Best of Germany in 13 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impact the Berlin Wall had on East and West Berlin. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 6th RS tour and I would put it close to the top. The RS guides have great attention to detail and do everything they can to make sure your trip is both comfortable and memorable. The local guides are among the best, and everything was organized and planned to maximize our experience with a bit of down time to allow independent exploration. The Best of Germany trip has a good balance between historical and cultural experiences. Fantastic trip, props to our wonderful guide, Stefanie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cruise on the Rhine River was lovely, and I really enjoyed walking the Medieval wall in Rothenburg. Bacharach was my favorite city, so pretty and walkable. Munich is a close second. I could name every stop we made and mention what I loved about each city, it's so hard to choose!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I like all the places that we have visited in this tour. A lot of walking tours and a lot of history to learn. Both the driver and the tour guide are very good at what they do. The bus time was easier than I expected. The hotels are usually in the very convenient locations. I like all the breakfast in the hotels, but I wasn't satisficed with some of the hotels' condition, most of them are just so so.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really like Rothenburg, it's a very charming town. It's amazing to be able to visit the Wartburg Castle where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A very enjoyable tour experience. Hotels were mostly 3 star with ensuite bathrooms. Room sizes were generally on smaller size but adequate. They were clean, functional and as expected. Tour guides were good to outstanding, none were inadequate. Stephanie, our RS guide was ver competent, pleasant and accommodating. My overall experience was quite positive although there were times I felt like I was drinking from a fire hose.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pre tour, starting as early as 1963, I had significant experience with Germany, as a veteran, tourist, and as a German foreign exchange student host. The tour helped me understand better how modern Germany evolved over the ages, and specifically how it has changed since WW II. Comparing Germany today to my prior visits was the "wow" for me. More specifically, experiencing modern, eastern Berlin was my trip "wow". The trip definitely needs to allow more time to experience Berlin."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first Rick Steves tour - a great time! Learned a lot, saw wonderful places, and met wonderful fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Miniature Wunderland should be strongly recommended and advanced reservations encouraged. Getting to Octoberfest with our guide Jim, was fabulous"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guides, Jim and Katya' were amazing and the best we have had. They provided an excellent tour experience for all of us. Above and beyond in all ways.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cologne Cathedral"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was everything we hoped for. This was our 4th Rick Steve’s tour, and as all others, we are never disappointed. The tour was well-planned and executed in every respect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour leaders, Jim and his assistant, Katja, were the highlight for me. We learned so much German history, and they both did an outstanding job of making sure the tour went smoothly. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall great trip, even though it rained everyday.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose a single moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experience: outstanding guides, informative tours, great extra add-on visits.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Miniature Wunderland and Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. Munich Octoberfest was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves-escorted tour. We had never traveled to Germany for leisure and wanted to see it all. The tour offered a good balance between the cities and attractions and rural medieval villages.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our wow moment was enjoying the beer tents at Octoberfest in Munich."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent trip, guide (Jim) was outstanding. We truly had a merry band of travelers that made the experience so much fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1. Oktoberfest in Munich 2. The beauty of Bacharach and the Rhine River Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a wonderful whirlwind! It was ambitious to visit 15 cities (we included a side trip to Bad Tolz as well as the 14 cities on our tour) in 13 days, but we loved every minute of it. The tour was run so efficiently, and so many excellent decisions were made for us, that we could just hang on for the ride and enjoy it. The two guides traveling with us were excellent, as were the local guides. Who knew we could absorb so much information and and have to much fun at the same time?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many "wow" moments. But I'll take this opportunity to congratulate Jim on his timely "surprises" that enhanced our experience. From fischbrotchen in Hamburg to Kuemmerling in Celle to playing classical music from the greats whenever we were near the town in which they lived to former GDR candy in Thuringia to jelly donuts in Berlin, the hits just kept on coming. Customers love it when a company "underpromises and overdelivers;" we found that a Rick Steves tour definitely overdelivers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was incredible, made even more special by our lead guide, Jim, and our assistant guide, Katja. They were fantastic - approachable, friendly, knowledgable, and fostering group bonding. We got to see some awesome sites, and learn about (and experience) the rich history of this beautiful country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to narrow down as it was all great, but I think my favorite was Rothenburg ob der Tauber. such a great, intact medieval city. walking the city wall was a pretty cool experience"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well curated tour led by an excellent guide. 0ne hotel was treacherous in the outlay of its stairs, and needs a refit or a baggage lift if you use it in future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The jeweled room at Wartburg Castle outside Erfurt was stunning, and unexpected."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I love the tour. The places we went were like magical. I enjoyed every city, town we went. The hotels were very good and the breakfast delicious. Lots of selection. The tour guide was excellent, very knowledgeable. I learned a lot. I can't wait until I take my next tour. I would like to go to Greece. I don't know if Rick Steves' offers a tour to Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I cannot think of any specific moment because I enjoyed every single moment. You guys did a very good job putting together such a great tour. I would recommend anyone who would like to travel and not to worry about the planning. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was outstanding and worth every penny.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The absolutely flawless coordination of all the activities. And, our tour guide was excellent. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was extremely well organized and detailed. We were very fortunate to have Holger as our guide, and he worked very hard to make each person comfortable, and really brought all aspects of the tour and of German culture to life. At times things did feel a bit rushed, and in particular it would have been nice to to have to depart as early as we did so that we would not have been rushed through the excellent breakfasts that were included at each hotel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Due to the luck of timing, we came upon a children's choir rehearsing a few numbers in the Erfurt Cathedral. They were fantastic, and really made the visit special. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour broadened my understanding of German history, culture and people. Hamburg was delightfully wonderful. With reluctance to leave that city, where I could have spent more days, the array of delights were waiting and they did not disappoint. Most Germans will try to speak English and there were multiple opportunities to have individual conversations. The history of Germany was revealed throughout the tour and I left with a feeling of gratification that I truly experienced Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting former East Germany will remain a lasting memory. Stopping at the fence and guardhouse, seeing the remnants of communism and the scars that remain. Visiting the Memorial to Murdered Jews in Europe in Berlin and Dachau (a place I never wanted to see). And yet, the countryside is beautiful and serene where people simply want to enjoy life. These are memories I will hold. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the tour, learned a lot about Germany, met a lot of friendly people. The 2 weeks in Germany seemed to fly by.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it would be just seeing the Rhine - the natural beauty along with the river towns and the castles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was wonderful! The guides were amazing: and the schedule was followed seamlessly! We have been trying to take this Oktoberfest with Rick Steves for several years and so glad that we did.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't think there was one moment but most impressive was the way that Holger ran the entire tour: meeting the individual needs of all in our group whether dietary issues, medical needs, or physical limitations. He seamlessly assisted them by offering appropriate items for group meals, talked with the various hotel desk workers, arranged shuttles, and carried luggage when needed. monitored and adjusted the schedule as needed. Holger was sensational!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thrilled to visit so many historic German and Austrian cities. Meeting and engaging with locals brought history to life. Loved choosing our own adventures after an initial debriefing by a guide for each city on the tour. Privileged to have the opportunity to understand Germany in historical, artistic, and political terms through our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments - visiting Nuremberg to climb the steps where Hitler harangued and hypnotized the masses was chilling, as was our visit to Dachau, honoring and remembering all who fell to the Third Reich. On a more positive note, walking underneath the Three Wise Men's relics at the Cologne cathedral was a one-of-a-kind experience. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great. Wish there was more time to spend in many of the locations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dachau "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought our tour guide Barbara was amazing. She was so thoughtful in everything she did. Little treats along the way. Her knowledge was amazing. Hilde was our bus driver absolutely fabulous. We had the most amazing tour guides at each location. I learned a lot of history and got to mingle with locals. It was amazinh

