Futuro Travel

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a fascinating and multicultural metropolis pulsating with life. The city is spread out with it’s 3,5 million inhabitants, but the key areas are wonderfully compact and easily navigated. The ‘new’ city center has an impressive list of cultural and political landmarks to offer: the parliament Reichstag, The Federal Chancellery, Brandenburger Tor, The Holocaust Memorial and the Museumsinsel. And after the sightseeing, there are plenty of excellent shopping opportunities and of course Berlin's exciting nightlife. Each neighborhood has its wonderfully unique character and there is an abundant variety of restaurants, cafes, theaters and cultural events.

Close to Berlin, at Lake Havel, you find the small, but charming, city of Potsdam. It used to be the Prussian Royal Seat. The kings erected architectural masterpieces in and around the city: among them the Sanssouci Palace with its beautiful park, and the New Palace. The Cecilienhof Palace is famous for having been the location of the Potsdam Conference in 1945. The Palaces and parks of Potsdam and Berlin have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990.

Berlin and Potsdam

Munich, the Bavarian capital, attracts millions of visitors every year. It is humorously called “Germany’s biggest village” because of its southern flair and alpine cliches; the city is famous for the way it connects modern and traditional styles of living. There is a huge variety of cultural activities available, like well-known museums (Pinakothek Art Museum, Technology Museum, Deutsches museum etc.) and renowned theaters, the Nymphenburg Castle, and numerous other sights. Taking a walk along the busy pedestrian streets around the historic city hall, strolling leisurely around the city's large parks (like the Englischer Garten) or the quiet footpaths along the Isar; there are numerous great ways way to discover the city on foot. A vast number of beer gardens and taverns (Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner Keller etc.) invite you to enjoy the renowned Bavarian Beer culture. And the festive highlight of every autumn is certainly the Oktoberfest!

Munich

Frankfurt is one of world’s leading banking and financial centers, and home to one of the world's largest trade fairs. Apart from its impressive skyline, the city has numerous attractions to offer: The emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned here in the Kaiserdom, and the foundation for unified Germany was laid in St. Pauls Church. The city hall The Römer with its Emperor Hall, located directly at the picturesque Römerberg Square, the Italian Renaissance-style Alte Oper (‘Old Opera House’) and the more than a dozen museums lined up along the south bank of the Main River also belong to the top attractions. Frankfurt is the birthplace of Germany’s most famous author, Goethe. The bustling and future-oriented metropolis has retained its local traditions, like drinking the delicious apple wine with its unique taste of the region, and there is a wide variety of restaurants catering for every taste. Thanks to its location in the middle of Germany and its good travel connections (biggest airport, important motorway and railway junction), Frankfurt is an important traffic hub and easily accessible from anywhere in Germany

Frankfurt am Main

Vienna’s grandeur and imperial heritage are best seen in the city’s palaces and monuments, like the magnificent baroque Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces, or the Imperial Palace, the heart of the former Habsburg Empire. The historical center of the city, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, offers a wonderful blend of culture and entertainment: Interesting museums and enchanting music houses, delicious restaurants, traditional coffee houses and great shopping. Vienna is world-renowned for its dining culture and has a thriving nightlife. Located right in the center of the old city is the Gothic masterpiece St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna's pride and joy. Day trips along the Danube or to the surrounding villages with their traditional wine taverns are also recommended. In 2016 Vienna was named world's top city for its quality of life.
On its way through Lower Austria the Danube flows through Wachau, a breathtakingly beautiful part of the Danube River Valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Europe’s most charming wine-growing regions featuring ancient terraced vineyards, lush orchards, and flower-filled gardens. Picturesque wine villages (Dürnstein, Weissenkirchen and Spitz etc.) with their traditional wine taverns create a perfect setting for you to enjoy and taste the Austrian way of life!

Vienna and Wachau

The city of Zurich, built around Lake Zurich, is Switzerland's biggest and most important city. It is one of the top financial centers of Europe, and the new part of the city is ruled by wealthy banks and insurance companies with their luxurious business and administrative buildings. The old town is well preserved and has numerous interesting historical buildings to show. A cruise on the picturesque Lake Zurich offers a relaxing pause from the city's extremely varied cultural program and spectacular nightlife.

