Tour Booklet You are travelling to Europe a wonderful assembly of diverse countries that have, over hundreds of years, evolved and formulated their individual and often unique customs, styles and quirkiness. We want to (and sometimes have to) fit into the region s natural patterns and irregularities. Much will appear so very different from home and surely it is exactly those very differences that inspired you to go there in the first place! To help you, this useful booklet contains additional general travelling handy hints, additional information specific to your tour, plus brief introductory information regarding the major sites and regions you will be visiting. Where possible, while on tour, your Tour Manager will access and provide local city maps. It is surprisingly difficult to supply in advance any genuinely useful city maps that can fit on an A4 sheet of paper and still show street names with any clarity. Either the larger city map is too detailed and the print is minute, or the usefulness is just not there. Where possible we have included them. We would like to wish you a wonderful trip through Europe and a safe return home. Best wishes from the Albatross Team 1
BLACK FOREST, BAVARIA AND THE TYROL TOUR Some local and regional background information. This information is meant only as a light overview of some of the towns and regions you will be visiting. Frankfurt Frankfurt is a thriving industrial metropolis Germany s 5 th largest city, and the financial centre. As a commercial centre it has been the site of world trade fairs for over 800 years. Even though it is not noted as a tourist city there are plenty of things to see and do. Spend time in the Alstadt ( old town rebuilt after the 2 nd World War in the old style) and the famous Zeil a pedestrian shopping zone between the Hauptwache and Konstablerwache ( wache road/way ) which is one of the most famous shopping streets in Europe. Heidelberg Heidelberg is picturesquely set in the wooded Neckar Valley, in the local region known as the Odenwald. Its twin-towered bridge was built in 1788 and the stone bridge gate on the side of the old town was originally part of the town wall. Coupled with the red sandstone castle overlooking the roofs of the old town, the whole scene seems to sum up all that is romantic in Germany. Heidelberg s history goes back a long, long way. In 1907 the jaw-bone of a man was discovered in the nearby town of Mauer. Scientific dating determined it was between 600,000 and 200,000 years old. Named "Heidelberg Man his remains are the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. Throughout history tribes and empires have made settlements here. Indeed in the 5 th century the Celts built a fortress and a place of worship on the Heiligenberg, or "Mountain of Saints" and the town became an important garrison for the Romans. The university is the oldest in Germany and was founded in 1386 and it played a leading part in the era of humanism and reformation and the conflict between Lutheranism and Calvinism in the 15 th and 16 th centuries. Heidelberg's library, founded in 1421, is the oldest public library in Germany still intact. In 1537 the castle located further up the mountain was destroyed in a gunpowder explosion. The duke's palace was built at the site of the lower castle. Currently the town has a population of around 150,000. These numbers are swelled by the huge number of students studying here. Traditional student merrymaking continues in the alleyways and pubs, however these days, the presence of different types of research institutes and other offshoots of the university have saved the city from becoming merely a picturesque backwater. Gengenbach Gengenbach is a picturesque town on the western edge of the Black Forest. Well known for its traditional, historically influenced carnival for wearing costumes with carved wooden masks and clapping with a Ratsche (a traditional-classic wooden "sound-producing" toy). The town is also the proud owner of the world's biggest advent calendar. The 24 windows of the 18th century town hall represent the 24 "windows" of an Advent calendar. Each evening leading up to Christmas a window is opened at dusk. 2
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) The Black Forest owes its name to the Romans who called the area the Silva Nigra, i.e. "Black Forest," due the dense stands of spruce and conifers which barely allow daylight to reach the forest floor. It should be noted however that its scenery is much more varied than its name implies. The region covers an area of approximately 200 km by 60 km. There is plenty of woodland, but especially in the south, the countryside becomes more diverse with pretty orchards and pastureland. To the west, an almost continuous strip of vineyards clad the lower slopes of the escarpment above the Rhine plain. There are deep valleys such as the Münstertal and the Höllental (Hell Valley), lakes like the delightful Titisee, and attractive villages where typical farmhouses with deep eaves can be seen. Triberg Triberg is located in the Schwarzwald-Baar district in the Black Forest. Surrounded by hills covered in thick forests with one of the world s highest waterfalls Triberg Falls on the Gutach River, with a descent of 163m. Home to the world s largest cuckoo clock you will see many cuckoo clocks able to be purchased in the stores in town. Take the time to sit in one of the many cafes, bakeries and restaurants to try the authentic Black Forest cake. Colmar The capital of central Alsace, situated near Germany and Switzerland between the Vosges and the Rhine, Strasbourg and Mulhouse, the town offers visitors an exciting glimpse of 1000 years of European history. With its 