Best of Germany in 13 Days Tour

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

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

Well organized, time well spent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hall of Giants, Ehrensburg Palace"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the German peoples response to WWII"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 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 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 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 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

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

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

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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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 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 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

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 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

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

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 4 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

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

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

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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at Reinsfel Castle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

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 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

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 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 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

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 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

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 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 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 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

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 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

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 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 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 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 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 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 4 of 5

Loved what I saw in Germany

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hamburg"

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 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

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 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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Small historic towns"

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 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 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

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. "

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

The trip through Germany was fantastic! The variety of experiences including the boat trips and castle visits along with the fantastic little German towns were great. Our guide Matthias gave us an excellent view of Germany's history of the past and present. The local guides were wonderful and very knowledgable as well. I felt very welcome to be there. My husband has family history in Rothenburg so it was fun do some research on that.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everywhere we went was a WOW moment for me. But, Erfurt was especially fun. Hamburg was a surprise!! It was a busy city but so very enjoyable to walk around and sightsee in. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic! We had the best guide! All of the cities, hotels, restaurants were excellent. The private guided walking tours were so good with so much information. It was great to learn the history and significance of the places we stopped at. Loved every minute!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have three. First, the tour guide sharing his personal stories of Berlin and really giving us a feel for the city. Second, Hamburg and Berlin. Hamburg was surprisingly really great. I wasn't sure what to expect at first but it may be my favorite German city now. The private guided tour of Berlin was outstanding! Our guide was so knowledgeable and personable. Third, a surprise stop in Coburg. Not on the original itinerary, our guide planned a stop here and it was well worth it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour provided an excellent introduction to Germany, its cities and smaller out of the way places.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Did not expect that the Rhine River (St. Goar, Bacharach) to be as beautiful as it was."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As during my two previous Rick Steves tours, the itinerary, our guide (Matthias), the arrangements, and the information gained about German culture and history were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Serenity while walking alone in the early evening in perfect light along a path that overlooks Bacharach and the Rhine River"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, great places-wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Berlin"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this tour. Our guide, Mattie was outstanding and our fellow travelers were very easy going and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How Germany committed to maintaining the architectural integrity of the buildings/towns destroyed in WW II. Loved visiting Bacharach, Rhine Valley and especially Wartburg Castle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed getting back to Europe after not traveling overseas for so long due to the pandemic. Our guide, Matthias, was wonderful. Learning about Germany from someone who grew up in Berlin while Germany was divided was a great experience. Matti's love of his country was evident as we traveled. Many of the small cities we visited were places I would never have gotten to on my own. I feel like I know Germany much better as a result of this tour. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having last been to Berlin 40+ years ago, I was amazed at how much the city had changed. Having read about the changes does not compare to seeing them with my own eyes. I remember walking around West Berlin back then and seeing the stark difference between east and west. That is all gone; in fact, what was East Berlin is now a thriving city that is very vibrant and sought after by many of the younger people from around Europe and the world. What a wonderful change!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was even better than the description. Our Guide, Matthias Unger, really executed a wonderful trip, sharing with us a mix of personal experience and surprises. Our stop in Hameln was delightful, an excellent choice. When traffic delayed us 2 hours getting to Cologne, Matti quickly improvised on lunch so we could still get our guided tours. Our small group of 14 let us really connect with our fellow traveler, driver and guide. RS tours comes through again in these tough times!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was surprised by the beauty of Hamburg and struck by the lessons of Berlin's recent history. But I think the Brothers Grimm day in Hameln and the evening in Hannoversch Münden were an exceptional experience no other American tour company could offer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th tour with Rick Steves. There were only 14 of us so it was easy to get to know everyone right from the start. Our guide Matthias was very knowledgeable and extremely passionate about educating us. He did more than just read us historical facts. He challenged us to think and examine how history shaped the cities we were visiting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was a simple thing. We went to Coberg, home of Prince Albert. There was a market in the square when we were there. Matthias told us we must try the local sausage speciality and we sat in the middle of the square at the base of the Prince Albert statue, eating our simple lunch and watched the local people buying food and plants."