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 Join Hermes on this historic trip! We'll explore Germany's major cultural centers – Berlin, where the first gay rights movement emerged in 1896, and Munich, where countless steins are raised every year during the rollicking Oktoberfest. We'll also discover a city still rising from the ashes of WWII, stroll medieval cobbled streets, and drive along byways dotted with fairy-tale castles. But the main act of this thrilling itinerary is the Oberammergau Passion Play, performed only once a decade!
 • Berlin, including Gay Berlin and Pergamon Museum
• Wittenberg, including Schlosskirche, Luther's "Theses Doors," and St. Mary's Church
• Dresden, including Old City, Semper Opera, Hofkirche, and Zwinger Gallery
• Drives along Castle Road and Romantic Road
• Rothenburg, including the medieval city, Jakobskirche, Marktplatz, Rathaus, and Christmas Village
• Oberammergau Passion Play, including 3-course lunch and 3-course dinner
• Munich, including Oktoberfest and Glockenbachviertel
• Accommodations for 9 nights in 4-star hotels
• Services of a Hermes Tours escort
• Services of an expert, local guide in all cities
• $125 per person savings if you reserve by July 31, 2009
• This tour will sell out fast! It is only possible to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau once every 10 years.
Day 1 - September 18, 2010, Saturday
Arrive in Berlin today. The city's open, pre-war culture gave rise to famed sex researcher Magnus Hirschfeld, whose institute was famously ransacked, and prolific writer Christopher Isherwood. Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein, and David Bowie all called the city home at various times in their lives.
Tonight, enjoy a Hermes welcome dinner to get better acquainted with one another.
Overnight: Hotel Berlin or similar .
Meal: D
 Day 2 - September 19, 2010, Sunday
After breakfast, join our private sightseeing tour of Gay Berlin, including the famous Pergamon Museum. Entire buildings from the ancient world were transported here, piece by piece, and reassembled into gargantuan exhibits. This is also the best place in Germany to admire religious art.
After lunch on your own, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Berlin or similar .
Meal: B
 Day 3 - September 20, 2010, Monday
We travel to Wittenberg today and the inspiring Schlosskirche (Castle Church). Martin Luther posted his "95 Theses" on these church doors for all to see, ushering in the Protestant Reformation. We also visit the beautiful St. Mary's Church where Luther preached, now home to the world's largest collection of Reformation artifacts.
We arrive in Dresden later this afternoon.
Overnight: Mercure Hotel Dresden Elbpromenade, Dresden or similar
Meal: B
 Day 4 - September 21, 2010, Tuesday
Enjoy a tour of Dresden this morning, including the Old City, the Hofkirche and adjacent Semper Opera, and the Zwinger Gallery. We'll also view the newly rebuilt tower-like Frauenkirche, the most important Protestant Church in pre-war Germany. Today, Dresden is one of Europe's most prestigious cultural centers. This afternoon is free to enjoy the city.
Overnight: Mercure Hotel Dresden Elbpromenade, Dresden or similar.
Meal: B
 Day 5 - September 22, 2010, Wednesday
After breakfast we journey along the scenic Castle Road and Romantic Road. Our destination is Rothenburg. Within its walls, a nearly intact medieval city transports you back in time. We'll visit the Jakobskirche (Church of St. James) with its splendid Gothic interior; explore the Marktplatz with its Rathaus, whose older section dates to the 13th century; and Kathe Wolfahrt's festive Christmas Village.
Overnight: Rothenburg Altes Brauhaus, Rothenburg or similar
Meal: B
 Day 6 - September 23, 2010, Thursday
We continue along the lovely Romantic Road today and arrive in Rottenbuch.
Overnight: Rottenbuch Moosbeck-Alm, Rottenbuch or similar
Meal: B
 Day 7 - September 24, 2010, Friday
Today is the centerpiece of our trip, the Oberammergau Passion Play. The world famous, 5-hour performance runs every ten years to fulfill this village's promise to God for having spared them of the Black Plague during the Thirty Years War. The original performance was in 1634. This is a milestone event for dramatists and travelers alike!
Overnight: PostHotel, Ettal
Meal: B, L, D
 Day 8 - September 25, 2010, Saturday
After breakfast we depart for Munich, just in time for Oktoberfest! This Bavarian Beer Fest is also a rich German tradition, founded in 1810. Thankfully, it happens more often than every 10 years!
Overnight: Munich Azimut Ost Hotel or similar
Meal: B
 Day 9 - September 26, 2010, Sunday
We'll explore the colorful Glockenbachviertel today, the focus of Munich's gay life. After lunch on your own, your afternoon is free. Join us for our festive Hermes Farewell Dinner this evening.
Overnight: Munich Azimut Ost Hotel or similar
Meal: B, D
Day 10 - September 27, 2010, Monday
This morning is the end of our tour. You are free to make your return flight for any time today.
