14 Days - Fully Escorted

Day 1: Monday, July 7             USA / Berlin, Germany

Join your fellow travelers at the Newark airport for the transatlantic flight to Berlin, Germany. In-flight meal service

Day 2: Tuesday, July 8             Berlin

Early morning we arrive in Berlin, the capital of Germany.  After completing Customs, we are greeted by our English speaking German tour director, who accompanies us throughout the tour. 

“Ich bin ein Berliner” (I’m a citizen of Berlin) is a famous quote of President John F. Kennedy from his speech of June 26, 1963, during his visit to West Berlin.  The once divided city is now again the capital and one of the sixteen states of the Federal Republic of Germany.  Berlin was heavily bombed in World War II but rose from the ashes and now has a population of 3.5 million in its city limits, the country’s largest metropolis, and one of the most influential centers of European politics, culture, and science.  Historical records of settlements in the Berlin area date back to the 13^th century.  The many facets of Berlin’s history, from the Middle Ages to the present, are represented in the historical buildings.  The metropolis, with its many beautiful parks and recreation areas, sprawls between the rivers Spree and Havel, which are navigable.

Day 3: Wednesday, July 9                 Berlin / Magdeburg

This morning we enjoy a guided city sightseeing tour highlighting the Brandenburg Gate, the remaining portion of the Berlin Wall, the ruins of the Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church – a dramatic reminder of the destruction of war, the Reichstag building, which houses the Deutsche Bundestag (the German Parliament), and the infamous Checkpoint Charlie.  We have time to further explore the city and stroll along the famous Kurfürstendamm (locally called Ku’damm) lined with designer shops, chic restaurants, and unique cafés.  This is our chance to visit the “KaDeWe”, the largest department store in all continental Europe.

By mid afternoon we board our luxury motorcoach and journey to Magdeburg, the capital of the new state Saxony-Anhalt, in reunified Germany.  Tonight we enjoy dinner in the historical Ratskeller.  The Magdeburg Ratskeller (Town Hall), which dates back to the second half of the 12^th century, was first used as an administrative building and storage facility, and from 1631 on, it was used as a restaurant and dance hall.  In 1325 Archbishop Burchard III was murdered by citizens in one of the town hall rooms, which is now called the Bischofssaal (Bishop’s Hall).  Surprisingly, the building survived a battle in 1631, when Magdeburg was nearly destroyed by fire, and also survived the bombings in 1945.  The restaurant operated during the communist regime but closed its doors in 1991 for restoration.  The completely restored Ratskeller reopened on May 18, 1993 and, as in the past, serves its patrons in a traditional fashion.  B, D

Day 4:Thursday, July 10                  Magdeburg / Farm visit in Rottmersleben

This morning, we enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast before we have our first glimpse of the farming practices in Germany.  We travel across the rolling hills of the Magdeburg Börde (Börde means fertile soil) to Rottmersleben.  The farm we visit is a prime example of how they operate a large farm corporation with the least impact on the environment and still produce high quality agricultural products.  The corporation owns almost 6,000 acres of land, on which they grow winter wheat, winter barley, canola, sugar beets, and corn.  They milk 300 cows, raise calves, fatten 600 steers, and harness biogas from this confinement facility.  The corporation also generates energy from photovoltaic cells (solar panels).  The energy produced by their 500 KW biogas plant and the solar panels is sold to the public power company.  In January 2007 the farm corporation received an unparalleled award for their outstanding quality management from the German Department of Agriculture.  At noon we gather at a quaint restaurant where we have lunch with the locals.

In the afternoon we see the “Wasserstrassenkreuz” (Magdeburg Water Bridge), Europe’s longest water bridge.  The approximately 970 foot long water bridge was finished in 2003 and connects two important waterways, the Elbe-Havel Canal and the Midland Canal.  The Magdeburg Water Bridge enables continuous nautical shipping from Poland to the distant Atlantic Ocean.

Day 5: Friday, July 11                       Magdeburg / Dresden

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring Magdeburg’s important buildings including the Beloved Lady Monastery, St. John’s church, the Town Hall, the seat of the local government housed in a Baroque palace, and the Magdeburger Reiter (Magdeburg equestrian).  We see numerous neo-classicistic buildings in the city centre and conclude our tour with an inside visit of the impressive Gothic Cathedral, which was built in the early 1500s and was beautifully restored after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Day 6: Saturday, July 12                   Dresden / Nuremberg

Dresden, founded in 1206, lies in a valley on the Elbe River and skirts the Saxony forest.  The city and its surrounding area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Almost two thirds of the city’s area consists of gardens, parks, and forests, therefore Dresden is considered one of Europe’s greenest cities.  Dresden was almost completely destroyed by Allied firebombing in January and February 1945, with an estimated 25 to 35,000 civilian casualties.  After the Second World War, the city became a major industrial center in communist East Germany.  Many of the historic buildings were rebuilt, however some of the heavily damaged churches were razed by the Communist regime and modern buildings were erected in their place.

