In the 24 lectures of The Great Tours: Germany and Austria, you’ll delve deeply into two unforgettable countries, their extraordinary historic and contemporary cultures, and their legacy as fountainheads of European civilization. You’ll visit extraordinary sites from Roman fortresses, majestic cathedrals, and medieval cityscapes with castles and palaces to modern wonders of industry and futuristic urban planning, as well as some of the world’s most beloved cities, which brim with local traditions, iconic beers and foods, and the unique culture of the German-speaking world.
The Great Tours: Germany and Austria
Uncover the astonishing treasures of Germany and Austria in this expert-led tour, and immerse yourself in the region’s enthralling history, resplendent cities, wonders of architecture, cultural traditions, romantic landscapes, and more.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Kim Kemal from
Absolutely superb
I speak German and have visited and lived in Germany, and I enjoyed how this instructor ran his German-language class, so I had high hopes. This class does everything right! Integration of background on history along with video touring, some mention of wonderful regional cuisines and beer (that appears at his elbow, funny little touch) but not overwhelming the main content. The Rivers approach helps to structure the huge amount of content, captures most of the key cities and states/regions, and the visuals are very well-done. Stills, videos, maps. Ausgezeichnet!
One nit: the conclusion that Pres. Kennedy didn't make a mistake in his famous Ich bin ein Berliner rousing conclusion. A minor grammatical nuance as an alternate explanation. No. While I defer to Herr Professor on all aspects of language, he didn't take Kennedy's character, personality and the rousing situation into account. 1) Americans, like Kennedy, who don't know German, always add that 'ein' because you need 'an' in English; take time to unlearn. 2) Kennedy was stubborn, didn't listen, didn't trust 'experts', listened only to himself and his inner circle; very likely that he'd ignore his language experts. 3) the brain under stress (like telling the world that the US would stand with W. Berlin no matter what) reverts to habitual patterns (see 1 above) 4) listen to the recording carefully, as he stresses 'ein' for dramatic effect. It's not as powerful-sounding to his US audience without it. 5) Listen to the full second of stunned disbelief before the German audience, which heard "I am a chocolate eclair!" realized what he meant and hysterically cheered their deliverance. Kennedy's patterns of thought and action are beautifully taught in the Kennedy class here at Great Courses. 6) Many historians believe that he was truly telling W. Berlin that he WAS a Berliner, and would defend that land to the death as any other Berliner would, which was what made it so powerful. Did he and his audience know that grammatical nuance or did Kennedy do what Kennedy always did - go his own way, cuz he knew best? You decide.
And take this class!! If not to learn about Germany and Austria, to see how a Tour class (or any other class) can be done and should be done! It is a model for future course development, in my view.
Date published: 2025-01-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
StLouiskid from
Lustig! Enjoyable!
Absolutely delightful! I enjoyed every single lesson. I’ve been to Germany and Austria many times and realized after viewing this course there’s still so much more to learn. The images and short videos really enhanced the talking points. I felt I was there as one of his students roaming the squares, marketplaces, and backstreets. There are a lot of historical tidbits, derivations of town names, and wonderful insights to German and Austrian dynasties. To boot, Professor Pfrehm’s style of delivery is so easygoing, unhurried that it’s like sitting with him in a “Bier Keller” and enjoying a drink with him. This course is a real gem, one of the best! You’ll want to pack your bags after this.
Date published: 2025-01-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Melpie from
Immersive, inspiring tour of Germany and Austria
My husband and I started this course thinking it would be some casual inspiration for a future vacation, mainly pretty visuals and a good list of sights to see, but Professor James Pfrehm delivers an experience that goes far beyond that. He has thoughtfully designed this course along three major rivers in Germany and Austria, which was a wonderful method to orient the viewer and organize the 24 episodes. Each 30-minute episode balances the history, art, language, food/drink, and current culture of a given city or region—something that is especially difficult to pull off when darker periods of German history must be acknowledged. Beyond his expert review of these topics, Professor Pfrehm brings a generally lovely and charismatic personality, and it's clear that he cares deeply about the subject matter. 10/10 will definitely rewatch.
Date published: 2025-01-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Karen and Steve from
Tour of Austria and Bermany
We are thrilled with the presentation by James Pfrehm. We have purchased 42 DVDs and Professor Pfrehm's lectures in Great Tours: Germany and Austria are the most enjoyable and this series is one of the few we will watch over and over. I highly recommend this DVD and Professor Pfrehm.
