Day 1 - Saturday 12/12/09:

We meet up at Munich airport and depart by 12:00 noon. The exact time will be set after we have received everyone's flight itinerary. We'll drive directly to our hotel in Bamberg, the lovely Hotel Brudermühle. Our hotel is located directly on the river with a stunning view of the Rathaus - the town's City Hall built right in the middle of the river. You'll have a bit of free time to relax in the hotel or join Vonia for a stroll to the Christmas Market.  We've planned an early dinner, knowing everyone is quite tired from their flight. A nightcap of local Franconian wine or that famous german beer ensures a great slumber.

Day 4 - Tuesday 12/15/09:

We board a bus bound for the Alps at 8:30 this morning. Along the way, we are joined by a native German, Uli, on board who will discuss typical German Christmas traditions and answer any questions you may have about life in modern Germany. We make a brief stop around 11:45 in the city of Ulm - birthplace of Einstein and the highest church steeple in the world.  We'll show you to Ulm's market and our Ulm Friends, Petra & Michael plus Jens and Uli, will explain their favorite stands at the market (Ulm is the birthplace of Späztle!)and help you locate any of those special items you might still be looking for. Last year, the big hit was visiting Uli's favorite cookie shop! We depart around 4 PM: We're off to the small town of Füssen where your room is awaiting you at Hotel Ruchti, a family run Bavarian Inn. Hotel Ruchti  is located in a quiet area at the end of a dead end street in the Spa district on the edge of Füssen. Many small lakes and ponds are located here at the foot of the Alps and walking trails abound. Arriving at Hotel Ruchti is like arriving home for us and we'll celebrate with a luscious Bavarian Dinner - Wiener Schniztel - in a cozy private dining room, the Mathildestube.

Day 5 - Wednesday 12/16/09:

Awake to a traditional German breakfast, complete with fresh baked goods and strong,  dark coffee. We leave at 8:30 for our tour of Ludwig II's famous castles, Neuschwanstein and its more traditional counterpart, Hohenschwangau. Enjoy the 40 minute hike up the hillside or opt for a horse drawn carriage (or a bus!). Both castles are stunning, but for different reasons - Hohenschwangau because it is more traditional and was used as a real residence. Neuschwanstein because of it's "over the top" theatrical design. And, we'll discuss the tragic story of the misunderstood Ludwig II - his cousin, Sissy, and his brother Otto. Rumor surrounds the king to this day: Was he mad, was he homosexual, in love with his cousin Sissy, and how did he die - suicide, murder, or an accident?

After the castles, we'll take a detour and drive through Austria and then visit a working cheese factory for a tour and tasting of the area's famous Allgäuer Bergkäse. We'll try to get back into Füssen before the shops close and offer a walking tour through the old town. Back at Hotel Ruchti, we have another hearty meal. If the kitchen isn't too busy, join us inside to watch the preparation of our dessert - Kaiserschmarrn.

Day 6 - Thursday 12/17/09:

Though it's time to say "Auf Wiedersehen" to our friends in Füssen, we are really going of the beaten path today to the small farming town of Böbing. It is a typical small town in the Bavarian heartland - tourists do not come here. We'll be leaving Hotel Ruchti at 8:00 AM and will have a very special Bavarian breakfast  Our friend, Karl, will be up at 5 AM making fresh Weisswurst (White Sausages) for us. Served with a fresh pretzel, sweet mustard from Händlmaier, and an obligatory Weissbier.

After breakfast, tour the village Schutzenkeller, listen to the children playing at the school next door, and see the parrish church - nothing too fancy, but it offers insight into real Bavarian life. Back inside, our friend, Sepp, the town baker, and has the coffee on and has prepared a number of typical Christmas favorites for you to sample. This is the real thing!

With our bellies full of Bavarian delights, we travel a few minutes to the  Wieskirche to enjoy this amazing Rococo Church. This UNESCO Heritage sight is a marvel!

