Germany 9 Days / 8 Nights

EUROPE Germany 9 Days / 8 Nights

Heidelberg, Alsfeld, Waldeck, Rothenburg, Munich

Discover where "once upon a time" began as you travel through enchanted locations on this Adventures by Disney Germany vacation that highlights the magic of fairy tales. Every charming town seems out of a storybook, having inspired stories by the Brothers Grimm and others who followed in their footsteps. And there are castles so magical that one even inspired Walt Disney himself when he was creating Disneyland® Park!

GERMANY FAMILY VACATION HIGHLIGHTS

Stay in a Fairy Tale Castle Spend 2 magical nights at Hotel Schloss Waldeck, an 11th-century castle perched high above Lake Edersee. Biking and Ferry Ride in Waldeck Pedal on a winding, country trail along dazzling Lake Edersee—and then ride on a ferry across it! The Steiff Museum Enjoy an interactive tour of this museum filled with over 2000 Steiff plush toys and featuring the Teddy bear, created by Margaret Steiff in 1902. It also has a delightful "petting zoo" where Junior Adventurers can play with life-size plush animals. Neuschwanstein Castle Tour the imaginative white castle of the poetic King Ludwig II—an inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort. Pretzel-Making at Striffler Bakery Tour Striffler Bakery, the oldest bakery in Rothenburg, and learn how to make a pretzel from a 4th-generation baker.

Flight Information Ages Meals

Arrive: Arrive: FRA (Frankfurt) Minimum Age: 4 8 Breakfasts Return: Return: MUC (Munich) Suggested Age: 6+ 5 Lunches 5 Dinners Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 1

Heidelberg Meal(s) Included: Dinner

Arrive at Frankfurt Airport

Willkommen! After you exit baggage claim, an Adventures by Disney representative meets you in the main terminal and directs you to your transfer vehicle. Relax as a driver assists with your luggage and escorts you to the Heidelberg Marriott Hotel.

Check-In at the Heidelberg Marriott Hotel

As your Adventure Guides check you in, explore the Heidelberg Marriott Hotel which combines tradition, style and modern convenience. Situated on the banks of the Neckar river near Old Town, it offers sensational views of Heidelberg and boasts fine accommodations including a spa with an indoor swimming pool, fitness center and sauna. Traditional German Dinner

Say Guten Abend to your fellow Adventurers at this delicious, buffet-style dinner.

Accommodations: Heidelberg Marriott Hotel Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 2

Heidelberg Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel

Wake up to a tasty breakfast before beginning your day of discovery.

Guided Tour of Heidelberg Castle Tour

Explore the majestic red-sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle, initially constructed in 1214. Once a fortress and the home of royalty, this incredible palace is considered an important Renaissance structure. Tour the castle, led by 2 castle guides dressed in 18th–century costumes—and meet some surprise guest characters from the castle's past!

On Your Own Lunch in Heidelberg

Choose the ideal spot to lunch from among many fine restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Ask your Adventure Guides for recommendations.

On Your Own Afternoon in Heidelberg

Wander through Heidelberg and admire its Gothic streets, early historical sites and the extensive Baroque architecture dating from its 18th-century restoration. Home to the oldest university in Europe—founded in the 14th century—Heidelberg has attracted intellectuals and artists from all over the world for hundreds of years. A shopper's paradise, stroll down the nearly mile-long, traffic-free main street in Old Town with hundreds of shops and eateries. Wind your way up the Philosophers' Walk with its splendid gardens for spectacular views of the castle, Old Town, bridges and tree-covered slopes. And don't miss the magnificent cakes and pastries!

Dinner at Zum Güldenen Schaf

Come together with your fellow Adventurers for a delightful German dinner at this renowned, family-owned restaurant filled with historic artifacts and featuring an authentic German beer garden (biergarten).

Accommodations: Heidelberg Marriott Hotel Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 3

Alsfeld, Waldeck Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a filling breakfast before boarding a motor coach for your journey to state of Hesse in the center of Germany. Travel through lush farmland to the town of Alsfeld, located on the Schwalm River in the Vogelsberg Mountains.

Guided Walking Tour of Alsfeld

Begin your tour of the storybook town of Alsfeld by meeting the Brothers Grimm who tell you their own history as they point out Alsfeld's historic center, built in the 1500s. Alsfeld seems to be a town right out of a fairy tale with its medieval layout, 400 timber-framed buildings lining the narrow streets and gingerbread houses of various types—tiny, mammoth, skinny, wide, lopsided and ornate! Listen to the story of Little Red Riding Hood as told by Little Red Riding Hood herself. And hear other Brothers Grimm stories as you stroll through the town, understanding better the inspiration for these classics.

Picnic Lunch and Storytelling

Delight in a picnic held in the charming courtyard of the Regional Museum Alsfeld, which was founded in 1897 and primarily houses a local history collection. Be entertained by Little Red Riding Hood and other storybook characters who bring their tales to life!

