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Imperial Castles Tour – 2011
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Castles of Germany, Austria and the Czech
Republic
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Chateau Hluboka, Czech Republic |
Cesky Krumlov |
Schonbrunn Gloriette, Vienna |
Tour the legacies of the centuries when European
imperial emperors and countries competed to build the largest, most ornate, and
most expensive castles and palaces. Tour inside and explore the elaborate
gardens.
Castle, palace and regional highlights include the Residence and the Hofbrauhaus
in Munich, Hluboka, Prague Castle and Cesky Krumlov Castle in the Czech
Republic, Schonbrunn in Vienna, Fortress Hohensalzburg, Castle Hellbrunn and
Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, and the Golden Roof in Innsbruck.
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 – DEPARTURE
Board your flight from your home destination to Munich (München /
Muenchen), Germany's third-largest city.
This itinerary assumes this to be an overnight flight.
Air fare independently arranged. |
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Day 2 – WELCOME TO MUNICH
Arrival in MUNICH, Germany. At 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. the
complimentary transfers depart from the airport to your hotel in Munich.
You have time in the afternoon to rest from your trip or to do some
Munich sightseeing on your own.
Tonight you'll meet your travelling companions and tour director, and
enjoy a welcome dinner at the Hofbrauhaus, the world’s most famous beer
hall.> Your tour includes: Transfer from airport
to Munich hotel, three-course dinner with menu choice, including one
beverage and coffee or tea after dinner, overnight in Munich. |
Marienplatz, Munich |
Day 3 – MUNICH, NUREMBERG, PRAGUE
After breakfast we head north to NUREMBERG (Nürnberg or Nuernberg in
German, sometimes Nurnberg on the net), the former free Imperial City
dominated by a large fortress, the Burg. An orientation drive features
the landmarks of the city and ends on the main square, the Hauptmarkt,
where each year Germany’s most famous Christmas Market takes place.
Free time for early lunch in the city centre before we continue our
journey.
We head east to PRAGUE, the immortal capital of the Czech Republic, also
called the Golden City or the Mother of Cities. Enjoy a leisurely
evening stroll through the old town with your local guide. See the
Jewish Prague, Old Town Square, and the Astronomical Clock, and enjoy a
great Bohemian dinner in Town tonight.> Buffet
breakfast, door-to-door transportation, local guide in Prague,
three-course dinner, Hotel Mövenpick in Prague |
Prague |
Day 4 – PRAGUE
Today in PRAGUE you are going to spend all morning at one the
largest castles in the world, Hradcany or Prague Castle. There was
already a castle in the 9th century. It was rebuilt in the 14th century
in gothic style under Charles IV, and given its final style under
Empress Maria Theresa. Today it is the historical and political centre
of both city and state.
Enjoy a free afternoon and evening for shopping or to join the locals on
Wenceslas square, visit one of the many museums, go for a stroll in the
park or along the Vltava River, maybe get a ticket for an opera
tonight. Dinner on your own tonight.> Buffet
breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fee for Prague Castle,
service of local guide, Hotel Moevenpick in Prague |
Prague Castle from below |
Day 5 – VIENNA
We say goodbye to Prague this morning and head southeast to VIENNA,
the capital of Austria and at one time capital of one of the largest
empires in Europe.
We arrive in time for lunch in Vienna, after a drive along the Ring Road
which offers Vienna’s most famous sights: Opera, Hofburg, National
Museum, Town hall, Burgtheater, University, Parliament and much more.
Afterwards join your local guide for a walking tour of the heart of
Vienna, including an inside visit at St. Stephen's Cathedral. Enjoy
free time for shopping on Kaertnerstrasse or Graben or more sightseeing.
