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Tauck World Discovery
Romantic
Germany including Passion Play 2010
Including the Passion Play! Tauck’s 12-day
Alpine Interlude – Including The Passion Play
showcases authentic, engaging experiences in the Austrian, Italian, Swiss and
Bavarian Alps – and features a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the alpine
village of Oberammergau – the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play, which you'll
watch from Tauck's premier seating, in the best category available! Journey
along the Yellow Roads, like the
Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse, through some of the most inspiring scenery on
earth; climb to the highest railway station in Europe aboard a cogwheel train;
and take in a sweeping panorama of alpine splendor from a cable car. Explore
the exciting cities of Zurich, Berne, Vaduz, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna.
Savor a real taste of the Alps in a Swiss
Gasthof, a famous Viennese café, an authentic Bavarian restaurant, and
a 900-year-old monastery winery. Let the land of
The Sound of Music, the music of
Mozart, and a world-famous performance event that occurs once every ten years
– the Oberammergau Passion Play (or
Passionsspiele) – inspire you. Your spirits will soar as high as the
mountains as you discover the Alps and the
Passionsspiele with Tauck!
Day-by-Day
Itinerary
Day-by-Day
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive Frankfurt
/ Wiesbaden
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Hotel Nassauer Hof
Wiesbaden. A transfer is included from Frankfurt’s Rhein-Main Airport
to Hotel Nassauer Hof Weisbaden. Welcome to Germany! Meet the traveling
companions with whom you will share Romantic
Germany Including The Passion Play at a welcome reception and dinner
this evening, at your home for the first two nights of your Germany tour,
centrally located next to Wiesbaden's market square.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Nassauer Hof, Weisbaden, Germany
Day 2 – Cruise along the
River Rhine
Begin today's travels on your Germany tour along the fabled Rhine River with a
riverboat cruise from St. Goarshausen to Rüdesheim, during which you'll
discover the legend of the Lorelei and glide past green hillsides, tiny
villages and romantic castles. Explore picturesque Rüdesheim on your own, and
enjoy a tasting of the local wines before returning to your hotel in Weisbaden.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Nassauer Hof, Weisbaden, Germany
Day 3 – Old-fashioned
Heidelberg to the Black Forest
Travel the fast-paced autobahns, then drive along the
Yellow Roads through typical villages
of the agricultural region known as the Bergstrasse. Continue your Germany
tour through the mountains to Schriesheim and on to the fabled city of
Heidelberg – boasting both Germany’s oldest university and splendid
Heidelberger Schloss. Discover this medieval castle during a walking tour
before heading off into the Black Forest for a two-night stay at one of
Germany’s premier spa resorts.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Schlosshotel Bühlerhöhe, Bühl, Germany
Day 4 – Take the cure at
Baden-Baden
Sometimes referred to as the gateway to the Black Forest, the celebrated spa
town of Baden-Baden is best known for its therapeutic waters. Enjoy a walking
tour before exploring more of this premier spa resort town on your own. Dine
in an old mill beside a romantic brook in the Black Forest this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Schlosshotel Bühlerhöhe, Bühl, Germany
Day 5 – Lakeside magic
en route to Oberammergau
Traverse much of the length of the Black Forest High Road, one of the most
scenic routes you'll find during your Germany tour, into the foothills of the
Alps. Enjoy lunch on the shores of Lake Constance, the largest lake in
Germany, before continuing on through Friedrichshafen en route to the
picturesque village of Oberammergau, in the Bavarian Alps. Your home for the
next two nights – a five-star, chalet-styled, luxury boutique hotel in the
heart of the village – is exclusive to Tauck during your stay!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Maximilian, Oberammergau, Germany
Day 6 – Once in a
lifetime – Oberammergau's
Passionsspiele
You can start this remarkable day with a visit and demonstration at the shop
of one of Oberammergau’s celebrated woodcarvers, or choose to explore the
village on your own. After lunch at your hotel, it's time for a true highlight
of your journey – Tauck’s premier seating, in the best category available, at
a performance of the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play (or
Passionsspiele)! Performed only once
every ten years (May through September), the tradition of the
Passionsspiele began in 1634, when the
villagers pledged to perform a play about the life of Jesus in gratitude for
being spared from the plague. Involving the talents of more than 2,000 actors,
technicians and musicians – each a village resident – today’s Passion Play
includes dramatic scenes of the Passion (in High German; Tauck provides an
English libretto), musical performances and Old Testament
tableaux vivants. The performance
