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.