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Oberammergau
• Innsbruck • Munich • Kempten
Black Forest-Alsace Regions
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9
Days • 11 Meals
Celebrate the holiday season at the traditional European
Christmas markets. Discover unique gifts for your loved
ones and bring back your own cherished memories of breathtaking
mountain scenery, old world customs and holiday fare. The
magic of Christmas Markets await you! |
Oberammergau
The quaint village of Oberammergau nestled in Bavaria, Germany
is known throughout the world for its spectacular “Passion
Play,” performed by the locals every ten years. You’ll
stay in the privately owned Hotel Turmwirt, which has been in
the Glas family for more than 60 years and has been “lovingly”
maintained in a Bavarian rustic style with pine paneling and superb
family style cuisine. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the “Passion
Play” theatre and see the ornate decorations of elegant
Bavarian homes. The town is also known for its outstanding woodcarving
industry. Watch these craftsmen in their shops, making religious
figures, perfect for your holiday shopping. Oberammergau serves
as the ideal location to explore some of Germany’s delightful
holiday markets. While in Oberammergau also visit nearby Ettal,
with its magnificent abbey and distinctive baroque buildings.
Innsbruck - Host of Two Winter Olympic Games
Stand in awe of wonderful alpine scenery and grandiose snow-capped
mountain peaks. With its historic monuments and impressive architecture,
this 800-year old city remains the tourism center of Austria.
On your walking tour, you’ll stroll down the cobbled streets
and admire the unique high gabled roofs and arcades in this Tyrolean
capital. See the Imperial Residence and Church, the Triumphal
Arch built in 1767 and the City Tower. Get transported back in
time in the town square where Emperor Maximilian I cheered on
his knights in their jousting tournaments. With your afternoon
free, shop the Christmas Market in Landhausplatz Square and Market
Square.
Munich - The Capital of Bavaria
Often described as a “world city with a heart,” Munich
will delight you with its small-town charm and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Your panoramic tour features the city landmarks, the two towers
of the Church of Our Lady, the world famous Hofbrauhaus, MaximilianStrasse
and the National Theatre. Visit the Marienplatz, famous for its
Glockenspiel and see the spectacle chiming at midday. Shop for
unique ornaments in the renowned Christmas Market, one of the
best in Germany. Enjoy a traditional Bavarian lunch at the famous
Rathskeller restaurant, under the Town Hall.
Kempten - The Biggest Christmas Market in Germany
Drive through the German countryside and pass by the elaborate
19th century Linderhof Castle, built by “Mad King Ludwig.”
Continue on and watch as the awe-inspiring Neuschwanstein Castle,
inspiration for Disney's Cinderella's Castle, comes into view.
The traditional German Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) in
Kempten dates back centuries and today, continues to turn town
squares into a bright, winter wonderland for all. Shop in more
than 70 stalls displaying Christmas crafts and gifts, along with
sweet delicacies and more hearty fare. Lovely musical interludes
create a festive atmosphere. In the afternoon, visit Lake Konstanz
for a stop at the Birnau Church.
French Village Christmas Markets in the Alsace Region
In Alsace, France, Christmas comes alive with enchanted villages
such as Ribeauville and Kayserberg, glittering with Christmas
lights, all decked out for the season. The air is crisp with just
a perfect dusting of snow. Your toughest decision will be which
hand-crafted ornaments to bring home! The Alsatian Villages offer
a fascinating blend of German and French culture as well as their
fine wines, sweet baked goods and savory French cuisine. You’ll
fall in love with the tiny village of ancient Eguisheim, with
its quaint Christmas market. Join us for dinner at a 200-year
German wine cellar.
Optional
Excursion through Medieval History
Join us for an optional excursion to Hohenzollern Castle, The
Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart and Medieval Xmas market. The
19th century Castle Hohenzollern is the ancestral seat of the
Prussian monarchy, rising majestically from atop a 2,700 foot
high mountain. One of Europe’s most famous sites, the castle
offers panoramic views, priceless works of art and even the great
golden crown. The ultra-modern Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart
spans the history of the automobile and showcases cars of Pope
John Paul II and the late Princess Diana. Lastly, you’ll
visit a medieval Christmas market which takes you back in time
with its half-timbered buildings and old town hall square. See
performers in historical costumes, jugglers, comedians and traveling
musicians who will delight you as you stroll through the market.
Christmas experience - Freiburg, Germany -
The Capital of the Black Forest
You’ll fall in love with this charming city, its enchanting
atmosphere, narrow alleyways and famous Gothic Cathedral. Take
a tour of the city and see the tiny man-made streams that run
though it. Enjoy free time in their Christmas Market, in the heart
of the picturesque old quarter. Aromas of hearty German delicacies,
gingerbread biscuits and hot spiced wine will tempt you. Meander
through the rustic stalls full of gift ideas such as jewellery,
puppets, pottery, candles, brightly colored toys, ornaments and
more. Their Christmas market is well known for its glass blowing
demonstrations and life-size nativity scene. Ever wondered how
the famous Cuckoo clocks are made? Get a first hand look while
you visit the world’s largest Cuckoo Clock in nearby Triberg.
Later, you are in for a real treat with a sleigh ride around Lake
Titisee with mulled wine and baked apples afterwards. For our
special farewell evening, you can look forward to a hot rock dinner
in a 250 year wine cellar with a private Christmas choir performance.
Discover all the joys of the season in the European Christmas
markets as you bring back holiday memories and gifts to last a
lifetime.
| 2009
Depart USA |
per
person twin |
Single
Room
Add |
| December
3 |
$1,179
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$469
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Call
for air rates and schedules into
Munich and return from Zurich
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Day
by Day
Day
One
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Tour
begins with arrival in Munich and transfer to Hotel
Turmwirt in Oberammergau
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Afternoon
walking tour of Oberammergau
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Welcome
dinner at the hotel
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Breakfast
at your hotel
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Full
day excursion to Innsbruck, Austria
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Visit the Christmas Markets in Landhausplatz Square and Marketplatz
Square
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Free
time in the afternoon to explore Innsbruck
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Breakfast
at your hotel
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Full day excursion to Munich with city tour and visit to the
Marienplatz Christmas Market, the best in all Germany
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Lunch
at the famous Rathskeller, in the heart of Munich
- Evening
at leisure in Oberammergau
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Breakfast
at your hotel
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Depart Oberammergau.
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Drive
by Linderhof Castle built by Mad King Ludwig and Neuschwanstein
Castle, inspiration for Disney's Cinderella’s castle
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Visit
to historic old quarter of Kempten, “picture- postcard
Christmas market”
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Breakfast
at your hotel
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Visit Christmas Market in the Alsace region of France, Ribeauville,
Kayersberg and Eguishem
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Dinner
in a 200-year old wine cellar
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Breakfast
at your hotel
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Excursion
to Freiburg, Germany, capital of the
Black Forest and Christmas Market. Visit the largest cuckoo
clock in nearby Triberg.
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Sleigh
ride around Lake
Titise
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Farewell evening -- a hot rock dinner in a 250-year old cellar,
followed by a private Christmas choir concert
Hotel
Accommodations
Days Two through Four– Turmwirt Hotel,
Oberammergau, Germany
Days
Five through Eight – Hotel Hofgut Sternen, Black
Forest, Germany
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For this tour, you are required to carry a valid passport
with an expiration date no less than six (6) months after
the scheduled return date.
A copy of your passport must be provided to Mayflower Tours
at least 75 days prior to your departure. The name on your
passport must match the first and last name on your reservation.
Non-U.S. citizens must consult with appropriate consulates
to determine if any visas are needed and are responsible
for obtaining all visas and entry documents.
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