Date published: 2025-01-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
gharmjo from
One of the Best
Dr. James Pfrehm and senior producer James D. Blandford have produced an absolutely amazing course. Having written approximately 200 course reviews, I have simply never enjoyed a course quite this amazing. A while back, the Great Courses switched from a university-style teaching approach with enormous amounts of video material to a “talking host” approach, often times sitting and talking to a camera. Quite honestly, this new style demands an enormous amount of personality to pull off.
Pfrehm masters this technique with a fabulous variety of techniques. He seems to love his topic and audience. He is also a rather independent personality, and you feel like you are talking with a brilliant friend rather than being taught something. His main choices for themes include such seemingly diverse topics as cathedrals, beer, rivers, and history. But his blend is spectacular: the churches highlight the tremendous talents of German builders (and post-WW II re-builders), the beers symbolize its citizens’ ability to come up with spectacular variations on one of its oldest industries and keep Pfrehm’s lessons light-hearted, and he uses its rivers to organize his lectures. His approach to history is excellent. On every topic that I knew something about, Pfrehm went several levels deeper – while maintaining a conversational approach riddled with excellent videos. He also handles Germany’s low points without minimizing nor making them the defining aspects of its people.
Pfrehm has another winning “ingredient” in this course. He very slowly begins speaking a few phrases in German with the translation appearing on-screen. Both his English and high German are impeccable: something few are really good at. “Ich studiert Deutsch fur zwei jahren im gymnasium” (I studied German for two years in high school) and have taken Pfrehm’s TGC course “Learning German” a while back - so this course aspect was especially fun. His German is so conversational, I found myself trying to mimic his dialect. If you have no interest in the German language, don’t worry it’s not over-done.
My family is of late 19th century German immigration. My father, as a young American, fought in some of the most horrific battles of WWII including the Battle of the Bulge. His platoon was the second across Remagen Bridge into Germany with near total casualties. After the war, he became a biochemist and went to Germany multiple times to work with their biochemists developing the diuretic furosemide (Lasix) and the first effective anticancer drug: adriamycin. This is the same approach Pfrehm has taken: remember historical error but dwell on the positive wonders. It is a magnificent course.
Date published: 2025-01-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
MikeV2 from
Great ideas for visiting
I am due to retire soon and looking to travel throughout Europe on extended visits. Before I viewed this course, I had no idea what to expect from the German speaking countries. After going through the course, I have a much better idea on how to plan my visits and what to look out for.
Each episode is delivered by Dr. Pfrehm in an enthusiastic manner which really brings to life each city being the focus of the episode. I love the way each episode shows the history, culture, food and drink of each city.
Highly recommended.
Date published: 2025-01-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Francrod from
Very interesting and fun course!
Of the lessons I've watched, I've really enjoyed the course! The instructor is knowledgeable and entertaining!
Date published: 2024-12-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
FloridaPat from
Wonderful Tour
I enjoyed every chapter in this course because the visuals are wonderful, the professor is a great presenter, and the material is relevant and interesting. I have traveled in parts of Germany and appreciated this course with its focus on the cities along its major rivers. I enjoyed the fabulous photography and Dr. Pfrem's overview of regional food, wines and beers.
Date published: 2024-12-21
Overview
About
James Pfrehm is an independent scholar who taught German language, literature, and culture at the university level for more than 20 years. He has a PhD in Germanic Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition to studying and conducting research in Germany and Austria, he has taken dozens of students on trips to both countries. As an associate professor at Ithaca College, he was recognized for his outstanding teaching and commitment to his students. He is the author of the book Technolingualism: The Mind and the Machine.
Trailer
01: A Tale of Three Rivers
Begin with an overview of the historical, cultural, and natural riches of Germany and Austria. Preview the route the course will take along the Danube, Rhine, and Elbe Rivers, as they traverse the two countries. Take a first look at the magical landscapes, great cities and towns, and fascinating historical regions that you’ll encounter, setting out from Vienna and ending in Berlin.
24 min
02: Vienna: The Heart of Austrian Culture
Your journey starts in Vienna, the cultural, political, and historical epicenter of Austria. In a sweeping tour, visit sites such as the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral; the palaces, museums, and parks of the Ringstrasse (Ring Road); and the architectural treasure trove of the Hofburg, winter quarters of the Hapsburg emperors. Also, visit the cafes and beer taverns that typify life in Vienna.