67,000 inhabitants, Colmar retains a 'country town' atmosphere which contributes so much to its charm. Wonderfully preserved from the ravages of time, its homogenous historical centre is classed as a 'protected area' and has benefited from careful restoration and ongoing improvements for more than 20 years. Colmar remains an exceptional town due to the wealth and variety of its historical and architectural heritage. Colmar has brightly painted, half-timbered houses on narrow, twisting lanes and makes a good backdrop for street markets. The River Lauch winds its way through the centre, known as the Little Venice district. The Route Alsace du Vin (Alsace wine route) Running through charming Alsatian villages is the Route des Vins, a 120 kilometre route that clings to the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. It starts west of Strasbourg in Marlenheim and ends at Thann outside Mulhouse. Villages along the Wine Route which epitomize the charm of Alsace include Molsheim, Ribeauvill, Kaysersberg, Rouffach, Eguisheim, Obernal, and Riquewihr. Alsace is the only A.O.C. region in France that labels its wine by grape variety. There are five "noble" grapes of A.O.C. status - Sylvaner, Pinot Gris (sometimes called Tokay d'alsace), Muscat, Gewrztraminer, and Riesling. An Edelzwlcker wine is a blend of these varieties. Strasbourg Strasbourg is the capital of the French Alsace region and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Retaining its old world charm there are three bridges spanning the River Ill, each flanked by massive fortified towers. The historic city centre one the Grande Île (Grand Island), was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Its medieval heart boasts Rhineland style black and white half timbered timber-framed buildings. These are a particular delight in the Petite-France district alongside the Ill and in the pedestrian streets and squares surrounding the Place de la Cathédrale and Place Broglie. The sandstone Gothic Cathedral is known for its famous astronomical clock. 3
Freiburg The capital of the Black Forest is the gothic city of Freiburg. Sensitively restored, Freiburg is one of the most charming German cities located where the Black Forest meets the Rhine plain. Arcaded shopping streets and little streams lead through the old town to its great Gothic Münster (Cathedral) with a splendid tower and richly decorated interior. Among the old houses around the Münster square is the Kaufhaus, a merchants' hall dating from 1520. The Augustinian Museum houses medieval art treasures. Titisee Beautiful Lake Titisee and its spa town with the same name are located in the southern Black Forest region of Freiburg. During the winter months, the lake takes a long time to freeze as the surface of the lake is constantly moving due to winds. The community of Titisee lies on the north shore of the famous lake. Take the time to stroll along the pathways around the lake or indulge in some excellent shopping along the Seestrasse. Mainau The following succinct and well written description has been taken from Durant and Cheryl Imboden's very informative web site called Europe for Visitors. Mainau, nicknamed "The Flower Island," is the most popular tourist attraction on Lake Constance (a.k.a. the Bodensee). The small island, which is about 5 km or 3 miles from the city of Konstanz, has a semitropical climate that inspired Prince Nikolaus von Esterházy to create a botanical garden in the first half of the 19th Century. Later, under Grand Duke Friedrich I, the gardens were expanded with an arboretum, an Italian rose garden, and other features that visitors enjoy today. In the 1930, Prince Wilhelm (then the island's owner) turned the administration of Mainau over to his son, the Swedish Prince Lennart Bernadotte II. The prince, who had renounced his Swedish royal lineage after marrying a commoner, devoted the rest of his life to turning the island into a privately-operated park. (Mainau is now maintained in perpetuity by a foundation that the prince and his second wife established, and the island's manager is their daughter, Countess Bettina Bernadotte. Their son, Count Björn Bernadotte, manages the foundation.) Mainau's 45 hectares or 111 acres of gardens and landscaped grounds attract more than a million visitors each year. The flower season begins in spring with an orchid show in the Palm House and a million tulips that bloom from March until May. Rhododendrons follow the tulips, and in summer another 350,000 flowers are on display. Dahlias bloom in September, pleasing visitors until the gardens wrap up their season in late October. (Other attractions include a rose garden and exotic plants such as banana and palm trees, bougainvillea, and fuchsias.) In addition to flower gardens, Mainau has an arboretum, a butterfly house, a gallery with special exhibitions, an area for children, a castle, a baroque chapel, and a variety of restaurants. Konstanz on Lake Bodensee (Lake Constance) Known in Germany as Bodensee, Lake Constance is the third largest lake in Europe and is located on the borders of Switzerland. The lake is fed by the Rhine River flowing out of the Alps. The town of Konstanz has a population of around 80,000. Hohenschwangau Hohenschwangau is a village in the district of Bavaria, Germany. It is located between Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle and visited by approximately 2 million people annually. On one hill overlooking the village there is the neo-gothic Castle of Hohenschwangau. On the other side above the village is the wooded mountain spur and Neuschwanstein - the fairytale castle of Mad King Ludwig. 4