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After several Rick Steves Tours I have high expectations for his tours. This tour did not dissappoint me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As usual on his tours, this is not an easy questions because there were many "wow" moments. Maybe the Hamburg harbor tour was my favorite. I had watched Rick's tv tour of Hamburg and the harbor so I had high expectations and I was not disappointed"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The sites and locations that we toured were perfect. I mostly enjoyed the small towns that we stayed in, especially Bacharach. Our guide, Michael was perfect. His knowledge in the areas and historical knowledge was educational and entertaining. Most of the local guides were great as well, especially Patrick in Munich. This was our first Rick Steves tour and now I can see why everyone else that was touring with us had been on multiple others tours. Get rid of the masks on the bus though.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rhine valley and Bacharach was my favorite are and stay. Nice and quiet, great wines and food. A close second was Munich. I loved the culture and history. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. the trip was well-managed, well-executed. there is a healthy balance between group time and individual/couple time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rothenburg and the Wartenburg Castle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Michael was an amazing tour guide. He really brought to life the intricacies of German history in a way that was enlightening on modern day Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Michael treated us to an amazing lunch at a beirgarten in Würzburg. It was an amazing meal and everyone got a chance to try some local beer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was probably outstanding because of the tour guide and the fact that it was only 14 people on tour but the information was phenomenal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved standing next to the Berlin Wall; in 1989 I was a senior in high school and watched the politics unfold via TV, but standing next to it was a powerful experience. Munich, however, was my favorite city and with a fun, entertaining, and incredibly informative guide in Patrick, I felt that city was a gem."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It is a good well structured tour. The tour contained the standard activities I expected: Rhine cruise, castle visits, cute towns; the surprises were Erfurt and stopping off at a beer garden - quite lovely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'd have to say our stop at the beer garden - we were all so lively and it was such a friendly pretty place. I also kind of loved watching the surfers in Munich."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic! This was my 14th R.S. tour and it did not disappoint! It was also my first trip since the pandemic began and I felt very confident with the precautions that were in place.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning more about the Berlin Wall was fascinating. How it came about and what those living in Eastern Berlin had to endure. The things we take for granted!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Michael was outstanding. He made all the history and everything about Germany come alive. Our small group of 16 was a treat, great group of people. Fast paced, full of info and I welcomed the free time to process and explore. Loved every town/city on the tour. Really feel like we saw the best of Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Munich. Big enough but felt so small town and everyone friendly. The beer halls. Lots to see and do. Also, our Dresden stop was a treat. When we walked to the square and saw the panorama of reconstructed buildings, that was impressive. And to know they were only redone in the last 20-30 years was hard to fathom. She was elegant and stately and beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Michael was fantastic. His knowledge of Germany's history & current events was outstanding. Every day we received a history lesson which was outstanding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"it was all a "wow: for me"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Germany was a great tour. It gave my family and me an overall orientation of Germany, it's cities, and cultural contrasts of the various areas.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many historical architectural landmarks it's hard to identify just one. My favorite city and "walk till you drop" time was in Munich."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide and driver. Our bus was large and comfortable for our small group of 19 people. All hotels were centrally located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"RS itinerary continues to excel. We enjoyed every city. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an exceptional experience. We absolutely loved our tour guide, Daniela Wedel. She had such passion as she shared details of German history and culture with us. The hotels were comfortable and full of unique character. We absolutely loved our dinners with our group. Danke for the memorable time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time in the Rhine Valley and in Bacharach was phenomenal. We really enjoyed our tasting experience - wunderbah! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Hotels were good, guides were great, food was debatable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Erfurt was a surprisingly beautiful town."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was more than a taste, rather a smorgasbord! 3 major cities & a handful of smaller towns & villages. Our various tour guides really brought the history & relevance of these places up front. Our tour group consisted of decent civilized human beings, & we enjoyed each other's company! Our tour leaders were helpful & extremely knowledgeable. In short they were excellent! As was our beloved bus driver!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow was the Rhine river valley as well as the smaller medieval villages. Just getting around the back alleys or walking the walls & seeing the beautiful gardens in bloom."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is a very active tour through a combination of large cities and cozy villages. We were fortunate to be a small group of 14 plus our wonderful guides, Matti and Barbara, and the best bus driver, John. It was a welcome contrast to see the many historic sites in cities like Berlin and Munich and, then, spend a day or two relaxing in small towns like Bacharach and Erfurt. All the hotels were well placed for us to venture out and explore the cities and towns, too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was a "wow" to be a part of such a friendly group of travelers. Planten un Blomen in Hamburg and the English Garden in Munich were great places for peaceful walks. The harbor tour in Hamburg gave us a close up view of huge container ships and yachts. Smaller, half timber towns like Erfurt were wonderful. Could there maybe be a Village Tour of Germany in the future?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have been on 8 other Rick tours, and this one ranks as high as any. All aspects, including guides, hotels, restaurants, dinners, and sights were truly outstanding. Plus, the weather and other participants contributed to a near perfect trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is always so hard to answer. Every twist and turn presents a "Kodak" moment. We visited the Reichstag dome on our own and consider it one of the most impressive "WOW" activities. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized and led by fantastic guides (Mattias and Barbara).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the soups we had on the tour-covered meals - asparagus (multiple locations), mushroom (Munich) and wild garlic (Rothenburg). The Hamburg harbor and Rhein river boat tours were also "wows". "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 14 RS tour and it was excellent!

