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Germany 2010
Munich, Bavaria and Bamberg!
July 30th - August 8th --- 9 Nights
NOTE: All photos shown were actually shot on the trip!
DAY 1: Friday - July 30th - This unbelievable Germany Beer Tour starts when you arrive in Munich (we will meet at the hotel, or if you prefer I can meet you at the airport). After a short nap (for those arriving that morning), we would meet up around noon and take a walk around the Marienplatz and the old part of Munich. I will get you acquainted with the city, how the trains work, where things are, etc. We will stop for a small lunch at the famous Hofbrauhaus and perhaps your first beer (of many) in Germany, and of course we can stop for a delicious German pastry or strudel (lunch and snacks during the day on your own). After a fun afternoon of getting to know Munich, we will go to one of the best beer-focused restuarants in the city for an awesome traditional German meal, accompanied by some of the best beer Germany has to offer.
DAY 2: Saturday - July 31st - After a hearty and delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will set out to explore more of the great city of Munich. The day begins with an organized bike tour, which is a fantastic way to see and learn about the city, and includes a stop for beer and sausages in the park at one of one the city's famous beer gardens (lunch on your own). This is an amazing tour of this historic city that is both fun and educational. After the bike tour, you are free to explore more on your own or you can just take some time to relax. You will be provided with city train passes and guides to some of the famous beer bars, area breweries, tourist attractions, museums, etc. We will meet back up for a big night that starts with another incredible German dinner, followed by more beers and good times in one of the city's largest beer gardens. This is sure to be a night you will always remember!
DAY 3: Sunday - August 1st - After another great breakfast, we will take an early train out to the village of Aying and tour the famous Ayinger Brewery as part of their First Sunday Fruhshoppen event. Ayinger makes some of my favorite beers in the world, and you will never taste them fresher than right at the brewery. This is a magnificent brewery located in the beautiful German countryside. After the tour, some beer and food tastings, and enjoying some traditional German music, we will board the train to head back into Munich, but we will stop for an early dinner and/or beers at a very unique small brewery that is more like a neighborhood brewpub in the suburbs of Munich. Here, we will have a very authentic German meal and a very special Blonde Bock (i.e. Helles Bock) beer. This will be another incredible day in Bavaria! We should arrive back in Munich in time for you to do some night time exploring on your own if you wish, or you may want to get a good night's rest for another big day tomorrow.
DAY 4: Monday - August 2nd - Today, we will again travel by train out into the Bavarian countryside to the famous German monastery brewery, Kloster Andechs. This is one of the few monastery breweries remaining in the world outside of Belgium. Kloster Andechs is known for its Doppelbock, which is considered by many to be the best example of the style in the world. You will always remember your trip to Kloster Andechs. It starts with a mild hike through the forest and countryside, from the train station up the Holy Mount to the monastery. This takes about an hour and it is very scenic and beautiful. The walk makes the beer taste even better, but for those not up to it, you can also take a taxi or a bus. After a beer for our efforts, we can walk the grounds, tour the incredibly ornate church, which is often described as a deeply religious experience, and even climb the bell tower. Then, we will have a hearty lunch at one of several restaurants on the grounds, and make our way back down the mountain (lunch and beers during the day are on your own). When we arrive back in Munich, some may be tired and ready for a rest, so the rest of the evening is open for you to explore the city, and have dinner on your own. I can make several great recommendations.
DAY 5: Tuesday - August 3rd - Castle Day! Today, we take a slight break from the beer-focus of the trip and we board a luxury motor coach for a planned day of activities in the area of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. We travel through scenic southern Bavaria to the border of Austria and into the foothills of the Alps. Here we will find the famous fairy tale castle constructed by legendary King Ludwig. The day includes a bike tour around the area, a very unique hike up the mountain and a tour of this amazing castle. Optionally, rather than the bike ride, you can take a cable car ride to the top of a nearby mountain and watch the paragliders jump off and ride the air currents. Better yet, if the weather permits it you may even have the opportunity to take a tandem paraglide ride over the castle yourself. I have done this and it is an amazing thrill that I will never forget. Other options include riding an alpine slide. Additionally, if the hike up the mountain to the castle is more exercise than you are interested in, you can take a carriage ride to the top or walk up the road, which are the options most castle visitors take. But if you are up to it, the hike is certainly more scenic and memorable.
Prior to heading up to see the castle, we will have a beer and lunch, if desired, at a small cafe at the base of the mountain. The Neuschwanstein Castle is an architectural marvel of the world and this is a day you will never forget! Lunch and options like the alpine slide, paragliding or the cable car ride are on your own. We will arrive back in Munich around 8:00 pm, in time to get some late dinner, on your own.
DAY 6: Wednesday - August 4th - This is our last full day in Munich, so the bulk of the day is open for you to do whatever you wish. There are some great museums in Munich, where you can see many of the old masters' works, including Da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, and more. You can take the train out to Dachau, the concentration camp museum and memorial. Or, you can shop, rent bikes or Segways, revisit some of the places we visited briefly on our bike tour, or just spend the day relaxing. I can help with recommendations and advice as needed. In the evening, we may optionally meet back up at one of the great beer gardens or restaurants to tell our tales of the day. Lunch, if desired, and dinner are on your own.
DAY 7: Thursday - August 5th - It will be hard to say goodbye to Munich, but knowing we will soon arrive in Bamberg certainly makes it a little easier. After another great breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and head to the train station where we will travel via First Class train to one of the most beautiful towns in the entire world. Bamberg survived the wars virtually without a scratch, so its 1,000+ year history remains fully intact, making it look like a town that time forgot. And the beer style the city is most well known for, its sweet and smoky Rauchbier, is also a throwback to another time when all barley malt was dried over burning logs. If you don't like smoked beer, there are plenty of other types, but my bet is that you will leave Bamberg as a fan of this incredible and unique beer.