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t pinpoint just one. I feel the holocaust memorial was the most moving moment though. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time on this tour, so many highlights. Our guide, Barbara really made the trip memorable. It is such an advantage to have a guide born and raised in the same country you are touring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The smaller villages like Bacharach and Rothenburg were wonderful. Oktoberfest was a definite highlight of the trip."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall tour experience was good. •Great learning experience and wonderful sights explored. •Our guide was amazing as well as our bus driver! •Having individual guides local to the sites visiting was great and we explored areas other tours didn’t. The MIC/headset system was wonderful too as you could hear well from a distance while exploring. •Did not realize the tour size was 28 people, which surprised many of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rheinfels Castle tour and history lesson was fabulous regarding the area and conflicts that occurred. Learning the history around Oktoberfest in Munich leading up to our time there, allowed us to enjoy the celebration with locals and was an amazing experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I am always amazed how much is packed into a RS Tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Dresden was beautiful...wish we had more time. Loved the small towns like Bacharach, Rothenburg and Coberg."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip exceeded my expectations! We saw so much! Fantastic local guides, drinks, candies, and all kinds of special treats! Thorough explanations of what to expect and how to get the most from each location. I don't have enough positive words in my vocabulary to describe this experience!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wows!!! I loved the boat rides, the castles, the wine tastings, the comfort, incredible countryside, the stories, the history...so fantastic!!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour covered a lot of places and kept us on the go the entire time. Our tour guide, Barbara, was wonderful and all the local guides were very informed and thorough with information. It was an exhausting but fun trip. Our group got along very well and we made some new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Brandenburg Gate- it just hits you with it's size as you immerse from the subway."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Every place, town, and area we visited in Germany was well worthwhile. The various fine-art museums (Hamburg, Cologne, Dresden, Berlin) were a delightful added bonus. The walking tours and myriad guides were informative and knowledgeable. The pace was “hectic” at times, but perhaps a necessary requirement when trying to see so much in a two-week period.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several: the first-rate multiple and varied fine-art museums; the intimate feel of the Rhine valley towns; and, as a Jewish family, the Berlin memorial of murdered Jews was, in particular, overpowering."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good. Our group was wonderful, we all took the time to get to know each other and have a great time. Explored many parts of Germany that I fell in love with such as the Rhine Valley, and the cute little towns. ( Rothenburg, Bacharach, and Efurt)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the Wife of the Nightwatchman tour because we were able to explore town at night with a different sense of the city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent trip leader, very knowledgeble and well organized

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dresden"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very informative

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful tour experience. Our guide Michael was outstanding in every way possible. He made the tour informative and extremely interesting. He took care of us all the way. He had a great sense of humor also. It was a tremendous trip! Loved it all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had too many wow moments because I had never been to Germany, so everything was WOW for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour yet. Guide was amazing in his knowledge and interaction with group. Checking individually with each tourist daily regarding any needs, wants or information he could provide Provided in depth history and good advice on sites and eateries. Michael made the tour better,!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say. Probably the castle tour and holocaust memorial. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing. Our guide Michael provided some great information about Germany, his approach was to challenge and explore different themes about the country and embrace the culture. Germany is a very beautiful country with rolling hills and amazing scenery thru out. From Hamburg to Berlin and in between visiting the smaller towns each had its own unique style and history. All the castles and churches were more than what I expected. Thanks Michael, Germany will be something I won’t forget.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely October festival in Munich, way too much fun. The cruise down the Rhine river seeing all the castles. During the cruise the unexpected happens the couple next to us buys us a round of drinks. Going through the tunnels at Rheinfels castle. Enjoying the panoramic views of the Rhine valley . Overall a very entertaining trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Germany is a beautiful, vibrant country. We got so much out the tour because our guide Michael explained the history and culture so well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was not just one wow moment because so many of the places we visited were so beautiful and charming. I guess we did say wow when we went into the beerhall at Oktoberfest, lol"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

A great tour of information, history, culture and education but not enough time reserved for museums, shopping or actually absorbing the culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ocktoberfest. That was a day just reserved for fun, relaxation and absorbing the Bavarian culture."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour was a fantastic experience. I would have however enjoyed more time in some of the Cities. One of the things I like to do when I travel is talk with people who live there. I felt there was no time for that.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Right off the bat, it was Hamburg, such a beautiful city. I learned how vast the port was and that it had so many canals. I loved learning about the history of Germany from 55 BC to present day. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great mix of history, culture, sights and food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the Brandenburg gate"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our sixth RS trip and each one has been unique and special. This one encompassed all of Germany and gave us great insights into the various cities/regions of Germany. Our guide, Michael, did a fantastic job of weaving all of the Germanic history together to tell a complete story - medieval times, Protest Reformation, World War I and II, plus the Cold War! Although a lot of miles were driven, it was fascinating to hear and see all that has transpired in Germany! My wife and I loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cruising the Rhine while viewing castles was pretty amazing. Watching sunrise among the vineyards above Bacharach was also special. However, my favorite wow moment was visiting Wartburg Castle where Martin Luther hid from authorities because he had the courage to challenge the Roman Catholic church and stay true to the Bible. As a devout Christian, visiting this location and reviewing the words to the hymn "A Mighty Fortress" was particularly meaningful to me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

ALLES was prima geregeld en voorbereid - goede hotels - prima gids

Favorite "WOW" moment

"de stad Münster"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my seventh Rick Steves' Tour and it was the most time I have spent in the bus on a tour and that cut into free time in all locations. Our guide, Michael, was great and I really appreciated his interpretation of history and location through music and the variety of meal choices.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending the costume and hunters parade associated with Oktoberfest!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip on a planned, guided tour with a group. It was so much better than we ever could have anticipated. We had wonderful local guides and our tour director was phenomenal! Yet, we had lots of time to do our own exploring. In the process of scheduling another Rick Steve's tour for next year!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Discovering that we were not going to be led around the entire time, but had time to make our own adventure, with expert advice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. As usual

