroque buildings and masterpieces of the spa-architecture. The wealth of sights is the result of the historic past of the Emperor’s Spa dating back to Roman times. Famous people of the European history, aristocrats, artists and writers have left their traces. The composer Jacques Offenbach, for example, worked as a concert master here in Bad Ems for 12 years. Some of his works were performed for the first time in the “Kursaal” (Marble Hall).

For music performing groups: Concert at the local music festival in Bad Ems

Day 8 Heidelberg / Wiesbaden (Optional)/ Mainz After breakfast travel south to Heidelberg to explore the historical flair of this traditional University City and to visit the famous Heidelberg Castle.

Optional: Visit to Wiesbaden for a Henkell Sparkling winery cellar tour. Wiesbaden is a spa town on mineral springs that have been harnessed since the Romans. Experience the impressive rococo Marble Hall and the 200,000-litre casks in the seven-story-deep wine cellars. Taste exquisite varieties and enjoy a tantalizing excursion into the world of sparkling wine.

Tonight you’ll enjoy a festive farewell dinner in a fine local restaurant to celebrate your tour!

Day 9 Return US Transfer to Frankfurt International airport for your return flight(s) to the U.S. Welcome home!

Standard tour inclusions (all inclusions will be customized for your group): • Round-trip group airfare from your gateway airport to Frankfurt, Germany. • Private, deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach transportation for all scheduled group transfers and activities in Germany. • Accommodations for 7 nights: 1 night in Rhine Valley area; 4 nights in Bonn; 2 nights in Mainz in 3-4 star level hotels with private W/C and shower/bath, based on double occupancy. A limited number of single rooms will be available at a surcharge. • Breakfast plus one other main meal daily, including a Farewell Dinner. • A full-time English-speaking German tour escort throughout. • Local city guides as needed in itinerary. • Group entrances as noted in itinerary. Final inclusions determined with the group leader. • All group meal and hotel taxes. Air taxes and fuel surcharges will be included at the rate current at the time of the quote and are subject to change by the airline up until ticketing.