After settling in to our hotel, I will get you acquainted with the city and where things are, then we will have an early dinner at the famous Schlenkerla restuarant and pub. This is literally my favorite place in the world, and you will probably like it as well, so we may stay here for a while and enjoy the incredible Rauchbier and ambience, or you may want to start exploring this picturesque city on your own. It is relatively small and very easy and safe to walk around. I can provide suggestions and advice. The shopping, especially for antiques, and I mean real antiques, is awesome.
DAY 8: Friday - August 6th - Today is Open Day to explore Bamberg. Bamberg is a true beer lovers city, which numerous small breweries and brewpubs within walking distance. In addition, there is a fantastic cathedral up on the hill and many, many shops, all set in a postcard perfect environment. I can provide advice and information as needed. In the evening, we may optionally meet back up at one of the great brewery restaurants to discuss our days. Lunch, if desired, and dinner are on your own.
DAY 9: Saturday - August 7th - Today, after breakfast, and perhaps a little more shopping or one last Rauchbier, we take the train back towards Munich to the neighboring small town of Freising. Freising is home to the Munich airport, making our departure tomorrow an easy one, but more importantly, Freising is home to Weihenstephaner, the renowned brewing studies university and brewery. This is the oldest active brewery in the world, dating back to the year 1040, and was originally a monastery. After we arrive in Freising and settle into our hotel, we will see some of the old town, then visit the Weihenstephaner restaurant and beer garden for our farewell dinner and some of the most perfectly brewed beer in the world. We will try to make it an early evening, even though it will be hard, so we can get back to our hotel in time to relax a little and get packed for the trip back home. Lunch today, if desired, is on your own.
DAY 10: Sunday - August 8th - Today, we will catch a shuttle or a taxi to the Munich airport or you will venture on to wherever your travels may take you next. For an added cost, I may be able to extend the trip a couple days and take you into Cologne (Kolsch) and Dusseldorf (Altbier), or to other places you may wish to go.
FAQs REGARDING THE GERMANY BEER TOUR
COST: Tentative Cost is $2,900 USD per person traveling as a couple / pair, or $3,800 USD for someone traveling alone. Final, exact costs will be determined as the time gets a little closer, exchange rates can be more accurately calculated, the itinerary is more definite, etc.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: Basically, everything except the meals specified above, your personal purchases and your airfare. It includes all hotels, breakfasts, several meals and beers, train travel, taxis, shuttles, buses, admission fees, base tips, etc.
COULD I SAVE MONEY DOING THIS ON MY OWN: Possibly, but it can require literally hundreds of hours of research and planning to make it happen as smoothly as what you will get on my trips. Also, you may have to drive yourself to experience some of what we do, which puts a damper on being able to drink and enjoy yourself. Lastly, some things are just not options for people traveling alone. Either the group and / or my connections make some of the things we do feasible. So yes, it is possible to save a little money, but I'm not making that much and the added value I offer is well worth it to most people. Lastly, when calculating costs on your own, many things are often overlooked, which add up to extra dollars spent, plus without the proper planning, mistakes can happen and they can add costs quickly.
I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD LIKE TRAVELING WITH A GROUP: This isn't a cruise ship or a high school field trip where every second of your day is planned. There are lots of opportunities to do things on your own, there's no curfew, and few early mornings. Also, the type of people that do a trip like this, are probably a bit of a beer geek just like you, and have you met many of them you don't like ? Lastly, these are small-group trips with only around 12 - 14 people maximum. So just relax and have fun with some like-minded people in a flexible and friendly environment.
PAYMENT TERMS AND CONFIRMATION: I need to confirm the trip 3 months before the departure date at the latest, but a trip can be confirmed as soon as I have enough people signed up. Airline tickets should not be purchased until the trip is confirmed. If you are interested in going, please let me know. Send an email to BeerMBA@MarketWiseSolutions.com. If you definitely want to go and want to sign up, also send me an email, but also send a 25% deposit check or provide your credit card information. As soon as I have enough people signed up to confirm the trip, I will cash the checks and charge the cards. At this point, this 25% is no longer refundable, and you will be billed for the remaining 75%. This remaining 75% is due in full at least 1 month before the departure date. After that 1 month prior to departure point, when all money must be received, no money can be refunded. All plans have been made at that point and this is Germany's peak vacation season, so their cancellation policies are very strict. In the event of a complete cancellation of the trip on my part, all money will be refunded to you. These terms are subject to change at any time, but they represent the general policies.
Additional Information
The hotels are all very nice, safe, approx 3+ star type accomodations, with private baths and all the usual amenities. More details can be provided upon request.
The itinerary and plans may change. With travel plans like this, things out of my control can always occur. If / when that occurs, I will try to plan something else. It will always be a fun and enjoyable trip and I will always give you your money's worth.
If you need a roommate, I can try to pair you up with someone, but it is up to you to make it work.
As with most European travel, these trips require a lot of walking, standing and movement. You should be in resonably good shape in order to participate in everything planned. However, there are certainly ways to take it easier and do less walking, etc. if you wish and don't mind not trying to keep up with the group.
I am only the coordinator of the trip. I charge a fee to assist you and guide you in your travels. I am not responsible for, or liable for, your health, safety, lost or stolen property, etc.
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