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple of the local guides really stood out. Michael in Munich and Jim in Berlin. Both were very informative and entertaining."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful Rick Steves tour of best of Germany. we enjoyed our tour guide, Daniella and our bus driver and all of the additional tour guides in each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think this tour helped put together all of the bits of history I had learned in the past about Germany and create a more wholistic understanding of those periods, from the Middle Ages to current day. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day brought a new best day, yet! In each town we were entertained and overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of the local guides' knowledge. Our guide, Daniela prepared us for each stop along the way, and sharing some of her life stories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Bacharach Daniela demonstrated her sommolier chops! At the end of our Rheinfels tour, our local guide, Alvin entertained us with a leid and Spanish guitar!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have never been on a multi-way tour before. We were somewhat apprehensive because of the new experience for us. We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the tour. Our tour guide, Daniela , was outstanding. Most of the local guides were tremendous, as well. The bus and the driver, Rene, was great. Comfortable hotels with wonderful locations. Great cities with focus on historical sites was right in our wheel house. All of the group eating experiences are superb and fun, with great choices.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is a tough one! My wife and I are both raised Lutheran. I thoroughly enjoyed Wartburg Castle.It was stunning and a real surprise because I didn't expect the grand location or its grand architecture. I would have to say the same for the Baroque church in Dresden. nothing like ay Lutheran Church I have experienced. Absolutely astounding and beautiful!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Daniella was awesome and provided both incredible insight into Germany, but also asked thought provoking questions. Loved the additional guides we had a long the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was the overall experience and understanding of the country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the tour from start to finish as Daniela Wedel made each day fun and informative with her passion and knowledge of her native Germany. I thought the itinerary was well thought out and I enjoyed each city and village that we visited. The local guides were excellent and provided a pleasant and informative experience. The group food options were good and the meals together were always enjoyable. Daniela always had all bases covered. I told her it was an honor to be on her tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say that I did not have one wow moment, but overall collective memories of all the places we visited and the people I met. Germany is a beautiful country and the people I met were wonderful. Germany is a vibrant, young , thriving country while doing a commendable job remembering its past. A young server asked me how I was enjoying my visit. I told her that I loved visiting her country and the people were treating me great. Upon my exit, she offered me a beer stein as a gift."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Berlin, being where so much history took place."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Barbara was an OUTSTANDING guide - friendly, enthusiastic, inclusive, knowledgeable, humorous, generous and informative. She loves her homeland and shared interesting facts everywhere we went. Bus rides were fun as she shared favorite foods, candies, drinks, snacks, and personal life experiences. All lof these things added to our 100% satisfied grade for this Best of Germany tour. Fellow travelers were also delightful.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Germany was another great trip. Had been to Germany before but never the country as a whole. It hit all the highlights and with enough free time to see anything else not on the itinerary.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a wonderful experience! Bryan provided timely relatable local history and insights into historical and modern German experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was most impressed by the diverse and peaceful election rallies in Munich. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Castles! Schnitzel! And History! And those Anabaptists! So much history and left me wanting to learn more. Bryan and all of our city guides were amazing. I wish I could have taken notes while walking. The Bismarck sandwich on the waterfront? Pickled herring on a bun! Yum!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I felt that I had traveled back in time while in Rothenburg on the Night Watchman's Tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very impressed with overall quality. Seamless and stress free. A great value. All the unexpected little 'extras' kept everyone happy and facilitated camaraderie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved wandering around the charming smaller towns like Bacharach and Erfurt in the early morning and at night. The serenade at Wartburg was magical."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I had never been on a group tour before, and we wondered if we would like it. It turned out to be one of our favorite vacations. The guide Bryan did a very good job and was very knowledgeable on Germany and its history. The local guides also did a good job at each location. The people on the tour were all very nice and we enjoyed the time spent with the tour group. I thought it was a good mix of group tours and free time to spend however you want.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the time spent in the smaller towns and liked the beauty of the cathedrals and other buildings. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned a lot of history. I enjoyed Bacharach the most. Very quaint.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The many churches were breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Germany tour was an insightful and fun trip. Our guide Bryan gave us history and the feel of current German opinions and every day life. I felt we got to see the real Germany. We traveled throughout Germany and also experienced the different cultures of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin as well as small town life in Bacharach and Rothenburg.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time in Bacharach was my Wow moment. Looking out the window in the morning at the rows of grapes and walking the streets. It was a very special time "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Miniature Museum in Hamburg and the Cologne Cathedral "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time. Our two week tour was jampacked with activity, learning, sightseeing, and many surprises. The tour had an impressive variety of experiences. Our guide, Barbara was exceptional. Our bus driver's skills were incredible. Our tour mates added to the fun and adventure of seeing a new place.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had several but actually seeing places we learned about was very touching."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The amount of information & sites visited for the price was amazing. Our guide was extremely good at her job, and we enjoyed the good fortune of an outstanding tour group. The pace of this trip was challenging; it felt more like a college course than a relaxing trip. But how else to get a feel for an entire pivotal country in Europe in a mere 13 days?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was unprepared for the beauty of Bacharach, and really felt transported to another time & place with that stay. A close second was being in Erfut for the very rare pealing of their largest cathedral bell, then sneaking in to the service to hear the organ and voices resonating through the building."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Barbara was an excellent tour guide, one of the best I have ever had. The hotels ranged from okay to excellent. The meals were all excellent. The only negative is part of the tour seems rushed, a lot of moving around, and riding on a bus. I think this tour would be outstanding if you could up the number of days and maybe cancel something off the tour. I would suggest talking to your guides and see how they would suggest a change.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard for me to pick one Wow moment. I loved the Berlin Wall with the artist paintings and the sculpture in Berlin that represented the victims of the holocaust . I also really enjoyed the Bavarian towns we visited."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

... excellent tour guide and driver... excellent destinations with points of interest visited... wonderful accomodations...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"...outside of the amazing sights we saw...the new friendships made"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the well organized tour that delivered more than I expected in cultual experiances. I was pleased with the restruants chosen for group meals that helped dispell the cliche of German cuisine. The bus was spotless clean. We saw more sites than expected and yet had time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip down the Rhine river. You hear about the castles lining the river. But, until you see them in person you do not appreciate how MANY there are and so close together."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much on this tour that I never would have known if I had stayed home. It was a fully encompassing tour; it was a fun trip and it was educational too. Everywhere we went we learned history, culture and everything in between. I made lots of good friends and many experiences that will last me a lifetime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to pick one!! If I must it will have to be the Rhine River cruise and our stops in Bacharach and Rothenburg. These experiences and places are what I imagine Germany to be. I am glad I was able to see Germany as a whole and not just on its 20th Century history. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We began our tour a couple of days before the actual tour began. When meeting our group and guide, we were immediately drawn in by the interesting people and our guide, who connected to each and every one of us. I took my 14 year old grandson to Germany as this was his dream vacation. He held on to every word spoken and learned so much that he went home telling his parents he was ready to move to Berlin. This was a trip of a lifetime!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite Wow moment was the small but charming town of Erfurt. My grandson's favorite Wow moment was navigating Berlin on public transportation on his own and visiting the many historical sites. We stayed a few days after the tour and revisited the most important places he chose including the Brandenburg gate, memorial to the murdered Jews, surfing at the English Garden, and the technology museum, plus many others We also enjoyed a boat ride with other friends we had met on the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was outstanding because of the superb logistics which covered every detail of lodging and transportation from the moment the tour began to the day the tour ended. There was never a moment when I had to worry about anything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arriving in the town of Bacharach, we checked into our hotel and opened the window of our hotel room to reveal the townscape of a hilltop castle, beautiful green vineyard and historic rooftops of the town. We were hit with the uniqueness and beauty of our visit. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed the time in Germany. Other guests were friendly, guide was very nice and shared his personal experiences of growing up in West Berlin.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rottenburg at sunrise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Tour was great Michael is a great guide, taking great care of each of us as needed. My only complaint is there was too much bus time. If there were two tours of Germany, cutting the country in half so to speak, I think there would be more time to absorb the ambiance of Germany. I know this is supposed to be an overview of Germany, but for many it will be the only time they have the opportunity to visit Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were so busy that it is hard to say, did certainly enjoy seeing where Martin Luther transcribed the New Testament. I was hoping for more about the Martin Luther and the Reformation. Did learn lots about WWII that I was not aware of even being born in 1943."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my thirteenth tour with Rick Steves Europe and they have all been incredible experiences. But this tour really raised the bar for me. It was a difficult tour in terms of distance, regions of Germany, historical perspectives, religion, the humanities, two World Wars, etc., but it was beautifully woven together by our tour guide. It was by far the best organized and informative travel experience I’ve ever had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s really difficult to name just one. But Wartburg Castle was a true delight and completely unexpected. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It could not have been a better experience. Great itinerary, fantastic tour guide, and enjoyable group. The surprise visit from Rick Steves himself at our kick-off dinner was a good omen!

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Well organized, although a bit too much guided walking tours for me. Sometimes I would have preferred to be left and wander on my own, particularly at Dachau where there were explanations in English everywhere.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving through the country side and realizing Germany looks just like the Midwest. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized. Our guide, Michael, was knowledgeable and personable. The itinerary was a good mix of small towns and cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was no one wow moment. It was more of a collection of moments. We loved the feel and the character of the small towns and we loved the castles."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Michael is anExcellent tour guide and was very prepared for numerous topics of conversation. He also was a very caring compassionate guide who took time to make sure everyone was having a great ti

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The butter pretzel Michael bought us in Munich was a taste I’ll never forget. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great as usual. This was our eighth tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cruising the river near Bacarach."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

