How to Book a Tour
Germany’s past walks beside its present with cultural metropolises juxtaposing traditional half-timbered villages. Mountain peaks dusted with snow, river valleys brimming with vineyards, museums displaying European masters, and moody forests hosting world-famous gastronomy reflect the soul-stirring treats and temptations of Germany. Understanding the logistics of planning your perfect trip can be overwhelming and complex, but Zicasso is here to help.
There are three main ways to plan and book a trip:
- Get a customized tour planned and booked by a travel professional. Travel independently on your own schedule.
- Book a group tour. Join an escorted group tour with a fixed departure date.
- Plan and book a trip yourself.
Zicasso offers the best solution for a customized tour by matching you with top travel specialists who plan and book the trip for you. Our travel agency division, Marageti, specializes in helping you book an escorted group tour. There is no extra cost to you for either service.
Custom Tours
A customized tour is one that is planned by a travel specialist according to your specific interests, preferences, and schedule. Whether you desire a family-friendly adventure or a romantic getaway, each of the accommodations, activities, and destinations is tailored to your preferences. The knowledge and experience of your travel specialist make a big difference. Zicasso has spent thousands of hours vetting the best travel partners. We act as a referral service, matching you with specialists that best meet your goals and priorities.
Escorted Group Tours
A group tour offers the advantage of convenience at a great value. The schedule is fixed, the itinerary is pre-planned, and a dedicated tour director travels with the group throughout the trip. A group tour can be 30 - 50% less expensive than an equivalent customized tour. Out of the many group tours, how do you select the right one for you? Our travel agency division, Marageti, has sales agents who specialize in helping travelers weigh the pros and cons of different group tours. We give you personalized recommendations on the best tour for you.
Goals and Priorities
What are your goals and priorities of the trip? These should drive your decision for either a customized tour or a fixed departure group tour. We are here to help you make the right decisions to make your dream trip a reality.
Must-See Destinations in Germany
In consultation with our Germany travel specialists, we have arranged recommendations for any length of trip. A custom Zicasso tour alleviates any pressure by allowing us to organize your days based on your preferences. The suggestions below offer you an outline of a Germany trip.
7 Days to 9 Day Trips
If you have 7 to 9 days to travel in Germany, we suggest that you visit Berlin, the Rhine Valley, Munich, and the Bavarian countryside. Organizing your days efficiently will give you more time to experience Germany’s essential highlights.
7 Days
Days 1-2: Berlin
Days 3-4: Rhine Valley
Days 5-7: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
8 Days
Days 1-3: Berlin
Days 4-5: Rhine Valley
Days 6-8: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
9 Days
Days 1-3: Berlin
Days 4-5: Rhine Valley
Days 6-9: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
If you have more time (10-16 Days), We Recommend
If you can spend closer to two weeks in Germany, we suggest adding to the original destinations of Berlin, Munich, Bavarian Countryside, the Rhine Valley by visiting the Black Forest and Baden-Baden area as well as Dresden or Rothenburg. Each Zicasso tour is customized with what you wish to experience, but we would recommend that you spend your time:
10 Days
Days 1-3: Berlin
Days 4-5: Rhine Valley
Days 6-8: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
Days 9-10: Black Forest and Baden-Baden area
12 Days
Days 1-3: Berlin
Days 4-5: Rhine Valley
Days 6-8: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
Days 9-10: Black Forest and Baden-Baden area
Days 11-12: Dresden
14 Days
Days 1-3: Berlin
Days 4-5: Rhine Valley
Days 6-8: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
Days 9-10: Black Forest and Baden-Baden area
Days 11-12: Dresden
Days 13 -14: Rothenburg
15 Days
Days 1-3: Berlin
Days 4-5: Rhine Valley
Days 6-8: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
Days 9-10: Black Forest and Baden-Baden area
Days 11-12: Dresden
Days 13 -15: Rothenburg
16 days
Days 1-3: Berlin
Days 4-5: Rhine Valley
Days 6-8: Munich/Bavarian Countryside
Days 9-10: Black Forest and Baden-Baden area
Days 11-12: Dresden
Days 13 -14: Rothenburg
Days 15-16: Hamburg
How many days is enough to see Germany?