Journey to Waldeck

Travel through romantic countryside to the charming town of Waldeck, which lies on Lake Edersee.

Check-In at Hotel Schloss Waldeck – A Fairytale Castle

Be awestruck when you see the veritable fairytale castle perched on a steep mountain top that will be your home for the next 2 nights! Surrounded by mountains and with a breathtaking view of Lake Edersee and the forest below, the Hotel Schloss Waldeck is housed inside Castle Waldeck—the ancestral seat of the Counts of Waldeck that rests on the remains of an 11th-century fortification. A luxury hotel, the Hotel Schloss Waldeck is beautifully decorated so that the old castle is stylishly presented while also boasting modern amenities.

Welcome Reception and Dinner at Hotel

Enjoy a hearty welcome followed by a delightful dinner. Take in the incredible views of Lake Edersee as you dine with your fellow Adventurers inside the castle's 11th–century walls.

Disney Movie Night

Junior Adventurers can join Adventure Guides for a classic Disney movie.

Accommodations: Hotel Schloss Waldeck Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 4

Waldeck Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast at the Hotel

Fuel up on a tasty breakfast for an active day ahead.

Lake Edersee Bike Excursion and Ferry Ride

Start the day with a privately guided bike ride through the charming German countryside. Afterward, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Edersee.

Cookout Lunch at Restaurant Strandhaus No. 12

Relax lakeside and enjoy a hearty barbeque meal in the pleasant environment of Restaurant Strandhaus No. 12.

Archery in the Courtyard of Hotel Schloss Waldeck

Learn the sport of archery in a one-on-one lesson from an archery expert, using soft tip arrows.

On Your Own Afternoon in Waldeck

Discover what this charming town has to offer. Take a scenic cable car ride into town, stroll along the shoreline promenade and visit museums and monasteries to gain a sense of Waldeck's history, checking out the charming shops and eateries along the way. If you want, participate in a beer tasting featuring beers from a local brewery—and see which brew is your favorite!

On Your Own Dinner in Waldeck

Pick a wonderful restaurant for dinner, choosing from ones you spotted on your afternoon exploring Waldeck. Or ask your Adventure Guides to recommend one that fits your family's needs.

Accommodations: Hotel Schloss Waldeck Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 5

Rothenburg Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast at the Hotel

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast and set off by motor coach in search of castles and more fairy tale locations.

Schloss Wilhelmsthal

Take in the beauty of this Rococo palace that was built between 1747 and 1761.With an exquisite interior design by the renowned sculptor Johann August Nahl, Wilhelmsthal Castle was originally designed as a summer residence. It houses the world's largest collection of paintings by the extraordinary Tischbein family, whose art contributed to Germany's transition from the Rococo art of the Late Baroque to Neoclassicism and Naturalism.

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Take a short walk to this delightful park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its reservoirs, channels, waterfalls and wild rapids. Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe combines the ambiance of Baroque and Romantic periods in its landscape, with the mighty Hercules Monument standing at the top of a long hill, a striking copper statue of the ancient Greek demigod. View Löwenburg Castle in the distance, built in the 18th century and designed to resemble an authentic medieval castle—a model for some fictional castles ever since its inception!

Lunch at the Gutshof Restaurant

Dine in this former manor house located at the base of the mountains in the remarkably landscaped Wilhelmshöhe Park near Wilhelmshöhe Castle. With a history of catering to royalty, Gutshof offers cooking fit for a king or queen!

Journey to Rothenburg

Travel by motor coach to another picturesque town. A northern Bavarian village, Rothenburg contains an Old Town featuring half-timbered houses standing along cobblestone roads that make it seem straight out of a fairy tale. In fact, it was the inspiration for Pinocchio's village in the 1940 Disney animated classic Pinocchio!

Check-In at the Hotel Eisenhut

Explore this first-class hotel that offers spectacular views of the romantic Tauber Valley as your Adventure Guides check you in. The Hotel Eisenhut is composed of 4 16th-century mansions that were once the homes of Rothenburg's wealthiest families. It is centrally located near Rothenburg Town Hall and close to some delightful Christmas museums and a doll and toy museum.

Dinner On Your Own in Rothenburg

Choose between casual and fine dining in beer gardens, cafes, inns and romantic restaurants. Enjoy German specialties including sausages, sauerkraut, local beer and wine from the vineyards near Rothenburg's Tauber River—or choose an establishment that offers an international menu. Ask your Adventure Guide to recommend the restaurant that best fits your family's needs!

Night Walk with the Night Watchman

On this twilight tour, see Rothenburg in a whole new light! Follow a costumed Night Watchman as he leads you by the light of a lantern down the town's ancient cobblestone lanes and regales you with fantastical tales of the region.

Accommodations: Hotel Eisenhut Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 6

Rothenburg Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a tasty breakfast and get ready for a day of discovery and make-believe!

