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

  • For Registration and Policies & Details: Click Here.

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. 

Questions? Send us an email: beerguy@beertrips.com

BeerTrips.com
PO Box 7892
Missoula, Montana 59807

406.531.9109
Fax: 419.791.9425

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