While immensely educational and fun, it was a lot of miles to cover with an overwhelming number of activities. Our guide, Michael, was amazingly organized and educated and made the bus hours fly by.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to singer in Rheinfels Castle ruins was magical. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 2nd Rick Steves tour, and our guide - Michael - is the reason I chose to make this one Outstanding. He made this very challenging, strenuous tour a delight with his history knowledge and care for each and every one of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How much our group bonded within a day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very strenuous, informative, enlightening and enjoyable. We spent a lot of time on the bus. Our guide did a wonderful job of filling in the history: Roman, Martin Luther, Nazi, post war.Tour members were outstanding. The vibe was just right.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rhine River valley. We stayed 2 nights in Bacharach and visited Rheinfels castle. I wanted to see the Rhine, now I want to go back."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Organized, informed tour guide made this tour absolutely fantastic. I learned so much about Germany!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about and seeing the name plates on the streets to recognize, honor the jews killed during the Nazi regime. Rheinfels castle, the tour guide Alwin Eckert seranading us at the end! Erfurt and Wartburg - learning about Martin Luther. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin - what a way to visualize the terror these people went thru and their familes. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I can’t say enough about this tour, Best of Germany. The tour guide and our travel companions were upbeat and ready to experience whatever came along. I think because it is made clear ahead of time what was expected of the participants, people on Rick Steves tours aren’t whiners. And everyone knows to be on time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While in Hamburg we visited the Kunsthalle Museum. We stood in awe looking at Der Wanderer Uber dem Nebelmeer, by Caspar David Friedich. It’s an incredible piece of art."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful, but our tour guide Michael was outstanding! Loved all the history and personal experiences he shared. Very generous with his time assisting group members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Dresden. Absolutely amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second RS tour, having previously taken "Best of Italy". Our guide (Michael Dempsey) was outstanding and extremely attentive. Our children joined several days late due to their school schedule. Michael went out of his way to not only incorporate them into the group, but also devote his personal time toward making them feel special. I often felt that Michael missed his calling as a university professor! We were lucky to benefit from his exhaustive historical and musical knowledge.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A stand-out moment was the Hamburg boat tour with the colorful character Sabine. Her sarcastic humor and jabs at local government frequently made me laugh! I tend to enjoy learning about the culture and daily lives of the locals."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour guides and locations were excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Holocaust sites and memorials "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour. We had heard great things, so our expectations were high. The tour lived up to our expectations and more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Rhine river valley, with a castle ruin on every hilltop, and the medieval town of Bacharach. It felt like a trip back in time. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Being 1/4 German, I enjoyed learning about the culture and history of my grandfather. The country and old towns are beautiful and the tour was a good mix of rural and city life. I thought our guide did an excellent job of treating Germany’s difficult Nazi history with respect and sensitivity.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying on the Rhine in the old timbered village of Bacharach."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour gave us a great overall experience of the ancient and recent history of Germany as well as the differences between the various regions of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was enthralled by the castles overlooking the Rhine and our stay in a medieval village adjacent to the river."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour covers a lot of history and a lot of places. The time we spent in each location was about perfect with the exception of Dachau which was packed with school kids and just too crowded to cover in the 2 hours we were there. Our guide, Michael was excellent! Our bus driver, Derrick was excellent as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bacharach and the Rhine valley. Unlike the major cities, which were bombed out by the Allies in WW II, Bacarach is the old-world town you expect to find in Germany. The Rhine valley is beautiful as well and loaded with castles and vineyards!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to Germany. It was a fantastic experience. I loved the small group on the tour and the tour guide, Michael Dempsey, was very informative. I learned a lot about the German history and culture. I’ll definitely be back for another tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved going to Rothenburg. It’s such a beautiful walled city and enjoyed everything it had to offer."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The attention to detail was outstanding in every regard. From food choices to hotel rooms to our various guides, it was simply spectacular.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The knowledge our tour director Daniela had for everything Germany was very, very impressive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I liked everything. This was my second RS tour and it was great! On my first night home, I started looking trip #3.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wartburg Castle! I wasn't expecting the beautiful interiors, even though the guidebook said it was restored or "Disneyfied"."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As with our prior two tours with RS, our tour was well run, educational, fun group and a good overview of Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning from our tour guide, Daniela. She was interestingly informative throughout the tour. I learned so much about Germany's history, its culture over the years. As a German native, she brought an extra heft to her comments. Having lived in other countries, she also brought additional insight. She was funny, clever and truly fantastic. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was wonderful, everyone was very nice, the sites were great, wish it wouldn't have rained so much, but you can't control everything.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good tour in spite of the wet weather. Excellent guide, awesome driver, great itinerary, lots of sights to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Berlin"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was such a great trip and it was wonderful traveling around the whole of Germany while learning about the differences between regions. Our guide Daniela and our bus driver Jos really made it special and super fun! The sights, food, local guides, fellow tour members, and even the bus treats were all outstanding. I started having “end-of-tour-dread” 3 days in and used bus time to browse for tour #3!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This sounds cheesy but what I remember most from the trip was interacting and listening to our guide Daniela. She was so quick, smart, witty, generous, and hilarious. Her remarkable storytelling ability gave me new perspectives on culture and history that I never would have imagined (and to which I’m still thinking about). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Usually, we plan our trips and travel on our own. Going on this Rick Steves tour was our first time traveling with a group so we didn't know whether or not we would like it. But, we did! It was an excellent tour and we realized some of the benefits of traveling on a tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Quickly finding out we had a superb guide, Daniela! I can't imagine a better guide. Having grown up in Germany she was very familiar with every site we visited, the history, food and more. Loved her personal stories of growing up in Germany and her insights into what life is like being a German"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our third and it was just wonDerful. Love the mix of learning and leisure and the attendees are all curious and interested learners. Daniela was FABULOUS. Her knowledge of not only sites but being a German native was most helpful. Her deep worldly travels also played a part in her incredible knowledge of so much. And, she studying to be a sommelier, how neat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Daniela, just made the tour outstanding. Again,m I love the way the program/tour is structured, never a dull moment."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was my 1st RS tour and it met my expectations completely. The organization, itinerary, food, education, and opportunities for our own exploration of places visited were top-notch. Our tour coordinator, Jim, was absolutely fabulous - organized, engaging, a fabulous educator, who surprised us with various clever food and souvenir items. Our tour guides in different cities were also excellent and sometimes exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was a very difficult question to answer. 13 days in Germany and pick one "wow" moment!? For me there were wow moments in almost every place we stopped. Some were positive, some were sobering. But thinking about the whole experience of this tour of Germany (my 1st time there), my biggest overall "wow" was how it has "risen from the ashes" of WWII to re/create so much beautiful architecture and a vibrant economy. Along side this, the German people seemed equally vibrant and beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was one of the best-guided tours we've experienced, thanks to our dedicated and exemplary tour guide, Jim McDonough. With a German history degree and 19 years of experience as an expat in Germany, Jim enriched our tour with concise historical insights, highlights of local culture, and snapshots of everyday German life. More compliments will follow in the following section.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The great sense of social community, comradeship, and joie de vivre I experienced in Germany made me more focused on seeking a similar living environment ASAP. No Life to waste! We are the too-hard-working, sad, lonely, and isolated Americans who don’t know how to truly enjoy Life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great mix of beautiful sights and important history. Jim made the longer bus rides useful and interesting with his insightful lectures on German culture and history. The daily pace was on the fast side, but I can't think of anything that I would want to cut from the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our quick stop at the site of the Nazi Party rallies in Nurnburg was definitely a wow moment, as was another quick stop at the Soviet war dead memorial in Berlin. But Those were not my favorite moments. Those are too numerous to mention. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour. Our guide, Jim, was outstanding in his knowledge, his work ethic, keeping things running on time, managing personalities, encouraging and us to be independent travelers. Give that man a raise! I learned to respect the "Rick Steve business" for its selection of places to go, hotels, modes of transportation and especially the choice of local guides. This is a well run business. I came away impressed and will recommend Rick Steves tours to my friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had been to East Berlin as a 20 year old (4 hour visa) in 1976 when I was a "foreign exchange student" in Europe. The juxtaposition of the tanks, barbed wire, empty grocery store shelves, and stassi who followed us in 1976 with the East Berlin of 2024 was mind blowing. You've come a long way, Germany!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our in-depth, feet-on-the-ground tour experience in Germany. We were able to explore so many places with the group and on our own that were steeped in layers of history both ancient and recent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 700-year-old Tradesman's House in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a hidden gem."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent bus, bus driver (Eric) and hotel accommodations and locations. Trip required seasoned travelers -a little too much free time and meals on your own. (We're well prepared by Jim to navigate and explore, and where to go and what to do.) Overnight in Munster was odd as it seemed like an afterthought. Excellent sequence of beginning in Hamburg and ending in Berlin (or go the reverse route). Worth seeing anything at the Elbphilharmonie. Also worth seeing were an opera and a symphony.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After seeing the Miniatur Wunderland, I realized the German people have such a great sense of humor. Even bigger wow moment was the intro to German sauna culture and how welcoming Germans are. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jim was excellent. Anticipated problems; forward looking; scheduled interesting stops. We could not ask for anything more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Nurnburg; and Jessica tour in Berlin."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rebuilding of Dresden "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a well-organized well-planned experience that did a good job of combining guided tours with knowledgeable guides and open limited exploration. A great taster tour of a region that easily deserved a much longer stay at each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Victorian reimagining/restoration of Wartburg with its dazzling colors, brilliant decoration, and multilayered history was a highlight of the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had many great and varied experiences in different part of Germany. We also really enjoyed our travel group and main guide as well as the guides we met with in some of the places we visited and stayed. Overall top notch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably seeing Berlin (and former East Berlin) 35 years after we last visited (late fall of 1989 when the first parts of the wall were coming down and people could first move between East and West). Staying in former East Berlin was wonderful...seeing that it has become so vibrant, energetic and multicultural since our last visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was my first adventure outside the United States. So much thought and attention went in to planning the route, the local guides, and points of interest. Barbara, our guide, was top notch. She went to great lengths to share her love of country with everyone. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor enriched my experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very difficult to pick just one. Seeing the St. Nikolai Memorial really allowed me to feel and imagine the horrors of war."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent all around. Our guide, Barbara, was extremely nice and helpful, and so knowledgeable about Germany. Likewise, our driver, Paul, was friendly, outgoing, and just fun to be around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through Bacharach"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and our guide did an incredible job making sure everyone had a good time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cologne Cathedral was magnificent."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed all of the stops, hotels, my friendly fellow travelers, the bus and driver, but especially our group leader!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking out of my hotel window at Bacharach and seeing the steep hillside covered with vineyards. Completely stunningly beautiful. I was definitely in Germany now!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed visiting some picturesque smaller towns like Bacharach, Rothenburg, & Erfurt, and the beautiful scenery along the Rhine valley.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Planten & Blomen park in Hamburg. The Rhododendrons & Azaleas were in full bloom in a riot of color. Never seen anything like it, anywhere. Also, a lunch stop at Burg Hülshof in a beautiful park setting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I found the tour well organized from day one - booking to finish. I have travelled extensively using RS guide books but this was my first tour. I am now travelling solo as my travel partner (husband) is not able to travel any longer. So this was my first attempt at travelling without him and I was a bit concerned about the transition to solo female travel. I like my freedom to do independent things and did not want to feel constrained by the group. I was very pleased with the freedom I had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was realizing that as a solo female traveller, I could do this without feeling confined by the group. I was very impressed by the free time we had to explore individually and no pressure to always be with the group. I enjoyed both the safety of the group and the freedom to seek out those experiences that I wanted to find individually. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was very enjoyable. Maybe a little too fast passed for me, but overall I had a good experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick one. The two that come to mind are visiting Wartburg and Dachau."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good, knowledgeable, personable, funny, kind, caring guide; very good driver; mix of excellent to robotic local guides; mix of good and adequate hotels; tour food could definitely be improved. Tour was fun, entertaining, educational - with good ratio of tour/free time. Guide kept the tour disciplined so everyone got along. Tour leaned towards being tiring as I found myself using free time to rest (more than other RS tours). I would recommend this tour, thanks and great job RS!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment is when the tour guide and tour driver went out of their way to help me repair my busted suitcase wheel (older suitcase vs cobblestones) in a town without a hardware store nor a suitcase store. It would have been very big trouble for me otherwise. Thank you Michael Dempsey (guide) and Big John (driver). Otherwise, there was not single WOW moment for me on this tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a quite seamless experience from food to hotel to road time. I was skeptical taking my first group tour but it felt more like a personally guided expedition and not like I was a little duckling. I also had complete faith in Big John for my road safety and was glad that I was able to get to know him as well during meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day trip to Dresden. I knew very little about it other than it was bombed and I was amazed at the reconstruction of the city, as well as the structures that were actually saved/preserved. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was a nice balance of inspiration and education. I enjoyed it very much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think my wow moment was the tour of the cathedral at Cologne."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Marvelous. We learned so much and had a great time. Michael was the consummate guide - thoughtful, energetic, and deeply schooled on Germany. He also had a way of bringing our merry band of travelers together. This is our third RS tour and this group really bonded, which is an extra bonus on these trips. Loved the whole experience! Hamburg, Bacharach, Rotenberg, Munich, Erfurt, Dresden etc were all wonderful. A life affirming two weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dresden and Erfurt were a pleasant surprise. The former East Germany has surged with redevelopment. There is much to see and do. The Rhine River mini-cruise and walking tour of Rheinfels Castle were perhaps my favorite. An absolutely perfect day capped with wine tasting in Bacharach. What could be better! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite "wow" moment--seeing the Berlin wall in person. When I was in the Army stationed in Germany during the Cold War, we were not allowed to cross into East Germany or East Berlin Touching the wall gave me goosebumps. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had never done any kind of tour and have just traveled overseas a few times. This was by far the best experience I ever had traveling in Europe. Our guide, Michael Dempsey was knowledgeable and personable. I liked the seamlessness of everything. The gorgeous bus driven by Big John, the timing of every day worked out well, the places we went were places I never would've visited. Halfway through the trip, I said to my friend Barbara we need to make this an annual tradition.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly I'd say the day in Bacharach and Saint Goar. The weather cooperated, the Rheinfels castle was magical, the boat trip down the Rhine, touring the enchanting town of Bacharach and then the wine tasting was perfect."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first tour experience with Rick Steves group was beyond anything I'd imagined. As I said during our farewell dinner, each day seemed to fill my senses to the brim. There was music on the bus and lively and fascinating history given by our wonderful guide Michael Dempsey for the ears, Germany's best and historical sights to behold for the eyes, hiking and walking for the body, delicious dinners to taste, and sharing it all with friends, new and old.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Being able to enter the inner sanctum of the Cologne Cathedral with our guide, hiking St. Goar and walking the ruins of Rheinfels Castle, the view from the top of the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall and then seeing it from a boat later in the day. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a great sampler of Germany with an emphasis on history. It was a very enjoyable trip and I learned a lot about this beautiful country and it’s complicated past. We had a wonderful group of people on this tour that made the trip a lot of fun. Our guide, Michael, was very knowledgeable of German history and our bus driver, John, was a competent and safe driver. Overall it was a great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking in to the Cologne Cathedral and our visit to Dresden. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in the castle where Martin Luther translated the bible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip exceeded my expectations - from the bus accommodations and driver (Big John) to the tour guide’s (Michael Dempsey) superb knowledge of present and past history, not to mention his great humor; from the comfortable hotel stays and hearty meals to the expert guidance and even transportation tickets given on days we could venture out on our own; all of the i’s and t’s were dotted. Our wonderful traveling companions helped us look forward to each day’s new adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views of the German countryside both from the vantage points of the bus and the Rhine river cruise - the landscape in general; the villages; the castles; just the whole of it! And finally a side trip with my daughter to the famous Zugspitze where we took a train ride passed picturesque storybook villages - followed by a cable car ride to the top of the mountain - meant to take your breath away - ending with a view second to none. Can someone just pinch me?"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a very good time. It was fast paced and very informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was the lovely acoustics in huge storage ‘cave’ of Rheinfels Castle and listening to our local guide sing and play guitar "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was perfect! Tour guides were excellent!!!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were wowed at every turn, Loved visiting the countryside and appreciated the history of the larger cities! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

