New Year in Bavaria Fussen
Number of days: 7 Days
Departs from: Luzern
Avg distance travelled / day: 163kms
Nurnberg
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: 28 December - Luzern
This 'New Year in Bavaria' tour has been specially designed to start in Luzern as your Christmas Tour ends. The day is free in this delightful lakeside town with its covered wooden bridges and excellent shopping promenades. Dine in style this evening. Your Welcome Dinner will be fine dining at the Wilden Mann Hotel but first enjoy a Welcome Drink in the hotel bar.
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Your Luzern Hotel – Wilden Mann Romantik Hotel.
Your charming hotel is a member of the ‘Romantik’ hotel chain and is centrally located only 200 metres walk from the historic Chapel Bridge. Dating back 500 years and expanded through the 19th century, the Wilden Mann (‘Wild Man’) has a delightful, traditional décor and ambience. For more information see http://www.wilden-mann.ch
Day 2: 29 December - Fussen, Bavarian Alps
Crossing Switzerland we enter Germany and make a stop in Lindau on Lake Bodensee (Constance). This beautifully preserved island town is complete with medieval lighthouses and cobble stoned streets. Later this afternoon we continue to the picturesque town of Fussen where we stay for the next three nights. Fussen is delightful! Stretches of the original Roman defensive walls are still in place, and the town's historic character is particularly evident along the cobbled Reichenstrasse. High above, the old castle of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg dominates the town. On arrival we have arranged a Bavarian Welcome Drink before dinner in your hotel.
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Your Bavarian Hotel - The Hirsch Hotel
Located in the middle of the town this hotel has been owned by the same family for four generations and is complemented by dark wood furnishings and Bavarian antiques. All rooms have private facilities, TV, Telephone and free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Day 3: 30 December - Fussen, Bavarian Alps
This morning we take you to the nearby village of Hohenschwangau where we climb aboard for a ride up through the wooded road to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. On arrival you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King's apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room, all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Lunchtime will be spent in the little village and this afternoon we will also visit the neo-Gothic Hohenschwangau Castle. Rich in history, you will find the interior typical of the Castles of the Knights of the Middle Ages, with its 'Hall of Heroes', paintings and suits of armour.
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Day 4: 31 December - Fussen, Bavarian Alps
A wonderful day in the mountains! Our first stop this morning is at the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings. Later we stop at the Passion Play village of Oberammergau with its ornately painted houses. Once every ten years this village stages a world famous Passion Play and we have included a guided tour through the Passion Play Theatre. Next stop is at Kloster Ettal. This monastery in a lovely shaded valley dates back over 700 years and is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in existence. Returning to our hotel mid afternoon there is time for some late shopping in the old town before we get ready for our special New Year’s Eve dinner.
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Day 5: 1 January - Rothenburg O.D.T.
Happy New Year! Sleep in and relax. Breakfast is at leisure. Mid Morning we depart for Rothenburg via Ulm where you will have time for lunch and to visit the cathedral with the tallest steeple in the world. We then continue up part of the Romantische Strasse (Romantic Road) to picture perfect Rothenburg -the finest medieval city in all Europe - with its delightful cobbled stone streets, ramparts and turrets. Later, before dinner, we have included a special treat - a torchlight tour with the Night Watchman through the beautifully preserved ramparts and winding streets.
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Your Rothenburg Hotel - Tilman Riemenschneider
This splendid old, half timbered hotel is superbly located inside the medieval walls barely 50 paces from the central market square. The hotel offers restaurants traditionally decorated with original paintings and wooden carvings and rooms with individually painted alpine-inspired furniture, private facilities, cable TV and hair dryers.
Day 6: 2 January - Rothenburg O.D.T.
We have included a morning excursion to medieval Nurnberg with its massive stone towers and gates. Once the setting for enormous Nazi rallies and the War Crimes trials, we visit the massive rally grounds before taking a walk through the old city with its extensive pedestrian walkways. Returning to Rothenburg mid-afternoon you will have ample time to relax and go shopping. Make a point of walking through the world famous 'Christmas Shop' nearby which is known for its stunning displays. Huge Christmas Trees, detailed festive scenes and even a Christmas Pyramid - the height of a two storey house. A walk around the intact city walls and ramparts is a must. Later, enjoy your Farewell dinner at the hotel.
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Day 7: 3 January - To Frankfurt
This morning we depart Rothenburg and arrive into Frankfurt around midday. We will be making stops at the airport, central railway station and if possible other points. Regarding onward travel, note we will not arrive into Frankfurt until approximately midday. Please ensure that any onward travel arrangements you make are not confirmed for travel prior to 3pm. Sadly, after dropping everyone off, your very special New Year tour will be complete. (B)
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