Morning: The high‑speed TGV from Paris arrives in the fairy‑tale town of Colmar. Settle into your hotel and take a short stroll along the canals.
Afternoon: Wander through the historic quarter, admiring the half‑timbered houses of Little Venice and the elegant façade of Maison Pfister. Stop for a leisurely lunch at a local winstub.
Evening: Visit the Unterlinden Museum to see the famous Isenheim Altarpiece, then enjoy a dinner of Alsatian specialties beside the illuminated canals.
Find HotelsMorning: After breakfast, board a regional train to Strasbourg (≈1 hour). Store your luggage at the station lockers and head out.
Afternoon: Explore the UNESCO‑listed Strasbourg Cathedral, climbing its tower for panoramic views. Meander through the cobblestone lanes of Petite France, snapping photos of its timbered houses.
Evening: Join a guided walk of the European Parliament grounds, then dine on tarte flambée in a bustling riverside bistro.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a boat tour on the Ill River, gliding past the city’s historic bridges and the stunning façade of the cathedral.
Afternoon: Visit the Palais Rohan museums and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the vibrant “Place Kléber”.
Evening: Stroll along the illuminated canals, sampling local wines at a wine bar before returning to your hotel.
Find HotelsMorning: Board an ICE train to Frankfurt (≈2 hours). Store your bags and begin exploring the city’s skyline.
Afternoon: Walk the historic Römer square, then cross the Main River to the modern Main Tower for a sky‑deck view.
Evening: Dine in the lively Sachsenhausen district, famous for its apple wine taverns and traditional German fare.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the world‑class Städel Museum, home to masterpieces from the Renaissance to modern art.
Afternoon: Relax in the Palmengarten botanical garden, then browse the boutiques along the Zeil shopping street.
Evening: Enjoy a concert at the historic Alte Oper or a riverside dinner along the Main.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a fast ICE to Cologne (≈1 hour). Check in and head straight to the city centre.
Afternoon: Marvel at the towering spires of the Cologne Cathedral, then cross the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge for its love‑lock tradition.
Evening: Explore the vibrant Belgian Quarter, sampling local Kölsch beer at a historic brewery.
Find HotelsMorning: Board a regional train to the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (≈3 hours). Arrive and settle into a charming guesthouse.
Afternoon: Walk the well‑preserved Town Wall, stopping at the picture‑perfect Plönlein corner.
Evening: Join a candlelit night tour and hear stories of the town’s medieval past, followed by a hearty Bavarian dinner.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the Medieval Crime Museum, exploring quirky artifacts of historic justice.
Afternoon: Take a leisurely ride on the Rothenburg‑to‑Dinkelsbühl scenic railway, enjoying the rolling countryside.
Evening: Sample local Franconian wines at a tavern overlooking the town’s illuminated rooftops.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel by train to Nuremberg (≈1 hour). Store luggage and start with a walk through the old market square.
Afternoon: Explore the imposing Imperial Castle, then visit the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds for a sobering history lesson.
Evening: Dine in the historic “Handwerkerhof” quarter, trying Nuremberg sausages with sauerkraut.
Find HotelsMorning: Board an early Railjet to Vienna (≈4 hours). Check into your hotel and refresh.
Afternoon: Stroll through the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, climbing the Gloriette for city vistas.
Evening: Enjoy a classical concert in one of Vienna’s historic venues, followed by a Wiener Schnitzel dinner.
Find HotelsMorning: Ascend the tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral for a sweeping view of the Ringstrasse.
Afternoon: Visit the Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”.
Evening: Wander the lively Naschmarkt, sampling Austrian delicacies and local wines.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a comfortable Railjet to Prague (≈4 hours). Arrive and drop off bags.
Afternoon: Walk across the historic Charles Bridge, admiring its statues and river views.
Evening: Dine in the Old Town, trying traditional Czech dishes such as svíčková.
Find HotelsMorning: Tour the sprawling Prague Castle complex, including St. Vitus Cathedral.
Afternoon: Explore the Old Town Square, watching the Astronomical Clock strike the hour.
Evening: Enjoy a river cruise on the Vltava, seeing the city lights from the water.
Find HotelsMorning: Board a EuroCity train to Dresden (≈2 hours). Check in and head to the historic centre.
Afternoon: Visit the baroque Zwinger Palace, admiring its art collections and ornate gardens.
Evening: Attend a performance at the Semper Opera House or enjoy dinner beside the Elbe River.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a fast ICE to Berlin (≈2 hours). Store luggage and start at the iconic Brandenburg Gate.
Afternoon: Explore the cultural hub of Museum Island, visiting the Pergamon Museum and Neues Museum.
Evening: Conclude with a sunset visit to the Reichstag Dome, then enjoy a farewell dinner in the vibrant Kreuzberg district.
Find HotelsIf you wish to extend the trip, consider adding a day in Munich to explore the Bavarian Alps or a night in Salzburg for Mozart’s legacy. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine Cologne and Frankfurt into a single day by focusing on the main cathedrals and museums, or skip the evening cruise in Prague and use that time for a faster train to Dresden.