Best of Germany in 13 Days Tour

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

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

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 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 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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 4 of 5

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 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

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

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

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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rebuilding of Dresden "

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

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 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

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 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

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 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 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 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 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 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

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

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

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 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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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 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 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 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the German peoples response to WWII"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hall of Giants, Ehrensburg Palace"

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 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 4 of 5

Great tour group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scenic little village of Goslar"

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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 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 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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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!"

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 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

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 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

It was wonderful. Much better than I anticipated. Micale Dempsey, iye guide, and Big John our driver were gracious, welcoming, friendly. The other tour members, just a great group if traveller's. Just name this entire experience rewarding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Cologne Carhedral. Just breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is such a fantastic look at Germany! Action packed from start to finish. The miles we traveled, the history provided, fantastic food, great beer, and most importantly the great tour members made this a highlight. This was my 19 th tour and probably one of the best. It is hard to say with all the fantastic tours at RSE , but I also feel our guide Michael is one of your best. His personality blended exquisitely with all aspects of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many on this tour. The harbor tour in Hamburg, the timing of the walking tour in Hamelin to see the pied piper and chimes on the church in the square, the Cologne cathedral , Rothenburg night watchman tour, Munich walking tour to see the chimes and glockenspiel, and the stunning beauty of the baroque architecture in Dresden"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was was well planned, the rooms were comfortable, the breakfasts and dinners were enjoyed. Michael, the tour guide was very knowledgeable as were the individual tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my favorite "Wow" moments was the Wartburg castle tour and seeing the conditions of Luther's stay plus the nobilities' living arrangements."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All our expectations were met and exceeded. Transportation, hotels, meals, local tours, our guide, our bus driver, and our tour group made every day comfortable, exciting and memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impossible to pick a “wow” moment. We enjoyed our tours and the we enjoyed seeing the beautiful country side. October foliage brought many wows and the stunning villages were incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything that was expected, actually happened. Logistics, day to day, occurred on time. This a tour/experience I would recommend without hesitation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The partnership between our Bus driver, Big John, and our tour guide, Micheal, was the best I have ever seen. Another person on our tour forgot her cell phone at a rest room break. The effort put in by both to recover the phone successfully was incredible. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I tested positive for Covid on the morning of the 5th day of the tour. For the short time I was with the tour, I felt that the group was very cordial and the guide was enthusiastic and informative. An enjoyable experience that I have come to expect and appreciate on a RS tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Unfortunately, I missed what I believe would have been the best part of the tour due to Covid abruptly shortening my tour."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Unfortunately, our tour as members of the RS group ended when my husband tested positive for Covid on the 4th day of the tour. Up until that moment, all was good. As usual, our guide (Michael) was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment from the tour was when I realized that my husband was not going to be seriously ill from Covid. Everything else was lagniappe. He tested positive in what was, for me at least, one of the most beautiful areas of Germany that our tour was scheduled to visit. For multiple days, I took advantage of the enforced stay to hike and tour the streets, hills, and vineyards of Bacharach."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a wonderful tour that covered all the Germany highlights! I especially loved the WWll history aspects of the tour, the combination of small/large towns, and great group of travelers we shared it with. This was our 6th Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WOW moments include the unexpected beautiful city of Hamburg, the lovely cruise down the Rhine River, and the history/sights of Berlin."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall- it was good to be back in Europe! Germany surprised me in a delightful way- especially the small towns.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to choose because there were so many great moments . I think Erfurt was for me the perfect blend of history, charm and some insight into a day in the life of a German who lived tgere"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour gave us an opportunity to see some wonderful cities and towns in Germany. I thought our tour guides in the cities of Berlin, Munich and Hamburg were especially knowledgeable and conducted some great tours through the cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The St. Nikolai Church and Museum "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great tour. Very busy. The tour guide was excellent and added so much to understanding Germany and it's history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the town of Rothenburg"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A great introduction to Germany and its people, history and culture. Loved both the large cities and small historic towns. In particular, Erfurt and Rothenburg. Went to Oktoberfest which was a lot of fun. Perhaps a bit too much bus time for the tour. RST might consider splitting the tour into a Northern and Southern Germany tours and spend more time at places like Colburg, Hamburg and Erfurt.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oktoberfest in Munich and Hamburg in general. Was very moved by the visit to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial and the sites of Nazi terror around Berlin."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Michael Dempsey was an excellent guide - mixing history, music, and timely treats to keep our attention and expand our knowledge and understanding of Germany and its remarkable history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The local guide's narrative in Bacharach was so moving. He relayed the history of the town and some of its people's experience with the Nazis. A history relayed from family and personal memory - my only regret is that I'd record him to capture the details."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best of 13 days in Germany is beyond our expectations. It is not just sightseeing but learning about German history, culture and environments, and contacting German people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" is Rhine Castles and River Cruise, and also including Medieval Rothenburg, Luther Country, and city of Dresden."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our "Taste of Germany's Best" was fantastic! Our guide Michael was THE best.. always teaching us something about Germany's history, music, language and culture. Every place we visited was full of beauty, rich culture, and amazing tours. The hotels we stayed in were always the best and the breakfast buffets were awesome! I would advise research of the 'free time' places to make the most of your time.Things I would change would include: pack less, research places where there is free time & relax!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wartburg Castle was amazing and the town of Erfurt. Berlin had so much to show us and we hit many of the top places. Advise.. get reservations PTA for Reichstag... you will want to see it. Also, Münich, had many sweet surprises! I honestly believe that our guide Michael D made our tour so over the top! He was a wealth of information, a gentleman to the core and had the heart of a servant. I can't imagine that anyone could do better."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 2nd Rick Steve’s Tour and it was another outstanding adventure! It was very fast paced but we covered much ground and had many wonderful experiences. Our tour guide and apprentice and the local guides were excellent, well informed and entertaining, especially the tour guide in Berlin! However, in our opinion, the local tour guide presentations were too long particularly in poor weather and left little time to self explore, this was particularly true of Dachu. I would pass on Hamlin.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WOW moment was Octoberfest in Munich! It was incredible and unlike any beer festival or event that I have experienced. The beer 🍺 the food the bands and dress was fantastic! We were also impressed with the Rhine River cruise and stroming the castle in charming Baccarat. The other highlight was Berlin with all the history, museums and art. The food and wine in every location. Germany 🇩🇪 was stunning and made special by your tour! See you again in October ‘23 for Scilly."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide, packed a lot into the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bacharach stop with hike and Rhine cruise."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent selection of sites

