My husband and I are sending his parents (70 and 72 but very fit and active) to Germany as a combo Christmas/50th wedding anniversary gift for 2016.

They have never been to Europe and I envision them struggling to get from point A to B, rather than enjoying the trip, if they had to navigate themselves. They love information and love socializing with strangers, so I think a tour is best for them the first time. I know all of you will say tours are horrible, don't do it, etc., and I would agree for the most part. But not for these particular people. They will be much less stressed, and able to enjoy the trip more if the details are already worked out for them and they have someone knowledgeable to show them around.

With that being said, can anyone recommend a knowledgeable small group tour that will focus just on Germany alone? My inlaws are of northern German descent and have a special interest in the history of Martin Luther, so these areas of interest would be a bonus. They do not want to see other countries.

Also what is the best time of year? I'm steering them toward May or September. I will be booking their flights, but we will need to coordinate the flight dates with the tour dates, so need to decide on the tour first.

Any advice is much appreciated!!

Sorry can't help with tour. For type of year I would do late May or June in German - since much of spring can still be rainy and chilly.

Definitely look for a tour with 2 or more nights in each place - if you can find it.

I have no experience with them, but http://www.ambitours.com/tourproposals/Round_Trips might be worth looking into.
And September might be the best time: weather tends to be more stable than in spring.

You may want to have a look at these guys: http://www.your-perfect-germany-trip...our-guide.html They do customized, chauffeured tours according to their customers's wishes, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.

Disclaimer: I have never used them (after all, I do not need an English-speaking tour company to vsit Germany;-)) but I know someone who occasionally works with them as a tour guide, and I have closely followed her recent planning for a Luther-themed tour that took place last fall for a small private group of US Lutherans.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into them. I'm not sure a private tour is right for them, as they like to socialize with others in the tour.

If anyone has any other suggestions let me know.

So far, Tauck, Globus, Reformation, and LutherTours all have Germany only tours. Looks like Rick Steves does not.

Tauck looks the best in terms of length and group size, but is it worth the extra money?

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into them. I'm not sure a private tour is right for them, as they like to socialize with others in the tour.

If anyone has any other suggestions let me know.

So far, Tauck, Globus, Reformation, and LutherTours all have Germany only tours. Looks like Rick Steves does not.

Tauck looks the best in terms of length and group size, but is it worth the extra money?

Tauck typically has more upscale hotels in better locations (do check exactly where the hotels are for each tour) and generally food is more acceptable (but they will probably still want to organize at least some dinners on their own - based on reports from friends of my parents). But obviously don't know about this specific tour.

I would not send parents on a Rick Steeeeeeves tour - they require you to haul your own luggage around and often stay in very simple lodgings with stairs versus elevators.

Thanks NYtraveler.