City guides were well chosen for competence and knowledge. Times for city tours were long in some cases but not overly taxing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat tour in Hamburg harbour was excellent for its extensive presentation with a fantastic guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group was made up of about 25 enthusiastic, friendly travelers. Our guide, Jim, was knowledgeable and entertaining. We felt that the itinerary provided a great balance between small towns and big cities and covered all the “must-sees”.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We chose the dates of our tour because of our schedule but being there for Octoberfest was such a treat! We’ll never forget sitting in the huge beer hall (tent) with thousands of people lifting their steins in toasts and singing. Many dressed in traditional costumes. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Already dreaming of our next adventure thanks to another fantastic RS tour. Tour Manager Jim went the extra mile, from securing Pergamon tickets just before its 14-year renovation to expertly distilling German history. Lynn, our Assistant, added delightful and unique EU perspectives, while DJ/Driver Dirk ensured our safe and timely arrivals. The tour perfectly balanced vibrant cities and serene villages. I've even discovered a taste for beer, fish sandwiches, and tomato soup!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My most memorable "wow" moment was stepping into the first Oktoberfest tent, filled with conviviality, music, and celebratory locals in traditional attire. Wartburg Castle, steeped in history with connections to Luther, St. Elizabeth, and the German flag's origins, was an unexpected treasure. The mosaic room there dedicated to St. Elizabeth was truly eye-popping."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What wasn’t to like? Weather was amazing, two tour guides both wonderful, nice accommodations near everything, great bus driver as md lots of beer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into Octoberfest. Jim, our guide, offered to take us over to the site so we would get there and it was amazing. The crowd was huge and everybody was having a blast. We stayed for about 90 minutes but I felt we got the experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jim was not only an excellent German historian but a great guide making sure we in the right place on time. We also had a bonus guide, Lynn, who was a wonderful addition to hear her UK family history during WWII. The hotels were great, the local guides knowledgeable, the tour stops interesting and beautiful. This tour is exactly what I was hoping for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For my husband it was visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp and putting history into reality. For me it was hearing from local Germans on how WWII impacted their families and the complexities of how and why events unfolded. The German commitment to educate the next generation to prevent history repeating itself is outstanding and a model for the rest of the world."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed the entire itinerary for the tour of Europe of Germany. Jim, our tour, Director was very knowledgeable of the sites that we saw and elevated our experience with the history, culture, food. It was a very active tour, and we enjoyed that part as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to enjoy Oktoberfest in Munich! It was a bucket list item for us"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oktoberfest "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide and right amount of time on the bus. Local guides were easy to understand and had lots of information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Town of Goslar"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great mix of cities and small towns with right mix of scheduled activities and "free" time. Exceptional guide Jutta, kept things light but was extremely organized and knowledgeable! Enjoyed our group of fellow travelers!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wows: harbor tour in Hamburg was fascinating, free time visit to train museum Hamburg, staying in and touring the castle in St Goar, Rhine River cruise, the legendary October fest in Munich, and Matt, the local guide in Berlin was exceptional!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I found this tour to be very well organized, educational, and so enjoyable. Our tour guide Jutta, was very knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant. The bus driver, Eric was an absolute courteous professional. I felt very comfortable riding with him. The tour itself I felt was truly the best of Germany. From the port town of Hamburg, the Rhine River, Berlin and everything in between. The history of East and West Germany. Also our entire tour group were great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I found myself truly saying wow everyday! Really loved attending Octoberfest. But my favorite wow moment was probably standing in front of the Cologne Cathedral and admiring its massive, gothic awesomeness. No picture could have n any way capture its beauty!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The 4 days of the tour i enjoyed were fabulous. I tested positive for covid so missed 9 days of the 13. The guide was great. Sharing meals together with the group was where i believe i was exposed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would have been Munich."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As expected, well curated and executed. We learned a lot about Germany, but also Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of our tour members, a professional musician, singing a selection from the Magic Flute in the cellar of Rheinfels Castle. Fabulous acoustics and experience! Also, although not a happy "wow", the tour Dachau made the Holocaust very real, not just something you learned about as part of WW II."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Daniella was a very good guide. We enjoyed the trip. I do wish they flipped the days between Dachau and Munich since they are close by and we ended up in Munich on Sunday, when Viktualienmarkt and the shops were closed and Oktoberfest was probably more crowded.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We enjoyed the Piped Piper tour in Hamelyn, the night watchman tour in Rothenburg, and there was another tour member sang opera in a wine cellar we visited (not planned but wow). I also enjoyed the tour in Berlin where we learned a lot about East Germany. Dresden had a little festival and some really nice tiles on a building in the walking tour. Daniella also got us into Oktoberfest on a Sunday with a place to sit together, which was fun."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several "wow" moments: the Piped piper in Hamlin, cathedral in Cologne, the Night Watchman in Rothenburg, Oktoberfest in Munich."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Simply said, too much bus time! Not enough tour time. 2,250 km spread vove 7 bus days was too much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would like to say getting off the bus on bus days. Seriously though it was the Dachau Concentration Camp."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my second Rick Steves tour and delivered to the same degree as my first tour. The attention to detail is outstanding. Our guide, Michael, could teach a masterclass in guidecraft. The selection of stops and hotels was great. If anything, I wish the tour were 2 days longer to allow more time in Rothenburg and Berlin.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Michael singing in German and giving other talented singers in our group their chance to serenade us as well. It was quite a musical tour!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic selection of cities to visit. Great tour guide and wonderful traveling companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful town of Hannoversch Munden on the Werra River. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Michael's an encyclopedia of German history. Novel features to six previous RS tours: huge map stuck the bus to track journey, “request line” for travel music, chronology, frequent sweet bus treats. Constantly checking our well-being and answering questions. Took special care of unique dietary needs. City guides were also charming, quirky and humorous. Lively suppers/wine/beer-tastings. Impromptu ladies quartet singing “Almighty Fortress”. Necessarily ambitious schedule but saw so much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canals of Hamburg, St. Nikolai memorial, the magical Miniatur Wunderland, massive gothic Cologne Cathedral with gold relics chest, Rhine boat tour past the “Loreley”, dark defensive tunnels at Rheinfels castle in Sankt Goar (by smartphone flashlight), exquisite Riemenschneider carved altarpiece near quaint Rothenberg (deserved another night), majestically re-constructed Dresden, a timely reminder of the fragility of democracy at Dachau and Topography of Terror museum in Berlin. Stumble stones."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We felt so fortunate to take this tour with our guide, Micheal. His knowledge of Germany's culture, history, and geography provided us with a comprehensive tour of the country. Michael has the insight and time management skills of a tenured teacher. The local guides were amazing, as well. It was fun to explore the cities and the small villages after learning about them from these people. We traveled with amazing people who became new friends. Our memories are priceless!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was our time in Dresden. Learning the history of the city and the bombings during WWII, and actually seeing the rebuilding in progress left quite an impression on me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again we enjoyed experiencing the country by seeing it in depth through the eyes of our local tour guides, small hotels, family run restaurants and having time on our own to explore. We got to see most of the areas of Germany and understand regional differences in customs, food and dress and understanding the history of the area in context to larger world events. Our tour members as always were friendly, considerate and a joy to travel with!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the small towns on the tour: St. Goar, Bacharach, Oberwesel, Hildesheim, Hannover-Munden, Speyer, Rothenberg, Coburg and Erfurt. Rothenburg was particularly fun to explore especially with the town walls and being able to see a rooftop view. I also liked the Cologne Cathedral which is so impressive."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Cologne Cathedral with a monk as our tour guide - he tied the art work back to specific biblical references."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Learning more in-depth about German history and how today's Germany is responding to its history--especially the way it is trying to educate young people about the dark past.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walking tour of Berlin with our excellent city guide."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I appreciated the content depth and the variety of this tour. The tour tackled the meaty topic of WW2 and Germany's past, but that didn't consume the tour content. There were a lot of other fun and interesting ways to experience German culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The time on the Rhine and our stay at Hotel Schloss Rheinfel. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Guide Bryan was incredible. All the place we visited were well thought out and very interesting. Transportation was very good and comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the remint of the Berlin Wall with the Topography of Terror Museum. I appreciated how Germany has taken that dark part of their history and incorporated into their educational system to make future generations aware of how that can happen in society. The Berlin wall intrigued me because I was in Germany for 2 years in early 70s and was not able to travel in that area. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour with Rick Steves. We had a wonderful time. The entire trip exceeded our expectations! Bryan, our tour guide was excellent! He was extremely knowledgeable and yet very personable with each and every one of us. The large cities and the small ones were so beautiful and full of history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments! I think being able to stay overnight in the smaller towns would rise to the top of the list. They were so filled with culture and beauty. Walking the streets and feeling the atmosphere of Germany was unique."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hall of Giants, Ehrensburg Palace"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 5th RS tour but my first travels in Germany. It was a great way to get to know 4 big cities,as well as small towns and beautiful regional countryside. We visited more than half of the German states in total. In a way, we time traveled through history - German history and European history. Our RS guides, Barbara and Stephanie along with Kirk our driver were the icing on the cake - organized, knowledgeable and fun. Expert local guides enriched every place we visited. Fantastic group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly there were many WOW moments, each one for different reasons. My time in Munich's nazi documentation museum was time well spent. I discovered that the seeds were sown following WW1 and grew from there. Dachau, I learned was the prototype detention facility, planned for and ready to roll out as soon as 1933. Seeing in person that Germany acknowledges its nazi past is important to me. The post war generations are still dealing with it. There are lessons for us today in the USA as well."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Bus time is underestimated. Construction, accidents and general traffic increased time on the bus. Could allow for little more “ personal time” to explore areas. Laundry - previous tour guide told us at what point and where we could drop our laundry and pick it up. Rates were less than hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring Dachau. Emotional moment I had experienced many years ago with my family."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour group members were wonderful including our two guides. Barbara and Stephanie were full of energy and knowledge.The local tour guides added another layer of information,especially James in Berlin.It was a comprehensive look of Germany!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved the Arts and Crafts Museum in Hamburg and the Erfurt AndreasstraBe Memorial Museum(audio guides are a must). The revolving ,self-cleaning toilet seats were unique-LOL."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In 500 characters? Not a chance... The experience was a tremendous thrill. The tour took us to such interesting places, showed us such amazing things and answered questions that were sometimes difficult to answer. It pulled no punches, all the while showing us so much beauty, friendliness, and guidance. The guides, Barbera and Stephanie were always there for guidance and help, and very accommodating to an odd sense of humor such as mine. The tour allowed us to have free time to either com