Today’s guided sightseeing tour includes the Old Market Square, the Hofkirche, which was the church of the royal household, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Dresden Palace of Culture, the controversial UFA Palace, the Blue Wonder Bridge, the Albertinium, and the Brühlsche Terrace.

A short walking tour features Dresden’s most important sites.  We see the Semper Opera, a prime example of “Dresden-Baroque” architecture, Dresden’s Royal Palace, which houses the Green Vault, one of Europe’s most magnificent treasure chambers, the Fürstenzug (a wall mural of the royal wedding), and the Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady), which was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden.  The church was rebuilt over a period of 13 years and was finally re-consecrated on October 30, 2005.  We visit the Zwinger Palace with its graceful formal gardens, sculptures, and pavilions, and the Armory, Dresden’s historical museum, housing the world’s most splendid collection of historic weapons, armor, and textiles.  In the afternoon we depart for Nuremberg.  We dine in our hotel tonight.  B, D

Day 7: Sunday, July 13                   Nuremberg / Farm Visit

We depart Nuremberg and drive to Gräfenberg, for another farm visit.  This farm, owned and operated by a single family, is different from the farm we visited earlier.  The family’s main income stems from hop cultivation, fruit-growing, and a distillery.  Part of the farm’s energy is produced by a small biogas plant that feeds off the byproducts from the distillery.  They also raise pigs, and as supplemental income, they rent apartments to tourists, own and operate a catering business and a store where they sell their own produce.  During our visit we learn how profitable a small farm can be.  We conclude our visit at the Lilling farm with a scrumptious lunch buffet and an opportunity to taste their Schnapps.

This afternoon we return to Nuremberg, with its pink sandstone buildings and half-timbered houses.  Many people associate this city in Middle Franconia with its traditional Lebkuchen (gingerbread) specialties, the famous Nürnberger Bratwurst, the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas market), the toy industry, and also the Nuremberg Trials.

We enjoy a guided walking/driving tour of this historical city beginning at the Hauptmarkt (Main Square) with its Gothic 600-year-old fountain, aptly called Schöner Brunnen (beautiful fountain) as there is none lovelier in Germany.  We see the city walls, gates and towers, the Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady), St. Lorenz Church, the Dürer House, home of the renaissance artist, Albrecht Dürer, and the quaint Weinbergergasse (Weinberg Lane) lined with Nuremberg’s best-preserved half-timbered houses.  We visit Nuremberg’s landmark, the imposing Kaiserburg, a 12^th century imperial palace, built by Salier monarchs and enlarged by Friedrich Barbarossa and his successors.  The Kaiserburg, where all the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire stayed at various times of their reign, is more a case of great age and ambiance rather than great architecture and stunning interiors, but the impressive hilltop location alone is worth the visit for the great view across the city.  B, L

Day 8: Monday, July 14                    Nuremberg / Munich

We depart Nuremberg and drive by the Palace of Justice, where the International Military Tribunal convened from November 1945 to October 1946, for the Nuremberg Trials.  We continue on to the Zeppelin Field on the premises of the former Reichsparteitagsgelände, where the Nazi rallies were held.  We also see the unfinished Congress Hall, commissioned by Hitler in 1935, designed to hold over 50,000 people.  We continue our journey to Munich, the capital of the Free State Bavaria.

Munich is the political and commercial center of Bavaria with many sites to enjoy on our city sightseeing tour.  We drive past historic buildings, the site of the world-famous Oktoberfest, the English Garden, and the Maximilianeum, home of the state parliament.  During our walking tour we explore the Karlsplatz and the Marienplatz, Munich’s bustling pedestrian zone, with its grand buildings, chic shops, and lovely cafés.  At noon we gather to watch the Glockenspiel (carillon) in the tower of the Neue Rathaus (New Town Hall) and we stop for an inside visit of Munich’s major landmark, the Gothic twin-towered Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady) with its stylistically mismatched domes. 

Day 9: Tuesday, July 15                    Munich/Dachau / Aying-Brewery Visit / Berchtesgaden

We depart Munich for a sobering visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.  The concentration camp was opened in June 1933 and was liberated by the US Army on April 29, 1945.  The visit is a profound and memorable experience.  We continue on to Munich, the capital of the Free State Bavaria.

