Bavarian Cream
The Best of Southern Germany
September 3 – 12, 2004
A SATISFYING TOUR CONFECTION
Bavarian Cream was originally a German cold dessert of egg custard
stiffened with gelatin, mixed with whipped cream, then set in a mold,
or used as a filling for cakes and pastries. During the late 17th and
early 18th centuries, many French chefs worked at the court of the Wittelsbach
Princes (a German family that ruled Bavaria for hundreds of years).
When they went back home, the French stole the recipe, and then Dunkin
Donuts got a hold of it, and the rest, they say, is history. But the
Germans thought of it first and nothing serves as a better metaphor
for the sensory delights of Bavaria.
We are not just talking about pork roast
with crunchy crackle, white sausages, potato dumplings, spatzle noodles,
sauerkraut, knuckle of veal, or homemade pilsner that accompanies every
meal, but the fairy tale castles, medieval towns, rolling countryside,
jagged mountains, and rich and complex history. And that’s not
to mention the handsome German men dancing the night away at gay bars
and clubs in Munich and Frankfurt. Are you drooling yet? Join Toto Tours
on its first-ever visit to Southern Germany to sample the best that
Bavaria has to offer.
THE ITINERARY
Friday, September 3, 2004
Depart From Home
Take an overnight flight from your home city that is scheduled to
arrive in Munich, Germany early tomorrow morning.
Saturday, September 4, 2004
Arrival in Germany
Upon arrival, clear customs and make your way to our hotel. Toto Tours
will provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel this morning
to accommodate the greatest number of arriving tour participants. Those
whose flights to not coincide with the group transfer can either take
a taxi from the airport or take the Lufthansa airport bus to “Schwabing
Nord.” The bus driver will call a taxi to meet you at Schwabing
Nord and take you to our hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the
day is free for independent sightseeing. Suggestions include:
- Alte Pinakothek: One of Germany's most impressive
museums for classical arts. The building is also very impressive.
It is opposite the Neue Pinakothek, which concentrates on modern art.
- Deutsches Museum: One of the world's foremost museums,
concentrating on technical achievements of the last 150 years. It
also has an IMAX theatre and a planetarium.
- Shopping: Munich offers fantastic shopping opportunities
around Marienplatz, Residenz and Kaufinger Strasse. Any shopping you
want to do in Munich should be done today as most shops are closed
on Sundays.
- Schwabing and Englischer Garten: Schwabing is one
of Munich's most popular areas with lots of galleries, restaurants,
bars and theatres. The Englischer Garten is Munich's largest, nicest
and most popular park (a bit like Central Park in New York). These
are both great places for a stroll.
- “Beer Garden:” Visit one of these huge
and popular outdoor restaurants.
This evening Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at our hotel, the four-star
Hotel Arabella Bogenhausen. Afterwards we may organize a group to sample
some of the many bars and clubs in Munich's gay community. (Dinner
included)
Sunday, September 5, 2004
The Romantic Road to Frankfurt
The day starts after breakfast with a short drive to Augsburg,
one of Germany's oldest cities with a beautiful town center. Enjoy a
short orientation tour before continuing our drive on the famous “Romantic
Road,” a not-to-be-missed attraction of southern Germany. We wind
through the rolling Bavarian countryside seeing quaint medieval villages,
old castles and manor houses enroute to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Rothenburg is a well-polished gem from
the Middle Ages, and the main tourist destination along the northern
Romantic Road. It is crisscrossed by cobbled lanes lined by picturesque
old houses and enclosed by towered walls. Take time to enjoy Rothenburg
before continuing to Frankfurt, where we arrive in the late
afternoon. The evening is free to participant in Frankfurt’s lively
gay scene. Overnight at Arabella Sheraton Congress. (Breakfast)
Monday, September 6, 2004
Frankfurt Sightseeing / Rhine Cruise
A brief tour of Frankfurt will start this day. Highlights include the
old town square with the medieval Town Hall (Roemer) and a visit to
the Paulskirche, site of the first German National Assembly in 1848.
