Day by Day Itinerary
Tues., Sept. 16 - MINNEAPOLIS /EN ROUTE (I)
We depart Minneapolis this afternoon by scheduled service of Icelandair on the overnight transatlantic flight to Reykjavik, Iceland .
Wed., Sept. 17 - FRANKFURT/ROTHENBURG (I,D)
As the sun begins to rise on the coast of Iceland we arrive in Reykjavik and
continue by connecting flight to Frankfurt, Germany, where we'll
meet our Tour Escort who will accompany us throughout our vacation. Then we're
headed to beautiful Bavaria, the biggest federal state in the Federal Republic of Germany. As we'll soon find out, exploring Bavaria is a
paradise as its towns and villages feature historic sights, providing
endless possibilities for enjoyment. Our first destination is
Rothenburg ob der
Tauber, "the jewel in the Crown" of the Romantic Road.
Thurs., Sept. 18 - ROTHENBURG (B)
Our day will begin with a walking tour of Rothenburg, considered to be one of
the loveliest and well-preserved walled cities in the entire world.
Cameras are a must, as you will feel like we have walked back into the 16th
century when we stroll along the cobblestone streets to see the
fabled Town Hall and the
Plonlein, a picturesque corner formed by the juncture
of two streets, before ending with a unique view of the Tauber
Valley. The afternoon is free to explore Rothenburg on your own. Be sure to
visit
Kathe Wohlfahrt's world-famous Christmas Store and peek
inside the Museum of Medieval Justice, home to the instruments of torture,
punishment and execution of a bygone era.
Fri., Sept. 19 - ROTHENBURG/KITZBUHEL (B,D)
This morning we depart Rothenburg and travel south along the Romantic Road that
runs for 350 kilometers across a rich and varied cultural
landscape from the Franconian wine country to the Alps. Along the way we'll pass
small historic towns that have lost nothing of their original
charm as we make our way to the village of Andechs where we'll visit the
Benedictine Abbey crowning "holy hill".
Andechs is not only a
destination of pilgrimages to the local church, but also for less spiritual
trips to the Braustuberl where visitors can refresh themselves with a
glass of the tasty beer brewed by the local monks. Afterward, we'll be on our
way across the Bavarian countryside before crossing the Austrian
border en route to the Inn River Valley where we'll stop to visit the town of
Rattenberg. This ancient village with a captivating medieval
atmosphere is alive with beautiful homes and charming marketplaces. However,
Rattenberg is most well known for its exquisite crystal and glass,
and we'll take time to visit world-famous
Kisslinger Crystal to learn of this
time honored tradition. Our day will then come to an end as we arrive
in the Alpine resort of Kitzbuhel.
Sat., Sept. 20 - KITZBUHEL (Almabtrieb)
(B,L)
Today we are in for a special treat when we travel to Soll to witness the
Almabtrieb. Summer is over, the days are getting shorter and the nights
are turning rather chilly, high time for the herdsmen to drive in their cattle
from the pasture to the valley. Adorned with varicolored ribbons,wreaths, brushwood coronets and mirrors, the colorful parade begins the often
dangerous descent into the valley. The herdsmen and country-women have also donned their traditional costume, for after the joyous arrival
in the valley the festivities begin and we'll join in the folklore fun
that accompanies this time-honored tradition.
Sun., Sept. 21 - KITZBUHEL (B)
The day is at leisure in
Kitzbuhel. World renown as one of the best winter
sports resorts in Austria, Kitzbuhel has retained its atmosphere as a
little walled town offering an unsurpassed mountain beauty with picturesque old
houses. Browse the delightful shops in search of that perfect gift,
relax with a quiet meadow and mountain walk, horse-drawn carriage ride or a
chair lift and cable car journey into the surrounding Alps while
enjoying one of Austria's most beautiful mountain views.
Mon., Sept. 22 - KITZBUHEL/FRIEDRICHSHAFEN (B,L,D)
Today we depart Kitzbuhel and travel to Munich, the capital city of Bavaria and
the heart of artistic Germany. Cheerful and vivacious, boasting
magnificent architecture from Bavaria's royal past, Munich is the center
of the Bavarian zest for life which we'll experience firsthand in an
afternoon luncheon at the
Oktoberfest. Celebrated at the "Wies'n" Fair Grounds, it is
here where the huge festival tents of the seven Munich breweries
welcome visitors from far and near with their lively brass bands, lederhosen and
bright folk costumes. Late this afternoon we'll depart the
Oktoberfest and travel to the town of Friedrichshafen located on the shores of
Lake Constance.
Tues., Sept. 23 - FRIEDRICHSHAFEN (Lucerne) (B,D)
A leisurely day on tour will take us along the shores of
Lake Constance where
we'll board a ferry that will take us from Meersburg to Constance
before crossing the Swiss border on our way to the sparkling blue shores of Lake
Lucerne and the lakeside resort of Lucerne. Here we'll enjoy
an introductory walking tour that will show us the
Spreuer Bridge
whose painted
gables portray the "Dance of Death" commemorating a plague
outbreak in the 17th century. And, we'll walk across the
Chapel Bridge adorned
with 112 paintings on wood in the triangles formed by the roof
beams that depict both the history of Lucerne and the country. Our tour will
continue through the Old Town, with its charming houses, painted
facades and flowerdecked fountains, before ending with a view of the famous
Lion
Monument hewn out of natural rock in memory of the Swiss
Guard. Afterward, free time will be set aside to enjoy the scenery of this
famous lakeside resort. Opportunities abound in Lucerne, visit the
Glacier Gardens, walk through the famous Bucherer shop in search of that special
gift or simply wander the Old Town before our return to
Friedrichshafen.
Wed., Sept. 24 - FRIEDRICHSHAFEN/NEUSTADT (B,D)
After breakfast this morning we leave the shores of Lake Constance and travel
through the southern Black Forest. With its dark forest covered hills,
it is a
land of little villages and homes along country roads that are picture perfect.
Among the most beautiful destinations in this region are the two
large lakes
carved out by glaciers on the slopes of the Feldberg, the Titisee and Schluchsee.
Afterward, we'll continue our journey through the
picturesque Black Forest
passing pretty timber-framed houses, numerous abbeys and castles set in idyllic
valleys before arriving in the village of
Triberg, home to the Black Forest
Museum that specializes in the exhibition of traditional costumes and local
craft work, and of course clock making,
most notably the cuckoo clock. Following
our visit to Triberg our day will come to an end as we arrive in the cozy
village of Neustadt on the
Deutsche Weinstrasse, Germany's largest wine-growing
region.
Thurs., Sept. 25 - NEUSTADT (Heidelberg) (B)
Today we will travel to the tranquil riverside setting of
Heidelberg, located on
the banks of the Neckar River and home to a 16th century castle.
On our approach
to Heidelberg we'll stop on the slopes of the Heiligenberg for a magnificent
view of the city and its castle. Then we'll continue
into town for a brief walk
of the castle grounds before arriving in the Old Town where we'll see the Church
of the Holy Spirit, the University with
the Student's Prison, Germany's oldest
institution of higher learning, and the Old Bridge, an ideal location for a
splendid view of the castle ruins.
Following our visit to Heidelberg we'll
return to Neustadt.
Fri., Sept. 26 - NEUSTADT /MINNEAPOLIS
(B,I)
This morning we depart Neustadt and travel to Frankfurt Airport in preparation for our return transatlantic journey to Minneapolis.
No better time to reflect on memories of our European Adventure to last a lifetime and new friendships made along the way!
* * * Welcome Home * * *
I = In flight meals B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
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