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CHRISTMAS MARKETS OF GERMANY & AUSTRIA

December 3-10, 2008 – 8 Days
$2,799 Per Person – Double Occupancy
Includes: 6 Breakfasts & 4 Dinners

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 3 – DAY 1

Historic sites, breathtaking scenery and culture await us as we travel to Germany and Austria to experience several traditional Christmas Markets. We meet at Louisville International Airport to check in for our flight.
Be sure to have your passport and tickets ready to give the air representative.  Make sure that a luggage tag is firmly attached to your suitcase, and that the tag clearly shows your name, home address and phone number.  After check in, you should proceed through the security check at the departure gate.  We board our plane for an overnight flight to Munich, Germany.

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 4 – DAY 2

Today, arrive in the capital of Bavaria, Munich and meet your Tour Director.  Check into your hotel and settle in for a six-night stay in Munich.  Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner to get acquainted with your fellow travelers.  Meal: (D)

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 5 – DAY 3

This morning, after breakfast, travel to the Passion Play Village of the Bavarian Alps, Oberammergau.  Here, you will have an orientation tour before some leisure time.  This afternoon, enjoy a Munich City Tour featuring Olympic Park, the Glockenspiel, the Marienplatz, and other highlights of this great city including the colorful Christmas Market.  Tonight, you will be entertained with a German Folklore Show and Dinner at the famous Hofbrauhaus.  Meals: (B, D)

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 6 – DAY 4

Today is sure to be a memorable one as you visit and tour the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Travel to the castle via a Horse Drawn Carriage. Also see another of King Ludwig’s Castles, the Hohenschwangau, built in the 1830’s from ruins of a large feudal fortress.  Continue to the Tyrolean Alps for a stop in the beautiful city of Innsbruck. Enjoy an orientation tour and time to explore Innsbruck’s fabulous Christmas Market.  Later, enjoy a traditional Austrian Dinner at Innsbruck before the ride back to Munich.  Meals: (B, D)

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 7 – DAY 5

This morning, travel to the spectacular city of Salzburg. Enjoy a Salzburg City Tour to see the historic center of Mozart’s hometown: admire exquisite Mirabell Gardens, the Baroque Horse Trough, the Great Festival Hall, St. Peter’s Churchyard and the monumental Domplatz.  Later, you may choose to visit Mozart’s childhood home and stroll the charming Getreidegasse.  Then enjoy some free time to experience Salzburg’s incredible Christmas Market.  Meal: (B)

MONDAY – DECEMBER 8 – DAY 6

This morning, travel north to the town of children’s toys and gingerbread, Nuremburg.  Visit the lively pedestrian area of Old Town and see the St. Sebald Church lovingly reconstructed from the rubble of wartime destruction as a monument to peace.  This afternoon, visit spectacular Rothenburg and appreciate its ramparts and towers, cobbled lanes and 16th century homes. Enjoy leisure time to enjoy the great Christmas Market of Rothenburg before heading back to Munich.  Meal: (B)

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 9 – DAY 7

Today, enjoy Munich at your own pace.  Maybe visit a German Bier Garden and shop for a cuckoo clock or bier stein.  Later explore the activity of the old city center, the Marienplatz and its tremendous Christmas Market.  The Munich Christmas Market is the grandest of the many you will visit on this tour. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your traveling companions.  Meals: (B, D)

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 10 – DAY 8

This morning, we transfer to the Munich Airport for our return flight home.  We bring with us wonderful memories of our once-in-a-lifetime tour to Europe and our Christmas gifts ready to be shared with family and friends. Meal: (B)

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CLOTHING & WEATHER INFORMATION: The average temperature here at this time of year may range from 37 to 30.  Casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are in order for daytime touring.  Please bring along some dress clothing to wear each evening for dinner (ties and jacket not necessary).

You will need to take along a 220-volt adapter and converter kit for your small electrical appliances.  Check the voltage on your hair dryer, curling iron, etc., and get the correct adapter according to the voltage.  These can be purchased at Wal-Mart or any major department store.  Please note that most hotels provide adapters for men’s razors.  Also, some hotels do not provide face/wash cloths so you might wish to bring some.  (We usually recommend bringing a zip-lock bag to store your damp washcloth when departing hotel).

DRIVER & ESCORT GRATUITIES:  If you feel that your Driver and Tour Director have given you good service, it is customary to give them a tip at the end of the tour.  A suggested minimum is $3.00 per day per passenger for the Driver and $3.00 per day per passenger for the Tour Director.  This should be done on an individual basis, not by passing the bag around as a group.  Please put your gratuity in an envelope and hand it to the Driver and Tour Director on the last day of the tour. 

LUGGAGE INFORMATION: We would like to remind you that luggage is limited to one (1) suitcase per person.  The suitcase cannot exceed 30"x22"x10" in size and 45 pounds in weight.  Each person is allowed to have one (1) small carry-on piece of luggage such as an overnight cosmetic case (it must be able to fit under the seat) that you carry yourself. Luggage handling at the hotels is only provided for one piece of large luggage.  Due to limited storage space aboard the motorcoach we will use for the land portion of the tour, absolutely no hanging bags or folding bags will be allowed,

MEDICATIONS:  If you require special medications, you should check with your doctor prior to departure to ensure that you have an ample supply and you should carry your medications with you in your carry-on bag.  Medicines must be in the original container, with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket. Medications should be clearly marked on the front as to the content and the proper dosage and it is often wise to carry an extra prescription in case of emergency.  Additionally, it is smart to keep a listing of any allergies or special conditions on your person.  Do not forget your day-to-day personal needs--aspirin, vitamins, throat lozenges, etc.  Also, if you wear glasses, a second pair or a prescription from your eye doctor is strongly recommended for emergencies.

MONEY: Take extra funds in American Express traveler’s checks, and a Visa card is accepted almost everywhere.  We will get our money exchanged at the bank upon entering the country.  It is a good idea to take along some one-dollar bills, since these are good for tipping.

PACKING TIPS: Make use of every inch of space.  Many items such as handkerchiefs, underwear, men's socks, ladies' hose, etc. can be rolled tightly and smooth and will take up less space than if packed flat.  They will also remain wrinkle free and they can be put inside or used to stuff the shoulders of suits, jackets and dresses.

Take the time in packing to carefully arrange your suitcase to avoid excessive wrinkling.  Remember to lay flat any articles of clothing that don't have to be folded.  Rolling knit tops, casual slacks, etc. will also help you avoid creases in your clothing.

Put your shoes in plastic bags to protect your other clothing.  Always pack your heavier outer garments and shoes on the bottom of your suitcase, with blouses, shirts, etc. on top.  Some people prefer packing shoes along the sides of the suitcase with the soles facing outwards.  It is a good idea to place the same number of shoes on either side of the suitcase to ensure balanced weight.  Experienced travelers travel as light as possible and plan ahead by leaving room for purchases that they may make while they are on their trip. 

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