HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1
Travel to Munich, Germany on an overnight intercontinental flight.

Day 2
Arive in fun-loving Munich, capital of Bavaria. Tour of Munich city center with a stop at the popular Hofbrauhaus. After enjoying a bratwurst, we head south on a scenic drive through the Bavarian Alps to Hohenschwangau. Dinner and one night in this picturesque town underneath Neuschwanstein Castle. Walt Disney fashioned his Disneyland Castle after this lovely and unique building. Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 3
Hohenschangau/Neuschwanstein/Heidelberg. After breakfast, we have a short ride by horse and wagon up the hill to Neuschwanstein, the fairy tale castle of King Ludwig II. Enjoy a morning tour of this fascinating castle and wonder how they built it in the high Alps. After lunch (on own), we continue our trip to Heidelberg where we arrive late afternoon. After checking into our hotel, we gather for cocktails and dinner together at the hotel.

Day 4
Heidelberg. Breakfast at the hotel in Heidelberg. Heidelberg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It combines the activity and artistry of a university town with the hustle-n-bustle of a mile-long shopping area and the presence of one of the oldest surviving castles in the country, all bounded by the lazing Neckar River. None other than Mark Twain himself proclaimed Heidelberg to be the perfect city -- not too big and not too small -- and he frequently stayed there (his name graces a couple of local landmarks).

Enjoy the charm and romantic beauty of the city of Heidelberg. Have a walking tour of Old Heidelberg in the morning – scheduled by the American Junior Year (AJY) staff. The middle of the day will be free for lunch and for individual pursuits. Take a tour of the Heidelberg castle in the mid afternoon. Enjoy the Castle’s inner courtyards and don’t miss its wine cellar with the big barrel. Dinner this evening will be at a micro-brewery.

Day 5
Rhine River Cruise. Depart after breakfast to the picturesque village of St. Goar, our cruise embarkation point. Around noon we board the unique paddle steamer Goethe, the oldest and last remaining paddle steamer on the Rhine and also the largest side-wheel steamer in the world. This nostalgic ship is in daily service on the romantic middle section of the Rhine. Since 2002 this part of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

There will be time for lunch aboard the Goethe during your three hour cruise. View the most picturesque section of the Rhine Valley with views of castle ruins, slopes of vineyards and the famed Lorelei. Disembark the cruise mid-afternoon in Rüdesheim, famous for its wines and vineyards. Enjoy shopping in the many shops and dinner on your own before heading back to Heidelberg.

Day 6
Rothenburg. After breakfast leave Heidelberg by motorcoach on a two hour drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany’s well-preserved “Jewel of the Middle Ages” with its ramparts, city gates and town hall. Upon arrival have a reception with the mayor before enjoying a walking tour of one of Germany’s old walled cities.

There’s free time to further explore this medieval walled town or shop at one of the many little shops including Kathe Wohlfahrt’s famed Christmas shop. Dinner in Rothenburg will be on your own. Return to Heidelberg.

Day 7
Schwetzingen and Choir Concert. Enjoy a morning tour of the Schwetzingen castle and gardens. After strolling around in the gardens, free time for lunch (on own) in Schwetzingen (home of the famous white asparagus). Then visit to a vineyard for a talk about German wines and a wine tasting.

Option Excursion: Attend a concert performed by the Heidelberg Concert Choir and a choir from the University of Heidelberg.

Day 8
The University of Heidelberg Anniversary Celebration. This morning tour the University of Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. See the infamous Student Prison. View rare and valuable illustrated medieval manuscripts in the University library.

In mid to late afternoon attend the official 50th Anniversary Celebration of the American Junior Year Program, coordinated by the AJY Staff. Enjoy a celebration dinner.

Day 9
Dinner Cruise/Castle Illumination. Final full day in Heidelberg. Day at leisure or participate in the optional tour to the Black Forest. Late dinner cruise on the Neckar River. View the reenactment of the burning of the Heidelberg Castle from the river boat.

Day 10
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Frankfurt International Airport for return flights home.