Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Frankfurt
You'll arrive at Frankfurt airport where your driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel. If your flight gets in early enough, there's an optional boat tour on the MS Palladium along the River Main where you can see Frankfurt's skyline from the water. After settling in, you'll have the evening to rest up before tomorrow.
- Start point
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Hugo-Eckener-Ring, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse 60549, Germany (Transfer from Frankfurt (FRA) airport , 06:00 - 23:55)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Frankfurt River Main boat tour on MS Palladium (if arriving early)
Landmarks River Main Frankfurt Skyline 
- Day 2
Idstein Day Trip
Head to Frankfurt's train station and catch a train to Idstein in the Taunus region. Once there, you'll explore the town on your own schedule. The 14th-century Idstein Castle features Renaissance architecture and tower views that are worth climbing, and the historic town centre has plenty to wander through. Local wineries offer wine tasting if that interests you. Later in the day, you'll take the train back to Frankfurt.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Return train transfers to Idstein
Optional Activities
- Idstein Castle visit
- Historic Town Centre exploration
- Nassau Nature Park visit
- Local winery wine tasting experience
Landmarks Idstein Castle Nassau Nature Park - Day 3
Heidelberg Day Trip
Take the train south to Heidelberg and start with Heidelberg Castle, which has both Gothic and Renaissance elements. The courtyard is expansive and the views from up there are fantastic. After that, walk through the medieval town centre to hit the main spots like the Old Bridge, Karlstor, and the Church of the Holy Spirit. The Renaissance Haus zum Ritter is worth seeing too. You can walk through the narrow half-timbered lanes and pass Germany's oldest university. If you have energy left, Philosophers' Way is there if you want to hike it, or you could spend time at one of the regional wine bars. A train takes you back to Frankfurt by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Return train transfers to Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Heidelberg Castle visit (tickets purchasable at castle)
- Old Bridge exploration
- Karlstor visit
- Church of the Holy Spirit visit
- Haus zum Ritter viewing
- Philosophers' Way walk
- Regional wine tasting
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Old Bridge (Alte Brücke) Karlstor Church of the Holy Spirit Haus zum Ritter Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Way) Heidelberg University - Day 4
Frankfurt to Cologne
Travel by train to Cologne and explore at your own pace. The Gothic Cologne Cathedral is the centerpiece and the stained-glass windows inside are detailed. From there, wander into the Old Town's cobblestone streets where traditional breweries serve Kölsch beer. The Hohenzollern Bridge is next, covered in love locks and offering good photo opportunities. Later, take a leisurely walk along the Rhine River promenade and soak in the city's energy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train transfer to Cologne
Optional Activities
- Cologne Cathedral visit
- Old Town (Altstadt) exploration
- Hohenzollern Bridge visit
- Rhine River promenade walk
- Traditional brewery visits
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) Altstadt (Old Town) Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke) Rhine River 
- Day 5
Cologne to Amsterdam
A bus takes you from Cologne to Amsterdam, arriving in time to check into your hotel. Then you'll board a canal cruise that's included with your tour. From the water, you'll see 17th-century buildings lining the canals mixed with modern 21st-century architecture. It's a nice way to get oriented to the city before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus transfer from Cologne to Amsterdam
- Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 6
Amsterdam Walking Tour
Meet up with an expert guide at Dam Square for a walking tour of Amsterdam. You'll explore areas that tour buses can't reach, seeing the city's iconic leaning buildings, the smallest house, and the network of canals and bridges. By the end, you'll have a solid feel for how Amsterdam actually works and why it's so popular with visitors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Amsterdam with guide
Landmarks Dam Square 
- Day 7
Zaanse Schans Windmill Village
Catch a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaanse Schans Windmill Village, which takes about 17 minutes. Once there, you'll see the postcard-worthy landscape with old wooden homes and working windmills along the river. Walk through Zaandijk village by following the signs. The open-air museum can be explored on foot, and if you want, cycling is available too. There are 5 historical wooden windmills you can visit if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train transfers to Zaanse Schans Windmill Village
- Access to open-air museum
Optional Activities
- Windmill entry (Euro 4 for adults / Euro 2 for children)
- Cycling around the village
Landmarks Zaanse Schans Windmill Village - Day 8
Departure from Amsterdam
Check out of your hotel this morning and a private cab will pick you up 3 hours before your flight departs for Amsterdam airport. That gives you plenty of time to get through the airport without rushing.
- End point
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Aankomstpassage, Schiphol, North Holland 1118 AX, Netherlands (Transfer to AMS (AMS) airport as per your flight timing, 06:00 - 23:55)
- Meals
- Breakfast
