NEW GERMAN "DREAM ROUTE" PACKAGES LINK HISTORIC CITIES WITH THEMES FOCUSING ON MUSIC, LITERATURE, ARCHITECTURE, WINE AND RELIGION

German tour operator ToEurope has announced 17 packages based on "Dream Routes" developed by Historic Highlights of Germany, a marketing partnership of 14 German cities. Packages are designed for individual travel and cover themes such as "On the Trail of the Romans," "Treasures of the Renaissance," "Cities of Literary Genius" and "German Wine Sampler." A new website describes the historic, architectural, educational and cultural offerings of each city and details daily itinerary, services and prices. Travelers can book online or call a toll-free number for additional information.

For example, travelers interested in cities that played important roles in the development of the Protestant faith would visit Erfurt, Münster, Heidelberg and Augsburg "“ cities at the epicenter of the Protestant Reformation "“ where visitors see where Martin Luther lived, studied, preached and spread his revolutionary messages. The "Roots of the Reformation" Dream Route package costs €649 ($1,027*) per person, double, for a seven-day package.

Some Dream Routes have a geographical focus: "Historic Highlights of the Former East" takes visitors to Erfurt, Potsdam and Rostock, where a wealth of historical, architectural and cultural treasures were revealed with the fall of the Iron Curtain. A seven-day package costs €679 ($1,075*) per person, double occupancy.

Each "Dream Route" package runs from four to 10 days and includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts, a choice of rail tickets or rental car, and, in several cases, city welcome cards that offer free or discounted services and admissions.

ToEurope is represented in the United States by Nonstop Travel in Torrance, California, although travelers can book through their own travel agents.

"While our cities have always provided excellent packages on their own, this program with ToEurope and Nonstop Travel makes it much easier for North American travelers to book multiple cities and have a U.S. point of contact," states Gabriele Lippmann, executive director, Historic Highlights of Germany.

Historic Highlights of Germany, based in Augsburg, Germany, is a tourism consortium consisting of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, Münster, Osnabrück, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg.

*Rates based on April exchange rate of @1 euro=$1.58.