Rhine Valley Rhapsody: Culture and Beer Gardens Galore

10 Day Tour of Frankfurt, Heidelberg and Cologne

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Trip Map
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10 Days 9 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Cultural Exploration

Beer Drinkers

Get intimately acquainted with Germany and its culture on an exquisite 10-day journey across its western heartland, including overnights in Frankfurt, Heidelberg, and Cologne. Explore the cities on private guided walks with locals, linger in medieval town squares, and visit UNESCO World Heritage sites. You'll take excursions to the former West German capital of Bonn, the imperial city of Aachen, and the enchanted landscapes of the Black Forest. Relish authentic German cuisine and unwind in traditional beer gardens. With Go Real Travel, you'll also benefit from detailed travel guidance provided through our mobile app, ensuring a seamless trip.

Cruise beneath castles along the Rhine River gorge, one of Europe's most epic stretches of river.
Wander picturesque medieval lanes in Heidelberg, and ascend to the castle ruins above the Old Town
Voyage to the Black Forest on a guided excursion, where tranquil nature & fairy-tale villages await
Climb the bell tower of Cologne's massive cathedral and explore its charming Altstadt.
Discover the beer culture of Cologne, exploring the unique Kölsch beer on a special brewhouse tour.

Cruise beneath castles along the Rhine River gorge, one of Europe's most epic stretches of river.
Wander picturesque medieval lanes in Heidelberg, and ascend to the castle ruins above the Old Town
Voyage to the Black Forest on a guided excursion, where tranquil nature & fairy-tale villages await
Climb the bell tower of Cologne's massive cathedral and explore its charming Altstadt.
Discover the beer culture of Cologne, exploring the unique Kölsch beer on a special brewhouse tour.

Römerberg

Historic Landmarks

Frankfurt Cathedral

Churches & Monasteries

Eiserner Steg Bridge

Architecture

Heidelberg Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Church of the Holy Spirit

Churches & Monasteries

Old Bridge

Architecture

Cologne Cathedral

UNESCO World Heritage

Hohenzollern Bridge

Architecture

Chocolate Museum

Museums & Galleries

Must see sights

Römerberg

Historic Landmarks

Frankfurt Cathedral

Churches & Monasteries

Eiserner Steg Bridge

Architecture

Heidelberg Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Church of the Holy Spirit

Churches & Monasteries

Old Bridge

Architecture

Cologne Cathedral

UNESCO World Heritage

Hohenzollern Bridge

Architecture

Chocolate Museum

Museums & Galleries

Starting from

$2639

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

Not included

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

To Be Determined

Arrival in Frankfurt Airport and Transfer by Taxi or Train

Frankfurt has one main airport, Frankfurt Airport, where most visitors arrive. Taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. The cheapest and fastest way to reach central Frankfurt is by train, as there is a train station located within the airport (just follow the signs). The highspeed InterCity trains, Regional trains, and SBahn trains all have direct routes from the airport to the main train station in Frankfurt (Frankfurt Hbf). Tickets for the ICE trains cost about 15 EUR while tickets for Regional trains and Sbahn are only about 5 EUR. The journey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. From the Frankfurt main rail station, you can take a much cheaper taxi or Uber to your hotel, or perhaps even walk. Please note that if flying into the somewhat deceptively named Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, you will need to arrange bus or other transportation to Frankfurt. This airport is actually located about a 90 minute drive from central Frankfurt.

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

To Be Determined:

Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon:

North & South Banks

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

To Be Determined

Arrival in Frankfurt Airport and Transfer by Taxi or Train

Mid-Day/Afternoon

North & South River Banks of the Main

You can explore Frankfurt's Financial District and Jewish museums on the northern bank of the Main River and then spend some time walking along the river in Nizza Park. Once you're ready, cross the pedestrian Iron Bridge, weighted down with love locks, to the South Bank and Sachsenhausen, a district of Frankfurt that is renowned for its riverside museums dedicated to the arts and film as well as its lively restaurants and nightlife.

Day 2

Frankfurt

Day 2

Frankfurt

Day 2

Frankfurt

Day 2

Frankfurt

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Best of Frankfurt Guided Walking Tour

Visit the highlights of Frankfurt, and learn about the extensive and fascinating history of this diverse and historic city. Your guide will take you places that the tour buses can't, including the Römer and the Römerplatz, the Book Burning Memorial, Alte Oper, the Eisener Steg and many more!

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Touring the Frankfurt City Center

Frankfurt survived the ravages of WWII to resurrect itself as the financial capital of continental Europe and combines traditional timber German buildings with modern glass and metal skyscrapers. Discover Frankfurt's New Old Town with a square that is lined with reconstructed timber houses. Surrounding Altstadt is the Innenstadt, the beating heart of both Frankfurt's and Germany’s finance industry, as well as being a business district full of bars, restaurants, and upmarket clothing shops. While there, enjoy a breathtaking view of Frankfurt and its surroundings from the Main Tower restaurant and observation deck.

