Germany & Austria with FriendsTravel.com
Custom Driving Tour
Day 1-4: ELTVILLE
Upon arrival at Frankfurt airport pick up a premium automatic rental car (Audi A6 or similar) inclusive of tax, insurance and unlimited mileage at the Europcar desk in the terminal. Your rental also includes GPS! Please ask for it. Please note that an International Drivers License is required to drive in or through Austria. Note too that an entry tax sticker is also required in Austria and can be purchased at any small store or gas station in Germany, near the Austrian border. Now, drive about 21 miles to Eltville (on the Rhine River) to stay 3 nights in two deluxe river view rooms at Schloss Reinhartshausen Kempinski, a classically-styled hotel with just 39 rooms set in a most beautiful section of the Rhine Riesling growing area.
Day 5-6: RHEINGAU SIGHTSEEING
With an exceptionally mild micro climate, well protected by the high Taunus hills, the region can be compared to a small “Burgundy on the Rhine”. The river from which the Rheingau has its name has a width of approximately 1 km. It has been inhabited by noblemen and clergymen alike for thousands of years creating some of the most significant collection of historical buildings in Germany. Amongst others, the world famous Cistercian monastery of Eberbach, the Tiefenthal and Marienthal monasteries or the Abbey of St. Hildegard. The Crass castle in Eltville on the Rhine, Reinharthausen castle, Vollrads castle, Johannisberg castle – just some significant and well preserved edifices of the centuries old cultural heritage of the Rheingau region.. September 16, Saturday BLACK FOREST Continue on to the Black Forest to stay 4 nights with family or friends.
Day 8-9: BLACK FOREST
No overnight services provided. September 20, Wednesday IGLS Continue into Austria, to Innsbruck, where you will spend two nights in nearby Igls at Schlosshotel Igls, a gem of Tyrolean hospitality set in a part just 3 miles from Innsbruck. The hotel has luxurious guest rooms and you’ll stay in a deluxe suite.
Day 10: IGLS
Enjoy your lovely hotel or visit Innsbruck. The city has a particularly lovely medieval town center, and this historic Altstadt has been protected by town planners. You can take countless excursions nearby. At the doorstep of Innsbruck lie some of the most beautiful drives in Europe. Just take your pick: Head in any direction, up any valley, and you’ll be treated to mountains and alpine beauty unmatched anywhere else. You may want to venture north back into Germany to visit “Mad Ludwig’s” royal castles: Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau.
Day 11-13: SALZBURG
Drive east to Salzburg for three nights in a castle suite at Schloss Mönchstein, awarded the star award as the best 5-star hotel in Austria. September 23 & 24, Sat & Sun SALZBURG Enjoy Salzburg or venture out for a drive through “Sound of Music” country. The Aldstat of Salzburg lies between the left bank of the Salzach River and the ridge known as the Mönchsberg, which rises to a height of 1,650 feet and is the site of Salzburg’s gambling casino. The main street of the Altstadt is Getreidegasse, a narrow little thoroughfare lined with five- and six-storey burghers’ buildings. Most of the houses along the street are from the 17th and 18th centuries. Mozart was born at no. 9. Many lacy-looking wrought iron signs are displayed, and some of the houses have carved windows. You might begin your tour at Mozartplatz, with its outdoor cafes. From here you can walk to the even more expansive Residenzplatz, where torchlight dancing is staged every year, along with outdoor performances.
Day 14: BLACK FOREST
Return to Germany and the Black Forest for a night on your own.
Day 15: FRANKFURT AIRPORT
Return to Frankfurt airport where you will drop off your rental car and spend the night in two rooms at the Sheraton Frankfurt Hotel & Towers, located at terminal 1. September 27, Wednesday DEPART Board your return flight today.
FriendsTravel.com will arrange your First Class, Business Class or Coach airfares at special rates.
EMAIL FriendsTravel@earthlink.net and JESS Kalinowsky will respond within 24 hours.
