Tours → Central Europe
10 Days / 9 Nights · Private · Max 30 Guests
Rhine to Vienna — the grand sweep of Central Europe, privately guided.
Best of Germany & Austria
From $5,299 per person
★★★★★ 4.9 · 272 Reviews on TripAdvisor
At a Glance
A 10-day all-inclusive private grand tour combining the Rhine, Danube, castles, and mountains — from Frankfurt through Heidelberg, the Romantic Road, and Neuschwanstein to Salzburg, the Wachau Valley, and Vienna.
This tour combines the highlights of our River Castles, Bavarian Castles, and Imperial Castles tours into a single sweeping journey for travelers who want to see both Germany and Austria at their finest. From Frankfurt to Vienna, every day brings a new chapter of Central European history, scenery, and culture.
The journey begins on the Rhine with a cruise downstream past Loreley Rock and medieval castles to Boppard, followed by the magnificent 12th-century Burg Eltz and lunch on the Moselle Promenade in Cochem. Heidelberg's famous red-walled castle and cogwheel train lead into the medieval perfection of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the walled town of Dinkelsbuhl along the Romantic Road.
Munich's Nymphenburg Palace and orientation tour set the stage for Bavaria's crown jewel — Neuschwanstein Castle, with a walk across Marienbrucke for photographs and an inside tour. Crossing into Austria, Innsbruck's Golden Roof and the island palace of Herrenchiemsee on Lake Chiemsee give way to Salzburg's Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, and the fortress via funicular, with dinner at one of Austria's oldest restaurants.
The grand finale unfolds in Vienna: the UNESCO Wachau Valley with wine tasting, Schonbrunn Palace with apple strudel preparation in the Imperial Kitchen, the Ring Road's imperial landmarks, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. A farewell dinner at a typical Heurigen wine tavern closes this remarkable journey through two countries.
Highlights
✦Rhine cruise past Loreley Rock and medieval castles
✦12th-century Burg Eltz interior visit on the Moselle
✦Heidelberg Castle tour with cogwheel train descent
✦Medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbuhl
✦Neuschwanstein Castle with Marienbrucke photo stop
✦Herrenchiemsee island palace via boat and horse carriage
✦Innsbruck's Golden Roof with Tyrolean folklore dinner
✦Salzburg — Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, fortress
✦Vienna's Schonbrunn Palace with Imperial Kitchen strudel
✦UNESCO Wachau Valley wine tasting
✦Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater
✦Farewell dinner at a Viennese Heurigen wine tavern
Your Journey
This is the journey for travelers who want it all — the Rhine's castle-lined gorges, medieval towns frozen in amber, Bavaria's royal legacy, Salzburg's baroque perfection, and Vienna's imperial grandeur. Ten days, two countries, and a narrative arc that moves from river valleys to Alpine peaks to the cultural capitals of a continent. Every day changes the scenery. Nothing feels rushed.
Day 1 · Departure
Day 2
Burg Eltz, Cochem & Moselle
The Moselle Valley unfolds at a slower pace. Burg Eltz appears through the forest canopy, its towers untouched since the twelfth century. Cochem provides a riverside lunch, and dinner in a candlelit wine cellar with a tasting teaches you why Moselle Rieslings rank among the world's finest.
Burg Eltz / Cochem
Bellevue Rheinhotel Boppard
Breakfast, Dinner
✦Burg Eltz Interior Visit
✦Cochem Lunch on Moselle
✦Wine Cellar Dinner & Tasting
Day 3
Heidelberg & Rothenburg
Heidelberg Castle's red sandstone walls glow above the Neckar, and the great wine vat inside invites its own kind of wonder. A cogwheel train descends into the university city. By afternoon, Rothenburg ob der Tauber surrounds you with medieval perfection — ramparts, towers, and lanes that haven't changed since the sixteenth century.
Heidelberg / Rothenburg
Hotel in Rothenburg
Breakfast, Dinner
Boppard → Heidelberg: ~2h, Heidelberg → Rothenburg: ~2h
✦Heidelberg Castle Tour
✦Rothenburg Medieval Walk
Day 4
Romantic Road, Dinkelsbühl & Munich
The Romantic Road south passes through Dinkelsbühl, another walled gem. Munich announces itself with Nymphenburg Palace and its endless gardens, then the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz sets the urban stage. The city's energy is infectious — tradition and modernity in easy conversation.
Dinkelsbühl / Munich
Hotel in Munich
Breakfast
Rothenburg → Munich: ~3h with stops
✦Dinkelsbühl Walled Town Walk
✦Nymphenburg Palace Visit
✦Munich Orientation Tour
Day 5
Neuschwanstein & Innsbruck
Neuschwanstein first appears from Marienbrücke, and the view alone is worth the journey. Inside, Ludwig's vision fills every hall. The road continues to Innsbruck, where the Golden Roof gleams below Alpine peaks. A Tyrolean dinner with yodeling and Schuhplattler dancing closes a day that moves from fairy tales to folklore.