32 min
03: The Wachau: Fine Wines and Majestic Monasteries
Leaving Vienna along the Danube, enjoy the rich sights of the Wachau Valley. Learn about the great wines of Krems and its medieval history. Continue to the charming hamlet of Mautern, and the astonishing monasteries of Stift Göttweig and Melk, both boasting treasures of architecture and art. Finish at Melk’s incredible Stiftskirche, one of the most glorious baroque churches in the world.
29 min
04: The Danube from Linz to Passau
Stop first at the vibrant city of Linz, Austria’s contemporary mecca for art, culture, and technology. Glimpse the city’s era under the Nazis, then take in cutting-edge museums, majestic cathedrals, and the historic inner city. Crossing into Germany, discover Passau, with its great Veste Oberhaus castle, stunning baroque cathedral, and culture of edgy performing arts and regional cuisine.
28 min
05: Regensburg: Bavaria’s Medieval Gem
In this UNESCO-designated medieval city, explore the winding cobblestone streets and Wohntürme (patrician houses) of the Alstadt (old city), and other treasures of medieval architecture, among them the Rathaus, an administrative seat of the Holy Roman Empire, and the must-see St. Peter’s Cathedral. Along the way, learn about the city’s trademark Bratwurst sausages and superb Bavarian beers.
29 min
06: Ingolstadt and Munich: Beer and Beyond
At Ingolstadt, enjoy the city’s imposing medieval fortifications, the remarkable facilities of Audi motors, and two of Ingolstadt’s signature breweries. Next, encounter the great city of Munich, stopping first at the futuristic headquarters and museum of BMW, and then at the city’s renowned film studios. Finally, delve into Munich’s historic architecture surrounding Marienplatz, and the city’s great beer gardens.
34 min
07: Ulm and Tuttlingen: A Taste of Swabia
Begin at Ulm, a city with a proud Swabian German heritage and dialect. Take in the extraordinary Ulmer Münster, and sights such as the historic Fisher’s Quarter, with its half-timber houses and great river festival. In beautiful, scenic Tuttlingen, learn the amazing story of the town’s rebuilding after a fire in 1803, and its current role at the center of the med-tech industry.
30 min
08: Salzburg and the Austrian Alps
Dig into the sights of the famed city of Salzburg, beginning with its role in the salt trade, and historic landmarks such as St. Peter’s Abbey, and the mighty citadel of Festung Hohensalzburg. Trace the history of Salzburg’s powerful prince-archbishops as you travel the Altstadt, with its palaces and stunning baroque churches. End with a look at the majestic alps at Zell am See.
28 min
09: Giants of the Ruhr: Duisburg and Düsseldorf
Now begin your journey along the Rhine, with a stop at Duisburg, where the Rhine and Ruhr Rivers converge. Take the measure of Duisburg’s inland harbor, Europe’s largest, its signature pilsner beer, and its vibrant steel industry. Then visit the multicultural metropolis of Düsseldorf. Discover the city’s lively waterfront, its role as a capital of fashion, and its own iconic beverage, Altbier.
29 min
10: Cologne: From Karneval to Kölsch
Uncover the 2,000-history of Cologne—encompassing imposing Roman ruins, Germany’s oldest town hall, and the city’s monumental Gothic cathedral—home to dazzling Christian treasures, stained glass, and art. Learn the story of Cologne’s eponymous perfume and glimpse the extravagant yearly season of Karneval, celebrated passionately with Kölsch, the city’s top-fermented beer.
28 min
11: The Romantic Rhine Valley
Discover a stretch of the Rhine that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its stunning scenery, history, and culture. Explore the legendary castles overlooking the Rhine, which figured in conflicts with the French, as well as serving as toll points in the river’s economic history. Enjoy the area’s superb Riesling wines, enchanting towns, and its iconic romantic poetry and folklore.
29 min
12: Worms: City of the Nibelungs
In the historic city of Worms, trace the footsteps of Christian reformer Martin Luther, whose famous trial unfolded here. Then encounter the 12th-century epic poem the Nibelungenlied, set within and deeply identified with the city. Learn the plot of the poem, featuring the dragon-slaying hero Siegfried, and visit the local monuments to the epic, as well as the magnificent cathedral, Wormser Dom.
28 min
13: Speyer and Baden-Baden: From Mikvah to Spa
Continuing along the Rhine to Speyer, trace the history of the city’s Reichstag Imperial Diet of 1529, confronting the Luther controversy; the Speyerer Dom, the largest Romanesque church in the world; and the Jewish community’s 12th-century Mikvah or ritual bath. Take in the sensory pleasures of Baden-Baden’s ancient hot springs, along with its majestic architecture and garden landscapes.
