VIP Oktoberfest 2017

Flights arrive to Franz Josef Strauss Airport in Munich, Germany.  Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by our driver holding a name sign and taken by transfer to your hotel for check in . Our hotel will be a 4 star property.  We will be staying at the Alpen Hotel in Munich.  Our hotel is located right in the heart of Munich, in a quiet side street and yet in a central location between Munich Main Station and Karlsplatz/Stachus you will find our family-run private hotel which will enthral you with its charming mix of tradition & modern life, classic & design and with its warm hospitality.

After check in and some time to freshen up, you will be met in the lobby of your hotel and taken on an orientation tour to see the highlights of this magnificent city.  We will begin with the medieval town square, with its highly ornamental town hall and St. Peter’s Church, Munich’s oldest parish church built in the 11th century. Stroll by the Church of Our Lady, whose two onion domes are Munich’s premier landmark.  

Then take a walk through the magnificent courtyards of the Residenz, Munich’s royal city palace, passing through Duke Albrecht V’s ‘Antiquarium’, largest and most beautiful Renaissance hall north of the Alps, and ending at the Cuvilliés Theater, exuberant and refined culmination of Bavarian rococo.

Afterwards, walk to the Church of Saint John Nepomuk, a tiny, wildly swirling Baroque fantasy by the famous architectural double act, the Asam Brothers.  The last stop is Munich’s Town Hall back at Marienplatz, where, at the strike of 5 pm, Germany’s largest carillon, the world-famous Rathaus Glockenspiel, provides melodic accompaniment to over 60 mechanical figurines celebrating a royal wedding from 1568    and the dance of the barrel makers.

After this amazing tour, our guests will be treated to a welcome dinner at Withshaus zum Straubinger, where you will enjoy a 3 course menu of appetizers, main course and dessert.   Of course our meal will include beer, wine, coffee/tea!  Welcome to the tavern to Straubing. How does one describe this irresistible Tavern atmosphere? Very cozy, typical. Refreshing and serene, alive and turbulent. Enjoy  yourself and immerse in the unique blend of trend & traditions that are Bavaria. 

Let the festivities begin!  Hope you had a good night rest, because today is the day to have loads of fun, food and yes BEER!!!!

We will have our own section in a reserved BEER TENT!!

A little Dr. Seuss inspired poem to tell you about your day!

Today is the day!

Your Oktoberfest DAY!

Wake up with a smile…

…there’s no waiting this day!

Call out “I will conquer

the beer and the crowds

at the Oktoberfest grounds!”

Now, get ready to cause a commotion

dressed fine in your dirndl or lederhosen.

A bow on the left says “I’m free to mingle”

a bow in the middle says “I’ve no notion”.

Watch out! A bow on the right says “Flirting’s not alright!”

One last thing to do before you’re complete,

be sure to think kindly of your feet!

It’s very important you put on comfy shoes,

to keep up with the group and not be offbeat!

A five hour experience…

… of selfies, and laughs, and fun facts from the guide,

of friendship, and pretzels, and the best beer worldwide.

Oh what fun you’ll have!

Meet your guide and your group at Marienplatz, the city center of course.

Then on you go to a Bavarian breakfast, washed down with wheat beer.

It’s now time to away to the festival ground.

A stop on the way to marvel and cheer

at the largest inner-city beer garden in the world ever found.

On warm days seven thousand people can comfortably appear,

a half-liter of beer, free of charge, all around!

Follow your guide at the Oktoberfest grounds,

and skip all the lines without any fines!

You go to a table reserved just for you

and enjoy a Brotzeit platter, maybe even two!

Our gift to you on this wonderful day:

a half roast chicken and 2 liters of beer for later or straightaway!

Your Oktoberfest day is fast to an end

so grab your new friend

for one last cheers

and try not to shed too many tears!