10 to 12 days is a great amount of time for a Germany trip. The country of Germany is relatively young and did not unite until the 19th century, which means each region of Germany retains a specific culture and heritage. 10 to 12 days offers enough time to visit the highlights of Berlin, Munich, the Bavarian countryside, and the Rhine Valley while also giving you the chance to further explore other destinations at your pace.
Essential Experiences for the Best Germany Vacation
Berlin is a fantastic city with a vibrant heritage and layers of contemporary history. The combination of glamour and edginess creates a tangible diversity. The cuisine reflects the cosmopolitan population and can feel more like an international village rather than a metropolis, with much cultural experimentation of new, grand ideas.
Best Way to Experience Berlin
Berlin is a fantastic city with a vibrant heritage and layers of contemporary history. The combination of glamour and edginess creates a tangible diversity. The cuisine reflects the cosmopolitan population and can feel more like an international village rather than a metropolis, with much cultural experimentation of new, grand ideas.
What to See & Do
The Must-Do Tours in Berlin (Recommended 3 Nights Depending on Pace):
History Tour
- Berlin represents layers of contemporary, international history and a specialist guide can reveal the Cold War through an East German lens.
Food Tour
- Berlin has a remarkable culinary scene that reflects the contemporary cosmopolitan culture as well as celebrated works of modern gastronomy.
Culture
- The East Side Gallery embodies Berlin’s celebrated contemporary art scene with more than 100 murals decorating a mile-long section of the Berlin Wall.
- The EIGEN + ART museum has cutting-edge works that span mediums from painters to thought-provoking installations of film and photography.
Best Way to Experience Munich
Munich is a marvelous city that represents the traditions and heritage of Bavaria. Munich acts as a junction between the past and modern lives of Germany, where locals wear lederhosen and drive cars packed with the newest technology. It is a city of art, comfort, customs, and beer at the doorstep of the dramatic Bavarian Alps.
What to See & Do
The Main Must-Do Tours in Munich (3 Days Depending on Pace):
BMW Museum
- The seven themed interactive galleries examine the development of the cars, motorcycles, and racecars inside a futuristic design.
Pretzel Making Class
- The traditions of Bavarian cuisine come to life during a private pretzel-making lesson in a working bakery.
Beer Tour
- Munich beer is best-known for the Hofbraurhaus, but a beer tour of Munich highlights beer as part of the local culture and history.
Best Way to Experience the Rhine Valley
The Rhine Valley gives you a different perspective of Germany that showcases the slate mountains and luscious hills covered in historic castles and thriving vineyards. The idyllic villages of the Rhine Valley are decorated with half-timbered houses and Gothic church steeples that represent the iconic fairytale image of Germany.
What to See & Do
The Main Must-Do Tours in Rhine Valley (2 Days Depending on Pace):
Rhine Day Cruise
- Bask in a panoramic view of historic timber-frame houses, medieval ruins, and impressive castles and fortresses with a Rhine Valley day cruise.
Wine Tasting
- Sample the flavorful and unique wines of the UNESCO protected lands along the Rhine Gorge surrounded by the enchanting ambiance.
Special Interests & Activities in Germany
Traveling with Zicasso provides you with exclusive access to many activities, excursions, and tours for a distinctive experience. The following information offers insight into our recommended experiences and can be tailored to focus on your unique interests:
Best Destinations for Food & Wine in Germany
Germany has a long history of fantastic food and delicious wines reflected in the fact that the country possesses a cumulative 300 Michelin stars. While Germany only has 13 wine regions, it hosts the largest wine festival in the world in the tiny town of Durkheim. When traveling with Zicasso, you will get personalized recommendations on the best destinations for food and wine across the country with suggestions on where to eat and what wineries to visit. The following recommendations highlight some of the best German regions for food and wine:
Middle Rhine
The Middle Rhine is renowned for for flavorful and powerful white wines that are accentuated by the panoramic views of lush vineyards, ancient castles, and the rushing waters of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The most famous wine of the Middle Rhine is Riesling.