We have an unforgettable dinner in a typical Heurigen tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, guided sightseeing
tour of Vienna, entrance to St. Stephen's Cathedral, three-course
dinner, Hotel Ananas in Vienna |
Vienna Hofburg |
Day 6 – VIENNA, SCHONBRUNN
This morning in VIENNA we bypass the long lines with pre-arranged
access to see Schonbrunn (Schönbrunn or Schonbrunn in German), Austria’s
answer to Louis XIV's Versailles. See Maria Theresa’s summer palace and
enjoy free time in the splendid baroque garden. Inside guided tour with
local specialist. Afterwards you are shown how apple strudel is made in
the Imperial Kitchen, and you may try it together with a cup of coffee.
Afternoon and evening at leisure. The to-do list is endless.
Maybe ride the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater, known from the movie
“The Third Man”, visit the Opera or the Hofburg from the inside, relax
in one of the beautiful parks, spend time in a typical “Kaffehaus”, or
sign up for a classical concert. Dinner on your own tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, guided tour of
Schonbrunn Palace, apple strudel and coffee, Hotel Ananas in Vienna |
Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna |
Day 7 – HLUBOKA, CESKY KRUMLOV
After breakfast we leave Vienna and back into the Czech Republic to
HLUBOKA NAD VLTAVOU. The town of Hluboka nad Vltavou (4,500 citizens)
is famous, above all, for its stunning Hluboka Chateau, built in the
Windsor Neo-Gothic style, with its splendid interiors. The castle is
surrounded by beautiful gardens and is situated in the middle of a large
English park. Adjacent to the castle is the Ales South Bohemian Gallery
with a unique exposition of Bohemian medieval art (a well-known
collection of Gothic Madonnas) and equally attractive twentieth-century
art.
From there a very short ride to CESKY KRUMLOV, one of the best preserved
medieval towns in the world. On the UNESCO World Heritage list it ranks
Number Two, only after Venice.
After free time for lunch, join your local guide for a tour of the
Castle of Cesky Krumlov, founded by the Lords of Krumlov in the
thirteenth century. It is the second largest castle in the Czech
Republic, after Prague Castle.> Buffet breakfast,
door-to-door transportation, guided tours of Cesky Krumlov and Hluboka
Castles, dinner at hotel Hotel Ruze in Cesky Krumlov |
Chateau Hluboka nad Vltavou |
Day 8 – SALZBURG
After breakfast we go south the scenic way – along the Vltava River
to SALZBURG, this world famous city where upon arrival you are met by
your local specialist for a guided walking tour. See the Mirabell
Gardens, Getreidegasse with Mozart’s Birthplace, the Cathedral and take
the funicular up to Fortress Hohensalzburg for an inside guided tour.
In the evening a surprise: dinner in Castle Hellbrunn, one of the
settings for the Sound of Music. Enjoy a fantastic Castle Dinner and
see the Trick Fountains in the famous Garden of Hellbrunn.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrances to
Hohensalzburg, funicular, and Hellbrunn Gardens, service of local guide,
three-course dinner in Hellbrunn, Hotel Austrotel in Salzburg |
Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg |
Day 9 – INNSBRUCK
Today we depart for INNSBRUCK on the scenic Alpine road via St.
Johann.
Upon arrival in the capital of the Tyrol enjoy a nice stroll to see the
famous little Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl in German) below the
impressive Austrian Alps, the fine baroque church, the Hofburg, built by
Empress Maria Theresia, and maybe shop for Swarovski Crystal, which is
made in Innsbruck.
In the evening, we have a nice Tyrolean dinner and a traditional
folklore show with yodeling, alphorn blowing, Schuhplatting and dancing.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance to Tyrolean
dinner show, including three-course dinner, overnight in Innsbruck |
Innsbruck Hofburg |
Day 10 – LINDERHOF, MUNICH
Today we say goodbye to Austria and the Inn Valley and soon after
leaving Innsbruck we cross the border back into Germany. Morning break
in LINDERHOF, Bavarian King Ludwig II’s beautiful castle hidden deep in
the forest, not far from Oberammergau. We visit the Castle from the
inside with a castle guide. Afterwards we take a look into the Grotto
and the Kiosk. Time to explore the beautiful gardens on your own.