Meal: B
Berlin:
This stylish, 4-star Superior hotel with extensive wellness facilities is located in the heart of Berlin, within easy reach of the Tiergarten park, Potsdamer Platz square, and Kurfürstendamm shopping boulevard.
The Hotel Berlin, Berlin offers modern, imaginative architecture and elegant rooms with all amenities, including flat-screen TVs and high-speed internet access.
Try delicious seasonal and Mediterranean cuisine in the renowned Julius gourmet restaurant, and meet with friends and business associates in the Bar Berlin. The popular garden restaurant is open in summer.
Make sure to visit the Hotel Berlin's wellness and fitness area. Exercise in the gym, relax in the Finnish sauna and sanarium (aroma sauna), or treat yourself to a revitalising massage in the spa.
The Hotel Berlin, Berlin enjoys excellent transport connections to all parts of Berlin, including the airports and the exhibition centre.
Dresden:
The hotel with its 103 modern furnished rooms, 13 on a business floor, pampers its guests around the clock by an individual service and a friendly hotel staff.
The Lobbybar with the special name "BaRock" offers you cocktails and drinks of any kind to your liking.
Sauna of a differet kind. You can enjoy the lovely view over the river Elbe while taking a steambath. Suntannig ist also aviable.
Rest and relax in one of the comfortable and friendly Mercure Hotel Dresden Elbpromenade rooms, all equipped with bath/shower, WC, hairdryer, SAT- and Pay-TV, radio, minibar, direct-dial phone and desk. Of course we also offer you non-smoking rooms.
Rothenburg:
In Rothenburg ob der Tauber the family-run Altes Brauhaus Hotel boasts a central yet peaceful location, surrounded by romantic buildings.
Offering modern comfort and convenience, this charming hotel is tastefully decorated and offers the ideal base to spend pleasant holidays or weekend breaks.
The welcoming Altes Brauhaus Hotel features underground garage, 2 Elevators, Souvenirshop, Beergarden, romantic Garden, sunny Terrace, playcorner for children and 3 meeting rooms.
All the cosy rooms at the Altes Brauhaus Hotel are equipped with shower or bathtub and WC, telephone, TV, Internet access and safe. Some of them also feature a balcony with a pleasant view.
Rottenbuch:
The Moosbeck Alm lies in the midst of the romantic Pfaffenwinkel, embedded between meadows and forests in sunny single situation. Moosbeck Alm house is built in bavarian the style.
The single and double rooms are held and with balcony and/or terrace equipped in the cosy Design. The Wellnessarea with Greek-Roman fresco painting invites you to relax.
Ettal:
Situated just a 2-minute walk from Ettal Abbey, this family-run hotel offers tastefully furnished rooms and suites, traditional Bavarian cuisine and a modern spa/fitness area.
The charming Posthotel Ettal offers peaceful rooms with cable TV. Most rooms include a balcony or terrace.
Work out in the hotel's fitness room or relax in the bio-sauna, steam bath or quiet room. Kneipp baths and a solarium are also available.
Enjoy local cuisine in the cosy, traditional Poststub'n restaurant. In the afternoons you can take a seat on the terrace and try a selection of cakes and pastries.
Oberammergau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the magnificent Zugspitze mountain can be reached in 5-20 minutes by car. The Posthotel Ettal is also a good base for day trips to the Linderhof and Neuschwanstein castles.
Munich:
The Azimut Hotel München City Ost is located between the city center and the New Munich Fair, and about 4 miles/7 km from Munich Central Station.
Due to its proximity to many company headquarters and the München-Ost motorway junction, this 4-star hotel in Munich is particularly suitable for business people and fair guests, but with its excellent transport connections it also fits for tourists and families, offering various excursions and leisure activities, as well.
Guests of the Azimut Hotel München City Ost can use the spa area of the sister hotel EuroHotel & Suites with sauna and sports equipment, which is complimentary and is located 50 yards/50 meters from the Azimut Hotel. The modern conference rooms enjoy natural daylight and are equipped with state-of-the-art conference technology. Wireless Internet access is provided free of charge.
 Azimut Hotel München City Ost offers 167 modern and comfortable guest rooms, all with private bathrooms, shower, and/or bathtub and hairdryer.
Moreover, the accommodation amenities include fan, cable TV, radio, free LAN Internet access, telephone, soundproof windows, writing desk, mini bar, and safe.
Non-smoking rooms and 2 disabled accessible accommodations are available. Limited-hour room service, laundry and ironing service are provided on request.
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Services of professional gay tour guide throughout the trip. Accommodations as listed, rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. All meals as per itinerary, Transportation in luxury air-conditioned mini coach. Entrance fees to all sites on itinerary.
Round-trip air transportation to Berlin and returning from Munich; transfers to/from airports, meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes and any other expenses of a personal nature. Usual tips to drivers and guides are not included.
