Arrival Munich, Germany

                                          

When the group is complete we head south to Hopfen am See.

              

Upon arrival, your room will be ready for you; you may call home at our expense to tell the ones at home you arrived well and give them your personal telephone number for your entire stay.

     

The afternoon is at leisure, you may suffer from jet-lag and want to rest, alternatively you may want to go for a walk on the lake, hike up to Hopfen´s old castle ruin, or, if you are restless, take the bus to Fuessen (2 miles) to go shopping or see the Castle of Fuessen on your own.

At 6 pm we meet for a glass of Champagne before going to Dinner in a restaurant on the Lake Promenade.

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Total km 160 – 100 miles

Individual Wake-Up Call

Breakfast

Departure for Hohenschwangau 9.30 am

After a short ride to Hohenschwangau, we first go up to Marienbruecke, where you can take the best pictures of Neuschwanstein, afterwards we take the inside tour of Neuschwanstein with a castle guide, and then we ride a horse carriage back down the hill. Although we take transportation to and back from the site, there still is some steep walking required. Please wear your tested and proven walking shoes.

                     

Back down in the village of Hohenschwangau, you have time to have a bite to eat, and to go for a stroll on Lake Alpsee, one of the most beautiful Lakes in the region, before we take our next guided Castle Tour of Hohenschwangau. Much smaller and often overlooked by tourists on a tight schedule, but equally important, because without this one, Neuschwanstein would not exist.

Back at the Landhaus app. 4.00pm

Tonight we will have a gourmet dinner in one of Bavaria's oldest restaurants.

Total km 20 – 12 miles

Breakfast

Departure 09.30 am

Our first stop today is famous Wieskirche, or church in the meadows, one of the famous buildings in Bavaria that are on the Unesco World Heritage List.

On to Linderhof, Ludwig's beautiful hiding Castle deep in the forest where he spent more time then in his other Castles.

               

You have time for lunch on the grounds before we visit the Castle from the inside, afterwards time to explore the beautiful garden on your own, before we go to

Oberammergau, a pretty village known for the Passion Play (every 10 years, next time in 2010!) , a tradition which derives from a vow made by the inhabitants in 1633, after a plague epidemic had miraculously cut short, but also for its Lueftlmalerei (painted houses) and woodcarving.

Best Christmas shopping!

Back at the Landhaus app. 4.30 pm

At 7.00 pm tonight we have a fantastic  Dinner at Home.

Total km 140 – 85 miles

Individual Wake-Up Call

Breakfast

Departure 8.00 am

Today we focus on Ludwig's largest Castle Herrenchiemsee, on an island on Lake Chiemsee, which he built after a visit to Versailles, and where he only stayed one week. To get to the island we take a boat, from there we take a horse carriage to the Palace. Inside visit with Castle Guide. Time for lunch on the island.

          

On the way back we stop for postcards and a cup of hot chocolate on the Christmas Market   in the most pretty town of Bad Toelz.

                                     

Return app. 5.00 pm

At 7.00 pm we join the locals with great atmosphere and food at a local brewery.

Total km 300 – 185 miles

Individual Wake-Up Call

Breakfast

Departure 10.00 am

 Today were are heading towards Innsbruck, the Capital of Tyrol in Austria

     First visit the famous Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens,

then enjoy a walk through quaint medieval lanes of Innsbruck, see the little Golden Roof in front of the Austrian Alps, the fine Baroque Church, and take a guided tour through the Hofburg, built by Empress Maria Theresia as a summer residence away from hot and stuffy Vienna.

Enjoy their famous Christmas Market, admire the setting of this beautiful town, get more Christmas shopping done

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How about a Wiener schnitzel in a typical Tyrolean Restaurant?

Back at Landhaus at app. 9.30 pm.

 

Wake Up Call

Breakfast

Departure 10 00 am

Today focus on Fuessen, an old Roman Town on the Lech River. Walk its narrow streets and lanes and enjoy the details your local guide provides.

Afterwards enjoy a hot Gluehwein and homemade apple strudel in one of Fuessens cosy cafes.

This afternoon we take a short ride to Kempten, an old Roman City, about 20 miles away from Hopfen. Admire the baroque Residenz, free time for great shopping, and spend time on Kemptens gemuetliche Christmas Market followed by a great dinner in town.

    

Back at Landhaus app. 9.30 pm.

 

Individual Wake-Up Call

Breakfast

Departure 9.30 am

Upon arrival in Munich we first visit Nymphenburg Palace, the Summer Residence of the Wittelsbacher Family, the place where King Ludwig II was born, and the Martallmuseum, containing many of his elaborate carriages.

                  

An orientation Tour of Germany's Secret Capital features the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Tower, Leopoldstrasse, Schwabing, Ludwigstrasse, Odeonsplatz, Königsplatz, Karlsplatz and ends by the Residenz and the Opera, where we get off and continue the last few meter on foot to Marienplatz, the very heart of Munich, known for its carillon in the Town Hall.

It is here where you find one of the best Christmas Markets in Germany. Enjoy the atmosphere, find your Christmas gifts and ornaments and have some Mulled Wine and Gingerbread.

You have plenty of time on your own for shopping, more sightseeing (lots of suggestions) or enjoying the city from a rooftop cafe.

In the evening we have tickets for Dinner and Show at the Hofbrauhaus, Munich's most famous beer hall, you see a traditional Bavarian Dance Show with alphorn blowing, yodelling; Polka, while having dinner and a Stein of Beer.

Tonight we are staying in very nice downtown Munich Hotel.

Total km 120 km – 75 miles

 

Breakfast

Time to say “Auf Wiedersehen”.

Total km 30 – 20 miles

 

Price per person US$ 1, 710, -- based on double occupancy, single supplement USD 150,--

Deposit US$ 200, -- per person to secure reservation

Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure.

FOP: All major credit cards via paypal, personal or Traveler´s check.

All features as per itinerary, departure guaranteed.

                                                             

-         7 buffet breakfast

-         6 three course dinners with choice, 1 glass of beer, wine, soft drink, coffe or tea

-         door to door transportation

-         service of your wonderful, safe and experienced bus driver

-         service of your bilingual tour guide throughout the tour

-         in  all castles inside guided tour

-         all entrance fees included

 

Christmas Markets

Munich, Kempten, Bad Toelz, Innsbruck

 

Astrid Baur

Hoehenstr. 8

87629 Hopfen Am See

Germany

 

Tel. 01149 171 54 66 839

Fax 01149 8362 91 67 23

Astrid.Baur@t-online.de

www.castlesoftheworld.com