2010 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 Wiesbaden. 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, Wiesbaden, 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 Wiesbaden.
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

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included.  Transportation from Frankfurt International Airport (Rhein-Main-Flughafen) to Hotel Nassauer Hof Wiesbaden is included, regardless of the date and time of your arrival,  provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information at least two weeks prior to the start of the tour.  Transportation is also included from The Westin Grand Berlin to Berlin Tegel Airport whenever you decide to depart. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

The hotels on this itinerary do not provide king-size beds as they are known to travelers in the U.S. The queen-size beds consist of two single beds pushed together. In addition, beds are outfitted with feather pillows, bed covers and comforters. If you require hypo-allergenic, pillows and comforters, please notify us prior to departure.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tauck Director – Romantic Germany is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant 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 and pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this webpage and discuss it with our your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.

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 refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.

• Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
• Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
• Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
• Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
• Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
• File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
• Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
• Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures –

If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.

If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.

For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA web site by clicking here.

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, pocketknife, 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.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed.You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve 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 us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Hotel Nassauer Hof Wiesbaden on the first day of the tour. When making flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. The tour ends when you check out of The Westin Grand Berlin on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow sufficient time for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing To Go

Travel Document Requirements –

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Germany; 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 Germany to determine what travel documentation is required.

We 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, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both 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.

Authorization for Travel

If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.

If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.

Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.

Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Swimwear
• Gym wear
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Battery-operated travel alarm clock
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Zipper-lock bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is approximately 3,165 ft (965 m) at Neuschwanstein Castle.

Health - This journey is paced to accommodate all our guests. it is, nonetheless, an active and extensive tour. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. Germany is 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.

The walk to Neuschwanstein Castle on day 6 is about the length of a football field (360 ft, or 110 m) and quite steep. It takes 20 minutes at a normal pace with a few stops to catch your breath. The walk is on asphalt (no cobblestones) and there is a wall to hold on to for most of the walk with seats halfway up to rest. The walk down is sometimes harder, depending on your physical constraints. Also, the stairs inside the castle may be challenging for some. There are over 200 steps up and down with no elevator. You climb the steps with a guide in 60+ step increments, stopping on three floors for commentary. Then you walk down by yourself aided by a handrail, from the top floor to the horse carriage pick up. Although these steps are within the castle towers and are quite windy, most guests find that the experience is well worth the effort. If you are unable to partake in this particular activity, there are so many other wonderful walks and highlights on the tour that you may not be disappointed by choosing not to participate in this one.

Unfortunately, handicap access facilities are very limited on this tour. 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.

While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

Guest rooms are all booked as non-smoking unless otherwise requested by guests. No-smoking sections in restaurants are rare in Europe. No smoking is permitted on board the motor coaches.

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 resident of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Germany. For complete vaccination and inoculation information please contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain information regarding vaccinations that may be required for your journey. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here.

If you are a resident of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Germany to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

Luggage Restrictions:

Checked Luggage – General

While it is common for airlines to 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.

Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, 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 that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size 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. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here,

We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size 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 that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Destination Information

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 while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Germany.

Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency in Germany is the Euro (EUR) which is divided into 100 cents. ATMs and exchange bureaus are widely available. The major credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in many large shops, hotels and restaurants, although Germans themselves prefer to carry cash. Travelers’ checks are best cashed at exchange bureaus, as banks often will not change them. Banks are closed on weekends, but exchange bureaus at airports and main railway stations are open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM. Each hotel on this tour offers currency exchange services.

To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the website, oanda.com, by clicking here.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – You should familiarize yourself with Germany’s specific required customs declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.

Germany – VisaHQ.com

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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