CHRISTMAS TRIPS, tours, visit Christkindl Markets in Germany and France. River Cruises Europe

G E R H A R D'S O D Y S S E Y S

Frankfurt - Meiningen - Erfurt - Coburg - Lauscha Glassworks - Annaberg - Seiffen - Dresden

DAILY ITINERARY – November 28th to December 6th, 2008

Friday, November 28th – to Europe
Overnight flight to Frankfurt. Relax and enjoy your flight across the Atlantic, as your holiday begins.

Saturday, November 29th – Frankfurt
I will meet you at the airport for transfer to the hotel. Time to stroll through the Christmas Market before this evenings Get Acquainted reception and dinner. The large tree in the central square sparkles with 4,000 lights, 150 golden bells and red bows. If you would like more time to explore Frankfurt you may wish to arrive a day before the tour starts. Frankfurter Hof Hotel. Meals (D)

Sunday, November 30th – Meiningen
This morning we travel through forest land and cross the border into what was once East Germany. Savor the scenic beauty, customs and architectural jewels of this area that was once behind the iron curtain. We’ll stop in Eisenach for sightseeing and lunch. The foundations of our fairytale castle hotel date back to the 11th Century and the current castle was built in 1836 in the style of Windsor Castle. Dinner will be served in the historic Knights Hall. Landsberg Castle. Meals (B, D)

Monday, December 1st – Meiningen
A short drive takes us to Erfurt, with one of Germany’s most beautiful Christkindlesmarkts. Over 200 decorated wooden huts fill the old quarter, offering local specialties. The life sized Nativity scene has handcarved figures. Highlights of our tour will include the 14th century cathedral and a unique bridge with half-timbered houses on its sides, that was built in 1325 and is still in use today. Landsberg Castle. Meals (B, D)

Tuesday, December 2nd – Coburg
We travel through the glass-making region of Lauscha. Handmade ornaments and glass art will be available at factory prices. In Coburg our guide will show us the grand Palace, half-timbered houses and the rococo Rathaus on the colorful market square. Near our hotel is a fascinating doll museum. Romantik Goldene Traube. Meals (B, D)

Wednesday, December 3rd – Annaberg
A morning stop in Schneeberg to visit the famous gothic church and to have lunch at the small market. Enjoy the specialty lebkuchen accompanied by a warming cup of coffee or a glühwein. Annaberg has one of the prettiest markets in the region and after dark you will notice that every house has a light in the window, celebrating the coming of Christmas. Hotel Wilder Mann. Meals (B, D)

Thursday, December 4th – Annaberg
This morning we travel through the snow-covered Erzgebirge Mountains, the wooden toy-making center of Germany. We’ll stop at a Nutcracker museum - the first nutcrackers were made in this region around 1870. In Seiffen watch the local craftsmen at work making the wooden ornaments, including the smoking man, the horseman and Christmas pyramids. Hotel Wilder Mann. Meals (B)

decorations Friday, December 5th – Dresden
Our local guide will show us Dresden’s most famous sights, including the city’s finest jewel, the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche. The Procession of the Dukes is a detailed 300 foot wall made entirely of Meissen tiles. Explore Dresden’s Striezelmarkt. Dating back to 1434, it is considered to be the oldest Christmas market in Germany. You’ll find a wonderful selection of wood carvings, ceramics, gingerbread, porcelain and unusual flower arrangements. Be sure to taste the Dresdener Christstollen, a rich fruit filled cake. SAS Gewandhaus Hotel. Meals(B, D)

Saturday, December 6th – return to USA
Morning transfer to Dresden airport. Pack up your happy memories and holiday gifts. Our adventure comes to a close as we regretfully bid farewell to Europe and jet back to North America, arriving home the same day. Meals (B)

If you have time you may wish to stay in Dresden an extra night or join us for the second tour.
Questions ? – call 1.800.966.2402

PRICE PER PERSON:   $1,995 land cost, $365 single room surcharge
TOUR COST INCLUDES:
• Outstanding, deluxe and first-class hotels in central locations.
• 13 meals -- buffet breakfast daily and five taste-tempting specialty dinners
   unique to the region, including the Welcome and Farewell dinners.
• Get Acquainted reception the first night of the tour.
• Transport by private luxury motorcoach.
• Personalized tours of most towns visited with local guide and entrance fees.
• All taxes, service charges and gratuities to restaurants, hotel staff & local guides.
• Porterage and handling of luggage at all hotels.
• Laminated luggage tags and tour information packet.
• Other additional features mentioned in the itinerary.
• A careful balance of free time to pursue your own interests.
• Escorted by Gerhard & Darlene.
• Special feature: a brisk pre-breakfast or after dinner walk for
   those who would like to start or finish the day with a bit of exercise.

GROUP SIZE IS LIMITED TO 29 GUESTS MAXIMUM

RESERVATIONS: Notify us that you wish to join the tour. Your space will be reserved and a sign-up packet will be forwarded with registration form, invoice for deposit and optional insurance application. Upon receipt of your deposit, another information packet will be forwarded with final confirmation of your reservation and details to help prepare for the tour. Full and final payment is due 75 days prior to departure.

EXTRA NIGHTS: Special rates are available at the hotels used at the start and finish of the tours. If you wish to arrive a day early or extend your return by a day or two, the rate of $285 per double room ($245 single) will apply at the hotels in Frankfurt, Dresden and Prague -- $220 per double room ($195 single) in Mainz. Airport to hotel transfers, a buffet breakfast, taxes and service are included. Additional nights are confirmed on a space-available basis. Transfers are not provided for those extending at the end of a trip.

TOUR COMBINATION: Those guests joining both the November 28 and December 6th trips, will receive transportation from Dresden to Prague and hotel accommodations on Saturday, Dec. 6th at the special rate of $140, per person double ($240, single). Those combining the Dec. 6th and Dec. 12th tours will receive $135 per person ($220 single) price reduction.

Prague - Regensburg - Nurnberg - Rothenburg -
Heidelberg - Mainz • December 6th to 14th, 2008

Mosel & Rhine River Cruise • December 12th to 21st, 2008

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