From here we continue back to MUNICH. In the afternoon you have tickets
to tour THE RESIDENCE, the winter palace of the Wittelsbach family that
ruled Bavaria for 800 years. Although originally dating from the 14th
century, subsequent additions and alterations gave the Residence a
variety of architectural styles, though Renaissance features
predominate.> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door
transportation, entrance and guided tour of Linderhof, entrance to
Residence, three-course dinner, overnight in Munich |
Linderhof |
Day 11 – HOME FROM MUNICH
Time to say "Auf wiedersehen".
One final breakfast and then transfer to MUNICH Airport
for your return flight home.> Buffet breakfast,
transfer to Airport |
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Tour Features
Tour Director
Astrid Baur is a German native who has successfully conducted over
200 tours throughout Europe and Germany for thousands of happy clients.
Astrid will take you around the best of eastern Europe, which she knows
by heart.
You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the
locals go. The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but
you are not rushed.
The tour language is English only.
Astrid organizes the tour personally, and you can contact her directly
as explained in the Contact Information section below.
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Astrid has posted a short video clip on YouTube introducing
herself and her tours.
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Castles Intro Video |
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Astrid Baur |
Images
Prague, from Prague Castle |
Prague Municipal House |
Chateau Hluboka |
Cesky Krumlov |
Dinner time |
Schonbrunn Gloriette |
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna |
Salzburg |
Salzburg |
Golden Roof, Innsbruck |
Innsbruck, May 2008 |
Residence, Munich |
There are more pictures in the In Depth section
below. The Gallery has larger images of tour destinations, and Groups has
photos of participants in past tours.
Imperial Castles Tour In
Depth
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Larger Pictures of Castles, Communities and
Regional Highlights
Images of Imperial Castles Tour features, contributed by past guests
and from public domain sources |
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Detailed Itinerary Destination Maps
2-page printer-friendly PDF including:
- Imperial Castles Tour Destinations Map from the top of this web
page, and
- Detailed map with Imperial Castles destinations marked by day. |
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Links to Sources of More Detailed Information
Clickable links to detailed articles on major Imperial Castles Tour
itinerary features |
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Pictures of Previous Tour Groups and Participants
Photos from recent year Imperial Castles Tours |
Four other website pages, shared with other
tours, also provide in depth information and travel services.
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Tours Characteristics
Notes on the distinguishing features of the various tours offered.
What's so special about these tours? How do they differ
from each other? |
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References
Comments from participants in this and other Castles tours. |
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Travel Info
Clickable links to air and rail travel resources, currency and time
conversion, etc. |
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Book Travel - Flights, Hotels, Packages, Cars, Cruises,
Activities
Through a partnership with
Expedia.com we are pleased to offer self-service travel
search and booking services. |
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Comments, experiences and recommendations from guests on the May and
June 2009 Bavarian Castles and July 2009 Kids and Castles Tours are
featured in the European Castles Tours
References Video . |
Cost and Date Information
Complete printable itineraries in PDF format:
Imperial Castles Tour Itinerary
The 2011 Imperial Castles Tour listed
below is offered on the following basis:
Tour prices are for the land segment
only. Air fare is not included.
Tour size is 18 to 30 persons.
Prices are per person, in U.S. dollars,
based on double occupancy.
Single Occupancy is available for a Single Supplement charge of US $ 300.
Three adults sharing one room each receive a Triple Occupancy reduction of US $
150.
A child 8 to 16 years old sharing a room with two adults receives a 30%
reduction on this tour.
A deposit of US $ 300 per person is
required to secure a reservation.
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Imperial Castles Tour - 2011 |
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Your overnight
flight leaves ... |
Status |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Occupancy |
Triple
Occupancy |
Child 8-16
with 2 Adults |
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May 28, 2011 |
Available - Book now
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US $ 2,790 |
3,090 |
2,640 |
1,953 |
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2011 Early Bird Special Book your 2011 tour by
August 31, 2010 and save US $ 100 per person from the above prices. |
Reservation details and materials >
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| Dates for all current European Castles
Tours > |
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