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bacharach on the Rhine has to be the Wow moment. The beauty was incredible. No way to describe it that won't take away some aspect of it. 13 Days on the Rhine would still make an incredible trip. Berlin was terrific, Munich was outstanding, the drive through the country was wonderful, ...and then there was the Rhine...."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the German peoples response to WWII"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, time well spent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking out my hotel window in Bacharach at the vineyards"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thr tour guide Jutta was intelligent and helpful. I enjoyed the itinerary and where it took me. Goselar, Rothenberg, and the Wartberg castle were fantastic! The tour guides were like college professors, very thorough but sometimes difficult in the heat. Hotels were okay.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Rothenberg d.o.T."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scenic little village of Goslar"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was the difference. His name was Michael Dempsey and he was excellent. Great sense of humor, and a serious WWII and Germany history expert. Made the long bus trips really interesting with history leading up to the location, as well as general information about everything from the Germanic tribes, all the way to taxes, and dictation, and employment in current times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Original Berlin Wall, and our time spent in Bacharach. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a blast. This trip is a well-balanced mix of places and experiences under the good leadership of a great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We have some many favorite moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful experience and saw so many interesting and beautiful sights! Our guide Michael was excellent - he was very organized and considerate of the needs of the group. His knowledge of Germany and its history was top-notch. We were fortunate to travel with a great group of friendly and personable people. All in all, a terrific experience!

