The Great Tours: Germany and Austria

Begin with an overview of the historical, cultural, and natural riches of Germany and Austria. Preview the route the course will take along the Danube, Rhine, and Elbe Rivers, as they traverse the two countries. Take a first look at the magical landscapes, great cities and towns, and fascinating historical regions that you'll encounter, setting out from Vienna and ending in Berlin.

Your journey starts in Vienna, the cultural, political, and historical epicenter of Austria. In a sweeping tour, visit sites such as the iconic St. Stephen's Cathedral; the palaces, museums, and parks of the Ringstrasse (Ring Road); and the architectural treasure trove of the Hofburg, winter quarters of the Hapsburg emperors. Also, visit the cafes and beer taverns that typify life in Vienna.

Leaving Vienna along the Danube, enjoy the rich sights of the Wachau Valley. Learn about the great wines of Krems and its medieval history. Continue to the charming hamlet of Mautern, and the astonishing monasteries of Stift Göttweig and Melk, both boasting treasures of architecture and art. Finish at Melk's incredible Stiftskirche, one of the most glorious baroque churches in the world.

Stop first at the vibrant city of Linz, Austria's contemporary mecca for art, culture, and technology. Glimpse the city's era under the Nazis, then take in cutting-edge museums, majestic cathedrals, and the historic inner city. Crossing into Germany, discover Passau, with its great Veste Oberhaus castle, stunning baroque cathedral, and culture of edgy performing arts and regional cuisine.

In this UNESCO-designated medieval city, explore the winding cobblestone streets and Wohntürme (patrician houses) of the Alstadt (old city), and other treasures of medieval architecture, among them the Rathaus, an administrative seat of the Holy Roman Empire, and the must-see St. Peter's Cathedral. Along the way, learn about the city's trademark Bratwurst sausages and superb Bavarian beers.

At Ingolstadt, enjoy the city's imposing medieval fortifications, the facilities of Audi motors, and two of Ingolstadt's signature breweries. Next, encounter the city of Munich, stopping first at the futuristic headquarters and museum of BMW, and then at the city's renowned film studios. Finally, delve into Munich's historic architecture surrounding Marienplatz, and the city's great beer gardens.

Begin at Ulm, a city with a proud Swabian German heritage and dialect. Take in the extraordinary Ulmer Münster, and sights such as the historic Fisher's Quarter, with its half-timber houses and great river festival. In beautiful, scenic Tuttlingen, learn the amazing story of the town's rebuilding after a fire in 1803, and its current role at the center of the med-tech industry.

Dig into the sights of the famed city of Salzburg, beginning with its role in the salt trade, and historic landmarks such as St. Peter's Abbey, and the mighty citadel of Festung Hohensalzburg. Trace the history of Salzburg's powerful prince-archbishops as you travel the Altstadt, with its palaces and stunning baroque churches. End with a look at the majestic Alps at Zell am See.

Now begin your journey along the Rhine, with a stop at Duisburg, where the Rhine and Ruhr Rivers converge. Take the measure of Duisburg's inland harbor, Europe's largest, its signature pilsner beer, and its vibrant steel industry. Then visit the multicultural metropolis of Düsseldorf. Discover the city's lively waterfront, its role as a capital of fashion, and its own iconic beverage, Altbier.

Uncover the 2,000-year history of Cologne-encompassing imposing Roman ruins, Germany's oldest town hall, and the city's monumental Gothic cathedral-home to dazzling Christian treasures, stained glass, and art. Learn the story of Cologne's eponymous perfume and glimpse the extravagant yearly season of Karneval, celebrated passionately with Kölsch, the city's top-fermented beer.

Discover a stretch of the Rhine that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its stunning scenery, history, and culture. Explore the legendary castles overlooking the Rhine, which figured in conflicts with the French, as well as serving as toll points in the river's economic history. Enjoy the area's superb Riesling wines, enchanting towns, and its iconic romantic poetry and folklore.

In the historic city of Worms, trace the footsteps of Christian reformer Martin Luther, whose famous trial unfolded here. Then encounter the 12th-century epic poem the Nibelungenlied, set within and deeply identified with the city. Learn the plot of the poem, featuring the dragon-slaying hero Siegfried, and visit the local monuments to the epic, as well as the magnificent cathedral, Wormser Dom.

