Day 1: Hannover

Upon arrival, pick up rental car and drive about one hour (41 km) to Celle. Spend your first 2 nights of a special tour through Germany at the 5* "Fuerstenhof" Hotel, originally built as a Baroque palace in 1670. Today, the hotel is a deluxe property known for tradition and private hospitality located in the medieval royal capital of Celle. Overnight  in Celle.

Hotel:
Hotel Fuerstenhof

Day 2: Celle

After breakfast, stroll through downtown Celle, see the famous Ducal Palace, the most important building of the city. Visit the palace chapel and the palace theatre. We suggest taking a drive just a few kilometers into the countryside of Celle to Burgwedel where you can explore the picturesque rustic styled double-fronted half-timbered houses. Some of them represent excellent hotels and restaurants. Overnight in Celle at the same hotel.

Hotel:
Hotel Fuerstenhof

Day 3: Wolfsburg

After breakfast, drive to Wolfsburg. After check-in at your hotel, visit the unique Volkswagen theme park, "Autostadt". Explore new aspects of mobility in a 25 hectare setting with extensive parkland and lakes. Later on, if you are still in the mood for more after all these impressions, visit the 700 year old Wolfsburg castle, built in the Weser-Renaissance style. Its interior houses the municipal art gallery. Or visit the Wolfsburg Art Museum, a vibrant and dynamic centre for the communication of modern and contemporary art.

Hotel:
Holiday Inn City Centre

Day 4:Wolfsburg, Erfurt

After breakfast, leave Wolfsburg and drive the scenic route through the National Park Harz to Erfurt. Located in the most northerly central highlands of Germany, the National Park Harz is set in one of northern Germany's most popular areas for walking and skiing. Established in 1990, the 'National Park' status protects Mount Brocken and other areas in the central Harz mountains. Above it all is the 1,142m high Mount Brocken.

Overnight in Wolfsburg at same hotel.

Day 5: Erfurt, Coburg & Bamberg  

After breakfast, leave Erfurt and drive for about 3 hours, avoiding the Autobahn and taking the "German Toy Route" through the Thuringian Forest and the lovely town of Coburg which lies about 90 km south of Erfurt and is characterized by the remains of many medieval fortifications and one of Germany's largest castles, the mighty Veste Coburg Citadel.

Continue to Bamberg, another city listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its "Smokebeer". The old downtown fascinates visitors by its unique historical townscape. The city has grown and developed in more than 1,000 years. All these treasures are within a comfortable walk. The city has about 10 active breweries. The most remarkable kind of beer in Bamberg is "Smokebeer", so called, because of its special taste. One of the most famous and oldest breweries in the town, known for this special beer, is "Schlenkerla". Some say the beer tastes like eating a smoked ham. Try it and make up your own mind!

Stop at the tourist office, get a backpack filled with a mug, a bottle opener, a collection of coasters, a Bamberg Beer Postcard and five coupons for beer along with a map and description of the breweries in Bamberg (20 Euro per person). Walk through historical downtown and stop at your favorite five breweries offering you delicious local beer on site where they brew it.

Hotel:
Hotel am Schlossgarten

Day 6:Bamberg, Ingolstadt

Today after breakfast, enjoy a private guided city sightseeing tour of historic Bamberg. Later on, drive about 2 hours (153 km) from Bamberg to Ingolstadt.

The city is a fascinating and multi-faceted town: a wonderful blend of history, tradition and modern urban vibe. This town was once a seat of the Bavarian dukes. In 1516, the world's oldest food safety law, the Bavarian Beer Purity Law, was decreed here. Most famous in Ingolstadt is the car manufacturer AUDI.

The "Audi Forum" Ingolstadt is an experience-oriented communication platform open to everyone. Situated within the premises of the company's head office, it enables the fascinating flair of Audi to be experienced authentically. This is where the brand presents itself in all its facets, where Audi's philosophy and views can be experienced in person.

All over the Audi Forum Ingolstadt, it is apparent that this is not intended to be seen as a monument representing the company in an impersonal manner, but as a living center of encounters – with the focus on people.

The Audi Forum Ingolstadt is therefore designed as an open, hospitable place where visitors, customers, employees and partner companies come into contact with each other. Experience the pulsating heart of Audi in person.