Next we're onto Kloster Andechs, know as the Holy Mountain. Here is another church with an outstanding history. Housing Charlemagne's sword, three holy host wafers and the body of composer Carl Orff, this monastery is a special place. Here the monks were self-sustaining and cut off from everyone else. They still have their own brewery, distillery, butcher shop, and agriculutural capabilities. Visit the church and stop by the Bräustuberl for a sample of their Doppelbock beer.

After Andechs, we travel on to southern Munich.  Our hotel is located on the south side of Munich in the exclusive suburb of Grünwald. We'll be staying at  the Alter Wirt, again a small, family run hotel. Known as Munich's first "organic" hotel, the Portenlänger family features only organic foods. After checking in, we will take the tram downtown for dinner at the Weisses Brauhaus known for its "gut bürgerliches" meals. After dinner, enjoy the scenery and architecture of Marienplatz before we turn in for the evening.
 

Day 7 - Friday, 12/18/09

Alter Wirt will impress you with its huge breakfast buffet full of healthy, all-organic items. After breakfast we return to downtown Munich, stopping off at Sendlinger Tor for a quick view of the rococo-style Asamkirche. At 11:00 we'll view Munich's famous Glockenspiel before we meet with our city guide for a fun and entertaining walk through Munich's old town, including the Viktualienmarkt.

After the tour, you are free to enjoy the many Christmas markets that Munich has to offer. In addtion to the largest one at Marienplatz, there is a medieval market near Odeonsplatz, and many others scattered throughout the city. 

Dinner tonight includes a show! We'll be at the world famous Hofbräuhaus at 7:30 for their Bavarian Evening. A buffet dinner accompanied by folk dancing, Alphorns, yodeling, bell ringing and wood chopping.

If your still going strong, we can visit the grounds of Oktoberfest which has been transfored into a nighttime bazaar - the Tollwood Winter festival. Dozens of stands selling a variety of goods - there's also entertainment: Music, plays, and films to be enjoyed.

Day 8 - Saturday, 12/19/09

Today is a day of options. Visit more of the markets in Munich, the many Museums, or ride out to Dachau and Nymphenburg Castle. Many special events will be offered in Munich and we will adjust our schedule so we can enjoy the special Christmas activities offered.

Our last dinner will be back at our hotel: The Alter Wirt serves excellent food and we'll enjoy a luscious, Christmas-themed, dinner prepared fresh by their top notch chef. We'll be in a private room so we can share our great memories over great food. Bring your appetite and enjoy the experience!

Day 9 - Sunday 12/20/09:

Departure for Munich airport for return flights to the USA. Although the tour ends at the Alter Wirt in Grünwald, getting to the airport is easy. We will assist you in making your personal departure plans! Figure in a 60-90 minute travel time from our hotel to the airport when making your airline reservations

If you want to stay longer in Bavaria, we will help you customize your travel plans for no addtional cost. First, enjoy Mass in the Frauenkirche or Alter Peter followed by Frühschoppen at the Weisses Brauhaus - it's unforgetable.

Book now!

Jens and Uli join in during part of the trips. Jens lived with us for several months in Upper Michigan. He and his girlfriend, Uli, are full of energy and both speak English very well. Both are students at the University of Ulm in Computer Science. Uli is working on her undergrad while Jens is working toward his doctorate.

Also from Ulm are Petra and Michael. They own a small art gallery in the very center of the Old Town. They love to travel to the USA and have spent a lot of time in Florida. They love to meet Americans and appreciate the chance to practice their English.

In Füssen, you'll meet Steffi and her family. Steffi and her father run Hotel Ruchti. She and her staff will convince you are actually staying in her home instead of a hotel. Actually, you are - the whole gang lives right in the hotel and the service is the friendliest in all of Bavaria.

Lastly, you'll meet Simone and her husband while we are in Munich - Simone lives right across from the Hofbrauhaus and the Weisses Brauhaus is like her front porch - Simone, her family, and friends are gathered here several times a week.