Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
FRANKFURT – MANNHEIM – HEIDELBERG – STUTTGART – MUNICH – SALZBURG – BLED – LJUBLJANA – PIRAN – PORTOROŽ – POSTOJNA – PREDJAMA – PLITVICE – ZAGREB
10 days / 9 nights
Highlights:
Marvel at the skyline in Frankfurt, the European Manhattan
Taste the famous composer’s chocolate, Mozart kugeln
The pearl of Slovenia: one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world, lake Bled
The best shopping and clubbing experience in this part of Europe
16 lakes & 92 waterfalls in Lake Plitvice
Itinerary:
DAY 1 Frankfurt
DAY 2 Frankfurt, Mannheim, Heidelberg
DAY 3 Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Munich
DAY 4 Munich, Salzburg
DAY 5 Salzburg, Bled, Ljubljana
DAY 6 Ljubljana, Piran, Portorož, Ljubljana
DAY 7 Ljubljana, Postojna, Predjama, Ljubljana
DAY 8 Ljubljana, Zagreb
DAY 9 Zagreb, Plitvice, Zagreb
DAY 10 Departure from Zagreb
DAY 1: FRANKFURT
/Frankfurt airport – Frankfurt 15km, 30min/
Arrival at Frankfurt Airport, after immigration transfer to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt is the largest financial centre in continental Europe. It has many high-rise buildings in the city centre that form the Frankfurt skyline. Because of such a skyline, Germans sometimes refer to Frankfurt as “Mainhattan”, a play on the words Main River and Manhattan.
Check-in at hotel in Frankfurt.
Leisure time for the rest of the day.
Dinner.
Overnight in Frankfurt.
DAY 2: FRANKFURT, MANNHEIM, HEIDELBERG
/Frankurt – Mannheim 90km, 1h30min/
/Mannheim – Heidelberg 20km, 30min/
After breakfast take a walking tour around the old part of Frankfurt. In the heart of Frankfurt’s Old Town (Altstadt), the Römerberg is an irregularly shaped square with the Justice Fountain (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) at its center. Not only is it Frankfurt’s most picturesque public square, it’s the city’s busiest pedestrian zone, home to numerous tourist attractions from its many Kulturschirn, a form of open-fronted shop once common throughout the old town, to the Römer, a complex of 11 lovely old buildings from the 15th to 18th centuries that include the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) with its Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal), once the scene of splendid banquets. Other notable buildings include the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) from 1908, the 14th-century Gothic Church of St. Leonhard, and St. Nicholas Church, notable for its carillon. Also of interest are the Historical Museum (Historisches Museum), founded in 1878 with its collections related to Frankfurt’s rich cultural history from medieval to modern times, and the six traditional-style buildings of the Ostzeile.
After lunch, drive to Mannheim. The Rhine is Germany’s mightiest river and already very broad in Mannheim. While ships are quickly drifting down or cumbersomely fighting their way up the stream, take a walk along the banks of the Rhine. The so-called Rheinauen (literally Rhine Meadows, although there are more trees than meadows) are a wonderful stretch of wilderness inside this big city. Lots of green, a nature protection area which is home to many rare birds and every now and then some great views of the ships passing by – it’s a place to fall in love with. Walk in Lindenhof to the Rheinterrassen restaurant, a great place for some food or a cake – try their rhubarb cake!
The last stop of the day will be Heidelberg. Heidelberg is, without a doubt, one of the most romantic cities in Germany, comparable to such locations as Durham in England thanks to its picturesque riverside location, its beautiful old bridges, and castle ruins. Attracting nearly four million visitors each year, the city is chock-full of historic sites and attractions, as well as excellent dining and entertainment experiences. The old capital of the Palatinate and an ancient university town celebrated in song and poetry, Heidelberg lies at the point where the Neckar river emerges from the hills of the Odenwald into the Rhine plain. It’s also one of the warmest places in Germany, as evidenced by sightings of the occasional almond, fig, and olive tree, as well as its wild African parakeets.
Dinner.
