Day 1 – Arrival in Munich
Arrive in Munich and meet your private driver-guide at the airport or your hotel. Munich is one of Germany’s main international gateways, making it a convenient starting point for a journey through southern Germany and into France. Once settled, the afternoon is spent exploring the historic center where many of the city’s most recognizable landmarks sit within easy walking distance.
Marienplatz & the Old Town
The first attraction of the tour is Marienplatz, the historic heart of Munich. After arriving with your driver-guide, you’ll step into the city’s central square, where locals and visitors have gathered for centuries. Take time to watch the famous Glockenspiel clock on the Neo-Gothic New Town Hall as its moving figures recreate scenes from Bavarian history. From here, you’ll explore the surrounding Old Town streets on foot, passing historic churches, traditional beer halls, and lively shopping arcades.
Viktualienmarkt
A short walk from Marienplatz brings you to Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s long-running open-air food market. Stalls here sell Bavarian cheeses, fresh bread, sausages, and regional produce. It’s a good introduction to the food culture of southern Germany and an easy place to stop for lunch or a snack. Your driver-guide can recommend local specialties before giving you time to wander through the market at your own pace.
Overnight in Munich.
Day 2 – Munich to Füssen via Neuschwanstein Castle
Leaving Munich after breakfast, your driver-guide takes you south toward the Bavarian Alps. The landscape gradually changes as the road approaches the foothills, with lakes, farmland, and distant mountain peaks becoming more prominent.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Perched above the village of Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most recognizable castles in Europe. Built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II, the castle was inspired by medieval legends and Wagnerian opera. From the valley below, the towers appear to rise directly from the forested hillside. Your driver-guide helps coordinate arrival and timing before you make your way up to the castle area for views across the Alpine landscape.
Alpsee & Hohenschwangau
Below the castle lies Alpsee, a clear lake surrounded by wooded hills and mountain views. Nearby stands Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood residence of King Ludwig II. The small village here is a pleasant place to pause for lunch or coffee before continuing the short drive toward Füssen, where colorful houses and quiet streets create a relaxed Alpine setting.
Overnight in Füssen.
Day 3 – Füssen to Freiburg (Black Forest)
Today’s journey crosses from Bavaria into southwest Germany. Your driver-guide follows scenic roads toward the Black Forest, a region long associated with dense woodland, traditional farmhouses, and small lakes.
Lake Titisee
Lake Titisee is one of the most well-known lakes in the Black Forest and makes for a relaxing stop during the drive through the region. After arriving with your driver-guide, you’ll have time to walk along the lakeside paths, take in views across the water toward the forested hills, and explore the small village along the shore. There are cafés and local shops where you can stop for coffee or lunch, and during warmer months, you’ll often see small boats moving across the lake. It’s a peaceful place to stretch your legs and experience the quieter, rural atmosphere of the Black Forest before continuing the journey.
Black Forest Villages
Continuing through the region, the route passes traditional villages where steep-roofed farmhouses sit among fields and forest. The Black Forest is also known for its craftsmanship, including cuckoo clocks and regional woodwork. Your driver-guide can stop in one of these villages to stretch your legs and experience the slower pace of life in the area.
Overnight in Freiburg.
Day 4 – Freiburg to Strasbourg
This morning begins in Freiburg, one of the most attractive towns in southwest Germany. Later in the day, you cross the Rhine River into France and enter the Alsace region.
Freiburg Old Town
After arriving in the old town, you’ll walk into the cathedral square where Freiburg Minster rises above the surrounding market stalls and historic buildings. As you move through the streets, your guide will share stories and insights about the city’s past, pointing out architectural details and explaining the role Freiburg has played in the region over the centuries. Along the way, you’ll notice the small water channels known as Bächle, which run beside many of the streets and have become one of the city’s most recognizable features. You’ll then have time to wander through the squares, shops, and narrow lanes at your own pace before continuing the journey.