Hope everyone had a great night rest after our Beer tent experience. Get ready to enjoy a fun filled day of taking in the breathtaking hills of Bavaria as you head to beautiful castles.  You will be taken by a private motor-coach/driver + guide services

Bavarian Castles

Two hours from Munich, the old-world town of Füssen lies in the foot hills of the Alps, framed by one of the most breathtaking natural settings in the world. Towering far above the village, seemingly sculpted out of the very mountains that rise magnificently to the heavens, is the Neuschwanstein Castle. This castle was built in the 19th century by the famed “mad” King Ludwig II, a man intoxicated by mythology and who himself became a legend. The shimmering white towers of the castle among the clouds are instantly recognizable to many who haven’t ever heard the name Neuschwanstein. It is the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, and is famous the world over as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Castle.

You can either climb the hill on foot from the parking lot in Füssen (approximately 30-40minutes) or take horse drawn carriage rides for most of the way. Please note that the carriages are not private, they are available first come, first service. Also, the carriages cannot go right up to the castle entrance. From the carriage turning area beneath the castle it is an uphill walk of about 300 meters or 5-10 minutes to the castle entrance. THERE IS A CARRIGE RIDE INCLULDED. 

Our guide will also take you to the equally beautiful Hohenschwangau Castle, the waterfall gorge, and the stunning views from the Marienbrücke Bridge suspended high over it all. 

Lunch will be enjoyed at: Schloss Restaurant Neuschwanstein

Rise and Shine!!!  Today you will be met in the lobby of your hotel and taken by private motor-coach transfer to Prague. The drive takes approximately 5 hours.  

Welcome to Prague!

 Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel for check in.

Brews & Views Beer Tours

Prague is synonymous with beer, and yet few visitors sample anything more than the pilsners that the Czech Republic is so well known for. Eating Prague’s 3.5-hour beer tour starts in the gorgeous greenery of Letna Park’s beer garden, and winds its way through Prague’s stunning architecture, dotted with perfect spots to stop for a beer. Along the way, you’ll sample everything from light Czech pilsners to heavier dark lagers to little-known local craft beers. And of course, you won’t leave hungry! These Czech beers will be paired with both local and international snacks that truly bring out the unique characteristics of each glass of hoppy goodness. You’ll also be treated to stunning views across the city of 100 spires, plenty of cultural and historic information about the neighborhoods you’ll visit, and of course funny stories from your personal tour guide.

We’re thrilled to have partnered with international beer expert Evan Rail on the creation of this unique tour. Evan has been featured on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” and has authored several books on craft beer as well as articles in the New York Times. There is no greater connoisseur of Czech beer than Evan – so we teamed up with him to select the most essential beers in the country, as well as Prague’s most authentic places to enjoy them, for our Brews and Views tours.

Day 5 Friday September 22, 2017

Old Town & New Town Highlights & A Food Tour of Prague

Meet with your guide in the hotel lobby to enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, starting with a visit to Old Town Square, one of the largest and most beautiful town squares in Europe.  Take an elevator ride to the top of Old Town Hall to enjoy panoramic views of the city. Observe the procession of the Twelve Apostles on the Astronomical Clock on the hour, every hour, as a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a defiant statue of a Turk. See the gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn. Admire the Estates Theater where Mozart’s Don Giovanni was first performed. 

Then make your way to the Municipal House, Prague’s most prominent Art Nouveau building; it is a beautiful cultural center with exhibition halls and auditorium. Take a leisurely stroll along Wenceslas Square, the largest and busiest shopping areas in Prague.  At the top of Wenceslas Square, the statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse cuts a striking figure. This is good King Wenceslas (Vaclav), murdered over a thousand years ago by his brother, and now a Czech national hero. Behind St. Wenceslas is the monumental National Museum, and just off to the left is the Prague State Opera.