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Bus time did not seem "too" bad on the Itinerary, but it was underestimated by about 7 1/2 hr. The tour was an overall feeling of rushing in the town we were visiting. I do not remember much of any of the towns we were in; a blur: tour, see something on own, get something to eat, wash up clothes or pack up for the morning, get to sleep, quick breakfast and on to the bus. I would not recommend this tour. If this was my only RS experience, I would not do another. (this was 4th and were great)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming back to the hotel and finding that the air-conditioning was working well! WOW, pure joy! Some of the days were hot, and zapped energy. This was not time for rooms without AC I will have to review pictures to recall any special moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Barbara was a phenomenal guide, knowledgeable and fun. She worked to ensure that any personal problems of the guests were resolved and went above and beyond to help with lost luggage and ensure the safety of a single traveler. I would definitely sign up for another tour led by her.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are just too many to name."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Extremely well planned, exceptional guide, and local guides also

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Munich city tour with all the wonderful sites, food and culture "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful group of travelers, ranging in age from 16 to 80. All were ready to face each day’s adventures with excitement. We learned so much from our fabulous tour guide, Barbara on the way to each stop. She is amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a child of the Cold War, I remember watching images of the Berlin Wall coming down. Something we thought could never happen. Standing next to the Brandenburg Gate, with one foot on each side of what was one that terrible barrier to freedom, was mind-blowing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire trip was amazing and our guide, Barbara, made it exceptional! Her personalized attention to each person in the group made it especially memorable. We really enjoyed the "taste" of each city that we went to and the information ahead of time let us plan for what we would do in our free time. We had time to explore the places of interest to us, which was important. However, getting a local perspective was probably the best part and this was coordinated by our guide, Barbara.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rothenburg was our wow moment because of the local contact, visiting the city and the quaint downtown area, and realizing that we were participating in the German culture along with the people around us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was enjoyable. I thought Barbara offered more than I expected and she gave all of herself to the tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dresden was so much more than I thought it would be and wish I could have stayed longer"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Barbara Schikofsky, greeted us at the beginning evening and carefully laid out the plan for our tour. She was extremely knowledgable about her home country and provided many helpful insights that we used when on our "free" time. The hotel accommodations were excellent as were the restaurants the tour provided. All of the city tours were wonderful but Matt Robinson's four hour tour in Berlin was the absolute best. The bus driver on our tour did a phenomenal job-Dirk.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had two. The Cologne Cathedral and the Wartburg Castle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very strenuous for people my age but worth the effort.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The drive-through the Ryan Valley and spending a night in bacharach "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Your choice of stops on the "Best of Germany" tour gave us a great sampling of Germany as a whole. Michael Dempsey's knowledge of Germany, past and present was an invaluable link that connected the dots of the Germany we were experiencing. His knowledge of the art and music was outstanding. We enjoyed the local treats on the bus he provided as well! Is that a "Rick" thing? either way, well done!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Any of the medieval walled cities. Especially the Rhine river valley portion and Bacharach in particular. I could have stayed a few extra days there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pleasant pace with a variety of activities and events. The local guides were superb.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That I actually enjoyed the fish roll standing on the harbor in Hamburg. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour gave us what we wanted, an overview of Germany. The tour director, Barbara Schikofsky, was outstanding. We spent more time on the bus than I cared for and the pace of movement on the tour was a bit of a grind. The hotels were decent and, overall, the tour was a very good value.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed Munich, the walking tour we were given there, the group dinner and the beer gardens of Munich."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Well, we checked a lot of boxes so that we could say we did a lot of things. Rick says we should meet the locals, but the tour seemed determined to keep us from doing that. The trip was not memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful German countryside as we drove through."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