Early Evening/Evening

Dining Out in Frankfurt

Energetic Innenstadt makes up Frankfurt’s financial and commercial center, and is packed with outdoor cafes and swanky restaurants. The fun lies in diverse cuisines, sky-high views, and ample people-watching – suited bankers, shoppers, and tourists doing their thing, framed by the contrast of high-rises and medieval Altstadt buildings. Nearby attractions such as the Goethe House museum, Oper Frankfurt, and MMK Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, mean dining can be somewhat expensive in Frankfurt’s Innenstadt, but after all the sightseeing you’ll be doing around here anyway, you might as well enjoy one of the many worthwhile restaurants in the area while taking in the downtown bustle. Feel like some Japanese, Greek, Indian, African, or German cuisine with an avante garde twist? You'll find it here, along with many more options.

Day 3

Frankfurt

Day 3

Frankfurt

Day 3

Frankfurt

Day 3

Frankfurt

Early Morning to Late Afternoon

Cruise or Cycle Up The Rhine Gorge

Board a riverboat from the town of Rüdesheim and take a cruise northwards up the incomparable Rhine River Gorge wreathed on either side with vineyards groaning with Reisling and Pinot Noir grapes, and colonized with impossibly romantic chateaux and castle ruins. Alternatively, hire a bicycle and pedal up the gorge, stopping off at rustic villages along the way, before heading back for a well-earned glass of the local wine.

Early Evening to Late Evening

Concert in Frankfurt

Enjoy an evening out at the Alte Oper, Frankfurt's original opera house, or the Oper Frankfurt, also known as the Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt. There are plenty of other performances and venues to choose from.

Day 4

Frankfurt to Heidelberg

Day 4

Frankfurt to Heidelberg

Day 4

Frankfurt to Heidelberg

Day 4

Frankfurt to Heidelberg

To Be Determined

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Frankfurt hbf (i.e. Frankfurt Main Station) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

To Be Determined

Rail Journey to Heidelberg

Your approximately 1-hour rail journey to Heidelberg will pass through the Rhine Valley. The journey is not only quick, but also convenient since you can take a direct train.

To Be Determined

Arrival and Transfer by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains arrive in Heidelberg Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and the local tram system picks up directly in front of the station. Taxis are available at all rail stations and are generally honest, although you can also arrange a private transfer if you prefer. Uber is not yet available in Heidelberg.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Explore the Old Town (Altstadt)

Heidelberg's Altstadt (i.e. its Old Town) is full of cafes, restaurants, and pubs, and is almost always abuzz with foot traffic. With one of Germany's most prestigious universities partially located within the Altstadt, it also has a youthful and international vibe which makes it seem especially vibrant. The baroque buildings which line the market squares and quaint sidestreets by themselves make the Altstadt undeniably charming. But factor in its perfect setting, wedged between the river and forested green hills dominated by a castle, and it is no wonder it is one of Germany's most photographed locales.

Early Evening/Evening

Dining Out in Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a fun city to enjoy at night as the city streets fill with locals, tourists, and students from Heidelberg University. Heidelberg has a plethora of bars, cafes, and restaurants, sure to please any visitor. Most are located within the Old Town, so it is easy to hop between spots and sample all the city has on offer.

Day 5

Heidelberg

Day 5

Heidelberg

Day 5

Heidelberg

Day 5

Heidelberg

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Guided Walking Tour of the Heidelberg's Altstadt and Castle

On this 4 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Heidelberg and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the Heidelberg University, the Old Bridge, Altstadt, Town Hall and Heidelberg Castle.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Tour Heidelberg Castle and Königstuhl

Heidelberg has the fortune to have some uniquely atmospheric castle ruins and is home to the oldest yet most modern funicular railway in Germany. Use this funicular to take a trip up Heidelberg Castle and stroll through the castle gardens. Continue up to the top of the hill where you will reach the Königstuhl to experience spectacular views of Heidelberg and the Neckar River valley.

Day 6

Heidelberg

Day 6

Heidelberg

Day 6

Heidelberg

Day 6

Heidelberg

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Guided Excursion to the Black Forest

With over 6,000 square kilometres of rolling hills, magnificent mountains, and pristine old forests, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) is truly a national treasure. Outdoors enthusiasts travelling to Heidelberg are not to miss out on a visit to this incredible region filled with some of Europe’s best hiking and mountain views.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Hike Along the Philosophenweg

Enjoy a gentle hike up into the hills above Heidelberg from the Old Bridge to get magnificent views of the castle on the other side, then trek up further to visit the wonderfully atmospheric ruins of St. Michael's ruins and Thingstätte, the pseudo-Grecian amphitheater built by the Nazis in the mid-1930s to stage opera and theater plays extolling the virtues of the Aryan race.

Day 7

Heidelberg to Cologne

Day 7

Heidelberg to Cologne

Day 7

Heidelberg to Cologne

Day 7

Heidelberg to Cologne

9:25 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Heidelberg Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and the local tram network stops directly in front of the station. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is not yet available in Heidelberg.

