Countryside
Beers of Franconia & Bavaria
September 25 -
October 5, 2008
Bavaria
is big, and its many regions offer a tantalizing array of beery and
cultural delights, so this may well be the first in a series of Bavarian
adventures. On this trip we are going for a little bit of everything;
brewery
guesthouses, the Alpenstrasse and Zugspitze, parts of the Romantic
Road, the Beer and Castle Road, breweries and brewery taps, beer meals,
medieval villages, mountain resorts, castles, forts and natural scenery.
We start in quintessential Bavaria -- in the village of Aying, and
end in Munich for the last night of Oktoberfest. We'll ride the rack
railway to Germany's highest point, visit crazy Ludwig's oppulent
Neuschwanstein Castle, walk the ramparts of Rothenburg am der Tauber,
and enjoy countryside hospitality of brewery guesthouses for meals
and overnights. All this before we visit Bamberg and dive into Franconia's
beer hinterland - with beer seeking visits to Bayreuth, Kulmbach and
Kronburg. Space is limited and this trip is sure to fill fast! You
should come along. Registration Details
Daily
Itinerary:
Thursday,
September 25 - Depart the US, bound for Munich, Germany.
Friday,
September 26 - Upon arrival in Munich, transfer via rail and s-bahn
to Aying. This afternoon we'll have a tour of the Ayinger brewery
and a tasting of all their beers before our welcome beer dinner in
their restaurant. Overnight in the Ayinger Brewery Guesthouse.

Saturday,
September 27 -A liesurely start this morning before our transfer
to Kloster Andechs for lunch and a chance to drink their famously
strong beers. After lunch we'll head south to Ettal for its fine Ettaler
Kloster Biere in a spectacular setting. After our visit we continue
to Garmisch Partenkirchen - our home for two nights. Upon arrival,
we'll have a short tour to acquaint ourselves with the town. The evening
is free.
Sunday,
September 28 - This morning is free until our early afternoon
trip to the Zugspitze via rack rail or cable ca. After our exciting
ride to Germany's spectacular highest point and back, we'll return
to the city for a few notable beer stops and an evening tavern crawl.
Monday,
September 29 - Crazy King Ludwig's opulent castles call
us today, with a brewery visit and lunch as well. We'll start with
a guided tour of this classic fantasy castle perched with outstanding
views of its alpine surroundings. After the tour we'll drive north,
through a bit of Swabia, to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. On the way
there we will make a stop or two for a brewery lunch and pub visit.
Overnight in Rothenburg.
Tuesday,
September 30 - This morning is free to explore Rothenburg. This
afternoon we travel into the heart of Franconia; heading to Bayreuth,
Wagner's home town, this afternoon. We will visit a working brewery
museum and cooperage, and see the town through its beer gardens.
This evening we'll enjoy dinner in our brewery guesthouse hotel,
between Kulmbach and Bayreuth.
Wednesday,
October 1- Today we'll travel north along the Beer and Castle
road towards Kronach and beyond. On our way home we'll spend the
afternoon and evening in Kulmbach home of Germany's strongest beer
and a proud brewing tradition. We'll tour at least one brewery and
sample beers from all of the local brewers, before heading back
to our brewery guest house this evening.
Thursday,
October 2 - This morning, we do a little more Franconian exploring,
on our way to Bamberg this afternoon. Today is bock day at Schlenkerla
and we will be there to enjoy the annual festivities and tapping
of the wooden barrels in the brewery tavern. A free form pub crawl
tonight.

Friday,
October 3 - Today is free to enjoy Bamberg, or take a daytrip
to Nuremburg or elsewhere. Overnight in Bamberg.
Saturday,
October 4 - Free Day -rail transfer to Munich for the
last night of the trip. Farewell dinner in the Ratskeller.
Sunday,
October 5 - Alas, time to return to normal life, as we check
out and head home this morning.
Please
Note:
The overall
style of the trip is best suited for somewhat adventurous, beer-loving
travelers who want the camaraderie and structure of a tour, as well
as the opportunity to explore independently. Planned events and
excursions will, for the most part, be informal. Guided touring
is generally the exception, though travelers can always rely on
the support and assistance of the trip leader.
Please
note also, that this itinerary is subject to change based on brewery
availability, force majeur, acts of dieties, common sense or bad
weather, etc. Smaller breweries, are often unable to commit to hosting
groups until a couple of weeks before we arrive. Any substitutions
will be as good or better than what we replaced. And don't worry,
the beer will be great!
Registration
Details
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Beer
& Trip Highlights :
Brewery/Taprrom visits to: Ayinger,
Kloster Andechs, Ettaler Klosterbier, a variety of small Franconian
brewery guesthouses, Schlenkerla Tavern on Bock day, and the Bamberg
10!
Bavarian
Scenery: From country brewers in quinessential villages, to monasteries
in spectacular settings,plus the the Alpenstrasse, the Zugspitze,
oppulent castles and Bavarian hospitality and BEER.
Bamberg
& Rothenburg - two classic German cities with all medieval
charm you could imagine
Franconian
Beer! - including Bamberg's 10 breweries and a host of other
small brewers in what is possibly the best beer region anywhere.
Land
Cost:
$2695
per person, double
occupancy
$585
single room supplement
Trip
Price Includes:
9 nights accommodation in fine,
centrally located hotels, travel by private coach, rail and public
transportation, transit passes, brewery visits, beer tasting, entrance
fees and tours as outlined in the itinerary, 9 breakfasts, 4 dinners,
4 lunches, and trip leadership.
Airfare
is not included in the trip price. The trip begins on Friday afternoon
in the hotel lobby in the start city.
Travel
Details:
Air
Travel is not included. Travelers are encouraged to use mileage
awards, travel outside group dates, or visit other European cities
while abroad to make the most out of the trip. Please contact us to
inquire about low fares from your city. Please
confirm the trip's operation before purchasing air tickets.
From
the airport to the hotel: There are several inexpensive and slightly
more expensive options for travel from and to the airport. Official
taxis, bus and rail are available. If desired we can arrange to have
you met and transferred from the airport to the hotel. Please inquire.
Complete Details about how to get from the airport to the hotel will
be included with your final trip documents.
The
trip officially begins at the first hotel, specific details including
a map to the hotel, regional information and a detailed will be included
with your trip documents, which you'll receive 2 - 3 weeks before
the trip.
How
we get around: For all included excursions and visits, transportation
will be included as well. Within the cities, we will rely on walking
and public transportation. Travel between city and city will be done
in our private motor coach and/or by rail. |