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, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling, the services of local guides, drivers, and the Tauck Director are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Frankfurt International Airport (Rhein-Main-Flughafen) on Ground L , Level E of Terminal 1, Arrival Hall B on the fist day of the tour. One group transfer will be provided to Hotel Nassauer Hof Wiesbaden at 11:30 AM. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. If you miss the group transfer, you would need to arrange and pay for your own transportation to the hotel. On the last day of the tour, Tauck will provide one group transfer from The Westin Grand Berlin that will arrive at Berlin Tegel Airport at 8:30 AM. We suggest you allow 2½ hours for flight check-in.

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.

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 Tauck 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 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 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 Tauck 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, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations 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 the Tauck Protection Plan 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.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

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 United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is 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 Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does 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). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air 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 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 publication.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 11:30 AM on the first day of the tour with your departure from Frankfurt Airport . You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. The tour ends at 8:30 AM at Berlin Tegel Airport on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-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, we 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.

Preparing To Go

Air Conditioning – The motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort. Of the hotels, only the Hotel Nassauer Hof, Hotel Bayerischer Hof, the Dresden Hilton and the Westin Grand Berlin are air-conditioned.

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 Europe do not operate their air-conditioning systems on a year round basis, but only during certain months of the year.

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. We also recommend 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 southern Germany 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 Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts to dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable. Hotel Buhlerhohe is the only hotel that does not have an alternate casual restaurant.

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, pressing services are available for a fee. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also 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 Germany:

• Sports jacket for men
• Casually-elegant outfits for ladies
• Short and long sleeve shirts
• Shorts, slacks and jeans
• Tee shirts
• Socks
• Light-weight sweater for summer; medium-weight for spring and fall
• Light-weight jacket for summer; medium-weight for spring and fall
• 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 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. You should 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. 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. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.

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.

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 U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Germany. 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 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

If you are a citizen 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 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 U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport to enter 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 strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. Also, 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.

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 – We welcome 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

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 (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.

All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.

Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.

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 authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

 

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 during motor coach travel, during group functions, 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.

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 up-to-date currency exchange rates, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

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.

Currently, Germany levies a 19% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most consumer goods and services. (The tax may be higher on luxury items and lower on basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country in which the purchase is made (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union), you may be entitled to a VAT (or Import Turnover Tax) refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – The electrical current in Germany is 230 V, 50 Hz, AC. If your electrical devices do not conform to these standards, you will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.

Internet Access – Most of the hotels on this itinerary offer internet access, as indicated below:

Hotel Nassauer Hof - Wireless internet access in rooms for a fee
Buhlerhohe Schlosshotl - Wireless internet access in rooms for a fee
Eisenhut Hotel - Wireless internet service in rooms for a fee
Hotel Elephant - High speed internet access in rooms for a fee
Dresden Hilton - Wireless internet access in rooms for a fee
Westin Grand Berlin - Dial-up internet access in rooms for a fee

Time Zones – Germany is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March through October, Germany switches to Daylight Savings Time and is 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.

Weather - The weather in southern Germany is temperate and unpredictable. Generally, average high temperatures range from 55 to 72°F (13 to 22°C) from April through June and 65 to 85°F (18 to 29°C) from July through September. Recent summers in Germany have been unusually warm; we suggest bringing some light-weight clothing to anticipate the heat. Rain falls fairly evenly throughout the year in southern Germany, but Munich has 50% more rainfall than any of the other major cities visited.

	Average Temperature
	Frankfurt, Germany		Munich, Germany
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	34 / 26	1 / -3	34 / 23	1 / -5
February	38 / 27	3 / -3	38 / 25	3 / -4
March	46 / 32	8 / 0	47 / 32	8 / 0
April	55 / 39	13 / 4	55 / 37	13 / 3
May	66 / 48	19 / 9	64 / 44	18 / 7
June	72 / 53	22 / 12	70 / 50	21 / 10
July	74 / 56	23 / 13	73 / 53	23 / 12
August	74 / 55	23 / 13	73 / 53	23 / 12
September	66 / 50	19 / 10	66 / 47	19 / 8
October	56 / 43	13 / 6	56 / 40	13 / 4
November	44 / 35	7 / 2	43 / 32	6 / 0
December	37 / 29	3 / -2	36 / 25	2 / -4
	Dresden, Germany		Berlin, Germany
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	38 / 29	3 / -2	35 / 26	2 / -3
February	41 / 30	5 / -1	38 / 28	3 / -2
March	47 / 34	8 / 1	46 / 32	8 / 0
April	54 / 40	14 / 4	55 / 39	13 / 4
May	66 / 48	19 / 9	65 / 46	18 / 8
June	71 / 54	22 / 12	71 / 52	22 / 11
July	76 / 58	24 / 14	73 / 55	23 / 13
August	76 / 58	24 / 14	73 / 54	23 / 12
September	64 / 50	18 / 10	65 / 48	18 / 9
October	55 / 43	13 / 6	55 / 42	13 / 6
November	43 / 35	6 / 2	44 / 35	7 / 2
December	29 / 3	-2 / -16	37 / 30	3 / -1

	Average Rainfall
	Frankfurt, Germany		Munich, Germany
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.5	38	1.8	46
February	1.3	33	1.7	43
March	1.4	36	1.9	48
April	1.6	41	2.2	56
May	2.3	58	3.5	89
June	2.6	66	4.3	109
July	2.1	53	3.9	99
August	2.5	64	3.9	99
September	1.6	41	2.7	69
October	1.5	38	1.9	48
November	1.7	43	2.2	56
December	2.0	51	1.9	48
	Dresden, Germany		Berlin, Germany
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	2.1	53	1.7	43
February	1.4	36	1.5	38
March	1.7	43	1.5	38
April	2.0	51	1.7	43
May	2.0	51	1.7	43
June	2.6	66	2.8	71
July	3.1	79	2.1	53
August	3.2	81	2.6	66
September	2.1	53	1.8	46
October	1.8	46	1.4	36
November	2.3	58	2.0	51
December	2.7	69	2.2	56

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

If You Have to Cancel

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 Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Please click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection, 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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