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer is the most famous wine producer in the country and has a wine trail that crosses the banks of the Moselle River. Slate-laden soil and months of sunlight add to the flavors of the vines. The most popular wine from the region is Riesling.
Zicasso’s Exclusive Access to Germany’s Best Wine
When traveling with Zicasso, our travel partners can organize exclusive tours and private winery visits for memorable meetings with celebrated vintners paired with unforgettable wine tastings. You can also learn more about the more than 135 grape varietals in one of Germany’s premier food and wine destinations from a sommelier.
Art & History
Art
Germany is famous for its historic visual arts that have encouraged and inspired the contemporary arts of Berlin and the more traditional aesthetic of Munich. The rich tradition of fine arts also informs the distinctive architecture and focuses on local necessity, dating back to Roman antiquity but spanning the Middle Ages to German modernism.
- Explore the Pinakothek Museum in Munich where art lovers can find works like Rubens’s The Great Last Judgement and 20th-century artists such as Paul Klee and Franz Marc.
- The Städel in Frankfurt hosts 3,000 European masterpieces showcasing a 700-year timeline with works like 18th-century Johann Heinrich’s Goethe in the Roman Campagna
- The Contemporary Fine Arts Gallery in Berlin has a marvelous niche showcasing dynamic artists and those rising through the global art scene in various mediums
History
Germany is a young country with an ancient history. Roman artifacts share the story of fascinating regional conflicts, and antique castles reflect the 26 territories and four kingdoms that made up Germany before unification in the 19th century. Neighborhoods in Berlin act as living museums that highlight life during the Cold War and movement of people since the fall of the Berlin Wall, while hidden alleys in Munich reflect on the quiet stories of World War II. Vineyards, fortresses, and frescoes act as timelines to Germany’s remarkable heritage that you can discover on a customized Zicasso trip. Your travel specialist will design a tour with specialized guides, such as art historians with a PhD, history professors, or a history-focused small-group tour led by a certified guide.
Active Tours
An active tour provides a magnificent look at the countryside, rivers, lakes, and distinctive alpine landscape across Germany at your preferred pace in a unique context. Recommendations for some of the best active tours in Germany include the following.
Hiking
- Zugspitze – The tallest mountain in Germany offers views across four countries on a clear day and can be reached by hiking, a cable car, or a cog wheel train. The full-day experience encapsulates the beauty and drama of the Bavarian Alps.
- Black Forest – The scenic trails around the Black Forest offer long-distance trekking and short walks that travel a combined length of over 124 miles. A popular trail begins in Luxemburg and ends in the Black Forest.
Cycling
- Baltic Coast Cycle Trail – The trail connects the Fehmarn Island to Kiel and takes cyclists along surprisingly sandy white beaches,steep cliffs, shallow bays, and gorgeous peninsulas.
- Rhine Cycle Trail – The Rhine Cycle trail offers marvelous views of the 40 castles and palaces that line the Rhine River. The mostly flat trail covers over 766 miles between the south of France and North Rhine Westphalia.
Private Excursions and Special Access
Zicasso’s travel specialist partners have insider access to unique experiences that you cannot get any other way. These experiences, customized to your specific interests, can often be your most memorable, turning your trip into the experience of a lifetime. Here are some examples, but the possibilities are endless:
- An exclusive pretzel-making lesson in a working bakery that will teach you the history, customs, and traditional methods of Bavarian pretzels. You will also receive a certificate for being a pretzel maker.
- Visit Faber Castell, the oldest and largest pencil manufacturer, and their family castle.
- Race a Porsche on the company test-track with a Porsche driving instructor.