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Hamburg and Rothenburg"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A very informative and comprehensive tour. We have been on several RS tours and expect a high level of guides and experiences. We were very happy with our experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed Cologne Cathedral. Hard to believe the skill and workmanship required to construct it so long ago. There were many wow moments. This is just one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Super fun, high energy, fast paced tour. We enjoyed every minute of it. The bus rides were long, but to be expected to actually see the BEST of Germany. In retrospect, I wouldn't cut anything out of it, and adding more days in the smaller (one night) stops would be too long there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Riding the U-bahn together with our group (what an adventure in itself), we came out of the station with the towering Brandenburg Gate shining in the sun. What a stunning symbol of Deutschland. So apropos for the final stop (Berlin) after tracing the major historical points of the country and how time and again these people took their tragic stories and rebuilt in all her glory. Rise again victorious Germania!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first visit to Germany and it was an excellent “overview” of the diversity of Germany history, geography, and people. It’s a very ambitious tour, covering lots of geography and culture, and the perfect introduction to an amazing country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moments are always those where I had no expectation or knowledge and then fall in love - on this trip, it was the city of Erfurt - simply because I’d literally never even heard of it and then found it basically embodies old and recent history, political and religious, and was visually charming to boot. Such a lovely surprise!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved what I saw in Germany

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hamburg"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The scheduling and organization of this tour was second to none. Each stop, the tour guide was present and ready to "Rick and Roll". Barbara and Jutta or tour guides were very fun and educational. Barabara would pass out treats on the bus from certain areas of Germany we were in. We had a contest to find the longest work in Germany - 34 letters from one couple! Albert, our bus driver from Belgium was a delight always keeping the bus immaculate and had a great personality.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sites were why my wife and I came to Germany but the people we met became good friends and a band of brothers and sisters that looked out for each other."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our sixth RSE tour, and it was one of the best. Our tour guide Daniela and bus driver Jost made our travel very easy and comfortable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was having the tremendous opportunity to attend the Oktoberfest in Munich together with most of our tour group. It was definitely something I will not forget"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Comprehensive tour of a country I knew nothing about. A fabulous educational and fun experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose from. One that stood out was a day that we walked to a castle, went for a ride on the Rhine, toured a town, tasted wine, and walked vineyards. Not exactly my normal workday at home!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was very well constructed. Our tour guide was excellent and she was able to integrate her Munich childhood into recent German history, esp her parent's experiences during WWII. All the local guides were topnotch and had unique perspectives.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had three most memorable moments: Oktoberfest, Berlin - diversity of the museums, esp the Pergamon, and the wooden Last Supper sculpture in St Jacob's Church in Rothenburg."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fun and informative tour made better by an excellent guide and bus driver. It does involve a lot of time on the bus but I enjoyed the down time and I found a lot of the drive went through some very scenic parts of the country. The stops on the itinerary were interesting as were the local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a couple of wow moments. One was the boat trip down the Rhine River. It was just so scenic and so peaceful. The other wow moment was at Oktoberfest in Munich. The enormous size of the beer "tents" was stunning. I can't even begin to guess how many people were in the tent we stopped at. We had a lot of fun though."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides. Great tour companions. Well run and organized tour. Really enjoyed getting to know Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the castle where Martin Luther translated the Bible. And Hamburg and Berlin. So much to do and see "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Daniela, our Rick Steves’ guide, was excellent as she was able to share her experiences, and those of her family, growing up in Germany. This added to my understanding of Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Oktoberfest in Munich was a highlight of the trip. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I am, as usual, impressed by the care our guides take of our well being. I felt special from the beginning