Schwangau / Innsbruck
Hotel in Innsbruck
Breakfast, Dinner
Munich → Schwangau: ~2h, Schwangau → Innsbruck: ~1h
✦Neuschwanstein Castle Tour
✦Innsbruck Walking Tour
✦Tyrolean Folklore Dinner
Day 6
Herrenchiemsee & Salzburg
Herrenchiemsee rises from its island in Lake Chiemsee — Ludwig's grandest ambition, his Versailles, where he stayed only one week. The boat ride and horse carriage are part of the experience. Salzburg follows with Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, the Cathedral, and dinner at one of Austria's oldest restaurants.
Chiemsee / Salzburg
Hotel in Salzburg
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Innsbruck → Chiemsee: ~2h
✦Herrenchiemsee Palace Tour
✦Salzburg Walking Tour
Day 7
Wachau Valley & Vienna
The UNESCO Wachau Valley is Austria at its most romantic — terraced vineyards, castle ruins, and wine villages that have produced extraordinary vintages for a thousand years. A tasting along the way prepares you for Vienna, where the Ring Road reveals the imperial city's greatest landmarks. St. Stephen's Cathedral demands an inside visit.
Wachau / Vienna
Hotel in Vienna
Breakfast, Dinner
Salzburg → Vienna: ~3.5h
✦Wachau Valley Wine Tasting
✦Vienna Ring Road & St. Stephen's
Day 8
Vienna & Schönbrunn
Schönbrunn Palace is Austria's answer to Versailles — a morning among baroque gardens, then an apple strudel lesson in the Imperial Kitchen. The afternoon offers Vienna's pleasures: the Giant Ferris Wheel, a Kaffeehaus, the Opera House, or simply wandering. A Heurigen farewell dinner closes the tour in a wine tavern with live music.
Vienna
Hotel in Vienna
Breakfast, Dinner
✦Schönbrunn Palace Tour
✦Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater
✦Heurigen Farewell Dinner
Day 9 · Return
Your final morning in Vienna brings the quiet hum of a city that has been the stage for empires, composers, and ideas that shaped a continent. Coffee, a last walk, and a transfer to the airport.
Vienna
Breakfast
✦Airport Transfer
What's Included
✓Door-to-door transportation throughout the tour
✓9 breakfast buffets
✓Welcome dinner and additional dinners with menu choices and beverages
✓Tyrolean folklore dinner in Innsbruck
✓Heurigen farewell dinner in Vienna
✓9 nights accommodation in quality hotels
✓All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees
✓Rhine cruise, cogwheel train, boat and carriage rides
✓Skip-the-line access at major attractions
✓Wine tasting in the Wachau Valley
✓Inside visits at all castles and palaces (not drive-by tours)
✓Tour director services throughout
✓Airport transfer from Frankfurt, return transfer to Vienna Airport
✓Money-back satisfaction guarantee
✓Free cancellation up to 24h before departure
✗Air fare
✗Personal expenses
✗Lunches
✗Gratuities for driver and local guides
✗Dinner on free evenings in Munich and Vienna
Love what you see? Tell us your preferred dates — we'll tailor every detail to your group.
Plan Your Journey →Our Promise
Money-Back Guarantee
Not satisfied? Full refund. We've been doing this since 2004 — it hasn't happened yet.
Flexible Booking
Change dates up to 30 days before departure. Life happens — we get it.
No Hidden Costs
The price you see includes everything. Entrance fees, transport, guide — no surprise extras.
Secure your dates with just $500 deposit per person.
Your Guide
Alessandro & Team
Born in Füssen at the foot of Neuschwanstein, Alessandro grew up with castle stories as bedtime tales. A historian by training and a storyteller by nature, he and his carefully selected team of local guides have accompanied thousands of guests through Central Europe's most remarkable places.
“We saw things we never would have found on our own. Astrid's local knowledge is extraordinary.”
The Williams Family, Texas
“From Salzburg to Munich, every day was a highlight. The hotels were stunning and the pace was perfect.”
Karen & David, California
“Worth every penny. The private tours of the castles and the special restaurant reservations made all the difference.”
Michael R., New York
Booked 58+ days ahead
Read all reviews →Per Person Pricing
2 Guests
$5,299
4 Guests
$4,599
6 Guests
$4,299
All-inclusive — accommodation, private transport, guides & entrance fees
Your Next Step
Make This the Trip You'll Talk About for Years
Tell us your preferred dates and group size. We'll craft a personalized itinerary — no payment required until you're completely satisfied.
Plan Your JourneyNo payment required. We'll design a draft itinerary — free of charge, no obligation.
Peak season (June–September) books out 4–6 months ahead.
Common Questions
Door-to-door transportation throughout the tour, 9 breakfast buffets, Welcome dinner and additional dinners with menu choices and beverages, Tyrolean folklore dinner in Innsbruck, Heurigen farewell dinner in Vienna, 9 nights accommodation in quality hotels, All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees, Rhine cruise, cogwheel train, boat and carriage rides, Skip-the-line access at major attractions, Wine tasting in the Wachau Valley, Inside visits at all castles and palaces (not drive-by tours), Tour director services throughout, Airport transfer from Frankfurt, return transfer to Vienna Airport, Money-back satisfaction guarantee.
The Best of Germany & Austria is a 8-day private tour. Including arrival and departure days, plan for 10 days total.
Starting from $5299 per person (based on 2 travelers). Group discounts available for 4+ and 6+ travelers. Secure your dates with a $500 deposit per person.
Further Reading
