Day 1: Sunday, December 7, 2008
Overnight Flight
Welcome to Collette's holiday program featuring the traditional Christmas markets, historic towns and spectacular scenery of Europe.
Day 2: Monday, December 8, 2008
 Oberammergau, Germany - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in the charming town of Oberammergau. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner featuring local delicacies. (Dinner provided)
Day 3: Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Oberammergau - Innsbruck, Austria - Oberammergau
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.
Travel through the spectacular Bavarian Alps to Innsbruck, located in the heart of the Alps in the Austrian state of Tyrol. A local guide provides a tour highlighting the city’s rich history, culture, and popular attractions including Maria Theresienstrasse, the Hofburg, and the “Golden Roof,” all set against the backdrop of the majestic Austrian Alps. The remainder of the day is at leisure to shop in the many specialty stores and the Christmas market. (Breakfast and dinner provided)
Day 4: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Oberammergau - Munich - Oberammergau
Begin your day with leisure time to explore Oberammergau. This small town of craftsmen owes its fame to the internationally-known Passion Play which is performed only once every ten years. Later, return to Munich and enjoy a panoramic tour featuring the Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel and Olympic Park. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Munich’s historic area. (Breakfast provided)
 Day 5: Thursday, December 11, 2008
Oberammergau - Black Forest
Today's highlights include a picture stop at Wies Church, proclaimed as a World Heritage Site. You also view perhaps the most famous castle in Bavaria, Neuschwanstein, with its beautiful turrets and pinnacles. Continuing along the scenic route, you traverse southern Germany, skirting the northern shores of Lake Constance to the Black Forest, and proceed to the heart of the mysterious Black Forest region - the setting of
legends and stories of yore! Don't forget to shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, Hummels and wood carvings. Your evening begins with a private choir concert performed in an 850-year-old church and ends with a traditional Black Forest dinner. (Breakfast and dinner provided)
Day 6: Friday, December 12, 2008
Black Forest - Strasbourg, France - Black Forest
Travel the picturesque valleys of the Black Forest and the vineyard fields of the Alsace to the provincial capital city of Strasbourg, France where centuries of Roman, French, German and Alsatian influences blend together to lend this city its unique local character. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming old quarter, "Petite France," featuring the Cathedral of Notre Dame, considered to be one of the
noblest achievements of Western architecture. Time is available for you to explore the wonderful Christmas market before dinner at the Gurtlerhoft Restaurant, one of Strasbourg's finest. (Breakfast and dinner provided)
Day 7: Saturday, December 13, 2008
Black Forest - Bern, Switzerland
Travel to Bern, one of Europe's most beautiful capital cities. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit and the impressive Cathedral. Afterwards you may explore more of the area or shop for handmade items at the local Christmas market. (Breakfast provided)  Day 8: Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bern - Lucerne - Bern
This morning you travel to Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake." Enjoy a scenic walking tour of picturesque Lucerne, highlighted by a walk through the romantic old town. The balance of the day is at leisure to do some last minute shopping or simply enjoy the wonderful setting of this beautiful city on a lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. This evening, after returning to Bern, join your fellow travelers in celebrating the end of a marvelous trip with dinner, complete with the region's famous cheese fondue, at a popular local restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner provided)
Day 9: Monday, December 15, 2008
Bern
Your tour ends today in Bern.
(Breakfast provided)
Options for Europe's Christmas Markets
Please note: the following is a list of suggested options, approved by Collette Vacations, which you may enjoy
during your trip. For your convenience, a brief description of each tour is provided. Your tour manager will
host a welcome briefing at the beginning of your tour to outline all the activities during your stay. He/She will
also make all the necessary arrangements for you. Availability is limited and reservations are on a first come,
first serve basis. Collette strongly suggests payment for optional tours be made by personal check payable to
Collette Vacations or by credit card (Visa, Discover, Master Card, American Express). This will give you an
accurate record of options purchased and facilitate our record keeping. All payments are in the listed currency
and will be collected by the tour manager at the time of service.
Innsbruck: Seefeld Alpine Village $ 59.00 USD
During your free afternoon in Innsbruck you may want to participate on an optional tour to the nearby Alpine
village of Seefeld. Enjoy stunning views as you travel by train to Seefeld, just 45 minutes from Innsbruck.
Beautifully situated at 3,600 feet above sea level, this charming Tyrolean town commands breathtaking views
of the surrounding mountains and countryside. Known as one of the world's great ski resorts, Seefeld offers a
relaxed atmosphere in an Alpine setting with miles of trails for walking, lakes, fine shopping and dining
possibilities and pure Alpine fresh air. Warm yourself with a glass of schnapps and enjoy a traditional horse
and buggy ride before shopping in some of the quaint village stores. Return to Innsbruck in time for dinner.
Duration: approximately 4.0 hours. Transportation is included. Please note a minimum of 15 passengers
is required.
Munich: Nymphenburg Palace and Dinner
$ 69.00 USD
During your free afternoon in Munich you may want to join an optional tour to the outskirts of the city to visit
the over 320-year-old Nymphenburg Palace. The baroque palace in the west part of Munich was the former
summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. Five generations of Wittelsbach rulers were involved in the
construction of this stately ensemble. The palace is a fine example of opulence in the popular baroque and
rococo style that Bavaria is famous for. During your visit you will explore the many areas of the palace and
it's ground, including the famous "Gallery of Beauties" and the Amalienburg Hunting Lodge, with its amazing
"Hall of Mirrors". After your visit to the palace you will return to the city center and enjoy a feast at one of
Munich's mainstays, the Löwenbräukeller. Your dinner this evening will include local Bavarian delights and
also a glass of their world-famous beer. Duration: approximately 4.5 hours. Transportation is included.
Please note a minimum of 15 passengers is required. |
