Winter Wonderland – 9 days land only

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- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 8 nights hotel accommodation
- Breakfast daily & selected dinners including a Welcome dinner, a three-course dinner, a Signature evening & a Celebration dinner
- Touring by luxury coach
- Services of a Tour Director
- Signature Experiences in all towns and cities as per itinerary
- All hotel service charges & tips, baggage handling fees & local taxes

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Day 1 Frankfurt & on to Mainz

Welcome to Germany. From the Rhine Valley to the Alps, experience lively cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns & breathtaking natural scenery. Transfers from Frankfurt Airport to your Mainz hotel depart at 09:30 & 12:30. Mainz has been a bustling & important town since the time of the Romans. Enjoy a walk through the Cathedral Quarter to witness the magnificent architecture of the city's Dom. In the evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception with dinner & wine.

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Rothenburg & the Romantic Road to Munich

Head to fortified Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, overlooking the winding Tauber River. Once through the medieval walls, you are immediately transported back into the 16th century, as cobblestone streets lead you to the medieval Market Square with its Town Hall. Perhaps visit Tilman Riemenschneider's ‘Holy Blood' altarpiece in St Jakob's Church or pop into the Christmas shop where you'll find the festive spirit all year round? Then, follow parts of the Romantic Road to fun-loving Munich.

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The Bavarian Capital of Munich

(Relaxed Start) An orientation tour shows you Victory Arch & the university, concluding in the Marienplatz with its soaring Gothic Town Hall & colourful Glockenspiel. For those arriving before Christmas, visit the festive Christmas Market & meet a local stallholder for a taste of traditional Lebkuchen, & a fragrant cup of Glühwein. The rest of the day is at leisure. Later on, why not try a foaming stein of beer at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus?

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Lake Chiemsee to Salzburg

(Relaxed Start) Drive beside beautiful Lake Chiemsee & cross the Austrian border to Salzburg, ‘alive with the Sound of Music’. Walk with your Local Expert through the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace & admire the city skyline, crowned by the majestic Hohensalzburg Fortress. Then cross the Salzach River to see Mozart’s birthplace on the Getreidegasse, a lively shopping street lined with charming wrought-iron signs. Follow the narrow lanes of the Old Town to the domed cathedral & the splendid Residenz Fountain. Later, have time at leisure to enjoy as you please. In the evening, perhaps visit an Austrian chalet for dinner, drinks & the opportunity to learn about life in the countryside?

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Innsbruck, mountain-ringed Capital of Tyrol

A scenic drive takes you through snow-capped mountains to Innsbruck. A multitude of Rococo cherubs & angels will greet you inside the Wilten Basilica. You'll see the Imperial Palace & magnificent Golden Roof in the Old Town. In the afternoon, meet your coachman & take in the delightful scenery & pure fresh air on a horse-drawn carriage ride, known as a 'fiaker'. At night, drive to the charming town of Hall in Tirol, which boasts one of Austria's best-preserved historic town centres. Enjoy a highlight medieval banquet set in a 700-year-old building.

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Liechtenstein & Lucerne by the Lake

(Relaxed Start) Delightful scenery abounds as you make your way to the Arlberg Tunnel. Stop in Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of Europe's smallest countries. Cross the Swiss border & continue to lakeside Lucerne. Your Tour Director will show you the covered wooden Chapel Bridge & you'll learn about the poignant history of the Lion Monument. Then you are at leisure to shop for Swiss watches or delicious chocolate.

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Lovely Lucerne

Start the day with a spectacular cable car ride with incredible views, up Mount Pilatus. Back in Lucerne, you are free to admire the superb baroque Jesuit Church, stroll along lakeside promenades, or explore the old walls & watch towers of the medieval fortifications.

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Heidelberg, Romance on the Neckar

Stop at Schaffhausen to see the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls. Cross the German border & venture deep into the Black Forest. Following the Rhine Valley north, head for the town of Heidelberg, set on the banks of the river Neckar & dominated by its magnificent red sandstone castle. Stroll through the old town or perhaps see the old ‘Student Prison'? In the evening, enjoy good food, wine & company at an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner.

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Depart Frankfurt Airport

A transfer to Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 1 arrives at 09:00 & Terminal 2 at 09:15.

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