You will want to party in the evening, as Heidelberg is vivacious and full of life – a true university town. Nighttime revellers have an endless array of ways and places to congregate, from rustic student pubs to nightclubs, jazz clubs, and music clubs.
Overnight in Heidelberg.
DAY 3: HEIDELBERG, STUTTGART, MUNICH
/Heidelberg – Stuttgart 130km, 2h30min/
/Stuttgart – Ulm 100km, 2h/
/Ulm – Munich 170km, 3h/
After breakfast, departure towards Stuttgart. Stuttgart, capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany, lies in a basin enclosed by orchards and forest-covered hills. In the valley bottom, you’ll find the River Neckar and the older part of the city with its lovely historic buildings and homes climbing gently up the surrounding slopes. In places where the hills rise a little too steeply, flights of steps or stepped lanes predominate, offering endless opportunities for adventurous travelers to explore. In addition to being an important fruit-growing center, the city districts of Berg and Bad Cannstatt are where you’ll find the most productive mineral springs in Europe after those of Budapest. Stuttgart is also famous as the cradle of Germany’s automobile industry, and is home to the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
Board the bus towards Munich. On the way, stop in the old imperial city of Ulm, a must-see. Ulm, idyllically situated on the left bank of the River Danube and founded in 850 AD, is the economic and cultural center of Upper Württemberg and the starting point of the Upper Swabian Baroque Highway. The city’s two greatest claims to fame are Ulm Minster, which boasts the tallest church steeple in the world – it stands at an impressive 162 meters in height – and the birthplace of Albert Einstein, a fact commemorated in the unique Einstein-Fountain. Lunch.
Arrive in Munich. Enjoy an afternoon of shopping. Munich is expensive and do not expect any bargains while shopping. Many designer labels have their flagship stores in Berlin and Munich and while Berlin might be trendier, the big profit is made in Munich. Of course you can find all the big chain stores like H&M or Zara but the real shopping experience comes from the small boutiques you can find all over the city. Theatinerstrasse connecting the central square Marienplatz with Odeonsplatz is a primary address for luxurious shopping with many boutiques and fashion accessories shops. An entrance leads to Munich’s latest shopping centre, called Fünf Höfe (Five Courts), a fascinating ensemble of modern art and architecture with shops, bistros and cafés.
Overnight in Munich.
DAY 4: MUNICH, SALZBURG
/Munich – Salzburg 160km, 2h30min/
After breakfast, a guided walking sightseeing tour of Munich. Munich, the capital of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany, lies on the River Isar on the fringes of the Bavarian Alps. The focal point of Munich’s historic inner city is the large open square, the Marienplatz, where you’ll find the Old and New Town Halls. One of Germany’s most popular cities to visit, Munich is also famous for its many fine churches, including Peterskirche, the oldest inner city church built during the Romanesque period; the Cathedral of our Lady (Frauenkirche), the city’s most famous building; and Michaelskirche, the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps. Munich is also noted for its numerous parks, in particular the lovely English Garden (Englischer Garten), the world’s largest urban public park.
Departure towards Salzburg. After arriving, lunch. As the home of Mozart and the celebrated Salzburg Festival, as well as the setting for “The Sound of Music” in 1964, Salzburg is known worldwide as a musical city. Nestled in between the Kapuzinerberg and Monchsberg mountains on the Salzach River, Salzburg is visually stunning — recognized as much for its concentration of high baroque architecture as it is for the surrounding Alpine scenery. On the city tour you will see the Fortress Hohensalzburg, Cathedral, Festival Halls Mozarteum, the main shopping street Getreidegasse, Mozart’s Birthplace, Mirabell Gardens and many other sights.
After the tour, you will have the opportunity to buy the best chocolate liqueur treats, Mozart kugeln, with the taste of dark chocolate, white chocolate, marzipan… The perfect delicious souvenir that is a must to bring home.
Dinner.
Nighttime promenades, trendy bars behind the façades of venerable burgher houses, cool clubs and cozy pubs dominate the nightlife in Salzburg. The pre-party begins in the rustic breweries and the rave-up ends on the dance floor at one of the hip hangouts. When the morning dawns you realize once more: nights in Salzburg are much too short.