After touring Frankfurt our coach takes us to the River Rhine
for a lovely, three-hour cruise on the river from St. Goarshausen
to Ruedesheim. We transfer back to Frankfurt and the remainder
of the day is free. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Heidelberg / Freiberg / Black Forest / Titisee
Moving southward past the Odenwald Mountains, full of fairytale villages,
travel to Heidelberg, home to Germany’s oldest university
(founded in the 14th Century), quaint cobblestone streets, intricate
Baroque architecture, market squares, countless outdoor cafes, and picturesque
castle ruins (considered to be the most beautiful and romantic of all
German ruins) overlooking the town. Our guided tour of the city includes
a visit to the Castle Ruins and the Grosses Fass (great vat), an enormous
18th-century keg said to be the world's largest wine barrel.
After lunch we drive to Freiberg, the
gateway to the Southern Black Forest. Time permitting we'll
enjoy a brief hike in the forest before arriving in Titisee and
our hotel right on the banks of Lake Titisee. Overnight at the Titisee
Maritim. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
The Three-Country Triangle
Spend an incredibly beautiful day in the triangle connecting the three
countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There will be a little
time this morning for a stroll along the banks of Lake Titisee before
departing to Schaffhausen in Switzerland. Here we marvel at
the Rhine
Falls, largest in Europe, and take time to
hike down to the banks of the river along the falls.
After lunch the tour continues along Lake Constance,
whose shores lie in all three countries. Dramatic Swiss peaks provide
a breathtaking backdrop when viewed from the German shore. We make a
brief stop in Konstanz, an old university town, to see the
baroque Basilica
of Birnau. In late afternoon, arrive in Bregenz,
Austria, which has been settled since prehistoric times as a Celtic
city, a Roman camp, then as a primary political seat and cultural center
of the Hapsburg Empire. Our hotel is centrally located beside Lake Constance.
Overnight at the Bodensee Hotel. (Breakfast)
Thursday, September 9, 2004
Mount Pfander / Bavarian Alps / Fussen
This morning ride a cable car up Mount
Pfander at 3,500 feet for fantastic views of
Lake Constance and the Austrian and Bavarian Alps. There will be time
for walking and hiking on the top of the mountain before the group travels
to Fuessen, famous for its two castles associated with Mad
King Ludwig. If you couldn't tell by looking at his home, Ludwig was
gay and was rumored to have had an affair with Richard Wagner. The drive
to Fuessen will be very picturesque, taking us through the gorgeous
Bavarian Alps. After arrival, time permitting, those who wish can tour
Hohenschwangau Castle, the home of Ludwig's parents (optional). Overnight
at Hotel Luitpold Park. (Breakfast)
Friday, September 10, 2004
Neuschwanstein / Garmisch / Munich
Early this morning, before the crowds, enjoy one of the highlights
of this trip: the visit to Neuschwanstein,
Mad King Ludwig’s castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping
Beauty castle, perched high above the city of Fussen on top of a mountain.
After our tour inside the castle we hike to the Marien-Bridge, which
offers spectacular views over the castle and the surrounding area.
After lunch we continue to Garmisch Partenkirchen,
Bavaria's number one alpine resort. Our trip up to the Alpspitze
Mountain by cable car will be another highlight
of the tour. In the late afternoon we return to Munich for a free evening
on the town. This will be a great opportunity to experience Munich’s
lively gay nightlife. Overnight at the Hotel Arabella Bogenhausen. (Breakfast)
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Munich / Farewell Dinner
Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Munich this morning, featuring
the Marienplatz, the heart and soul of the old city, and a visit to
the old Rathaus (Town Hall). The afternoon is at your leisure. This
evening Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner to say “auf wiedersehn”
to Bavaria in style. Enjoy another night sampling the city’s gay
bars and dance clubs. (Breakfast /
Farewell Dinner)
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Arrange your
return flight home for any convenient time today. Toto Tours provides
one group transfer to the airport this morning. If you would like to
stay a few additional days in Munich we will be happy to arrange an
extension at our group hotel. (Breakfast)
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