Alsace

Meet at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport at 06:10 and board the direct flight to Frankfurt. On arrival we set off straight away on our panoramic tour. This old imperial city on the Main river, hence its full name Frankfurt am Main, has long been a major trading and financial centre. Its impressive skyline, dominated by the high-rise banking district, has a distinctly North American feel that has earned it the nicknames "Mainhattan" and "Chicago on the Main". We learn about the history and main sights of Germany's fifth largest city, home of the German Stock Exchange and the European Central Bank. We visit the historic old centre, the Römerberg, with its open-fronted shops once common across the old town, and the Römer, a complex of 11 historic buildings that formed the medieval Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), faithfully rebuilt in 1954. Especially notable is the elegant Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal), once the scene of splendid banquets. Other fine buildings on the Römerberg include the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) of 1908, the 14th-century Gothic church of St Leonhard and the church of St Nicholas. Finally we visit the bridge over the Main with its Homeric inscription, a verse from the Odyssey. We then leave for enchanting Heidelberg. Check-in at a local hotel.

After a rich breakfast we devote the whole day to fairytale Heidelberg, home of Germany's oldest university, built on the banks of the Neckar in the shadow of the castle that dominates the hill. We walk through its pedestrianised historic centre, considered the longest pedestrian street in Germany at 1.6 km, and admire medieval and later churches such as the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Jesuit Church. Also impressive are the "Student Prison", the Witches' Tower, part of the medieval walls, the Hotel Zum Ritter dating from 1592, the old university and the bridge across the river. Free time for lunch at one of the old town's traditional restaurants, known for local dishes, or one of its lively beer halls. You can also enjoy a mini cruise on the Neckar to see the city from a different angle. Late afternoon return to our hotel.

After breakfast we leave for Strasbourg and begin our tour on arrival in a city that feels more like a European capital than an old Alsatian town. Its historic centre, "Petite France", was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, and the University of Strasbourg, founded in 1566 and one of the oldest in France, gives it the liveliness of a university town. We walk through the old town, full of picturesque half-timbered, colourful houses, dominated by Strasbourg Cathedral; its astronomical clock and 12th-century stained glass are well worth seeing. On Place du Château next to the cathedral stands the 18th-century Palais Rohan, once the archbishop's residence and now home to the city's main museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Decorative Arts and Archaeology, and nearby the Maison Kammerzell. At midday, free time in the pedestrian streets for coffee or a meal at excellent Alsatian restaurants, then check-in at our hotel. In the evening we suggest exploring the city by boat, one of the most romantic ways to discover its beauty, on a 75-minute cruise on the Ill. You will see the whole historic centre, the buildings of Petite France, the traditional houses along the river, the covered bridges, the German quarter and the striking modern buildings of the European Parliament.

After breakfast we set off on an optional excursion along the Wine Route. Our first stop is Riquewihr, a popular village known mainly for its seemingly untouched 16th-century architecture and the walls that surround it. We continue along the Wine Route, lined with vineyards on the slopes of the Vosges, to picturesque Ribeauvillé. The whole area lives and breathes winemaking, as shown by the endless vineyards and many cooperatives bringing local producers together. The climate, with the Vosges on one side and the Black Forest on the other, is ideal for growing vines, and Alsace has made the most of it. One of its most famous wines is Riesling, a dry wine well worth tasting. Finally we leave for the French town of Colmar, the jewel of Alsace. Explore its historic centre with traditional houses on the banks of the Lauch, the town hall, the Collegiate Church of St Martin and lovely little squares with interesting open-air markets. We have free time in the most beautiful part of the old town, Little Venice, with its canals, ornate bridges, elegant cafés and fine restaurants. Late afternoon return to our hotel in Strasbourg.

After breakfast we leave for Baden-Baden, a green Baroque town famous for its thermal baths, which date back to Roman times. We then head to Stuttgart for a short tour of the capital of the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg, impressive for its setting, beautiful squares and grand palaces. We discover a world of contrasts, from ancient castles and medieval streets to modern buildings and technological innovation. Stuttgart is not just a destination but an experience: from museums holding a wealth of cultural heritage to green areas offering peace and relaxation, every corner hides a secret waiting to be discovered. Transfer to the airport for the return flight.