Overnight in Salzburg.
DAY 5: SALZBURG, BLED, LJUBLJANA
/Salzburg – Bled 240km, 4h/
/Bled – Ljubljana 60km, 1h/
After breakfast and check-out, departure towards Slovenia and the beautiful town of Bled. Bled is one of the most prestigious Slovenian resorts with its glacier-formed Alpine lake, the famous island of the Slavic goddess of life, Živa, and the oldest castle in Slovenia. In the 19th century, the Swiss doctor Arnold Rikli discovered the beneficial natural resources here and established a spa centre, making Bled one of the most popular touristic places in Austria-Hungary. You will traverse the lake in a traditional boat called pletna towards Bled Island, which was visited by pilgrims as early as the ancient times. From Bled castle, you will admire the fairy-tale lake and the high limestone peaks of the Julian Alps.
Lunch.
Return to Ljubljana with a sightseeing walking tour. Ljubljana has everything that modern capitals have to offer, and on top of that, it has managed to keep the pleasant and relaxing atmosphere of a smaller city. You will visit the old part of town along the Ljubljanica River and you will see the most important cultural and historical monuments including the Three Bridges and the New and Old Markets where you will be delighted with boutique shops and nice restaurants. We will also stop at the famous bridge and learn a few secrets of the medieval city before the path continues to the town square with the Town Hall and the city icon – a fountain symbolizing the three rivers of Carniola. We will also visit the nearby baroque church of St. Nicholas, the food market and the Dragon Bridge with its four dragons that protect the city while also serving as its trademark. With the funicular railway you will climb to the castle which rises above the town. You will finally climb the castle’s tower and enjoy the view over the city and its green surroundings.
Dinner.
You will party the night away in one of Ljubljana’s classy nightclubs as Cirkus. The club Cirkus offers a unique and exclusive nightclub experience for enthusiastic groups of partygoers during the week and especially on weekends and is able to cater to the needs of up to 1000 guests. The club was designed in an old enchanting cinema-theatre and it stretches across 2 stories of lavishing galleries, including an intimate and cosy VIP area. The focal point is an elevated DJ booth, showcasing top international and regional DJs, singers, musicians and other artists as they spin and perform a blend of various urban genres, topped with colourful entertainers, such as dancers and live acts.
Overnight in Ljubljana.
DAY 6: LJUBLJANA, PIRAN, PORTOROŽ, LJUBLJANA
/Ljubljana – Piran 130km, 2h/
/Piran – Portorož 5km, 15min/
/Portorož – Ljubljana 130km, 2h/
After breakfast, departure for a day trip on the Slovenian coast. First stop will be Piran. Piran is characterized by medieval architecture, with narrow streets and compact houses. It is the birthplace of composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini, who played an important role in shaping its cultural heritage. The town’s main square, Tartini Square, is named after him.
The next stop will be the popular tourist resort city of Portorož. The beach is well-maintained and you can go swimming in the beautiful, warm Mediterranean sea where the temperatures, warmed by the summer sun can get up to 31 °C. Also, there are several bars on the beach that offer a lively atmosphere year round. There you can treat yourself to a cup of fresh coffee after a long walk on the beach. Numerous restaurants by the sea invite you to a tasty lunch. Enjoy a delicious wine tasting in the karst region – a region well known for its vineyards.
Return to Ljubljana and dinner.
Overnight in Ljubljana.
DAY 7: LJUBLJANA, POSTOJNA, PREDJAMA, LJUBLJANA
/Ljubljana – Postojna 60km, 1h/
/Postojna – Predjama 15km, 30min/
/Predjama – Ljubljana 70km, 1h30min/
After breakfast departure to Postojna, which at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire constituted the only exit to the Adriatic Sea. You will visit Postojna cave, which is a network of 23 kilometres of tunnels, galleries and halls, in which experienced guides have accompanied more than 30 million visitors in over 200 years. This is the biggest classical karst cave and the most visited tourist cave in Europe. The cave train will take you into the depths where, thanks to the electric lighting, you can appreciate all the dimensions and nuances of the underground karst, where the geological past is written in a unique way.