This afternoon we are in for a treat – an interesting and entertaining “brewery experience” at the Aying Brewery, located in the heart of Upper Bavaria.  The brewery was founded in 1876 and is now one of Europe’s most advanced micro breweries.  Discover the secret of their award winning beer specialties, brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot (Germany Purity Law) adopted in 1516, a provision still enforced to protect the consumer.  Watch the brewing process from the all natural ingredients, of water, hops, and malt, to the finished product.  Enjoy a specialty beer tasting and an original Bavarian meal.  Today’s final destination is Berchtesgaden, in the Bavarian Alps.  B, L

Day 10: Wednesday, July 16     Berchtesgaden / "Eagles Nest” / Kaufbeuren

This morning we make our way up to the Kehlsteinhaus, also known as the “Eagles Nest”.  The building is literally on top of the Kehlstein Mountain (elevation 6,017 ft) and is part of the Obersalzberg complex built by the Nazis.  The Kehlsteinhaus was a birthday present to Adolf Hitler and was nicknamed Eagles Nest by a French diplomat.  Hitler visited the property only a few times, perhaps this lack of close association with Hitler saved the property from demolition at the end of the war.  The Kehlsteinhaus is reached by a 4 mile stretch of road built in 1939, costing 30 million Reichsmark (in today’s currency it would be about 225 million US Dollars).  The last few hundred feet from the road up to the building is linked by a long granite tunnel and an elevator which was bored down through the mountain.  After the war the Kehlsteinhaus was used by the Allies as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria.  The building now serves as a restaurant and due to its historical significance is a popular destination especially for Britons and Americans.  We enjoy a guided tour of the property and conclude with a delicious lunch and then descend to our motorcoach, waiting to take us to today’s final destination, Kaufbeuren.  B, L

Day 11: Thursday, July 17                     Kaufbeuren / Fendt Tractor Factory / Neuschwanstein

After a hearty breakfast in our lovely hotel we drive a short distance to Marktoberdorf, and visit the Fendt Production Facilities for Tractors.  Fendt, a member of the global AGCO Corporation, has their center of the tractor division in Marktoberdorf and employs about 1,800 workers.  All their tractors, ranging from 50 to 310 HP, are designed, produced, and distributed here.  We have a guided tour through the factory and an opportunity to test-drive one of their innovative Vario tractors.  We conclude our visit with a light lunch.

This afternoon we visit Neuschwanstein, the most famous of the three castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria.  King Ludwig II led a mystical life but it ended tragically with his drowning in the Starnberg Lake.  To this day the locals affectionately call him the Märchenkönig (the fairytale King).  Neuschwanstein castle, located on a mountain top, was built as homage to the German composer, Richard Wagner, and is the most photographed building in Germany. We return to Kaufbeuren for a delicious three-course dinner at our hotel.  B, L, D

Day 12: Friday, July 18              Kaufbeuren / Lake Constance / Triberg / Black Forest

We depart Kaufbeuren for our journey to Lake Constance, a large freshwater lake on the Rhine River between Germany, Switzerland and Austria.  In Lindau, an island in Lake Constance, we make a photo stop at its characteristic harbor and then continue on to Meersburg.  We enjoy a scenic drive along Lake Constance and on to the Black Forest and our final destination Triberg, famous for their cuckoo clocks and Germany’s highest waterfall.

In Triberg we enjoy a tour of the Black Forest Museum.  The museum’s unique collection represents the culture, life-style, craftsmanship, inventive talent, and hard work of the Black Forest People.  We check into our hotel and following dinner we visit the Triberg Waterfalls.  The falls cascade down the mountainside in seven tiers and are beautifully illuminated at night.  B, D

Day 13: Saturday, July 19                   Triberg / Heidelberg / Frankfurt

This morning we have time to browse the watchmaker’s shops or stop in a café to enjoy a piece of the famous Black Forest cake.  There is an opportunity to visit the Town Hall with its beautiful wood carved assembly hall and a visit to the Eble Uhrenpark to see the world’s largest cuckoo clock.  After lunch we depart Triberg for a scenic drive through the Black Forest into Heidelberg.  We make a photo stop in Heidelberg which is dominated by its medieval, red sandstone castle.  We continue on to Frankfurt, today’s final destination.  Tonight we delight in a three-course farewell dinner before settling into our hotel for our last night in Germany.  B, D

Day 14: Sunday, July 20                      Frankfurt / Return to the USA

After a leisurely breakfast we leave for the airport for our afternoon departure to the USA.

Rupiper Travel reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the itinerary if necessary

PRICE INCLUDES

International round-trip airfare from Newark

Surface transportation by deluxe motorcoach

First class hotel accommodations

Meals as indicated B: Breakfast Buffet with coffee, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

Admissions paid for tours listed in itinerary

English speaking tour director and local guides

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

International airfare taxes and fuel surcharge, if imposed by the Airlines

Roundtrip airfare from your home gateway into Newark

Coffee or water at dinner

Tips to driver and guides

Passport and travel insurance

All items of personal nature

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