Baltic Sea - Rügen - Hiddensee Hanseatic cities - a thousand lakes - enchanted islands

DAY 1: SWITZERLAND - HANOVER

Journey through Alsace to Frankfurt. The new cathedrals of high finance, the skyscrapers of the major banks and financial consortia from all over the world have given Frankfurt a new skyline. Via Kassel and Göttingen, passing Hildesheim, you will reach Hanover.

The last boarding point in Switzerland is Basel, Meret Oppenheim-Strasse, at 08.10 / 09.10 (depending on departure date).

DAY 2: HANOVER - LÜBECK

You travel across the Lüneburg Heath to Celle. Here you will have time for a short stroll. In the old town alone you will find over 500 lovingly restored half-timbered houses, all of course listed, with oriels and stepped gables. Continue to Lübeck. In the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", a local guide awaits you for a walking tour of the city. This most important Hanseatic and art city delights with its Gothic brick architecture. The seven proud towers, surrounded by canals and harbour facilities, are visible from afar. You will see the old Holstentor, the Gothic St Mary's Church and the imposing Lübeck Town Hall.

DAY 3: SCHWERIN

Day trip to Schwerin. On a walking tour you will get to know the "City of Seven Lakes" and admire the old cathedral, one of the finest examples of German Brick Gothic, as well as the "fairytale castle of northern Germany", Schwerin Castle, which stands on its own island. Afternoon at leisure in Lübeck.

DAY 4: BALTIC SEA - ROSTOCK - STRALSUND

Journey to Kühlungsborn. Ride on the nostalgic Molli steam railway along the Baltic coast to Bad Doberan. Lunch stop in the historic centre of the Hanseatic city of Rostock. The 117 m high tower of St Peter's greets you from afar, and just a few steps away stands the seven-towered town hall with its Baroque arcaded porch. Continue to Stralsund.

DAY 5: ISLAND OF RÜGEN

You explore the island of Rügen with a local guide. From Sassnitz you sail by boat along the chalk coast to the Königsstuhl, the 117 m high chalk cliff. You then continue by coach to the Baltic resort of Binz, which lies between the Prorer Wiek bay and the Schmachter See lake. During the afternoon you return to Stralsund. In the evening you take a walk through Stralsund with a local guide. With over 400 historic buildings, the city has preserved most of its Hanseatic-era architecture. You will admire the Gothic St Mary's Church and stroll along the former town fortifications - the Knieperwall - to the Old Market.

DAY 6: RÜGEN - HIDDENSEE

(Optional) excursion to Rügen and by boat to the island of Hiddensee. Anyone who knows Hiddensee will tell you: this island is addictive. Along the car-free paths you will find more types of landscape than would suffice for a small continent: endless sandy beaches, steep cliffs, wide salt marshes, dunes and boggy reed thickets.

DAY 7: STRALSUND - LEIPZIG

You travel from Stralsund to the Mecklenburg Lake District. The picturesque landscape is characterised by 1,000 shimmering lakes, canals, colourful heathland, lush green meadows and gentle hills. Even in the summer months, the small towns and romantic villages with their almost late-medieval flair are not overrun - the region is only sparsely populated. Stop at the charming Müritz lake, also known as the "Mecklenburg Sea". Enjoy a relaxing boat trip on Germany's largest inland lake. You continue by coach southwards, past Potsdam, to Leipzig.

DAY 8: LEIPZIG - SWITZERLAND

Return journey via Bayreuth and Nuremberg to Lake Constance, past Bregenz and back to Switzerland.