After lunch and a wine tasting at a wine cellar in the karst region, you will visit Predjama castle, a castle built directly into a cliff edge, with an underground tunnel through the mountain. Photostop.
Departure towards Ljubljana. An evening of shopping in the largest shopping centre in Slovenia will follow. BTC City is the largest shopping center in Slovenia with specialized shops, supermarkets, and more than 450 stores. Free time. In addition to shopping, you will have the opportunity to visit the entertainment center Arena, where under one roof you have low endurance sports activities and programs for relaxation, shopping and film entertainment with educational and playful content. The amusement center covers an area of 9,000 m2. The center includes a billiards and bowling center with its central entertainment center serving as the XPAND cinema with 3D stereoscopic projection, representing the most innovative technology in the field cinematography in this part of Europe. This is the most modernly equipped cinema for digital projection in 3D and its dynamic seats enable a new and unique experience on screen. Atlantis Water Park is also at your disposal for pampering you. This is a water park with a wide variety of facilities with dynamic architecture including a 15,000 m2 room for entertainment, relaxation, gathering new strength and recreation. It also includes 16 swimming pools, three of which are outdoor, and offers visitors plenty of fun, adventure, and 15 thematic saunas.
Dinner.
Overnight in Ljubljana.
DAY 8: LJUBLJANA, ZAGREB
/Ljubljana – Zagreb 150km, 3h/
After breakfast, departure towards Zagreb. Zagreb is a city of parks, palaces, museums and universities. The city lies on the south-western part of the Pannonian Basin and extends between the Sava River and Mount Medvednica. It represents an important link between Central Europe and Asia Minor and the shortest link between the Pannonian Plain and the Adriatic Sea. Departure on a tour of the biggest attractions of the city such as the Cathedral, the picturesque and bustling marketplace Dolac, the Church of St. Mark – the symbol of Zagreb, the vantage point of the tower Lotrščak, which offers a splendid view over Zagreb, the stone gate where you can light a candle, and Bana Jelačič Square, which is not only the crossroads of the upper and lower parts of the city but also the heart of the city, connecting the young and old residents of Zagreb. Lunch.
Afternoon of shopping in Arena Centar. Conveniently located in the south-western part of Zagreb, Arena Centar is known as Croatia’s premier shopping centre. The most prestigious brands of the world are all represented and everyone who’s anyone shops there. This newest and most modern 4th generation shopping-entertainment centre in the region is an architecturally impressive building featuring wide hallways, glass ceilings and conveniently located elevators and escalators. Dinner.
Overnight in Zagreb.
DAY 9: ZAGREB, PLITVICE, ZAGREB
/Zagreb – Plitvice 150km, 3h/
/Plitvice – Zagreb 150km, 3h/
After breakfast, departure towards the Plitvice Lakes National Park and tour of the Park in the afternoon. It is composed of 16 blue and green lakes, connected with more than 90 waterfalls and rapids. For the beauty and the attraction of the Plitvice Lakes, travertine and the plants of travertine take the credit. With the formation of travertine and the partition of the river bed, lakes have formed. This is a magnificent architectonic phenomenon of nature, surrounded by thick woods in which bears, wolves, wild hares, martens, and partridges live. The park has belonged to UNESCO Cultural Heritage since 1979. Lunch.
Dinner back in Zagreb, before a crazy night of partying. You will celebrate your last night in one of Zagreb’s famous nightclubs. With plenty of dancing and drinking, the party doesn’t stop until the early hours of the morning. Whether you will choose Saloon, Route 66, Gallery or Aquarius Club, you will end your trip in style.
Overnight in Zagreb.
DAY 10: Departure from Zagreb
/Zagreb – Zagreb airport 20km, 1h/
Drop-off at Zagreb airport. Flight to Mumbai at 13h15.