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, I couldnt zone in on one but I think our first dinner together as a group was the first as a unit & a good indication of what was to come."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Daniela was the best guide! Full of energy, knowledge of area, funny, witty and wanting everyone to have a good time. We traveled with a wonderful group. Learned lots. Ate lots. Oh yes, drank a lot too! Had a wonderful time! This was our 5th tour with RS. Tours are always great. Plan on many more tours with RS

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I thought it would be the Rhine River Cruise. It was amazing. But I got all teary eyed when I saw the big beautiful horses pulling the beer wagons into Oktoberfest. I could not believe adreline rush I got! The sights and smells of the carnival were wonderful. I loved seeing everyone in hats with pins, lederhosen, and dreidels. Excitement in the air! Then I went into the beer hall. Oh my! The music, pretzels and of course beer! I was really here. Celebrating this wonderful festival and tradition"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of travelers, most having taken multiple RS tours. Enjoyed sharing one another's travel experiences. Good blend of big cities and small towns. Spacious bus. Fascinating local guides. Decent, centrally located hotels. Our RS tour guide Daniela was outstanding. She seamlessly moved us through one event to the next with confidence, knowledge, & humor. Born & raised in Munich, Daniela added personal insight regarding German history. And she got us a table at Oktoberfest!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rhine river cruise. Sat on board the boat's outdoor upper deck. Perfect September day to watch the castles & countryside pass by."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

several of the bus ride were too long. Most of the guided tour were too long. If a guided tour is more that 2 hours there needs to be a break of at least 30 minutes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"See the Eiffel Tower"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the combination of large cities mixed in with small towns - Bacharach and Hamelin were nice additions. Mattie was a superb guide with lots of talents like opera singing!, Bus driver Dirk was superb on those tight medieval streets!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hamburg was my big Wow moment because my great grandfather born in 1853 emigrated from Hamburg on a ship to Cincinnati as a tin smith in 1874 at age of 21. He had 8 children the youngest was my grandpa who I’m named after. The harbor cruise helped me imagine what he was thinking about “crossing the pond!” I pictured his courage making this decision!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great history lessons with knowledgeable and personable guides at each location. Many places I would love to revisit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not exactly a "wow" moment but perhaps the most unique and long lasting impressions resulted from the visit to Dachau. Also found the Residence museum in Munich and Wartburg to be outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an outstanding tour guide and the tour was a great blend of big cities and small towns. Lots of bus time, but we knew that when we signed up.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I didn't have one favorite wow moment, as there were many. I really enjoyed Erfurt. I have been to Dachau Concentration Camp once before, but the tour guide on this trip really made a huge difference and taught me a lot. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The members of our tour group were great to travel with. Our tour director was a native of Berlin and provided fantastic background, historical, and personal information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending time in Erfurt and walking in the steps of Martin Luther was amazing. Such rich history packed into beautiful villages. However, there were separate wow moments almost every day of the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Things went well for our "Best of Germany in 13 Days" tour! We were lucky that none of us in the travel group got Covid. We are forever grateful to Mattie for filling in as our tour guide when the original one had a death in the family. It was a busy 2 weeks of many stops but I think it was enjoyed by all. It was a nice tour mix of large & small towns. I really enjoyed hearing about our guide's experiences growing up in West Berlin & passionate tales. Our tour buddies were also wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having grown up Lutheran, seeing Wartburg Castle where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into modern German and Erfurt Cathedral where he became a priest were my "Wow" moments! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a very interesting and informative tour of Germany and saw what I have to believe are the major highlights and several minor highlights as well. The only difficult part of this tour is balancing the beauty of the country with the violence of its past.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is almost impossible to understand how Germany has reinvented itself in the years after both WWII and the reunification of West and East. They have done a remarkable job of reconstructing important historical buildings while becoming a modern, productive society."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Small historic towns"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well organized; the tour leader was well organized and offered a lot of background information that enhanced our appreciation of the places we visited. Our fellow travelers were enthusiastic and flexible, good traveling companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is a tough one....maybe the Rheinifels Castle, maybe the Hamburg Harbor tour"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 8th RS tour and one of the best. Our guide, Michael, is a Renaissance man navigating our "travel family" through the challenges of Covid travel with genuine care, humor and sharing his deep knowledge of history, culture, art and architecture

