FEATURED ITINERARIES FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS
Historic Highlights of Germany´s cities are perfect for travelers who wish to go beyond casual sightseeing.
We would like to help you get to destinations of the beaten path. Our aim is to suggest tours with a rich cultural experience, friendly environment and a relaxing time.
With six themed German Heritage Journeys, four Christmas Heritage Journeys and two Culinary Journeys our member cities offer featured itineraries for individual planning.
Did you know? Deutsche Bahn (DB) assists with comfortable trains and fast connections to all cities – taking the train through Germany is the way to go! All their trains run on sustainable energy. From all major airports, there are direct connections to our cities.
Beer Heritage Journey
Hoppy traveling on the beer route
For beer lovers Germany is the ultimate paradise. Wherever you travel you can be sure to find a local brewery, often producing beer in its own distinctive style. The country has an estimated 1,340 breweries, with over half the total in Bavaria alone. Even if you’ve already been to Munich’s Octoberfest, our beer route will have you discover breweries and beers you’ve never heard of and what’s more, meet the families that have been brewing for over 600 years!
Wine Heritage Journey
A pleasure for the senses
Already the Romans knew about the suitability of the terroir and climate for viticulture. 2000 years ago, they laid the foundations for the German wine landscape that nowadays covers more than 100.000 hectares and shapes entire regions. Germany’s wine regions offer you new perspectives and discoveries behind each river bend: surrounded by steep vineyards and medieval castle ruins lie picturesque wine-growing tow where rustic wine bars and fine Restaurants seduce you with their delights.
Roman Heritage Journey
On the traces of a world power
As one of the largest empires of all time, the Roman Empire extended far into what is now Germany. Some of the cities of the Historic Highlights of Germany were founded in Roman times and are amongst the oldest of the country. Structures of society such as jurisdiction, order and a uniform currency were established by the Romans and shape Europe to this day. Immerse yourself in the fascinating heritage of the Romans on your Dream Route!
Romantic Heritage Journey
The epoch of longing
From the end of the 18th to the middle of the 19th century, there were significant changes in society. The industrialization resulted in the migration from the countryside to the cities and in the urbanization of the people. The French Revolution and Napoleon waged wars across Europe. During this dangerous time, people longed for a long gone, better world that one believed to find in tales and legends, songs and myths of the Middle Ages. At the same time, increasing education amongst the citizens paved the way for art and literature – the feeling of longing and love was put into expressive words.
Imperial Heritage Journey
The feudal time of the nobility
After the end of the Roman Empire most of the former Roman metropolitan areas became bishop´s sees and residence cities. Christianity flourished and the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation came into existence. German Kings were elected in cooperation with the Pope, German Roman emperors were in charge from the 10th to the 19th century.
Hanseatic Heritage Journey
Witnesses of the first globalization
In the Middle Ages, there was a real boom in the foundation of cities. The cities of that time with its fortified walls, gates and towers shape our perception of a typical medieval city to this day. In order to accomplish more autonomy in regard to the emperor and the empire, some cities in the North of Germany merged in the middle of the 13th century. So called “city alliances” were created and the Hanse (Hanseatic League) was to become the most powerful of all of them. The alliance of merchants in around 200 cities dominated the trade along the coast of Northern Europe.
Religious Heritage Journey
The Spiritual Complexity of Germany
The cities of the Historic Highlights of Germany present a vivid record of how religion evolved in Germany – indeed, throughout much of Europe – during the past two millennia. From the beginnings of the Christian belief, legalized through the Roman emperor Constantine, to the first sparks of the Reformation through Martin Luther, the resulting religious wars, to the prosperous and the dark times of Jewish life in Germany.
Christmas Heritage Journeys
Get ready to indulge in the Christmas spirit!
Germany has a long history of rich Christmas traditions that live on today through its festive holiday markets. Spend some time exploring the spectacular ancient, medieval, and Renaissance cities on our itineraries, noteworthy any time of year but particularly special adorned in their holiday finery. Historic Highlights of Germany has compiled four regional Christmas tours of the country that will allow you to experience the best of its Christmas markets.
© Image Rights: Wine Heritage – WICM/Stansislaw Chomicki, Roman Heritage – TTM, Romantic Heritage, Imperial Heritage – Heidelberg Marketing/Schwerdt, Hanseatic Heritage – TZRW/Lutz Zimmermann