- Explore remnants of East Germany with a local guide in Berlin to find bunkers and overlooked artifacts of the Cold War.
- Discover historic castles with behind-the-scenes access and tours for a unique look at antique and contemporary history.
How much is a tour of Germany?
The starting price of a custom-tailored Germany trip is approximately $300 per person, per day. For an escorted group tour, the starting price can be $200 per person, per day.
The cost of a vacation is dependent on several factors, such as:
- Length of your trip
- Season (month) of travel
- Class of hotel
- Number of locations/cities you visit
- Number of guided day tours and activities (e.g., cooking class, wine tasting, etc.)
- How much you splurge on meals, shopping, etc.
A vacation such as this is often the biggest purchase of the year. It will also likely be one of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime. To get the most out of your trip, we highly recommend using an expert travel specialist to plan a customized tour that is tailored to your specific interests and budget. You can also join an escorted group tour so that most travel arrangements are pre-planned for you. This way, you can travel hassle-free and relax while a professional tour director and guide takes care of all logistics and any issues that might arise.
The cost of a tailor-made Germany tour typically starts at $3,000 per person for a 10-day trip, i.e., at $300 per person, per day during the low or mid-season.
This includes:
- 3-star hotels (shared twin room)
- Some guided day tours and activities
- Transportation in Germany such as airport transfers and domestic flights
A 5-star, tailor-made Germany tour, where most services are upgraded and extra unique experiences are included, typically starts at $6,000 per person for a 10-day trip, or $600 per person, per day.
An escorted Germany group tour with scheduled departure dates delivers excellent value. With comparable inclusions, such as the class of hotel, guided activities, and transportation, a group tour can be 30 - 50% less expensive than an equivalent tailor-made tour.
Everyone’s priorities, interests, and preferences are different. Submit a trip request on Zicasso, and we will personally match you with an expert trip planner who will help you customize your dream trip or help you select the right group tour while also taking your budget into consideration.
Best Time to Visit Germany
The best time to visit Germany is in April, May, and June or again between September and October. However, December is also a great month to visit Germany for the Christmas markets.
April, May, June, September and October offer the lower prices, smaller crowds, and the best weather for a well-rounded Germany trip; however, the last week of September and first week of October becomes very crowded in Munich because of Oktoberfest.
Christmas markets around Germany are a festive event and take place from December 1st to December 24th. The top three Christmas markets in Germany take place in Munich, Rothenburg, and Nuremberg, but smaller towns across the country host festive, colorful, and cozy Christmas markets as well.
How far in advance should I plan a trip to Germany?
During the months of April to May and September to October, you should plan your Germany trip up to three months in advance.
You should organize your trip to Germany at least six months in advance if you wish to include Oktoberfest. The event can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and draws people from around the world who wish to celebrate with the iconic music, food, and beer.
Modes of Transportation in Germany
The best way to see Germany in 10 days is with a combination of travel between train and by car with a private driver. Trains in Germany are fast, reliable, and convenient for couples and quickly travel long-distances for easy transfers between cities; however, trains in Germany can also be expensive when traveling with a small group or with family members.
Car Rental
Renting a car in Germany is possible but not recommended. Many travelers wrongly believe that they can jump on the freeway known as the autobahn and drive as fast as they wish. Urban freeways in Germany suffer from similar conditions of any major American city, and while the conditions of the roads are great, construction and congestion do cause traffic. Many American tourists in Germany also end up with speeding tickets because of their misconception that that autobahn does not have a speed limit. Driving in Germany is not difficult but does not allow you to relax and enjoy the scenery as you travel between destinations.
A car rental is a great option when visiting smaller villages or rural areas like the Black Forest or the Rhine Valley. Not only is the scenery beautiful, but the villages, vineyards, and riverbanks are not accessible by train.
What to Consider When Traveling Through Germany
Is Germany Safe for Travel?
Germany is very safe for travelers. As with traveling to any destination, it is important to keep an eye on your valuables when in train stations or crowded areas, but Germany is a safe, dynamic, and comfortable country for people to visit.
Travel Insurance
You’ve booked your dream vacation, now protect it with travel insurance. A wide range of factors can leave your vacation in limbo. Medical emergencies, inclement weather, and unexpected cancellations can cause turmoil for your trip, so in the unlikely event of a disaster, get the travel insurance coverage that provides peace of mind. To get a quote, visit our travel insurance page.
For Families
Germany is a great travel destination for families because of the rich history, distinctive artwork, and its connection to the renowned fairytales. A Zicasso travel specialist will help organize tours with family-friendly guides around Germany to enhance your experience while also highlighting great kid-friendly destinations, such as the Black Forest, Munich, and the Bavarian countryside.
For Seniors
A Zicasso travel specialist who understands the needs of seniors will help organize the perfect trip that accounts for any specific needs. Arrangements can be made for private drivers that will help carry your luggage and will also consider issues such as castles’ poor accessibility, such as lacking elevators.
For Couples
A knowledgeable Zicasso travel specialist understands the intricacies of a romantic Germany trip and can offer unique advice and opportunities for an unforgettable experience. A couples trip can focus on food and wine or the beauty of the landscape when in the Black Forest and Baden-Baden area.
For Travelers with Disabilities
Access and alternative arrangements can be made for guests with mobility challenges by our Germany travel specialists. The attention of an expert will ensure that you enjoy monuments, historical sites, restaurants, accommodations, and tours without distraction.
Best Airports to Fly In & Out of Germany
For most travelers, the best airport to fly in and out of when visiting Germany is Munich International Airport (MUC). The second most accessible airport to fly in or out of in Germany is Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA). The top active airports in Germany are:
- Munich International Airport (MUC)
- Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
- Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)
Find the Best Flight
Frankfurt has the largest airport in Germany and the fourth-largest airport in Europe, making it easy to find a flight arriving or departing from the city. Munich has the second-largest airport in Germany, but its ample number of flights and smaller size compared to Frankfurt make the Munich Airport a more comfortable travel experience.
The well-tended roads, fast railways, and ample flights make it easy to travel around Germany. This also makes it easier to book your arrival flight into one airport and your departure flight from another airport without much of a price difference, which will give you more time to see and experience Germany.
Domestic Flights
Domestic flights can be reasonable and easy throughout Germany due to the rise of low-cost airlines and the number of regional airports around the country.
Flights Via Zicasso
Zicasso Air Desk is an international air ticketing service that eliminates the stress of finding and booking the right flights for your upcoming vacation by employing the same personalized service you can expect from planning a trip with Zicasso. Our competitive flight pricing, 24xX7 Service & Support, and Complimentary Consultation of Routing vs. Pricing with an Expert Flight Specialist make finding the perfect flight for your trip effortless.
Recommendations for the Return Traveler
When returning for another Germany tour, you can travel into the depths of the cities and countryside beyond the essential destinations of Berlin, Munich, the Bavarian countryside, and the Rhine Valley. The following list offers our recommendations on areas you can visit that are considered more off-the-beaten-path but equally worthy of your attention:
- Harz Mountains and Wernigerode
The Harz Mountains possess a timeless charm, hosting Germany’s most enchanting villages embodied in the enchanting ambiance of Wernigerode. The majestic castle and working steam train highlight the beauty of the preserved culture and are surrounded by the pristine alpine landscape. The Harz Mountains and Wernigerode are great to visit during any season because the summer and spring offer hiking and cycling trails while winter gives way to perfectly powdered ski routes.
Kulmbach is located in Northern Bavaria and is a quintessential alpine town known for its historic castle and beer-making tradition. The market square remains active with daily life, is surrounded by cafes, gardens, and shops, and hosts the annual Christmas market. The Bavarian Brewery Museum highlights the history and importance of beer in town and across the region.
Related Germany Tours by Zicasso
Here is our list of other Germany Tours we offer:
Germany Tours for Seniors
Luxury Germany Tours