Hotel:
NH Ambassador Hotel

Day 7: Ingolstadt & Munich

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided city sightseeing tour of Ingolstadt before driving to Munich (78km/2 hours). Park your car, relax and start exploring the capital of the state of Bavaria. Overnight in Munich.

Hotel:
Sofitel Munich Bayerpost

Day 8: Munich

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided city sightseeing  tour of Munich and its highlights.  In the afternoon there is time at leisure. You may visit  the famous  Hofbräuhaus beer hall  visited by thousands of tourists during the annual Oktoberfest , the Pinakothek art galleries, Olympic stadium, Nymphenburg castle. Or if the weather allows it, sit in the “English Garden” beer garden and enjoy the special atmosphere.

Overnight in Munich at same hotel.

Day 9: Munich

In the morning, leave for a full day guided excursion by coach to the famous royal castles Neuschwanstein and Linderhof  Palace including a shopping stop in Oberammergau, home of the famous Passion Play. 

Overnight in Munich at same hotel.

Day 10: Munich (BMW MUSEUM)

After breakfast, take public transportation to the BMW Museum. The world famous BMW Museum, next to the BMW head office set benchmarks in architecture when it opened and has been hosting major exhibitions since that time. In 2004, the "bowl" and the "four-cylinder", as they are popularly known, closed down for a major refurbishment program after more than 30 years in operation. To ensure that the museum's success story continues over the next 30 years, BMW has devised an all-embracing concept that involves a significant expansion of the exhibition space and will lend the museum a brand new profile. The new fascinating BMW Museum re-opened in spring 2008.

Overnight in Munich at same hotel.

Day 11: Munich, Guenzburg & Stuttgart

After breakfast, start your car again and drive from Munich to Guenzburg. Stop at the Legoland Deutschland, located half way between Munich and Stuttgart. A theme park with a great number of amusement rides, thrilling shows and above all model buildings, animals and people, made from a total of more then 50 million standard Lego® bricks designed in the headquarters of the famous Lego Company in Denmark. See the highlights of Germany, stroll "through" Switzerland, the Netherlands or "through" Venice. Continue your trip to Stuttgart.

Hotel:
Hotel am Schlossgarten

Day 12: Stuttgart

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour of Stuttgart. Later on, visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. On 16,500 square meters of exhibition space, the intriguing new building accommodates not only 160 vehicle exhibits but also numerous additional offers including restaurants and museum shops. A milestone of modern architecture.

When approaching from the factory gates or from the eastern fringe of Stuttgart, a view of a unique new building is awaiting the visitor. Designed by UN Studio, one of the world's most highly esteemed architectural firms, the museum would be worth a visit for its architecture alone. Ben van Berkel, co-founder and director of UN Studio: "The Mercedes-Benz Museum combines a number of radical spatial principles with each other and thereby creates a completely new typology." The most conspicuous feature resulting from this novel approach is the route visitors take. Their tour of exploration does not start at ground level in the entrance area but at the topmost level where they are taken by lifts. From here, they can go on one of two tours running through the museum from the top downwards. The two routes meet at each level so that the visitor can decide whether to continue on the Legend or Collection tour or do both.

Hotel:
Mercure Grand Hotel am Dom

Day 13: Stuttgart

After breakfast – are you ready for more cars?
One more car manufacturer to visit – the Porsche Museum.

Old Porsche Museum: Founded in 1975, the museum offers a rotation of 20 different vehicles that invites visitors to look at and admire. Porsche is a company that has been around for about a century. Other interesting facts about Porsche, the cars and the development of the automobile industry can also be found at the museum.

New Porsche Museum:
Fascinating architecture and about 80 exhibits coming in 2008!

Overnight in Stuttgart at the same hotel

Day 14: Stuttgart

After breakfast, return flight or extend you stay in Germany.

TOUR PRICE

AVERAGE LAND COST PER PERSON
BASED ON THIS SAMPLE PROGRAM.

Offer can be adjusted depending on time and wishes.

Inclusions & Tour Highlights:

• Visit the Volkswagon "Autostadt"
• Visit Wolfsburg Castle
• Visit the mighty Veste Coburg Citadel
• Private guided city tour of Bamberg
• Visit the "Audi Forum"
• Visit the BMW Museum
• Visit Legoland Deutschland
• Private guided city tour of Stuttgart
• Visit the Mercedes Benz Museum
• Visit the Porsche Museum

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