Neuschwanstein - the Fairytale Castle Located in the mountains of Bavaria is the village of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein - the Fairytale Castle of mad King Ludwig. The guided tour of the castle takes in the state rooms, king s apartments, halls and throne room; all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Please note: The guided tour through Neuschwanstein Castle incorporates climbing up and down a number of floors and there are no elevators. If anyone has noticeable walking difficulties or limitations please consult your Tour Manager. Some interesting facts about the Castle: The designer of the castle, Christian Jank, was actually a theatrical set designer and not an architect. Public photography is not permitted inside the periphery of Neuschwanstein Castle. However, it is still the most photographed building in Germany. Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park. The castle is under the ownership of the state of Bavaria, which has spent more than 14.5 million on its maintenance, renovation and visitor services, since 1990. The conception of Neuschwanstein Castle was outlined by Ludwig II, in a letter to Richard Wagner, dated May 13, 1868. The castle was initially known as New Hohenschwangau Castle. It was only after the death of Ludwig II that it was re-named Neuschwanstein. 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm' are amongst the movies in which the Neuschwanstein Castle has been featured. The castle has been heavily featured in the video game 'The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery'. Fussen Füssen is an enchanting town in Bavaria, situated at the southern end of the Romantic Road, on the banks of the Lech river Fussen is known for the Hohes Schloss and its Basilica and former Benedictine monastery of St Mang. Fussen is the highest town in Bavaria at 808 metres above sea level and over 700 year s old. The town s charming location on the edge of the Alps is framed in by imposing high mountain peaks and an idyllic lake district. The old town area with fountains, street cafes, shops and boutiques is worth a visit. Linderhof Palace King Ludwig s summer Residence, Schloss Linderhof (Schloss translates as Palace ) is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one of which he lived to see completed. Ludwig knew the area well as he often accompanied his father on hunting trips. Once he inherited the throne he went about reconstructing the Palace in the rococo style. Ludwig idolized the French King Louis XIV and was so inspired by the Place of Versailles that he even created his own Hall of Mirrors. Oberammergau Oberammergau is famous for its ornately painted houses and its magical Passion Play. The Oberammergau Passion Plays are a series of inspirational performances that occur every ten years paying tribute to the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The last series of performances were held in 2010. 5
The play s origins date back to 1633, when the community of Oberammergau found itself under threat from the Bubonic plague the town pledged that if God were to spare them death, they would perform a play each decade to celebrate the life and death of Jesus. Thankfully the vow appeared to work, and as a result the locals were true to their promise the very first play happened during Pentecost in 1634, where a stage was erected in the local cemetery. Nowadays the performances take place on a much larger scale, with over 2000 of the village s residents working together to ensure the spectacle honours the vow of their ancestors. The Passion Play is now performed on four days a week between the months of May through to October. Such is the dedication of the residents, all male actors performing in the plays take part in a Hair Decree from Ash Wednesday in 2009, all men were requested to let the hair on their heads and face grow to ensure they had an authentic look in time for 2010! Performances are presented in the German language and are a total of five hours in length. Innsbruck The capital of the Tyrol is set in a lovely spot on the River Inn, at the foot of the Karwendel Alps and retains a distinctive provincial charm, making it one of the most attractive cities of Alpine Europe. Handsome old town houses, of which the Goldenes Dachl is most famous, line the traffic-free central area around Herzog-Friedrich Straße and Maria-Theresien Straße. (Straße is pronounced Strasse and means Street). The Hofburg, a sprawling cream-and-pistachio palace built under Maria Theresia, adjoins the Hofkirche, one of the chief masterpieces of German renaissance. Goldenes Dachl literally means Little Golden Roof and has long been a symbol of Innsbruck's ye olde charm. It was built around 1500 as part of a ducal palace that no longer exists. Rattenberg Located along the Inn River near Innsbruck and Rat Mountain is the smallest town of Austria. In the medieval town known for its traditional glass making craftsmanship you can visit many shops in the pedestrian area which sell the crystal glass products. There are also cafes where you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a visit inside the local church to see the frescos inside. Overlooking this ancient town is the 10 th century medieval castle ruins. If you are interested in having some photos of this historical town then a walk up to the castle ruins will give you some great views looking down over the city and river. Kirchberg The delightful holiday village of Kirchberg is situated in the Brixen Valley, nestled among the Kitzbühel Alps and 6 kilometres away from the world famous town of Kitzbühel. To the south, the Sperten Valley stretches as far as the village of Aschau with its nature reserve. The imposing church on the mountain in the middle of the Kirchberg village contributes to its wonderful village character. Kirchberg is located in the middle of a gigantic skiing area with 148 kilometres of pistes connected by 55 cable cars and lifts. There are also hundreds of kilometers of cross country skiing paths and cleared walking trails. Kitzbuhel Kitzbühel town is situated about 100kms from the state capital, Innsbruck. Still retaining the atmosphere of a Tyrolean village in its historic centre, old-style houses with projecting gables and painted exteriors compete for attention with shops selling Europe's most exclusive brand names. 6