Lucerne, with its waterfront promenades and medieval old city, is located on the banks of the Lake Lucerne. It is one of Switzerland's most popular tourist destinations. The Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) on the Reuss river, a wooden medieval footbridge joining the old and the new Lucerne together is one of the main attractions. The best way to enjoy the gorgeous scenery around the Lucerne area is a ride on an aerial cable car and a cog-wheel train to the nearby Mount Rigi or Mount Pilatus, or a boat cruise on the lake.

Zurich and Lucerne

Rome, “the eternal city,” is today the capital of the republic of Italy. It was founded about 3000 years ago on the shores of the Tiber. For thousand years the city was the center of the Roman Empire ruling the western world, and thus “all roads lead to Rome.” It is famous for its rise to power, fall and rebirth. Rome is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities; Baroque fountains and Renaissance palazzos stand next to classical ruins and early Christian places of worship. The historical center of the city, including the legendary Colosseum, the magnificent churches and the enchanting fountains and squares, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Vatican city, a walled enclave in the heart of Rome, is the headquarters of the Catholic Church, and the smallest independent state in the world. The magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture. Rome's pleasant Mediterranean climate and the world-famous Italian cuisine invite you for an unforgettable experience of “La Dolce Vita” in one of the numerous cafes, pizzerias, and open air restaurants.

Rome

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city is divided into two parts by the Danube flowing through it; in fact, Buda and Pest were separate entities until late 19th century. The Buda embankment is ruled by the magnificent Royal Palace on the Buda Castle Hill, including the monumental Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nearby Gellert Hill with its steep slopes, crowned by the Statue of Liberty and the Citadel, offers a panoramic view over the city. On the other side of the river, the Pest embankment is a bustling modern business district. The magnificent House of Parliament is located directly on the river, and the famous St. Stephens Basilica - more towards the center - offers some great shows and concerts. A beautiful stop-over during a Danube river cruise is Margaret Island, a popular recreational area, which is mostly covered by landscape parks. Its medieval ruins are reminders of the island's importance in the Middle Ages as a religious center. Budapest is also well known for its natural thermal baths, like Gellert Buda or Szechenyi Pest and there is a strong bathing culture with great offers for wellness and relaxation. Local restaurants all over Budapest serve excellent food and delicious wine, sometimes accompanied by traditional Gypsy musicians. And if you really like wine, the famous Etyek wine region nearby offers fantastic wine tasting programs and regular wine festivals.

Budapest

Kraków has a rich and colorful history to show: For centuries it was the residence of the kings, and the cultural and scientific center of Poland. The Kraków University is one of the oldest in Europe. The historical old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (including The Market Square, The Cloth Hall, and St. Mary's Basilica), as well as The Royal Wawel Castle and The Royal Cathedral on the Wawel Hill. The Cathedral, where the coronations took place, is also famous for the Sigismund Bell, the largest historical bell in Poland. Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter, offers a unique blend of the old and new: remnant synagogues reflect the tragedy of the last century, and yet Kazimierz is also Kraków’s most exciting district, a bustling neighborhood full of atmospheric cafes, clubs and art galleries.

A short drive from Kraków, the grim testimony of the former concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau, reminds the visitor of the tremendous power of the human folly. Absolutely worth a visit is the Wieliczka Salt Mine just 15 km southwest of Kraków. The mine has a labyrinth of underground tunnels, and there is an ornamented chapel, where every single element, from chandeliers to altarpieces, is made of salt.

Kraków/Warsaw

Lake Constance offers wonderful opportunities for water sports, sailing and lake cruises. It is the second biggest lake of the Alps and straddles three countries: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. On the German side, the idyllic towns of Lindau, Konstanz, and Meersburg are spread in between lush orchards and vineyards. The beautiful Mainau, which is maintained as a garden island, and the monastic island of Reichenau (UNESCO World Heritage Site) enchant the visitor with their natural beauty.