Strasbourg Historic Center
After crossing into France, the road leads to Strasbourg, the cultural center of Alsace. The city blends French and German influences, something visible in its architecture and food traditions. The historic center, known as Grande Île, is a UNESCO-listed district filled with half-timbered houses and narrow streets that follow the river channels.
Strasbourg Cathedral & La Petite France
Strasbourg Cathedral stands at the center of the old city and was once the tallest building in the world. Nearby, the La Petite France district is one of the most picturesque areas in the region, with canals, bridges, and historic houses leaning slightly over the water. Your driver-guide helps navigate the narrow streets before leaving you time to explore on foot.
Overnight in Strasbourg.
Day 5 – Strasbourg to Dijon via the Alsace Wine Route
Leaving Strasbourg, your driver-guide follows sections of the famous Route des Vins d’Alsace. This scenic road runs along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains and connects many of the region’s most charming villages.
Colmar
The first major stop of the day is Colmar, one of the most picturesque towns in Alsace. After arriving with your driver-guide, you’ll explore the historic center on foot, where narrow streets are lined with colorful half-timbered houses and small canals. Walking through the district known as Little Venice, you’ll cross stone bridges and follow quiet waterways that pass between old merchant houses. Your driver-guide will point out the main squares and landmarks before giving you time to wander the streets, visit small boutiques, or stop at a café for lunch.
Alsace Wine Villages
Continuing south, the route passes through small villages such as Riquewihr and Eguisheim. Vineyards climb the hills around these settlements, and the streets are lined with colorful houses decorated with flowers. These stops offer a chance to see the agricultural side of Alsace and understand why the region has been producing wine for centuries.
Overnight in Dijon.
Day 6 – Dijon to Paris through Burgundy
Today’s drive crosses the Burgundy countryside before arriving in Paris. Your driver-guide follows quiet rural roads where vineyards, fields, and historic towns appear along the way.
Dijon Old Town
Before leaving the city, take time to explore Dijon’s historic center. The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy and the surrounding squares reflect the city’s importance during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Walking through Dijon reveals ornate townhouses, small courtyards, and markets that have served the region for generations.
Burgundy Countryside
Leaving Dijon, the route passes through Burgundy’s famous wine region. Vineyards cover many of the hillsides, with small villages marking the landscape between fields and forest. Your driver-guide may stop in one of these villages for a break before continuing north toward Paris.
Overnight in Paris.
Day 7 – Exploring Paris
Your final day is spent in Paris, one of Europe’s most visited and historically rich cities. With your private driver-guide available for the day, you can explore both major landmarks and neighborhoods beyond the main tourist routes.
Eiffel Tower
The day begins with a visit to the Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Your driver-guide will bring you to the Champ de Mars area before you make your way inside the tower for a scheduled visit. You’ll take the lift up for views across Paris, where many of the city’s major landmarks can be seen from above, including the Seine River, the Arc de Triomphe, and the wide boulevards that define the city center. After taking time to enjoy the views and photographs from the viewing levels, you’ll return to ground level to continue exploring the city.
Louvre & the Historic Heart of Paris
Next, your driver-guide takes you to the Louvre district, where Paris’ historic center unfolds along the banks of the Seine. Here you’ll walk through the courtyard of the Louvre Palace and see the famous glass pyramid entrance before continuing through the surrounding streets and gardens. The nearby Tuileries Garden offers a pleasant place for a short walk, with views stretching toward Place de la Concorde. Your driver-guide will share the story of how this part of Paris developed from royal palace grounds into one of the city’s central public spaces.
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Later in the afternoon, the tour continues to Montmartre, the hilltop neighborhood that has long been associated with artists and writers. After arriving with your driver-guide, you’ll walk through the small streets that wind up toward the white domes of Sacré-Cœur Basilica. From the terrace in front of the basilica, enjoy wide views across the rooftops of Paris, the perfect way to conclude your tour.
Your private driver-guide will then drop you off at your hotel or at the airport for your flight home.
Overnight in Paris.