ALSACE - WINE ROUTE - BLACK WOOD - RHINE CRUISE

Meeting at the airport and flight with AEGEAN AIRLINES to Frankfurt, the financial and commercial center of Germany. In the city, also called "Mainhattan" or Chicago on the Main, due to the large number of skyscrapers near its center, the German Stock Exchange, the European Central Bank and many other important banks and companies are headquartered, including the Frankfurt Messe. Trade fairs (Messe) have been organized here since the 11th century and were the basis of its wealth and fame. Arrival and departure for the fairytale Heidelberg, the city that was the center of the German Romantic movement. Tour of the city's mainly baroque architectural historic center - a legacy of its turbulent history - during which we will see the market square dominated by the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the buildings of the University (the oldest in Germany and the third oldest in Europe), the ornate Jesuit church, the elegant City Hall, etc. Of course, we will not forget to stop for photos in front of the characteristic towers of the bridge of Prince - Elector Charles - Theodore with the beautiful Renaissance castle of the city in the background, which stands arched 80 meters above it! Continue your walk either with a visit to the castle with the Heidelberg train to see the largest barrel in the world, the panoramic view of the city and the Neckar River that runs through it, as well as the famous German Pharmacy Museum, or by walking along the "royal mile", the central shopping pedestrian street of the old town, the longest in Germany (with a length of 1,600 meters). Check-in at the brand new (15/11/23) HILTON HEIDELBERG 4* hotel ( www.hilton.com. Overnight.

Today we will set off for a long, wonderful day in the Rhine Valley, the "river of destiny" or the river with many faces for the Germans. Countless people have traveled on its waters and thanks to it, religions, languages, and customs have spread. Lush vineyards guarded by impressive medieval castles "descend" the steep slopes of the hills and from them the famous Rhine wine is produced. In Rundesheim we will board the boat to St Goar, to enjoy a section of the charming route, which is under the auspices of UNESCO. The area around Sankt Goar, which is one of the most picturesque parts of the Rhine, is full of medieval myths and legends, the most important perhaps being that of the siren Lorelei, who has given her name to the 132-meter-high legendary rock that dominates the area. We will continue by road to Koblenz, one of the oldest cities in Germany, which is built on the so-called "German Corner", the point where its main tributary, the Moselle, flows into the Rhine. We will tour the romantic city with its picturesque squares, hidden courtyards and monumental landmarks, such as the Prince Elector's Palace and the magnificent monument dedicated to Emperor William. Return to Heidelberg. Overnight.

Breakfast and departure for the picturesque spa town of Baden Baden with the Oos River flowing through it. The city has been known since Roman times for its thermal springs, but also for its historic Casino, a building - a jewel that has justifiably been described as one of the most beautiful casinos in the world. Free time to take your walk and enjoy your coffee. Return to Heidelberg. Overnight.

Morning departure for the heart of the magnificent Black Forest (the dense trees prevent sunlight from passing through, hence the name) following the German "Clock Road" (with its countless cuckoo clock workshops) to reach its highest waterfalls, in one of the most beautiful villages in the region, Triberg. Our next stop is Freiburg, one of the most famous university campuses in Germany which - not unfairly - is characterized as the "environmental capital of Europe" due to the intelligent utilization of energy from the sun, which it enjoys for a large part of the year. We will tour the very carefully restored to its original form and pedestrianized historic center, to admire the city's Cathedral, one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art in Germany, the scarlet Koifhus, the first department store in the world, the beautiful fountains of the square, not one, but two Town Halls, but also the Art Nouveau main building of one of the oldest universities in Europe. Free time and departure for the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg, a city - a mosaic of French and German elements, built on the west side of the Rhine. Perhaps this bilingual character was the reason that the city - crossroads, as its name etymologically means, was chosen in 1949 to be the "bridge of unity" between France and Germany - the two main partners of Europe - and became the headquarters of the Council of Europe. Check-in at the ALOFT STRASBOURG ETOILE 4* hotel (www.marriott.com). Overnight stay.

Breakfast and our tour of Strasbourg begins in the European Quarter of the City, where, among other things, the European Parliament building, the European Court of Human Rights Building, the Palace of Europe housing the Council of Europe, as well as the largest green lung of the city, the beloved Orangerie park. We will continue our walk in the historic center - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 (the first time such an honor was awarded to an entire city center) - which has been built on an island in the Ile River (known as the Grand Island) and is characterized by picturesque streets, wooden houses, cobblestone squares, but also the 149-meter-high Notre Dame Cathedral. We continue our tour of the doll-like "Petite France", the most picturesque of all the districts, with its doll-like houses of the 16th and 17th centuries (with their timber-framed houses, sloping roofs and flower-filled balconies), the traditional Alsatian taverns (winstubs) and the bridges of the canals of the Ile River, to which Alsace probably owes its name, since in German Elsass means "region of Ile". Overnight stay.

Today is dedicated to the Alsatian Wine Route, a route that follows the foothills of the Vosges and encounters historic towns and villages with cobblestone streets, colorful medieval houses and Renaissance fountains. Departure for the "village of winegrowers", Riquewihr, nestled behind its medieval walls that seem intact over the centuries, as well as the picturesque village of Eguisheim, known for its stone alleys in concentric circles and for its wonderful wine. Riquewihr, like Eguisheim, is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France and is included in the list of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France". Then departure for the "capital of Alsatian wine production", the charming Colmar, one of the most beautiful cities in France and all of Europe, with rich medieval and Renaissance architecture. After touring its pedestrian center and admiring its characteristic historical buildings, we will reach the area called "Little Venice", the area with the canals of the Lauch River, which stands out for its picturesqueness and special atmosphere. Return to Strasbourg. Overnight.

Breakfast and departure for Frankfurt. Arrival and tour of the Römer, the beautiful square, the physical and spiritual center of Frankfurt since the days of Charlemagne, to admire the trinity of connected medieval mansions that functioned as the Town Hall since 1405, the Renaissance Fountain of Justice, the Church of St. Nicholas, but also the beautiful colorful houses with their wooden frames. The historic center of the city was very carefully restored in no time after World War II, when the city aspired to become the capital of West Germany, which did not happen, as this position was won by the provincial Bonn. After visiting the Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartholomew or Imperial Cathedral, as the coronations of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire took place there, we will climb the famous Eiserner Steg (iron footbridge) to see the view and take photos in front of the skyscrapers that host the most important financial institutions in Europe. Free time and departure for Frankfurt airport for the return flight to Athens.