On the Austrian side of the lake - at the foot of the Mount Pfänder - the old town of Bregenz is famous for its astounding amphitheater with a floating stage. On the Swiss side, the Rhine flows towards Basel through the idyllic town Stein am Rhein and through the magnificent Schaffhausen Falls. Sankt Gallen is a charming old university town, famous for its cheese and typical Swiss architecture. It is a great starting point for excursions into the Appenzell region with its rolling hills and alpine meadows overlooking the lake.

Lake Constance

Europe’s biggest waterway, the Rhine, has been a source of romantic songs and sagas down the ages. Lush vineyards, magnificent hillside castles, and picturesque villages form a unique and unmistakable landscape. Along the beautiful Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are more medieval castles than in any other river valley in the world. Walking trails along the surrounding hills offer wonderful views over the mighty river, and idyllic wine-growing towns invite you to discover their cultural and culinary highlights. Rüdesheim is one of the most popular tourist attractions with its famous Drosselgasse, a lane full of wine taverns and restaurants.

The Moselle flows through some of the finest and most idyllic landscapes in Germany. A tributary to the Rhine, it slowly weaves its way past spectacular hillsides covered by terraced vineyards and ruins of medieval castles towering over beautiful wine villages. Traditional wine taverns invite you to relax and taste some of Germany’s best wines. There is a network of walking trails along the surrounding hills for the outdoor enthusiasts to discover the river valley on foot. Charming small towns like Trier, the oldest town in Germany, await your visit. From there, a day-trip to the nearby Luxembourg is an interesting option.

Rhine and Moselle

The Bavarians are very proud of their rich cultural and royal heritage.
In the north, there is Nuremberg with its powerful past, once a free imperial city surrounded by smaller fortresses and duchies of Franconia.
Munich, in the south, is the capital of the Free State of Bavaria. It is best known for the world's biggest beer festival Oktoberfest, and the world famous beer tavern ‘Hofbräuhaus.'
Just a short drive south of Munich, a wonderful mountain range of the Bavarian Alps appears against the backdrop of the 'royal blue' skies. The imposing royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemsee, built by the King Ludwig II, blend in the picture-book scenery of the beautiful alpine meadows, lakes and small villages, where Bavarian traditions are still very much alive (like the folklore costumes Lederhosen and Dirndl). It is an unforgettable experience.

Bavaria

Come and experience Switzerland with us! Enjoy the Swiss Alps and recharge your batteries.

Magnificent mountains and deep mountain lakes await you along the hiking trails passing through idyllic villages and lush valleys. The natural beauty of the Alps invites you to take a moment for the wonderful view, slow down and feel the Swiss ‘joie de vivre.’

Lucerne, the cultural center of the region around Lake Lucerne, will be our base for the day trips exploring the surrounding area. We’ll visit the nearby mountain peaks Rigi (with an overnight stay) and Pilatus using the local cogwheel train and a cable car. The third day will take us through the wonderful landscapes of the Emmental region to Thun, from where we catch a boat to Interlaken. After a wonderful drive back through mountain passages in between some of the highest peaks of the Swiss Alps, a gourmet dinner with local specialties will be served! On the last day, there is still time for a sightseeing tour of Zürich, the modern banking capital of Switzerland.

Experience Switzerland

We also organize group tours with special themes or needs of special groups such as river cruises, golf, forest owners and farmers, beer clubs, wine clubs, seniors, special dietary groups such as celiac groups and other organizations, clubs and associations. The itinerary is tailored to the needs and desires of the groups.

Theme trips

Switzerland was one of the first tourist destinations in Europe. Down the ages, the country has been appealing to visitors looking for recreational holidays and beautiful, enchanting nature. The hilly northern Switzerland with its gorgeous alpine meadows, the snow-capped peaks of the massive mountain ranges in the central region, and the charming alpine lakes with their exotic vegetation in southern Switzerland. Picturesque, well-preserved medieval villages and towns still embody the slow-paced quality of life long gone elsewhere. The elegant business and financial centers Zurich and Geneva, on the other hand, are throbbing with life and represent the enjoyable spirit of modern Switzerland.

