Oktoberfest and Breweries

This morning you will arrive at Munich Airport and meet our representative who will escort you to your waiting motor coach for transfer to your hotel. This city is almost synonymous with "beer", so you might want to head straight for one of the 400 Biergartens. Explore on your own to such spots as Paulaner Brewery, established in the early 1600's by the Minim Friars. Allow 1.5 hours for tour and a film, explaining how beer is made, followed by a snack and mug of beer.

You will start the day with a half-day tour of Munich. Drive by such famous sites as Peterskirche (St Peter's Church) the oldest church in Munich, stop at 11am to see the Glockenspiel in Marienplatz. You will tour inside Schloss Nymphenburg; Dating back to 1664, this Italian villa palace is decorated with rococo colors and stuccos. You will see ornately gilded coaches and sleighs used by Ludwig II. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Check out the artistic vibe in Schwabing, the Greenwich Village of Munich; grab a photo of Isartor (Isar Gate), or visit Olympic Park.

The biggest keg party in the world awaits your pleasure. You will have day-time lunch reservations in one of the big tents at Theresienwiese fairgrounds. The lively festivities go on and on, so feel free to spend your evening as wish, hopping around from tent to tent.

You can sleep it off as we drive northeast crossing into the Czech Republic to visit the "birthplace of beer" in Plzen. Founded in 1295 this is the administrative center of Bohemia, now an industrial city. After centuries of microbreweries trying different strategies, they collectively came up with a superior brew through what is known as the "Pilsner brewing method". You will have a 1-hr tour & tasting in the factory that produces Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus, the most widely consumed beer in the Czech Republic. One block away, visit the Beer Museum housed in a 15th-century house.

Heading west back into Germany, you will stop in Bayreuth, situated in the heart of the Beer Franconia region. Few other towns have such a wide range of Breweries and choice of beers. First you will enjoy a walking tour to see the house where Richard Wagner lived, the hexagonal castle tower and much more. After some free time for lunch you will then visit the Maisel Brewery and Cooperage museum, the largest beer museum in the world. Discover firsthand the traditional fine art of brewing in an interactive experience. You will finish the day in nearby Bamberg on the River Regnitz known for its Rauchbier (smoked beer). The town itself has historical significance as it was one of the few cities that survived the bombings of WWII. After arrival in town you are free to enjoy all the wonderful taverns, breweries and pubs that this town has to offer.

This morning after breakfast you leave the Franconia region and continue west to the 2000 year old town of Koblenz. Situated on the banks of both the Rhine and the Mosel rivers, this charming town has an abundance of cultural monuments and historical buildings. Enjoy some free time for lunch where you can dine in a typical Weinstubea, Wine Tavern, or perhaps you will find a Strausswirtschaft - a winery or wine grower's cottage where you can sample homemade wine. After lunch you will enjoy a walking tour of this charming city seeing such sights as St Floins Church, the German corner, Mint Square and the Old Castle. You then continue on to Dusseldorf for the night

This morning after breakfast you shall set out to explore Dusseldorf. Enjoy a guided tour of the old town with its narrow lanes, old churches, quaint breweries, and ancient pubs. See some of the important sights and the history of Altbier and home breweries. You will stop to tour one of the Breweries in town and the Altbeir. The group will then set off to visit some local Alt Breweries where you can learn more about their brewing process and sample some of the fine brews that are available.

This morning after breakfast you will enjoy a leisurely cruise down the Rhine River leaving from Dusseldorf and enjoying lunch accompanied by some wonderful views, arriving in Cologne where you will spend out next 2 nights. You are free to explore Cologne this afternoon and evening on your own.

Today the group will set out to explore Cologne, the art capital on the Rhine. See such sights as the Farina House – Birthplace of the Eau de Cologne, Cologne Cathedral in Gothic Style and a world heritage site. Perhaps enjoy a visit to Museum Ludwig which houses a large collection of Modern art including works from Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and the largest Picasso collection in Europe. Cologne is also known for the Kolsch which mimics the paleness and softness of Pilsner. Tonight the group will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

This morning you will be transferred to Frankfurt airport for your flight home.