There is a cable car to the Kitzbüheler Horn and 23 mountain restaurants. BLACK FOREST, BAVARIA AND THE TYROL Mayrhofen Mayrhofen is a town in the Zillertal (Ziller river valley) of Tyrol, Austria. It is located approximately an hour from the Tyrolean capital city of Innsbruck. Mayrhofen is situated near the Hintertux glacier which, at 3250m above sea level, is above the snowline. Skiing is available all year round here. There is a cable car ride you can take up to the lofty heights with excellent views. Berchtesgaden - Hitler s Eagles Nest A breathtaking bus journey takes you up the 6.5 km long and 4 m wide winding Kehlstein road - a private road specifically created to access the Kehlsteinhaus otherwise know as Hitler s Eagles Nest. A masterpiece of engineering it includes five tunnels but only one hairpin bend and climbs 800 m. The last 124 m up to the Kehlsteinhaus are reached by an elevator bored straight down through the mountain and linked via a 124 m long tunnel through the granite below. The inside of the large elevator car which you will travel in is surfaced with polished brass, Venetian mirrors and green leather. This was Hitler s personal, luxurious elevator. This Alpine retreat is better known as Hitler s Eagles Nest and the mountain views are spectacular. This chalet-style building was an official 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler from Martin Bormann. Nicknamed Eagle's Nest by a French diplomat, it was meant to be a retreat for Hitler and a place for him to entertain visiting dignitaries. We take a guided tour of the Kehlsteinhaus. Salzburg Once home to Mozart, Salzburg boasts ornate squares, statues, churches and is dominated by the enormous Festung (Fortress). The city owes its rich artistic heritage to its prince-archbishops, who once ruled it as a semi-independent city state. Their magnificent Residenz, numerous ancillary palaces, castles, art collections, churches and parks form the principal attractions of Salzburg. The town itself, squeezed between the River Salzach and the mighty rock of the Hohensalzburg, delights the stroller with its narrow streets, onion spires, sculptured fountains, and wrought-iron shop signs. A vast music industry has grown up around the name of Mozart, culminating with the annual Salzburg Festival which is a major highlight of Europe's musical calendar. This enchanting baroque city was used for several locations used in the film 'Sound of Music'. Take time to explore the myriad of narrow, cobbled stone streets, the fascinating shops and traditional coffee houses. The views from the enormous Festung (Fortress) sitting high above the city are magnificent. Austrian Coffee Houses Austrians consume an average of 221 litres of coffee per person per year! Coffee in Austria is super-taxed. It is therefore relatively expensive. However, the range and style is superb. Its presentation is delightful. True coffeehouses are often correct establishments, which act as social meetinghouses... somewhere to go and savour refreshments for an hour or so. Take your time there... often International Newspapers are in racks and free to read. Think of prim black uniforms and white starched aprons. 7
Coffee is often served on silver platters with a glass of water and even a little chocolate. These establishments often also serve complete meals, wines, beers etc. They most definitely serve cakes! Cakes, strudels, flans......the best you can get! Coffee isn t just coffee. There are so many styles and variations such as... Brauner, Doppelmocca, Einspanner, Fiaker, Melange, Kapuziner, Tuerkischer, Espresso... the list goes on. If it is cakes you want then here you can add a few zillion calories easily. Too many types and names to fit in a book let alone your waistline! We have made a special point in describing the best of these establishments as we feel it essential, at least once, for you to indulge in a true Austrian Coffee House experience. The overall cost for coffee and cake should not exceed $15. Nevertheless, astonishingly, so many people visit Austria s beautiful city centres and go round the corner' to save a few bucks and miss out on the experience. Munich Within sight of the Alps, the glamorous capital of Bavaria, Munich (München) has much to offer: an extensive and well-restored old town, world-class museums and galleries, fine civic buildings such as the neo-gothic town hall, and the wonderful church known as the Frauenkirche, whose twin onion-topped towers are the symbol of the city. This cosmopolitan city is enlivened by its strong identification with Bavarian traditions as well as by the presence of vast numbers of students, who have made the suburb of Schwabing their own. In addition, the city boasts magnificent green spaces, ranging from raucous beer gardens to the vast English-style park known as the Englischer Garten and the Olympiapark. Rebuilt since the war (there were 66 bombing raids on Munich alone!) the central walking precinct is a mass of people and activity. The shopping is excellent. Perhaps take lunch in one of the numerous cafes or a giant Beer Hall? 8