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With direct flights from Aegean
Romantic cities, fairy-tale villages, and European culture
A journey that seems to have sprung from the pages of a fairy tale, where history, architecture, and the natural landscape 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, cuisine, and local culture in regions 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’re offering you…
Direct Aegean flights to Frankfurt and a return flight from Stuttgart to avoid unnecessary travel
Ideal flight schedules with a morning departure and an afternoon return, giving you 5 “full” days
Accommodations in the picturesque city of Heidelberg, right in the city center—not in a budget-friendly outlying town
A tour of Frankfurt
Opportunity to visit the most famous wine villages of Alsace—Colmar, Riquewihr, and Eggishheim—where we’ll taste the best wines in Europe!
Excursion to the renowned spa town of Baden-Baden
Thessaloniki "Macedonia" Airport (Google Maps)
Meet at the airport in the morning and depart on a direct Aegean flight to Frankfurt. Arrival in Europe’s “financial 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 manors 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, considered Germany’s longest pedestrian street at 1.6 km. 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 and set off for the unique city of Strasbourg to begin our guided tour, in a 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. At noon, 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. In the afternoon, return to Heidelberg.
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 wooden 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 not unfairly called the wine capital. We continue on to Eguisheim, our final destination, which has preserved its traditional architecture intact. 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 Joanna of Lorraine. Late in the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Heidelberg.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure from Heidelberg for cosmopolitan Baden-Baden, the renowned spa town on the outskirts of the Black Forest. A favorite destination of the European aristocracy, the city retains its unique charm to this day, with elegant mansions, well-tended gardens, and historic buildings that evoke the glamour of a bygone era. On our tour, we’ll visit the Kurhaus, home to the famous casino; admire the exterior of the historic Trinkhalle, with its distinctive arcade and murals; and enjoy a stroll along Lichtentaler Allee, alongside the Oos River. Afterward, enjoy some free time in the beautiful city center for last-minute shopping, a coffee at one of the elegant cafés, or a meal featuring local flavors. With images of the spa town rounding out our travel memories, we’ll head to Stuttgart Airport for our direct return flight with Aegean Airlines.
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The itinerary is based on available routes and services; however, changes or adjustments may occur before and/or during the trip for operational reasons and/or due to unforeseen circumstances. In any case, the General Terms and Conditions of Participation apply, and relevant updates will be provided.