Luxury Germany: Grand Hotels, Castles & the Rhine

Today you explore Berlin in privileged comfort with your private expert guide, at your own pace. You stand before the neoclassical Brandenburg Gate beside your hotel, take in the glass-domed Reichstag, and trace the poignant remnants of the Berlin Wall and the drama of the Cold War. On Museum Island you enjoy privileged access to come face to face with the bust of Nefertiti and the treasures of antiquity, and you might visit a private gallery or an atelier. Between sights you pause for coffee in an elegant cafe. The history, art and comfort are captivating. As the day ends, you return to the refined luxury of your grand hotel. This evening, savour Michelin-starred cuisine at one of Berlin's celebrated restaurants, or a night at the opera. Rest well, ready to journey to Bavarian Munich tomorrow.

Today you enjoy more of Berlin in style. With your private guide you might explore the elegant baroque palace of Charlottenburg, the vibrant galleries and boutiques of the city's creative quarters, or the moving Jewish Museum, tailored entirely to your interests, with time for exclusive shopping along the Kurfurstendamm. You could enjoy a spa afternoon at your grand hotel, or a private classic-car or boat tour of the city. Every moment is arranged with care and comfort. The culture, refinement and ease are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your grand hotel. This evening, savour another exceptional dinner, perhaps a chef's tasting menu paired with fine German wines, celebrating the culinary renaissance of the capital. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey south to gracious Munich, the royal capital of Bavaria.

Today you travel south to Munich, the proud capital of Bavaria, in comfortable first-class rail (or by private flight), met on arrival and transferred by chauffeured car to a celebrated five-star hotel in the heart of the city. With your private guide you begin to explore royal Munich, standing on the grand Marienplatz to watch the Glockenspiel, exploring the opulent Residenz palace of the Bavarian kings, and taking in the elegant squares and grand churches of the old town. The grandeur and good cheer are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into the refined luxury of your Munich hotel. This evening, savour the finest Bavarian cuisine, perhaps a Michelin-starred reinterpretation of regional dishes, or the convivial cheer of a historic beer hall, as you prefer. Rest well, ready to explore more of Munich and Bavaria tomorrow.

Today you enjoy royal Munich in privileged style. With your private guide you admire the old masters of the Alte Pinakothek, one of the world's great art galleries, or visit the stunning Nymphenburg Palace with its gardens and pavilions, tailored to your taste. You stroll the vast English Garden, pausing at a beer garden or an elegant lakeside pavilion, and enjoy time for exclusive shopping in the boutiques of Maximilianstrasse. Every detail is arranged with comfort and care. The art, elegance and good cheer are captivating. As the day ends, you return to the refined luxury of your hotel. This evening, savour a beautiful dinner, perhaps with fine Franconian and Bavarian wines, celebrating the culture and cuisine of the region. Rest well, for tomorrow you visit the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein in privileged comfort.

Today you visit the most famous castle in the world in privileged comfort, then journey to elegant Baden-Baden. Travelling by chauffeured private car through beautiful alpine scenery, you reach the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein, the soaring fantasy of King Ludwig II, with your private guide and timed tickets arranged to avoid the worst of the crowds. You tour its lavish, opera-inspired interiors and cross the Marienbrucke bridge for the breathtaking view of its turrets against the mountains. You then journey to the Belle Epoque spa town of Baden-Baden, settling into a grand five-star spa retreat. The fantasy and comfort are magical. As the day ends, you unwind in refined luxury. This evening, savour a beautiful dinner in this gracious resort, perhaps with a fine glass of Baden wine. Rest well, ready to indulge in the spa tomorrow.

Today you indulge in the spa elegance of Baden-Baden, from your grand five-star retreat. You soak in its beautiful thermal baths, fed by the hot springs that made the town famous, and enjoy indulgent spa treatments and massages in luxurious surroundings, a blissful and restorative day. You stroll the manicured gardens along the Lichtentaler Allee, admire the grand casino, colonnades and villas, and perhaps enjoy coffee and Black Forest gateau in an elegant cafe, or a short scenic drive into the wooded hills of the Black Forest. The elegance, comfort and restoration are captivating. As the day ends, you return to the refined luxury of your retreat, refreshed and content. This evening, savour a fine dinner, perhaps a gourmet menu with wines from the Baden vineyards. Rest well, ready for the castle-crowned Rhine tomorrow.

Today you experience the romantic Rhine in style. Travelling by chauffeured car to the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, you cruise the castle-crowned river, gliding past hilltop fortresses and rounding the legendary Lorelei rock, before stepping ashore in the charming wine town of Rudesheim. There you enjoy a private tasting of fine Rhine Riesling with a leading vintner among the vineyards, savouring the region's celebrated wines in privileged comfort, and might ride the cable car up over the vineyards for sweeping views. The castles, vineyards and fine wine are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into an elegant hotel in Rudesheim or nearby. This evening, savour a beautiful dinner with fine local wines, in convivial comfort. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to Cologne and its great cathedral, the finale of your luxury journey.

Today you journey down the Rhine to Cologne, the vibrant Rhineland metropolis, travelling by chauffeured car along the great river, perhaps pausing at elegant Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle. In Cologne you settle into a fine hotel and, with your private guide, explore the magnificent Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in the world, whose soaring twin spires dominate the skyline and whose treasures include the golden Shrine of the Three Kings. You stroll the atmospheric old town and riverside in privileged comfort, perhaps with a crisp Kolsch beer. The grandeur and comfort are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into the refined luxury of your Cologne hotel. This evening, savour a fine farewell dinner, reflecting on the grand hotels, castles, spas and rivers of your sumptuous journey through Germany. Rest well, ready for your journey home tomorrow.

After a final leisurely morning in Cologne, perhaps a last look at the great cathedral or an unhurried breakfast, you are transferred by chauffeured private car to the airport for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced the very best of Germany in effortless luxury, Berlin and Munich from legendary grand hotels, the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein in privileged comfort, the spa elegance of Baden-Baden, a private wine cruise on the castle-crowned Rhine, and the soaring cathedral of Cologne, all with private guiding and seamless service throughout. The images stay vivid long after you land, the Brandenburg Gate from your suite, the turrets of Neuschwanstein, the thermal calm of Baden-Baden, the castles above the Rhine, and the spires of Cologne. Germany offers grandeur, culture and gentle indulgence in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this beautiful and rewarding land.