German Pretzel-Making Lesson

For fun with a twist, learn to make pretzels from the chef at the Striffler Bakery—the city's oldest bakery, famous for making pretzels since 1644!

Lunch on Your Own in Rothenburg

Enjoy a tasty lunch at one of Rothenburg's many excellent cafés and restaurants offering a variety of international selections.

On Your Own in Rothenburg

Discover more about this fairy tale town, famous for its medieval architecture, colorful shops and half-timbered houses. Look for glasses, Christmas ornaments and beautiful art work here, one of Germany's best places for shopping. Ask your Adventure Guides to recommend activities for a wunderbar afternoon!

Medieval Knight and Princess Costume Dress-Up

Try on costumes and pose for pictures in this local shop housed in a medieval cellar vault. Dress up as knights, kings, queens and princesses—and create your own history in this historical spot!

Dinner at the Hotel Eisenhut

Take in the charming ambiance of Hotel Eisenhut's gourmet restaurant and enjoy a fine dinner of authentic German cuisine.

Accommodations: Hotel Eisenhut Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 7

Munich Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast at the Hotel

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast and get ready for a motor coach ride through the lovely countryside of southern Germany to the little town of Giengen an der Brenz.

Tour and Lunch at the Steiff Museum

Take a magical interactive tour of the famous Steiff Museum where over 2000 plush animals are on display. The company's founder, Margaret Steiff, invented many of these cuddly toys—most famously the Teddy bear in 1902. Discover the world's biggest walk-through "petting zoo" on the second floor, filled with life-size plush animals. Junior Adventurers delight in hopping on a life-size tiger or hugging a gorilla. The tour is followed by a hands-on activity and concludes with a delicious lunch at the museum. Take home a bear-head as a souvenir!

"Romantic Road" to Munich

Travel south by motor coach along the "Romantic Road" to Munich. One of the most famous driving routes in the world, this road offers a truly romantic journey with picturesque little towns, fairy tale castles, historic cathedrals and beautiful countryside.

Check-In at Hotel VierJahreszeiten Kempinski München

As your Adventure Guides check you in, sit back and admire the old-world lobby of this 5-star hotel—considered one of the best hotels in the world. Located in the heart of Munich, Hotel VierJahreszeiten Kempinski München offers convenience along with elegant accommodations featuring classical styles.

Lunch at the Hofbrau Haus*

Enjoy a delicious lunch at this restaurant featuring German specialties. Hofbrau Haus is located in the famous brewery by the same name, which went into operation in 1592.

Walking Tour of Munich

Explore the beautiful, cosmopolitan capital of Bavaria with a local expert. Learn about the astounding architecture, art and history in Munich's palaces, gardens and museums.

On Your Own at Oktoberfest** Have a barrel of fun—and discover why more than 6 million people from around the world attend this folk festival in Munich every year! Revel with your fellow Adventurers and relish the renowned beer along with a typical Oktoberfest feast featuring Bavarian food including sausages with mustard, sauerkraut, soft pretzels, apple strudel and more.

Dinner On Your Own in Munich

Choose from an array of delicious local options in this city filled with restaurants of every variety. Whether you're looking for international cuisine, German specialties or traditional American fare, you are sure to find an unforgettable meal for your entire family.

*Lunch at Hofbrau Haus is only available for the Adult Exclusive trips. **Oktoberfest is available only on Adult Exclusive trips in the month of September. Accommodations: Hotel VierJahreszeiten Kempinski München Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 8

Munich Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before you begin your day of magical discovery.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Tour the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle that sits on a steep hill above the village of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria. This 19th-century castle was built in the Romanesque Revival style to resemble an old German knight's castle. The brainchild of the shy, poetic King Ludwig II, known as the "Fairy Tale King," this imaginative castle served not only as a fantastical retreat for him but also as an inspiration to Walt Disney—who modeled the magical Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park after it!

Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride and Lunch

Take a relaxing horse-drawn carriage ride to the historic Hotel Müller Hohenschwangau.

Private Lunch at Hotel Müller Hohenschwangau

Savor a delectable lunch in the King Ludwig II room, reserved exclusively for Adventures by Disney Guests. As you dine, be treated to a stunning view of Neuschwanstein Castle.

Journey to Munich

Enjoy a scenic trip across verdant pastureland to the capital of Bavaria-Munich.

Farewell Dinner

Gather with your fellow Adventurers at an authentic beer hall in Germany for a grand farewell feast! Relish a superb dinner with entertainment of rousing oompah music and lively German dancers. Share memories of this extraordinary trip and bid farewell to your newfound friends.

Accommodations: Hotel VierJahreszeiten Kempinski München Adventures By Disney | Itinerary: Day 9

Munich Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy one last breakfast in Munich and fuel up for the trip ahead.

Transfer to Munich International Airport (MUC)

Board pre-arranged transportation to the airport and say auf wiedersehen—until you return again!

Accommodations: Hotel VierJahreszeiten Kempinski München This printable itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply.