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Join James and Jenean Derheim of European Focus for this fantastic voyage through some of the most beautiful and historic parts of Germany and stay in places where few Americans have ever laid their heads. We’ve selected some of our favorite hotels that are located in castles, country inns or quaint but still exceptionally comfortable historic guesthouses for this tour. Pick your Pal-Am friends or family members, pick your dates and come travel in Germany with the world’s only truly private tour operator.
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See the castle above the village of Hirschhorn? That’s where you’ll stay your first two nights!
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Castles, Country Inns and Historic Guesthouses of Germany
Trip: July 11 (departure from America) to July 26 return
DAY OF ARRIVAL in Frankfurt, Germany
DAY 1
Guests are met by their tour guides James and Jenean Derheim at the airport. We drive about one hour and forty five minutes south to the riverside town of Hirschhorn, (Hessen) where we stay high above the Neckar River in the “SchlossHotel Hirschhorn.” (Pictured above at the top of the hill) This peaceful castle hotel will be the perfect place to relax and unwind after the flight from America. We stay here two nights and explore the Neckar River Valley including Heidelberg in the neighboring state of Baden-Württemberg. We dine in the castle’s excellent restaurant tonight with a panoramic view over the Neckar River Valley.
DAY 2
We enjoy a buffet breakfast in the hotel, then spend the
first part of the day sightseeing in nearby Heidelberg
including a visit to the castle with a tour of the interior
(in English, as are all guided landmark tours during
this trip). There will be time for rest and relaxation
on the hotel’s broad, sunny verandah with its spectacular
view over the locks of the river below, or slow exploration
of the interesting town of Hirschhorn. We dine in the
castle’s restaurant tonight.
DAY 3
After another excellent breakfast of typical German breads and various other delicacies from the buffet, a short but scenic trip through the countryside, passing through small towns and villages to the town of Erbach in the heart of the Odenwald Forest. Here, we have a private guided tour of the Schloss Erbach, built in 1740. The castle features one of the largest collections of Greek and Roman artifacts in central Germany, collected by an ancestor of the count who still lives in the castle.
After lunch at the nearby traditional German inn, we travel a short distance to a fascinating outdoor living history museum. You’ll be able to wander into houses preserved just like they were in the “good old days” including plenty of history and daily life exhibits. Afterwards, we continue a short distance to the riverside town of Miltenberg, on the banks of the Main River in Bavaria. We check into the landmark “Zum Riesen” hotel, one of the most famous and interesting hotels in Germany. Guests will enjoy the atmosphere of the Riesen as well as the charming town of Miltenberg, nestled against rolling hills complete with a castle hovering above.
We have the rest of the day for exploration of this pretty town. Those who are interested can bike along the Main River or simply sit and watch the barges cruise past on the glassy river. We dine that night in the brewery restaurant located in the lower level of the Riesen, with its many traditional German dishes and fresh beer made in Miltenberg.
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Riesen" hotel is one of Germany's oldest, having been established in the 1100s.
You'll have plenty of time to explore enchanting Rothenburg both with and without guidance.
Dahlias in bloom on Mainau Island, near Meersburg. Guests will enjoy an excursion and half day at this wonderful horticultural garden.
The historic "zum Bären" hotel in the heart of Meersburg will be your home for two unforgettable nights.
John Mangus of the Pal-Am Ohio chapter enjoys his visit to the Hexenlochmühle, deep in the heart of the Black Forest. This was John's 3rd consecutive tour with European Focus.
The riverside village of Bacharach with the Rhein River in the background.
Ralph and Marge Kroehler, Pal-Am members from Peoria, enjoy their trip to Germany in 2001 which included Bacharach.
Guests receive a portfolio of professional photographs to help them enjoy their tour for many years to come.
Mary Maledon and Brenda Wendelken took in the sights of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 1998.
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DAY 4
After breakfast at our hotel, we spend the day sightseeing in the region. We’ll take a daytrip to Amorbach to see the famous monastery
church and library. We’ll enjoy a second relaxing night in the Riesen hotel with dinner in a local restaurant. (One of the best
features of this tour is the non-hurried pace and the ability of our guests to have plenty of free, unstructured time for exploring,
shopping or just sitting and watching the activities around the marketplace.)
Day 5
A drive of just two hours over the backroads (we take the small back highways and roads whenever possible so that people can see
the "real Germany" and not the monotonous expressway) to the fantastic walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We stay here three nights.
DAYS 6 and 7
Exploration of the area around Rothenburg. Highlights include: Detwang and the 1,000-year-old chapel there, featuring an altarpiece
carved in about 1500 by Tilman Riemenschneider - The baroque castle at Weikersheim, rated as one of the finest examples of baroque and
renaissance architecture in Germany. The knight's banquet hall is one of the most spectacular in Germany. The landscaped gardens are
really special, too. The Herrgotteskirche at Creglingen, where another amazing altarpiece by the famous artist Tilman Riemenschneider
is on display. Interesting museums in the town of Rothenburg, a walk on the wall, walks in the valley below the town and much time for
relaxed exploration of the narrow back alleys and streets of this magical town.
DAY 8
A half day journey with stops for sightseeing down Germany's enchanting "Romantic Road" through Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen to Meersburg, on
the Bodensee or Lake Konstanz in Baden-Württemberg. Our guests will stay in another of Germany’s famous old inns, the "Zum Bären," built
in 1605 on foundations from 1250 in the center of the town. This wonderful town has charm galore and an ancient knight's castle that is
one of the best that we've ever toured.
DAY 9
A self-guided tour of the castle in the morning, followed by an excursion by boat to nearby Mainau Island; where there is a wonderful
horticultural garden. Second night in the Zum Bären.
DAY 10
A short two hour journey into the heart of the Black Forest, where our homebase for two nights will be the four star country inn "Hotel Dorer"
in the town of Schönwald. (Baden-Württemberg) This inn is one of Gemany’s award-winning destinations, surrounded by excellent hiking
paths and featuring fabulous dishes prepared in traditional Black Forest style. We enjoy the hotel’s six-course dinner both nights.
Today before checking in, we’ll visit the German Clock Museum in Furtwangen and see the "Hexenlochmuehle," a sawmill built in 1825 that still
cuts lumber from the surrounding forest.
DAY 11
The entire day for relaxed exploration of the surrounding Black Forest, including easy hiking in the morning after breakfast for those
who wish, then a day trip to nearby Triberg for shopping and to walk along the highest waterfall in Germany. Or, those who desire can
simply relax on the verandah of the hotel. (This tour is the antidote to the hectic pace set by most large tour operators. We believe
strongly in time to soak in the atmosphere and self-exploration along with plenty of time for relaxing and enjoying the wonderful inns
we’ve selected for this trip.)
DAY 12
We pass through more of the Black Forest on our way to the village of Gleiszellen (Rheinland-Pfalz) where we stay two nights in the
welcoming "Zum Lam" country inn. The Lam is known throughout the region for its excellent cooking, and we’ll sample those dishes including
the famous "flammkuchen," or Alsatian pizza.
DAY 13
A day trip across the border into the Alsace to the interesting old town of Wissembourg where we’ll have lunch. Then, a trip to nearby
Soufflenheim, well-known for pottery created in a distinct style. We’ll return to our inn for another wonderful meal served with
local wines (for those who indulge).
DAY 14
We travel up through the wine country to the Rhein, and stay the last two nights in the ancient village of Bacharach (Rheinland-Pfalz).
Guests will enjoy rooms with balconies overlooking the tiny market square of this busy little village. This old inn stands on the
foundations of a meeting hall dating back to the early 14th century. Wonderful food and hospitality form an excellent pair of bookends
to this unforgettable trip. That evening, we enjoy dinner in our hotel, featuring superior dishes of the region.
DAY 15
A cruise on the Rhein River starts the day. The area between Bingen and St. Goar is one of the most picturesque parts of this historic
waterway, and you'll see it all from the comfort of your seat on board one of the luxurious pleasure boats that ply the Rhein. After
your cruise, we'll drive one hour west across the Hunsruck to the Mosel Valley town of Bernkastel-Kues. After lunch, we’ll drive
along part of the Mosel before returning back across the Hunsruck to Bacharach for a final farewell dinner at the "Altes Haus,"
located in a building dating from 1368. The best wienerschnitzel in Germany!
DAY 16
DAY OF DEPARTURE
Escort to the Frankfurt International Airport. Your guides will stay with you right up to the point where you pass through ticket
and passport control.
As a lasting reminder of your journey, each couple or each single will receive a complimentary professional photo portfolio
featuring all of the places we see on this journey. Photography by James Derheim, owner of European Focus, Inc. Photos will be
mounted one per page in a custom portfolio binder with captions under each image. Portfolios will be delivered to the travelers'
homes in the winter.
Requirements and Fees
Minimum number of people required: Four
Maximum number of people: 10
(There is no need to come up with a complete group of 10. If your group is between four and 10, then it’s a "Go.")
Booking Deadlines
The tour must be booked before April 15. If we do not reach the required minimum of four persons for the tour you select, we will
refund 100% of all deposits from those who sign up before that date.
Price is based on a minimum load of four persons and is set at $7,000 per couple, or $3,600 per person, airfare not included.
Singles get their own room. Travelers only out of pocket expenditures will be for personal souvenirs. All excursions, sightseeing,
meals and transportation (mentioned above) and in Europe included.
To register, send an e-mail to EuroFocus@aol.com and request the "Castles, Guesthouses and Inns" Pal-Am tour sign-up form. It will
be e-mailed to you.
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