we were very happy with the itinerary and thought our tour guide Barbara was wonderful. We were surprised how much we liked each stop on the tour. Our previous tour (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) generally focused on smaller towns and this tour had larger cities so we were somewhat concerned how we would like that. However that was not an issue at all and each stop was unique, enjoyable and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schloss Rheinfels and the guided tour there was a highlight for us. This was one of the scheduled group activities. For something we did during our free time, our visit to the Reichstag in Berlin. (We reserved our time before we left home)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Daniela Wedel was outstanding and we learned a lot of German history from her, Overall hotels were great. Our bus driver was an integral part of the tour. There was a lot of hours on the bus but they seemed to go by fast. Timing of rest stops was very good. And we got used to Daniela's German treats.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Wartburg castle was spectacular and unexpected."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredible describes every detail of this tour. The itinerary provided us with a taste of everything Germany has to offer, and then some! Our stays in the large cities of Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Berlin were beyond anything I had expected. All the local guides were fantastic, and when coupled with Daniela's (our RS tour guide) experiences and knowledge; believe me, we had the first class treatment. My love on these tours are the small towns and the countryside the bus allows us to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"13 Days of WOW, and I don't say that lightly. We have been on a number of RS tours, and the level of accommodations and provided breakfasts were, without exception, top notch, as were the included dinners. I must mention the Rhine Valley, Rheinfels Castle, and the cruise down to Bacharach. Our off-itinerary stop in Hameln, Hannoversch Munden, and Rothenburg all provided postcard moments. Erfurt was a beautiful city and the trip to Wartburg Castle was worth the bus ride. Berlin's past & now!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful overview of Germany including larger cities and smaller villages. Well organized to make use of time. Good balance of group activities and unplanned time for individual experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "Wow" moment was our guide, Daniela. Her knowledge of German history, geography, politics, lifestyle, etc. added so much depth to our trip. This was our 10th Rick Steves tour and, while all guides have been excellent, Daniela is certainly among the top 3 or 4."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS tour and thought it was great. Daniela was a great guide and I enjoyed her insight. I loved the places we visited and the local guides were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at Reinsfel Castle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fantastic time! We loved the attention to detail and how organized the itinerary was. Everything was just as we hoped!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We enjoyed the pace of the tour and getting to see so much of Germany! We loved the rhine river and all the beautiful villages. We also enjoyed the bus rides and the exciting cities "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The trip was perfectly balanced with large cities, quaint towns and smaller cities. Our guide, Daniela, was well versed in Germany’s history! Her history “lesson” heightened our visits to many sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our hotel accommodations overlooking the Rhine and St Goar and Bacarach ( sp?) wowed me!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS tour but it will not be my last! From the first greeting of the tour to the last breakfast, the tour days exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rothenburg was my best wow location. It met my "vision" of "old" Germany. Beyond that, my main tour guide as well as each location's local guide added so much knowledge and color to each location. They provided the depth to past and present Germany which enhanced my understanding of German background and culture."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed and appreciated all the information that my guide Danella provided on the Best of Germany tour . I loved the extra touches she provided throughout the tour as well as her uplifting personality.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was touring the castle at St Gore and having dinner with at a restaurant on the Rhine and seeing the Residence Museum "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Better than anticipated, great group of people, city guides were outstanding and Daniela is a valuable asset to your organization. Big John , our bus driver, fit right in with the group and was a pleasure to be with.If Daniela and John are the team ,sign me up for that tour 👍👍👍👍

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Daniela, sharing her child hood memories and treating the group to the favorite treats that she purchased at ever rest stop. The 2 that stood out the most was the pickle led herring sandwich in Hamburg and the Reisling ice cream in Babkarach 🤓"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with the perfect blend of small towns and big cities, free time and time with the group, history and the present day of Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How huge the Cologne Cathedral was and how impossible it seemed to build it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved Daniele's approach to guiding us. She was knowledgeable about all aspect of our tour. The bus was comfortable with a USB outlet for charging our phones/cameras. The rest stops were well timed and so clean! Our accommodations were excellent and our meals great. John, our bus driver, was a terrific guy and it was wonderful having meals with him and learning about his life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Goar. Staying right next to the ruined castle and having a spectacular view of the Rhine River was a real WOW for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Germany tour with an engaging and knowledgeable overall guide - but also with expert local guides. There was a general enthusiasm by the guides about sharing information about something that they were passionate about.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing my great-grandfather's name in the immigration museum in Hamburg. Topography of Terror Museum in Berlin. Dachau. I am not sure I would use "wow" to describe, but it was profound to experience some of the history and see a hopeful response by a nation to "remember" so as not to repeat. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing. So well thought out and planned. The itinerary was great - provided so many opportunities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don’t think I had one “wow” moment - the tour as an integrated whole painted a mural of history, art, music, and human experiences. The tour was truly a profound experience for me. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first ever tour of any sort so I marveled at the thought and work that goes into orchestrating such an endeavor so that it appears effortless. Our guides, Michael and Brian, were so personable and knowledgeable of the history, politics and culture and managed to interject a few delightful surprises along the way. They were attentive to our every need and helped everyone to achieve their personal objectives.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Of course the grandeur of the cathedral’s, castles, palaces, museums were impressive but the natural beauty was my favorite and I saw it best overlooking the Hamburg harbor and Rhine River cruise. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a bit strenuous but well worth the journey. We learned so much and saw a great deal of the country. Michael was an excellent guide. We definitely want to go back to Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Singing "A Might Fortress is our God" in front of Wartburg Castle with several other Lutherans. Great idea of our guide Michael."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was especially impressed with how well integrated all aspects of the tour were. From the history, culture, music, poetry, accommodations, & food through to the transportation all worked together to create a vivid understanding of Germany, the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I so thoroughly enjoyed all "moments" of the tour that no single "moment" stood out from all the others! I guess the "wow" lasted the whole two weeks."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding experience related to the tour guides, participants, the bus driver, the accommodations, the meals, and the sites visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many... but I was pretty wowed by the Cologne Cathedral. I have never seen such a magnificent building."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed every minute! This was a fantastic, well led and well planned tour. The cities and villages visited and the countryside we traveled through provided good variety and gave us a deeper sense of the different states and regions of Germany, as well as learning about Germany's history, art and music.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was more of a "wow" understanding. We learned from our guides about Germany's education system and the effort to come to terms with the Nazi past. We saw many memorials to victims of the world wars and victims of the Nazis, and we saw many school groups at these sites. We struck up a conversation with a German couple seated next to us in a restaurant and had all these things confirmed by them, as well as by the friends we stayed with for a few days after the tour ended in Berlin. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it. Was worried it would be too much bus riding but our wonderful tour guide, Michael kept us engaged throughout, as well as giving us snacks just when I felt a little hungry. We also stayed hydrated thanks ro Dirk our busdriver. It was enriched with knowledge from our assistant tour guide Brian. We saw so many wonderful things and met some great people as well. Loved it Loved it. Exceeded all expectations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was mesmerized by the gorgeous skies of blue with big puffy clouds, and loved the clean air. Seeing real Canelletos in Dresden was fantastic too. My favorite moment was having wine with my favorite tour buddies in one of the Erfurt marketplaces and having various other tour members stop and say hello while we relaxed. It has always been my dream to have that experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was well organized and efficient. EXCELLENT tour guide, assistant tour guide, and bus driver. Hotels were quaint and took care of our needs. Group meals were fun and the food was excellent. The people on the tour were polite and filled with knowledge about group tours, in particular Rick Steves Tour Company tours. This was our first Rick Steves tour and we appreciated the help of the "veterans."

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a couple of "wow" moments, but my biggest one was probably doing a tag-team presentation of "Die Lorelei" with our tour guide. I let him know that I had memorized the poem in German in high school. So Michael sang the first part of it and I recited the remainder of the poem by Heinrich Heine as we cruised past that famous rock on our short Rhine River cruise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I really liked this tour. This was due to the experience, enthusiasm and love of touring Europe brought to us by our tour guide, Michael.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the visit to Rothenberg. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Michael and Brian were fantastic tour guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Cologne Cathedral "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was packed full of wonderful discoveries! It was history brought to life with music and stories in settings both bustling and serene. From busy port city Hamburg to the lovely riverside town of Bacharach we delved into the heart of Germany and learned so much. With a great group of travelers and a superb guide in Michael, we spent a most enjoyable two weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The small town of Essen is home to the Steinway museum. I was privileged to play on the 1864 grand piano, truly a special occasion for me. Also, climbing up to Wartburg Castle to see where Martin Luther translated the New Testament and then singing A Mighty Fortress is Our God outside the castle was memorable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great trip, our 12th with RS! This is the way we love to travel, active, educational with great guides, also with plenty of free time to make our own discoveries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were in West Berlin in 1988 before the Wall fell; passed thru Checkpoint Charlie to spend the day in East Berlin. It took us all day to stand on both sides of Brandenburg Gate and the Wall. This time it took less than 30 seconds to walk thru the Gate from "West" Berlin to "East" Berlin. That's historical perspective for you!"