Switzerland

You enter the path of a deciduous forest and in a moment you are surrounded by your very own world! For generations, Germany has developed a uniquely comprehensive and dense network of hiking trails. In fascinating landscapes and memorable landscapes, it guides its traveler through very different areas. For our hiking trips we have chosen two of the most spectacular river valleys. Hiking is usually a relaxed, suitably strenuous exercise, but with a slightly more demanding elevation difference. There are break restaurants along the routes. We stay in hotel inns in charming, small tourist towns. Travel suggestions also include lighter program sections such as wine tasting, river cruise, and exploring historic castles and cities as a counterweight to hiking. We will customize the final program according to your group's wishes and ideas.

Hiking trips on the Rhine and Moselle

Exciting old castles, and great recreational outdoor activities along the mightiest river in Europe. The unforgettable and rugged landscape of the Rhine River Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Going on a river cruise past the legendary Lorelei rock, or city sightseeing in Frankfurt, Mainz or Wiesbaden with a guide, or on your own.

We have put together an interesting and versatile itinerary for a 5-day school trip. The accommodation will be arranged in the Youth Hostel of Stahleck Castle, built 1000 years ago on a hill above the charming town of Bacharach on the west bank of Rhine. One day will be reserved for visiting a local school, or for a field trip of your choice. The finalized itinerary will be put together according to the wishes of the tour group.

School Trip to the Rhine River Valley

In Franconia, the north of Bavaria, Germany's colorful past comes alive as the historical old towns carry on with the medieval tradition of Christmas Markets. During our visit, we'll discover some of the most attractive places and events at this very special time of the year. Nuremberg, an important city in the time of the Holy Roman Empire, is today called "the treasure chamber of Germany." Our hotel is in a walking distance from the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt Christmas Market in the center of the city. On the way there, cozy restaurants and bustling cafes invite you for a delicious meal or just a good glass of local wine or beer. The Christmas markets typically offer the warm mulled wine Glühwein, tasty Bratwurst grilled sausages, and delicious Lebkuchen Gingerbread biscuits.

Nuremberg Christmas Market

The Isar river valley is a great place for hiking among magnificent alpine panoramas. It is located on the German-Austrian border, in between the Wetterstein and Karwendel mountain ranges. There is a network of walking trails along the surrounding hills for easy, moderate or challenging hikes. Numerous cozy alpine huts invite you to celebrate the end of your hike with a hearty meal or a good glass of beer! There is also a possibility to take a cable car to the top of the Karwendel to help to shorten the routes, and you can enjoy the magnificent views while having a break in one of the panorama restaurants. Our hotel is located in the climatic health resort Mittenwald, known for its violin making tradition and frescoes (Lüftlmalereien) on the house facades. We spend a day on a trip to Austria, including a guided tour of Innsbruck and Seefeld, where the Winter Olympics took place. On the last day, after a Munich sightseeing tour with a local guide and a traditional Bavarian lunch, there is some free time for shopping.

Hiking around Mittenwald

The best way to discover the medieval Germany and its cultural heritage is to visit Franconia in the north of Bavaria. Our itinerary takes us through beautiful landscapes to the old centers of power and their historical attractions. Our hotel is located in the old imperial city of Nuremberg, which is also called the “treasure chamber of Germany.” The old town in the middle of the bustling modern city, surrounded by thick walls, is full of attractions and romantic hidden corners. You may want to discover the shopping streets, or just enjoy a delicious meal in one of the numerous restaurants with a good glass of local wine or beer. Day trips will take us to the nearby towns of Wuerzburg, Bamberg or Bayreuth, and we'll visit their numerous attractions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On our way back to the Frankfurt airport, we'll visit two charming, well-preserved medieval towns with their typical German flair.

Franconia’s Cultural Heritage

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Futuro Travel Oy, Finland, VAT ID: FI33236589

jukka.pekkala@futurotravel.com

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