The Real Deal: One night at the InterCityHotel in Frankfurt, one at the Golden Tulip in Trier, two at the Maritim Hotel Köln in Cologne, and one at Rüdesheimer Schloss in Rüdesheim; breakfast daily; a welcome drink, a lunch, and a wine tasting in Frankfurt; a dinner at Rüdesheim Schloss; one wine tasting in the Moselle River valley and one in Rüdesheim; intercity bus transportation; the services of a guide; tours of Frankfurt, Trier, Cologne, and Mainz; a visit to Heidelberg Castle with a wine tasting; admission to Cologne's Chocolate Museum with unlimited samples from the chocolate fountain; a stop at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; a Rhine River cruise from St. Goar to Rüdesheim; airport arrival transfer in a private limousine; and hotel taxes, service charges, and baggage handling, from $1,189 per person.
When: May 22, June 12, July 3, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, 2010.
The fine print: Add $69 per person for departure airport transfer in a private limousine. Based on double occupancy; the single supplement is $256. Hotel selection may vary based on availability. Package must be booked at least two weeks prior to your departure date. Airfare is not included. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: Sept. 9, 2010.
Contact: Picasso Tours, 800/995-7997, picassotours.com.
Why it's a deal: In May, the five nights in these hotels would cost $438 per person total if booked independently. For $751 more, this package covers five nights' accommodations, plus a full-time guide, bus transportation between each city, seven meals, four city tours, three wine tastings, a two-hour river cruise, a private limo ride, all service charges, and museum admission fees.
More: Extend your stay at the Le Méridien Parkhotel in Frankfurt at the beginning or end of the trip, starting from $96 per person for one weekend night, based on double occupancy.