begins in the afternoon and, after a break for dinner at a local restaurant,
continues into the evening – a once-in-a-lifetime event, experienced in true
Tauck Style!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Maximilian, Oberammergau, Germany
Day 7 – King Ludwig's
Linderhof, and on to Munich
Say goodbye to magical Oberammergau and head off to Linderhof Palace, King
Ludwig II of Bavaria’s opulent 19th-century “royal villa” inspired by the
Palace of Versailles; parts of this grandiose palace complex are exact, if
smaller, copies of features found at Versailles. Tour the palace with its
grand staircase and Hall of Mirrors, and stroll through its magnificent
gardens, considered by many to be the among the finest in the world. Continue
on to Munich for a two-night stay at Bayerischer Hof – a landmark in the heart
of the Bavarian capital that's been hosting distinquished guests in grace and
style for over 160 years.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Bayerischer Hof, Munich, Germany
Day 8 – Marvelous
Munich, poignant Dachau
Take a sightseeing tour of the Bavarian capital today that includes the
celebrated Maximilianstrasse, the 17th-century Residenz, and the old town
hall. Visit Alte Pinakothek, one of Munich’s most captivating museums, housing
some of Europe’s finest art treasures. Explore more of the city at leisure
this afternoon, or join us for a poignant visit to Dachau; sample some of
Munich's many fine restaurants for lunch and dinner on your own today.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Bayerischer Hof, Munich, Germany
Day 9 – Inspiration of
the ages in Weimar
Depart Munich and travel to Weimar, the birthplace of modern architecture
following the famous Bauhaus movement, and the seat of Germany's post-World
War I government. A walking tour introduces you to the city, whose famous
residents have included Wolfgang von Goethe, Franz Liszt and Johann Sebastian
Bach.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Elephant, Weimar, Germany
Day 10 – Discover art
and history in Dresden
Your Germany tour continues to the city of Dresden, home to exquisite
architecture and many artistic treasures. Although the city’s Royal Palace was
virtually destroyed during World War II, extensive restoration and
reconstruction have regained the splendor of its historic Baroque interior.
During a private tour of the palace's New Green Vault, you’ll be introduced to
some of the 4,000 works of art – including many rare treasures from the
Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist periods – that it showcases.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Dresden, Germany
Day 11 – More memorable
sights of Dresden
Further city sightseeing in Dresden includes a visit to Frauenkirche. One of
the major churches of the German Protestant tradition, it was left in ruins by
bombs during World War II; extensive reconstruction efforts were completed in
2005. At the old royal stables, see The
Procession of the Princes before continuing on to the neo-Renaissance
Semperoper (opera house) and the Baroque Zwinger, home to five museums. Your
afternoon is free to explore even more of this lovely city on the Elbe River
as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hilton Dresden, Germany
Day 12 – A milestone of
World War II and intriguing Berlin
Make your way to Potsdam today and visit the Cecilienhof Palace, a UNESCO
World Heritage site where Truman, Churchill, and Stalin signed the Potsdam
Treaty in 1945. Continue your Germany tour through the Brandenburg lake
district to historic Berlin, crossing Glienicke Bridge – famous as the place
where spies were exchanged during the Cold War. Your home for the next two
nights is The Westin Grand, Berlin, in the heart of the capital of a reunited
Germany.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Grand, Berlin, Germany
Day 13 – Berlin, where
East once met West
The history of this once-divided city is intriguing on many levels, and a
sightseeing tour includes a treasure trove of Berlin's most famous landmarks;
although many historic buildings were destroyed during World War II, they have
since been restored or reconstructed. The Cold War era reveals itself at the
Brandenburg Gate and famous Checkpoint Charlie, while earlier periods are
represented by the Deutscher Dom, the Französischer Dom, Unter den Linden
Boulevard, the Reichstag and the Schauspielhaus. Following an afternoon spent
as you please, bid Auf Wiedersehen to
your new friends at a farewell reception and dinner as your memorable Germany
tour comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Grand, Berlin, Germany
Day 14 – Journey Home
Your Germany tour including the Passion Play
ends: Berlin. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin
Grand, Berlin to Berlin-Tegel Airport. Allow a minimum of 2-1/2 hours for
flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Prices
14 Days from $6,190 plus
airfare
|
2010 Price per Person |
Double |
Single |
Triple |
|
May |
$6190 |
$7438 |
$5930 |
|
June – July; September |
$6490 |
$7738 |
$6230 |
|
August |
$6290 |
$7538 |
$6030 |
29 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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