Favorite "WOW" moment

"thoughtful way the German people have addressed the Nazi horrors, our nephew drumming with the musical re-enactors during Rothenburg's Imperial City Days; Cologne Cathedral, Dresden"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Where to start? The tour was as described? I was prepared for a small engaged tour group, excellent tour leader and local guides and some physically challenging days. ✔️✔️✔️ I had a wonderful experience and hope to travel with RSE again. Maybe some Prague in my future?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At St Nikolai church, left a ruin as a monument to the destruction of WWII, I was at the top of the steeple looking over the city, when beneath me the carillon began playing Dona Nobis Pacem. Silent tears with five strangers… Berlin! I was a Cold War kid so Berlin was a forbidden and foreign place. What a city! I wished that I could have extended my time there."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Although we had visited Germany before and studied German, we learned so much more about Germany from this tour. We visited cities that we thought would not be interesting but found that we loved them. The make-it-or-break-it point on a tour is the leadership of the tour director, and Micheal Dempsey was a delight. He poured his heart and soul into making the tour a great experience for the various interests in the group,using food music, poetry, art, geography, history and personal anecdotes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to top the Cologne Cathedral for sheer magnitude. It has had the wow factor for hundreds of years. After visiting Hagia Sophis this spring on a Rick Steve's tour, it surprised me how pleased I was to see a magnificent structure built to the glory of God that didn't have the Christian heritage wiped clean. Without overwhelming us with too much detail, our guide gave a magnificent tour of the cathedral and introduced us to saints and histories, relics and controversies. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

To begin, I’ve been to Germany several times before. Nonetheless, the tour included places that were new to me. It was well paced. Our guide was very good (but see comments to follow). The group did not evolve into the “cohesive band of friends” as our June Turkey trip group did (again, see below). Particular kudos MUST be given you our guide’s history and context “lectures” during bus rides! Our guide must be praised for his “grace under pressure” from COVID cases and other changes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wife’s and my picnic dinner in one of the guard towers in the town wall above the town of Bacharach right after a brief rain shower: complete with rainbow and sunset. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

(1) Lots of riding through striking country in an excellent bus, with a skilled and patient driver who instructed us (through the guide) not to use the toilet save in emergencies. (2) The company of 23 well-behaved, delightful, well-traveled tourists. (3) A skilled, generous, hard-working guide. (4) Well-chosen hotels. (5) The striking sameness of Germany, which is in fact consistency as displayed by a people unwilling to do anything halfway -- or even 98% --- if 100% is possible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I left the tour group at Erfurt, hopped a public bus to Weimar, and visited the homes of Franz Liszt and Goethe. I had read about both homes in biographies of Liszt and Mendelssohn."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour group was a fun bunch of travelers. We ranged from ages 16 to 74. While most of us had some German heritage that motivated their tour choice, people had diverse interests and lots of different perspectives to share. And our tour guide, Barbara, was outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hamlin. I never knew the actual Pied Piper village really existed! So a favorite fairy tale came to life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a very odd tour: I had to leave on day 3 due to covid symptoms. Alas! But I loved the first 2 days. (I've been on many RS tours before.) Having my tour guide support me as I navigated finding new lodging was super helpful, and she checked in on me periodically which was very welcome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hamburg Philharmonic was very cool to see. :)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour showed Germany very well. There was a nice balance of old and new. The free time was nice to go back for more time at an item of interest. The tour group was just the right size to get to know my traveling companions and not be overwhelmed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was very interesting to see how modern Germany is as well as how traditional it remains."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well- we had great guides and a really fun group, so that set the stage for a fantastic trip. We also had great guides in each city we visited and I learned so much which enriched the whole experience. There was a nice balance of organized tour activities and time in our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the little town of Bacharach. I just loved it, so quaint and small enough to walk everywhere. "