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Romantic Cities, Fairytale Villages & European Culture A journey that seems to have sprung from the pages of a fairytale, where history, architecture, and natural scenery come together in unique harmony. From the vibrancy of Frankfurt and romantic Heidelberg to the picturesque wine villages of Alsace, cosmopolitan Strasbourg, and the enchanting landscapes of the Black Forest, this itinerary offers a comprehensive experience of Central Europe. Explore historic gem-like city centers, stroll through cobblestone alleys lined with half-timbered houses, taste renowned wines in centuries-old vineyards, and admire cathedrals, castles, and breathtaking riverside views. Experience the magic of traditional markets, local cuisine, and regional culture in areas that have preserved their authenticity. A journey filled with sights, scents, and moments that will stay with you forever. A journey you don’t just visit—you experience.
Join us on this journey, because we offer…
Direct Aegean flights to Frankfurt and return from Stuttgart to avoid unnecessary kilometers
Ideal flight schedules with a morning departure and an afternoon return for 5 “full” days
Accommodations in the picturesque city of Heidelberg, rather than in a budget-friendly regional town
Accommodations in Strasbourg with the option of a 3-star or 4-star hotel.
Tour of Frankfurt
Option for a unique cruise on the Ill River
Option to visit the most famous wine villages of Alsace—Colmar, Riquewihr, and Eguisheim—where we’ll taste the best wines in Europe!
Excursion to the Black Forest and a tour of the city of Freiburg
Thessaloniki "Macedonia" Airport (Google Maps)
Meet at “Macedonia” Airport at 6:00 a.m. and depart on a direct flight to Frankfurt. Arrival in Europe’s “economic capital.” Although it is widely known today as the headquarters of the European Central Bank, Frankfurt is linked in the hearts of Germans to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a leading figure in German literature and author of the legendary *Faust*. We’ll visit the city center to begin our tour. This ancient imperial city on the Main River—hence its full name, Frankfurt am Main—has long been an important commercial and economic center. Frankfurt’s impressive skyline, dominated by the large cluster of high-rise buildings in the financial district, has a distinct North American feel, a fact that has earned the city the nicknames “Mainhattan” and “Chicago on the Main.” We’ll explore the history and major landmarks of Germany’s fifth-largest city, home to the German Stock Exchange and the European Central Bank. We’ll visit the old historic city center of Römerberg, with its open-fronted shops—once common throughout the old town—and the Römer. This complex of 11 historic buildings constituted the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) from the medieval era, which was faithfully reconstructed in 1954. Of particular significance is the elegant Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal), which was once the setting for magnificent banquets. Other notable buildings on the Römerberg include the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus), dating from 1908, the 14th-century Gothic church of St. Leonhard, and the Church of St. Nicholas. Finally, we’ll visit the bridge over the Main River featuring a Homeric inscription, taken from a verse in the Odyssey. Next, we’ll visit nearby Rüdesheim. We’ll bid farewell to the Rhine to explore the old town. We’ll walk in the footsteps of the town’s nobility. There is an unusually large number of castles and aristocratic mansions in and around the city center. This is due, among other things, to the Franconian Gaugraves, who established a local aristocracy in Rüdesheim around the 8th century. As soon as you walk down the Oberstrasse pedestrian street, you’ll have the chance to admire some of the impressive residences of the nobility of that era. Here in the heart of the old town, let yourself be swept away as you stroll for a while through the narrow cobblestone streets, the beautiful wooden houses, and buildings adorned with stucco. Next, we’ll walk down the city’s liveliest street, Drosselgasse. More than three million visitors from all over the world stroll through this beautiful alley every year—some just to take a look, others to celebrate. Be sure to order a Rüdesheimer coffee, made with Asbach Uralt, among other ingredients. Time for lunch with local wine—produced for 2,000 years in the region’s vineyards—and then we’ll depart for Heidelberg. We’ll arrive in the afternoon, check into our hotel, and have some free time in the city for our first evening stroll.
We wake up in the fairytale-like region of Heidelberg, built on the banks of the Neckar River. Today is entirely dedicated to this city because it’s truly worth it! We’ll stroll through its pedestrianized historic center, along Hauptstrasse, which, at 1.6 km long, is considered Germany’s longest pedestrian street. This time of year in this magical city is a special experience, as the city is decked out for the holidays and the Christmas market. We’ll admire medieval and modern churches, such as the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Jesuit Church. Also impressive in the city are the so-called “student prison,” the “witches’ tower,” a section of the medieval fortification wall, the Zum Ritter Hotel, dating from 1592, the city’s old university, and the bridge connecting the city to the opposite bank. Four bridges span the banks of the Neckar, with the Old Bridge (Altebrücke) being by far the most beautiful. Those who wish can follow the guide and cross to the other side of the city to walk along the famous Philosophers’ Path (Philosophenweg), a picturesque and lush cobblestone path where, during the Romantic era, university professors and philosophers used to stroll. On the hill above the Old Town stands the Castle (optional climb), from where you can enjoy the best view of the city, with its bell towers and rooftops. At noon, spend some time in the historic center to enjoy lunch and beautiful walks.
We enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel, leave Heidelberg behind, and set off for the unique city of Strasbourg to begin our guided tour, in the city that feels more like the capital of Europe than an old Alsatian town. The historic center, known as “Petite France” (Little France), was designated a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1988. It has the vibrancy of a university town, thanks to the University of Strasbourg, founded in 1566. We’ll stroll through the old town, filled with picturesque little houses made of wood and painted in bright colors, where the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg stands out. It’s worth taking a moment to admire the astronomical clock and the 12th-century stained-glass windows. On Place du Château, next to the cathedral, stands the 18th-century Roan Tower, once the archbishop’s residence, which today houses the city’s main museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Archaeology, and the Camérzel House. At noon, enjoy some free time in the city’s pedestrian streets for coffee or a meal at the excellent Alsatian restaurants, followed by check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, we recommend exploring the city by boat: One of the most romantic ways to discover the city’s beauty is by cruising down the Ill River on a 75-minute boat tour. You’ll see the entire historic center, enjoy panoramic views of the buildings in the Petite France district, the traditional houses along the river, the covered bridges, the German Quarter, and the impressive, state-of-the-art buildings of the European Parliament.
Today, join us on a wonderful optional excursion to the famous wine villages. South of the city of Strasbourg, within a 100-kilometer radius, there are 67 famous wine villages on French soil. Because this region is bordered on one side by the Vosges Mountains and on the other by the Rhine, it creates a unique microclimate ideal for viticulture. Our first stop will be the small town of Riquewihr, nestled among vast vineyards on the eastern slope of the Vosges Mountains. For centuries, it was owned by the Dukes of Württemberg, and having escaped the wars that ravaged the region, it retains its 16th-century architectural style, while its few residents have continued to this day to cultivate Riesling grapes for wine production. It retains part of its fortifications, cobblestone streets and towers, old fountains, beautiful rooftops, timber-framed houses, a riot of colors on the walls, and a variety of flowers in the windows. We continue on to Colmar, a town that looks like a painting. Pastel-colored half-timbered houses lining the canals and colorful flowers lend a unique atmosphere to what is perhaps the most beautiful city in Alsace. Its historic center is crossed by the Lauch, a tributary of the Ill, which flows into the Rhine. Be sure to try a glass of the region’s excellent white wine at one of the many shops in Colmar, which is rightly called the wine capital. We continue on to Eguisheim, our final destination, which has preserved its traditional architecture in its entirety. Built in concentric circles around its 13th-century octagonal castle, it is surrounded by vineyards of two local grape varieties. We’ll… get lost without a care in its circular alleys: they always bring you back to where you started. Small houses with balconies, wooden frames, and protruding windows overflowing with geraniums leave us in awe. The central square is no less beautiful, with its fountain, the 8th-century city castle with its outer wall dating to 720 AD, and the chapel of the reformist Pope Leo IX, who was born here. The tops of the castle tower and the church are home to stork nests. Other sites of historical interest include the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which blends Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, the city’s two Renaissance fountains, and the statue of Joan of Lorraine. Late in the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Strasbourg.
The last day of the trip has arrived, but since our return flight isn’t until late in the afternoon, we have time to visit the fairytale-like natural landscape of the famous Melana Forest, with its countless attractions (pine trees, fir trees, waterfalls, lakes), picturesque towns, and villages with their charming wooden chalets. We’ll stop at the university town of Freiburg, where the great Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis breathed his last. It is known as the “environmental capital of Europe” due to its smart use of solar energy, which it enjoys for much of the year. We’ll stroll through the historic center—which has been meticulously restored to its original form and pedestrianized—to admire the cathedral, one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art in Germany, the bright-red Koifhus, the world’s first department store, the beautiful fountains in the square, not one but two City Halls, as well as the Art Nouveau main building of one of Europe’s oldest universities. We continue to the heart of the enchanting Black Forest (the dense trees block out the sunlight inside, hence the name), following the German "Clock Road" (with its countless cuckoo clock workshops) and arrive for a brief stop at Lake Titisee, which is “surrounded” by lush greenery. This is where our journey comes to an end; we’re headed to the Stuttgart airport for our return flight with Aegean, filled with experiences, stunning scenery, memories, new friends, and a phone full of photos and videos!
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