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Tauck World Discovery
A Week In...
Bavaria, The Dolomites & Venice

NEW
for 2010 – Including the Passion Play! The Oberammergau Passion Play –
it only happens once every ten years... attending it is a once-in-a-lifetime
experience.... and, it’s the centerpiece of our new
A Week In… Bavaria, The Dolomites & Venice
journey, traveling from Bavaria through the Austrian and Italian Alps and the
spectacular Dolomite Mountains to romantic Venice! Along with the Passion Play
(or Passionsspiele), Tauck's
Oberammergau travel experience offers much more. Spend a night in Munich,
Bavaria’s capital, before continuing on to Oberammergau, where you’ll spend
two nights near the Passion Play performance venue at the boutique Hotel
Maximilian – exclusive to Tauck guests during your stay – and watch the
spectacular Passionsspiele unfold from
Tauck’s premier seats in the best category available. You'll also explore
Austria’s famous alpine playground, Innsbruck, and attend a very special
evening at a grand castle in the Italian Alps. The majestic beauty of the
Dolomites will enchant you as you ride in a cable car among the towering peaks
and wander through the charming and historic mountain village of Ortisei.
Cruise across Lago di Garda, the largest lake in Italy; explore the lovely
villages along its shores, lined with tropical trees while surrounded by
alpine peaks. End your unforgettable Oberammergau travel adventure with a
two-night stay at a five-star former 14th-century palace right on the Grand
Canal in romantic Venice. A Week In… Bavaria,
The Dolomites & Venice, Tauck Style, will be one that you will always
remember!
Day-by-Day
Itinerary
Day 1: Willkommen nach
München!
Welcome to marvelous Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of the most
enchanting cities in Germany. A transfer from Munich’s airport to your
five-star hotel in the center of the city is included.
Your Oberammergau travel adventure in Bavaria,
the Dolomites and Venice begins at 6:00 PM at the Bayerischer Hof hotel
with a welcome cocktail reception where you’ll meet your Tauck Director and
your fellow travelers. Then join us for dinner at a traditional Bavarian
restaurant across the square from the State Opera House.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Bayerischer Hof, Munich, Germany
Day 2: Behold Bavaria
A walking tour of Munich’s Old Town reveals a fascinating history as you
stroll through the bustling Marienplatz, the heart of the city where the
lively marketplace buzzed with buyers and sellers and where tournaments,
festivals and the occasional execution took place during the Middle Ages. View
the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), first built in 1474 and reconstructed
according to the original architect’s specifications in the 1970s. The same
architect, Jörg von Halsbach, guided the construction of the huge Frauenkirche
(Church of our Lady). Leaving the city center behind, travel to Schloss
Nymphenburg, the palatial summer home built by Ferdinand Maria and Henriette
Adelaide of Saxony, members of the ruling Wittelsbach family, in honor of the
birth of their son Maximilian II Emanuel in 1664; tour the palace and the
elaborate gardens. Then, it’s on through the picturesque countryside and into
the Bavarian Alps to the village of Oberammergau and the Hotel Maximilian,
your stylish accommodations for the next two nights of your ultimate
Oberammergau travel experience.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Maximilian, Oberammergau, Germany
Day 3: The passions of
Oberammergau
The charming Bavarian village of Obermmergau is, of course, world-famous for
the Passionsspiele (Passion Play), but
did you know that its residents have been passionate about producing intricate
and beautiful woodcarvings since the Middle Ages? Today, there are
approximately 120 active wood sculptors in the village. The house facades
decorated with the traditional art form art of
Lüftlmalerei, or frescoes, depicting
fairytales or religious scenes enhance the town’s charm. After a morning at
leisure to explore Oberammergau on your own and lunch at your hotel, the event
that you’ve come so far to see, the
Passionsspiele, will commence. Beginning in the afternoon and
continuing after a break for dinner, the Passion Play features dramatic scenes
of the Passion performed in High German (Tauck provides a libretto in
English), musical performances and Old Testament scenes depicted in
tableaux vivants. Over 2,000 actors,
musicians and technicians, all of whom must be residents of the village, are
involved in staging this huge production. You’ll see it all from Tauck’s
premier seats, in the best category available – a highlight of Tauck's
Oberammergau travel experience.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Maximilian, Oberammergau, Germany
Day 4: Alpine Innsbruck
and the Italian Alps
Leaving Germany behind, your Oberammergau travel experience continues through
Austria’s awesome Alps to the town of Innsbruck, well known as the host city
for the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games. But, there’s far more to Innsbruck
than just winter sports. The town was the Imperial capital of Habsburg Emperor
Maximilian I during the 15th and 16th centuries and its architecture from the
period is a delight to behold. Visit the Hofkirche, the Court Church, and see
the ornate black-marble tomb prepared for Maximilian, that he never occupied,
and the 24 larger-than-life statues of his ancestors, both legendary and real,
surrounding it. After lunch on your own, continue on into the Italian Alps to
lovely Bolzano for a two-night stay at the Parkhotel Laurin in the historic
center of the town. A special treat awaits you this evening at Castel
Katzenzungen, first mentioned in the year 1244, with its splendid views of the
Dolomites. You’ll be greeted with a trumpet fanfare, enjoy a regal reception,
and partake in a four-course dinner in one of the castle’s richly historic
rooms.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Parkhotel Laurin, Bolzano, Italy
Day 5: Dolomite Delights
The Dolomites are named for the French mineralogist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu,
who was the first to describe dolomite, a type of rock that creates the
characteristic color and shapes of the mountains in this part of the Alps.