We are sure you would have built up an appetite after the morning walking tour of Prague so… Now we start our eating Prague Food Tour

We venture to guess that most people don’t have a ton of knowledge on Prague. It’s a city waiting to be discovered, full of mysteries and intrigue. What do people eat? What are they passionate about? What is the culture like? Let’s explore the local neighborhoods together and unravel some of the mystery. We know you won’t be able to  get enough of this amazing city. The Old and New Towns offer a rare mix of old-world charm and fascinating recent history waiting to be enjoyed by all who visit. Together, we’ll walk along the cobblestone streets and explore the intricacies of our people and culture while enjoying the depth of our wonderful cuisine. Get a unique glimpse into daily life while you meet the locals and go behind the scenes to get a taste of Prague you won’t soon forget. Explore hidden churches, contemporary art and local treasures folded into side streets and alleys. You’ll uncover landmarks never seen in the guidebooks and leave feeling sated and fulfilled. 

Our 4-hour walking food tour of this glorious city takes in plenty of authentic food tastings from amazing, locally-loved food stops. You’ll taste some incredible Czech desserts, get a real understanding of why Prague is famous for its open-faced sandwiches, and soak up some serious history in a café that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and has played host to dozens of famous historical figures. Take a break from being a tourist and experience the real Prague with us.

Day 6 Saturday September 23, 2017

Today you will be met in the lobby of your hotel and taken by private coach transfer to Salzburg with a small detour to Pilsen.

Pilsen (Plzen)

The drive takes just over 1 hour from Prague. Pilsen, the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic, was founded on the confluence of four rivers in Western Bohemia by the Czech king Wenceslas II in 1295. In 1989, the ancient town center was declared a historical landmark to be carefully preserved. The rich architectural gems here include Gothic St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, Renaissance City Hall, Baroque reconstruction of the Archdeacon’s house and Franciscan Monastery, and the recently re-opened Great Synagogue of Pilsen. Many Pilsen public buildings, such as the city theater, museum, the Burgher Hall and the houses with Mikolas Ales’s graffiti, all date back to the 19th century.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery visit

One of Pilsen’s most popular attractions is the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, in operation since 1842 and arguably home to the world’s best beer. Here we arrange for you to enjoy a privately guided tour and tasting. After our tour we will continue our drive to Salzburg.  This will take around 5 hours.   

Welcome to Salzburg!

Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel for check in. After all this travelling and exploring breweries, enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Salzburg Highlights

Meet with your guide in the hotel lobby to enjoy a half day tour of Salzburg. Stroll along Getreidegasse, the heart of Austria’s most beautiful shopping center. Artistic portals, picturesque arcaded courtyards, high, narrow houses tightly nestled together and enticing shops and wrought iron guild signs line this centuries old street. 

Formerly the official apartments of the Salzburg prince archbishops, the Baroque style Residenz is located in the heart of the city and is well worth a visit. The Salzburg Cathedral where Mozart was baptized is probably the city’s most significant piece of church architecture and its ecclesiastical center.

St. Peter’s District is really the oldest part of Salzburg. The first monks, headed by Saint Rupert, settled here. The rest of the city started to spread out slowly around the monastery. Today you can still see catacombs cut in the rock of the Moechsberg and originating from 215 A.D. St. Peter’s cemetery is the oldest one in Austria still in use. Only priests and monks were buried here up to the year 1454. The arcades around the cemetery are family vaults from the 17th century with various examples of wrought iron work.

Linzergasse & Mirabell

Cross the Salzach River and take a leisurely walk on Linzergasse with its handicrafts and old shops, its countless restaurants, and its unmatched local flair. This street has always been the counterpart of its sister, the elegant, international Getreidegasse on the other side of the river. You will then be taken on a walk through the beautifully tended Mirabell Gardens of Mirabell Palace, the home of the Mayor of Salzburg. Scenes from the world renowned movie ‘Sound of Music’ were also filmed in these gardens. Afterwards, stop by the residence of Mozart on Hannibalplatz, where he composed many symphonies, concertos and part of operas.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure

We will be enjoying our Farewell Dinner at: Stieglkeller . This will be a 3 course menu with appetizers, main course, dessert.  Beer – Wine and Soft Drinks will be included.