10:24 - 13:06

Rail Journey to Cologne

Your less than 3-hour rail journey to Cologne will cross the charming landscape of Germany's Rhine Valley, where you'll enjoy views of the hills which run alongside the valley. The journey is especially convenient since you can take a direct train.

1:06 PM

Arrival and Transfer by Taxi or Public Transport

There are two main rail stations where visitors arrive in Cologne. You will likely arrive in the Cologne main station (Köln hbf, i.e. hauptbahnhof) although keep in mind that you amay arrive in the Messe/Deutz station just across the river from the main station.. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. Taxis are available at all rail stations and are generally honest, so if you prefer the convenience of not carrying your bags on public transport, they are an option. Some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

Afternoon

Documentation Center

Cologne’s National Socialism Documentation Center is the largest regional memorial site in Germany for the victims of Nazism. Housed in the city's former Gestapo Headquarters, the Center is a place of commemoration, learning and research all in one, with a highly effective and evocative interactive permanent exhibition at its core.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Finding the Old & New in Cologne's Altstadt

Cologne has a history stretching well back into Roman times, and it is most famous for its massive Gothic Cathedral. While the Altstadt, i.e. the Old Town, is full of small alleyways and historic buildings, many are not in their original form because nearly three quarters of the city was leveled by WWII bombing raids. Indeed, in many ways Cologne feels like a modern city built onto the bones of an ancient city. With that said, there are many sites well-worth seeing, as well as great museums, such as the Romano-Germanic and Ludwig Museums. Taking a walk along the promenade on the Rhine River is also a must.

Day 8

Cologne

Day 8

Cologne

Day 8

Cologne

Day 8

Cologne

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Private Highlights Walking Tour of Cologne

Your private guide will pick you up from your hotel. During this 2-hour walking tour, you will have a chance to get to know many interesting facts about the history of Cologne and visit the biggest highlights of the town. Among the others you will see: Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Roncalliplatz, Rheinboulevard, Heumarkt & Alter Markt, Hänneschentheater, Cologne City Hall, Typical Kölsch brewery. After the end of the tour the guide will be happy to give you the recommendations for the rest of your stay in Cologne.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Excursion to the former West German capital of Bonn

Take a less than half hour train ride to what was until the fall of the Berlin Wall the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). Bonn has reverted back to provincial status, but plenty remains to see of its former capital status, including the modern government district and a general spread of fascinating museums, all located near a very attractive stretch of the Rhine River. The city also makes the most of its associations with Beethoven, who was born here and whose birthplace has been turned into a museum also. You can also embark upon the Weg der Demokratie ("Path of Democracy"), a signposted walkthrough of sites associated with Bonn's period as the federal capital.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Get a Taste of the Kölsch Beer Culture

Kölsch beer is a special beer only brewed in Cologne. It's a light ale and is served in traditional tall and cylindrical 0.2 litre Kölsch glasses which waiters carry around in purpose-built circular serving receptacles that look like communion trays. Beer lovers often find that the regional specialties are the brews that are most distinctive and memorable, and no style better exemplifies that spirit of community pride and distinction than Kölsch. Indeed, Cologne boasts more breweries than any other major city worldwide. You can taste for yourself and get to know the etiquette associated with Kölsch beer during an evening out in Cologne's bars and brew houses.

Day 9

Cologne

Day 9

Cologne

Day 9

Cologne

Day 9

Cologne

Morning to Afternoon

Excursion to the Imperial City of Aachen

Less than an hour from Cologne by train you'll discover Aachen, a small spa city located snugly next to the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. The city is famous not only for its thermal water, but also for its historical ties to the greatest and first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne. Aachen was the place where he and 31 other Holy Emperors were crowned King of the Romans, although in reality it was mostly Germans that they ruled over. Visitors can explore the Charlemagne Route, visit a spa, enter the jaw-dropping cathedral, or just take in the charming ambience of a city whose story stretches back to Roman times.

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Private Beer and Food Tour of Cologne

During this 4 hour privately guided tour, you will try both the famous Kölsch beer and the traditional local food. The tour will be a mixture of food and beer tasting and short walks through the Cologne's Old Town. Your private tour guide will be happy to share with you interesting facts about the beer production process and the history of the town.

Day 10

Depart Cologne

Day 10

Depart Cologne

Day 10

Depart Cologne

Day 10

Depart Cologne

To Be Determined

Private Transfer to Airport, and Departure from Cologne

A car service will pick you up from the N/A and deliver you to Cologne Bonn Airport for your flight departure. This is a private transfer just for your travel party, and you will not need to pay the driver for the transfer, as it is already included in the cost of the itinerary.

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Rhine Valley Rhapsody: Culture and Beer Gardens Galore

10 Day Tour of Frankfurt, Heidelberg and Cologne

$2639

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Arrival in Frankfurt Airport and Transfer by Taxi or Train

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.