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was extremely informative, enjoyable, and I am already hoping to carve out a time to schedule another Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walking tour in Berlin with our local guide, Jim, was fascinating to hear such a succinct, and interesting overview of so much history. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was well organized with a generally good “flow”. Our guide was a fountain of knowledge, and we learned a lot.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Berlin was a standout. We had a fabulous local guide who brought the city and its history to life. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It's hard to put a value on the luxury of having Rick Steves plan the itinerary, accommodations, travel, almost half the meals, professional tour guides, and resource of a full-time guide for questions. Time is the most valuable resource we had once we were in Germany, and the tour maximized our experience. Priceless.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Bacharach we were treated to a tasting of local wines hosted by a man whose family had lived there for generations. The frank conversation about our different cultures, US and Germany, was pretty special. I learned a lot, and I appreciated being treated as a welcomed, intelligent guest in his country. It felt like I was auditing a college course. Rick Steves guides deserve a lot of praise. They are brilliant, across the board."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Saw many places and such a variety from Medieval villages to Berlin.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Medieval villages. Berlin transportation system."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience, despite a couple of long days on the bus. Daniella was an excellent guide, providing lots of great information and guidance. I appreciated her efforts to adjust and inform us during a couple of delays. The local guides were great and the sites wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On the tour itself, visiting Erfurt. I was surprised at how picturesque the town was. In addition, we really enjoyed visiting Minotaur Wonderland in Hamburg and the Museum Barberini in Postdam that were recommended by Daniella and in the RS Guidebook."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just excellent! Fun to meet new traveling companions who all came with different backgrounds and approaches to the adventure that was our tour. Our guide, Daniela, was outstanding. I got a whole new understanding of history from her talks during bus time. She and our driver Henry had a rapport that made time fly by. Daniela was the glue that held everything together, with her attention to detail and concern/empathy for everyone in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Happening on a wedding that started as we arrived at one of the beautiful churches. The groom walked in first, carrying flowers. The bride and her father came down the aisle to gorgeous organ and trumpet music. No big wedding party at all. The attention was all on the bride and groom."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Beautiful countryside, friendly co-travelers, enthusiastic guide,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wartburg Castle and history of Martin Luther’s time there"