27 min
14: Freiburg: Gateway to the Black Forest
The city of Freiburg reveals one of the region’s most picturesque Altstadts (historic centers). Begin at the Münsterplatz (main square) and visit treasures such as the Gothic Freiburger Münster church, Wentzinger house, the Alte Wache wine house, and the city’s medieval gates and charming alleys. At the edge of the fabled Black Forest, glimpse the Schauinsland peak, and the idyllic Wutach Gorge.
30 min
15: Politics and Art in Weimar
Grasp the critical role Weimar played in the creation of the first German republic, setting inadvertent precedents for the Nazi era. Come face to face with Germany’s darkest history at the concentration camp of Buchenwald, testament to the horrors of Nazism. Then encounter the golden era of Weimar theater in the 19th century, under the aegis of visionary poet/playwrights Goethe and Schiller.
27 min
16: North Sea Bound: Cuxhaven and Hamburg
At Cuxhaven, explore the unique natural site of Das Watt, a coastal system of intertidal mudflats, and trace the town’s history as a major fishing harbor. Then discover the booming seaport of Hamburg. Explore the city’s lush green spaces; its culture of classical music and stunning portside concert hall; and the Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district boasting UNESCO World Heritage status.
27 min
17: The Altmark: Hidden Gem of Germany’s East
The Altmark comprises a remote and beautiful region of northeast Germany. Visit Altmark highlights, starting with the picture-perfect, half-timber houses and shops of Havelberg, and Stendal, with its classic, Brick Gothic churches and gate towers. At Tangermünde, known as Germany’s prettiest small city, enjoy its remarkable medieval wall and gates, stately castle, and local “cowtail” beer.
28 min
18: Magdeburg: The City of Two Ottos
Take in the diverse sights of this extraordinary city, highlighting its great Kanalbrücke (water bridge); its Green Citadel, a futuristic architectural creation; and Germany’s oldest Gothic cathedral. Trace the history of Magdeburg through two of its most iconic and beloved historical figures: the heroic emperor Otto the Great and the architect, politician, and scientist Otto von Guericke.
28 min
19: Germany’s Luther Cities
Delve into the life of the Father of the Reformation, Martin Luther, with visits to five cities designated as Lutherstädte, or Luther Cities. Follow the events of Luther’s life that sparked one of history’s great revolutions, at historic sites in cities such as Eisleben, where he was born and died; Erfurt, where he studied; and Wittenberg, where he famously nailed his “95 theses” to a church door.
30 min
20: Leipzig: City of Heroes and Musicians
Relive the events of Leipzig’s 1989 “Peaceful Revolution,” a historic, nonviolent demonstration that foreshadowed the reunification of Germany. Sample the delights of the city’s food specialties and unique Gose beer. Then explore the lives and work of two of Leipzig’s iconic musical sons: Bach, who spent his most productive years here, and Mendelssohn, with his multilevel musical legacy.
31 min
21: Dresden: Florence on the Elbe
Dresden’s magnificent cityscape has long inspired comparisons with Florence. Learn about the destruction of much of the city in World War II, and its subsequent, painstaking rebuilding. Witness the splendor of its extraordinary palette of architecture, at sites such as the beloved Frauenkirche church, the palace of the Saxon prince electors, and the phenomenal baroque palace complex of the Zwinger.
31 min
22: The Many Shades of Nuremberg
Within this multifaceted city, explore the Altstadt’s medieval wall and towers, historic bridges, 13th-century churches, and bustling marketplace. Trace the dark history of the Nazi’s Kongresshalle, outdoor rallying areas, and the postwar war crimes trials. Then discover the imposing castle complex of the Kaiserburg, the home of artist Albrecht Dürer, and the city’s underground beer cellars.
30 min
23: On the Fringes: Graz and Flensburg
In the first of two remote cities, grasp Graz’s mix of tradition and modernity at its Venetian-style statehouse and elegant royal palaces, versus its biomorphic Kunsthaus (art museum), and the Murinsel, a manmade floating island. Then enjoy Flensburg’s mix of Danish and German heritage at its superb Renaissance castle and historic center and discover the city’s tradition of rum and beer making.
30 min
24: Berlin: The Hub of German History
Finish your tour in the great city of Berlin, Germany’s capital and a world-class destination for art, music, culture, and history. Enjoy the city’s flagship sights, highlighting the Brandenburg Gate, a structure that has born witness to some of history’s most significant events; the Berlin Wall, symbol of a formerly divided nation; and the Reichstag, the hub of German democracy.
32 min