Everywhere you look today, you’ll see the alpine splendor that makes the
Dolomites so astounding. Board a cable car at Passo Pordoi for a memorable
ride through a wonderland of craggy, snow-capped peaks reaching toward the
sky. Stop in the lovely mountain village of Ortisei, with its lively historic
pedestrian center, en route back to Balzano to enjoy the remainder of the day
as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Parkhotel Laurin, Bolzano, Italy
Day 6: Romance is
everywhere
Your Bavaria, Italy and Oberammergau travel adventure continues to Limone sul
Garda on the shores of Lago di Garda in the Riviera Gardone. Having carefully
preserved its small-town charm, Limone’s historic town center, ancient homes
and narrow streets invite your exploration. Board a boat for a memorable
cruise across the sparkling lake, Italy’s largest, surrounded by spectacular
scenery and bordered by lemon orchards, charming villages and impressive
villas. Then it’s on to your final destination for today – magical Venice,
where you’ll spend two nights at an opulent five-star luxury hotel. Set
directly on the Grand Canal in the heart of the city, the Hotel Danieli
Venezia began life more than six centuries ago as the palace of the Doge
Dandolo, one of the rulers of Venice.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Danieli Venezia, Venice, Italy
Day 7: Venice awaits
Venice, the world-famous “city of canals” where the streets are “paved” with
water, beckons today. Accompanied by a local guide, begin your exploration in
Piazza San Marco, the huge “living room of Venice” so popular with locals,
tourists… and pigeons. Resplendent St. Mark’s Basilica will inspire you with
its architecture, amazing gold-touched mosaics depicting stories from the
Bible, numerous sculptures, and the Treasure of St. Mark’s consisting of gold
and silver, precious stones, ornamental glass and painting and its
centerpiece, the Pala d’Oro. As you discover the Doges’ Palace, you may think
that you hear a sigh as you cross the Bridge of Sighs, linking the Ducal
Palace with the prison section; the sighs of prisoners seeing the light of day
for the last time as they crossed it gave the bridge its name. The remainder
of the day is yours to savor Venice as you choose. Please join us this evening
to salute the end of your Oberammergau travel experience at our farewell
reception followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Danieli Venezia, Venice, Italy
Day 8: Homeward bound
Tauck's remarkable Oberammergau travel
experience ends in Venice. An included transfer will take you from the
Hotel Danieli Venezia to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport for your flight home.
Please allow 2 ½ hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe
and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Prices
8 Days from $4,490 plus
airfare
|
2010 Price per Person |
Double |
Single |
Triple |
|
May |
$4490 |
$4997 |
$4357 |
|
June – July; September |
$4690 |
$5197 |
$4557 |
|
August |
$4590 |
$5097 |
$4457 |
16 meals included.
International Airfare is additional.
Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in
the U.S. (subject to availability).
Please ask at time of booking about
additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive
Guest Protection Plan.
Need to Know
Tour
prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel
accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing,
admissions, luggage handling and the services of local guides and drivers, and
the Tauck Director are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations
with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels
without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place
to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are
reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot or a
sofa bed, when available, and are not recommended for comfort. Adjacent,
adjoining and connecting rooms are available by request only and cannot be
guaranteed.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – A Week In…
Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff and
local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information
on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not
sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant
experience for you.
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not
included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in
the
Hotel Rooms Before and After
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your
luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims
for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or
fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is
important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you
have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please ask
re: Tauck Travel Protection for more
information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar
beverages, mineral waters and soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage
charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, individual airport transfers,
and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be
significant.
Tauck Director and Driver Gratuities - The customary gratuities to the
Tauck Director and driver are not included. Gratuities should be extended on a
voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Airline Security Measures – In the U.S.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you
will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is
required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail
file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or
aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your
airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible
carry-on items, and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to
visit the Transportation Security Administration website at
www.tsa.gov
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel
originating in the U.S.
Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time
may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state
and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every
effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter
or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or
conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be
refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck.
Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to
unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of printing.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The
tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Bayerischer Hof in
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to
terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior
disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by
fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If
you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please
notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Air
Conditioning – The motor coaches are
air-conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning in hotels should
be considered as a climate-control system; most have three settings for the
fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a
temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from
a European air-conditioning system may be less than what you may have in your
own home. Some hotels in
ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance
of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your
ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them
of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside
of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to
be “suspicious” charges. Tauck also recommends that you make a photocopy of
the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with
someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced,
lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing – The weather in Germany, Austria and Italy is
temperate and unpredictable. We suggest that you dress for comfort and
convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual,
cotton clothing is recommended. A light sweater or jacket will provide warmth
on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll.
In
You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing
boards are not generally available due to local fire safety regulations;
however, valet laundry, dry cleaning and pressing services are available for a
fee.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication
in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a
copy of your doctor’s prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider
on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for
you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and
a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the
event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Europe:
Sports jacket for
men
Casually-elegant
outfits for ladies
Short and long
sleeve shirts
Shorts, slacks and
jeans
Tee shirts
Socks
Light-weight sweater
Light-weight jacket
Light-weight gloves
Comfortable yet
sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
Raincoat and rain
hat
Collapsible umbrella
Swimwear
Gym wear
Sunglasses and
sunscreen
Insect repellent
Wash cloth – not all
European hotels provide washcloths, so you may want to bring one along if
you prefer them. A package of reusable cloth wipes is an excellent
alternative
Camera, lenses,
batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
Copies of your
travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while
traveling
Elevation -
The
highest elevation for sightseeing (optional) is 11,333 ft (3,454 m) at
Jungfraujoch. We ascend and descend high elevations often on this tour, and
many guests react differently to these conditions. If you are not accustomed
to these heights, you may at times feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous. We
suggest that you drink plenty of water throughout the whole tour to prevent
dehydration
Health – This active journey that requires you to be in good health and
able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most
memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. , and are home to
innumerable historic buildings and sites, many centuries old. Therefore,
roads, walkways and architecture will present difficulties for some guests
with physical limitations. You will encounter cobblestone streets, narrow
passageways, and some steep and winding staircases. For the most part,
however, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at
your discretion.
We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking,
dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be
accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
Guest rooms are all booked as non-smoking unless otherwise requested by
guests. No-smoking sections in restaurants are rare in
Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are
covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy,
we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in
activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and
notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will
advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to
Germany, Austria and Italy. For complete vaccination and inoculation
information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area,
or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or
consulate of each of the countries visited on this tour to determine what
vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.
Luggage Restrictions —
Checked Luggage –
General
While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece
of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it
difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked
luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and
weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive
overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or
even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg)
per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without
notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed
above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine
current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that
restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based
on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders
may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or
inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight
policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before
leaving home.
Carry-on Luggage
- General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline
travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or
for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited
space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack
is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats,
purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your
hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you
need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film,
etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack
must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be
accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – If you are a citizen of the U.S., you will
need a valid passport to enter Germany, Austria or Italy; however, you do not
need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays
abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or
consulate of each of the countries visited on this tour to determine what
travel documentation is required.
We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the
completion of your tour. We also recommend that you make at least two
photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include
copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance,
date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides
of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room
while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist
you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children —
Age
Recommendations –
Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on
this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each
itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment
for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a
parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years
of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting
– Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share
the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally
inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck
Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom
you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met.
There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer
babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting
services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck
Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and
Welfare Responsibility – Tauck welcomes the participation of
child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes,
children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one
accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you
have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you
are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling
with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any
risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel
Documentation for Children —
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant
communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family,
and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell
phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their
vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your
cell phone during motor coach travel and group functions, as well as when
sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole.
There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it
does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service
extends to Germany, Austria and Italy.
Currency and Exchange Rates
-
The official currency in all three countries visited is the Euro (EUR), which
is divided into 100 cents. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely
accepted and ATMs are widespread; many are equipped with the Cirrus or Maestro
systems. Banks offer the best exchange rates for travelers’ checks and foreign
currency, but it is also possible to exchange money at all of the hotels on
the itinerary, main train stations and airports. Banks are open Monday through
Friday except Holidays.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your
local newspaper or log on to the Internet website
www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Currently, Germany
levies a 19% Import Turnover tax (similar to a Value Added Tax) on most
consumer goods and services; Austria and Italy each levy a 20% VAT.
If you are a resident of another country, you should refer to your own
country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to
ensure compliance upon your return.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in all three countries
visited
Time Zones – Germany, Austria and Ital are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated
Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March through October,
these countries switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 hours ahead. To
determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on
to the Internet website
www.timeanddate.com.
Cancellation
Fees – Regardless of reason,
cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties
and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you
have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee
according to when your cancellation notice is received in its
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee
Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Inquire for more
details.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection, you will incur
cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60
days or more before departure
$600 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$900 per person
7-1 days before departure
$1,500 per person
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