Continuing along the Rhine to Speyer, trace the history of the city's Reichstag Imperial Diet of 1529, confronting the Luther controversy; the Speyerer Dom, the largest Romanesque church in the world; and the Jewish community's 12th-century Mikvah or ritual bath. Take in the sensory pleasures of Baden-Baden's ancient hot springs, along with its majestic architecture and garden landscapes.

The city of Freiburg reveals one of the region's most picturesque Altstadts (historic centers). Begin at the Münsterplatz (main square) and visit treasures such as the Gothic Freiburger Münster church, Wentzinger house, the Alte Wache wine house, and the city's medieval gates and charming alleys. At the edge of the fabled Black Forest, glimpse the Schauinsland peak, and the idyllic Wutach Gorge.

Grasp the critical role Weimar played in the creation of the first German republic, setting inadvertent precedents for the Nazi era. Come face to face with Germany's darkest history at the concentration camp of Buchenwald, testament to the horrors of Nazism. Then encounter the golden era of Weimar theater in the 19th century, under the aegis of visionary poet/playwrights Goethe and Schiller.

At Cuxhaven, explore the unique natural site of Das Watt, a coastal system of intertidal mudflats, and trace the town's history as a major fishing harbor. Then discover the booming seaport of Hamburg. Explore the city's lush green spaces; its culture of classical music and stunning portside concert hall; and the Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district boasting UNESCO World Heritage status.

The Altmark comprises a remote and beautiful region of northeast Germany. Visit Altmark highlights, starting with the picture-perfect, half-timber houses and shops of Havelberg, and Stendal, with its classic, Brick Gothic churches and gate towers. At Tangermünde, known as Germany's prettiest small city, enjoy its remarkable medieval wall and gates, stately castle, and local "cowtail" beer.

Take in the diverse sights of this extraordinary city, highlighting its great Kanalbrücke (water bridge); its Green Citadel, a futuristic architectural creation; and Germany's oldest Gothic cathedral. Trace the history of Magdeburg through two of its most iconic and beloved historical figures: the heroic emperor Otto the Great and the architect, politician, and scientist Otto von Guericke.

Delve into the life of the Father of the Reformation, Martin Luther, with visits to five cities designated as Lutherstädte, or Luther Cities. Follow the events of Luther's life that sparked one of history's great revolutions, at historic sites in cities such as Eisleben, where he was born and died; Erfurt, where he studied; and Wittenberg, where he famously nailed his "95 theses" to a church door.

Relive the events of Leipzig's 1989 "Peaceful Revolution," a historic, nonviolent demonstration that foreshadowed the reunification of Germany. Sample the delights of the city's food specialties and unique Gose beer. Then explore the lives and work of two of Leipzig's iconic musical sons: Bach, who spent his most productive years here, and Mendelssohn, with his multilevel musical legacy.

Dresden's cityscape has long inspired comparisons with Florence. Learn about the destruction of much of the city in World War II, and its subsequent, painstaking rebuilding. Witness the splendor of its extraordinary palette of architecture, at sites such as the beloved Frauenkirche church, the palace of the Saxon prince electors, and the phenomenal baroque palace complex of the Zwinger.

Within this multifaceted city, explore the Altstadt's medieval wall and towers, historic bridges, 13th-century churches, and bustling marketplace. Trace the dark history of the Nazi's Kongresshalle, outdoor rallying areas, and the postwar war crimes trials. Then discover the imposing castle complex of the Kaiserburg, the home of artist Albrecht Dürer, and the city's underground beer cellars.

In the first of two remote cities, grasp Graz's mix of tradition and modernity at its Venetian-style statehouse and elegant royal palaces, versus its biomorphic Kunsthaus (art museum), and the Murinsel, a manmade floating island. Then enjoy Flensburg's mix of Danish and German heritage at its superb Renaissance castle and historic center and discover the city's tradition of rum and beer making.

Finish your tour in the great city of Berlin, Germany's capital and a world-class destination for art, music, culture, and history. Enjoy the city's flagship sights, highlighting the Brandenburg Gate, a structure that has born witness to some of history's most significant events; the Berlin Wall, symbol of a formerly divided nation; and the Reichstag, the hub of German democracy.