"Kegs & Kathedrals"
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The Beer Lovers’ Tour Company and Merit Travel were delighted to return to Europe with our 2nd Annual Kegs & Kathedrals Oktoberfest Adventure (Sept 21st – Sept. 30, 2018). This ten-day sojourn focusses on Bavaria, resplendent with fabulous mountain scenery, romantic medieval towns and a beer culture that is the envy of the world.
On our journey we will explore the great churches and monasteries where brewing continues to play a vital role. ‘Bucket list’ destinations like ‘Mad Ludwig’s’ Neuschwanstein Castle, the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak and of course, Oktoberfest are combined with visits to less touristy centres like Regensburg and Bamberg, both UNESCO world heritage sites. For the first-time traveller to Germany, this will be a delightful introduction to this historic land; for the veteran, there will be many ‘off the beaten track’ surprises’; and naturally for the beer lover, this will be pure heaven! |
TOUR ITINERARYCodes: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner = (B, L, D) DAY 1 | Sept. 21, 2018 | Toronto - Munich Depart Toronto for your overnight flight to Munich. DAY 2 | Sept. 22, 2018 | Munich (D) We arrive in Munich and are greeted by our guide who will arrange our transfer to the historic Altstadt. There's time for everyone to have lunch before joining a guided tour of the old city prior to checking in to our downtown hotel. We will have time to rest and relax before strolling to the historic Hofbräuhaus where we enjoy our welcome dinner. Overnight at Mercure Hotel Munich or similar (1 night) |
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DAY 3 | Sept. 23, 2018 | Munich - Oktoberfest - Starnberg (B, L)
After a hearty Bavarian breakfast we will transfer to the city centre
for a guided city tour to explore Munich before we get ready for our
Octoberfest experience.
Still the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest began as a harvest
celebration back in the middle ages. A royal wedding celebration
in 1810 on the current site was the beginning of an annual Munich
tradition, attracting beer lovers from around the world.
Typical Bavarian specialties and local beer will be on the menu as we
enjoy our lunch with drinks.
Overnight at Vier Jahreszeiten or similar (2 nights)
After a hearty Bavarian breakfast we will transfer to the city centre
for a guided city tour to explore Munich before we get ready for our
Octoberfest experience.
Still the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest began as a harvest
celebration back in the middle ages. A royal wedding celebration
in 1810 on the current site was the beginning of an annual Munich
tradition, attracting beer lovers from around the world.
Typical Bavarian specialties and local beer will be on the menu as we
enjoy our lunch with drinks.
Overnight at Vier Jahreszeiten or similar (2 nights)
DAY 4 | Sept. 24, 2018 | Starnberg (B, D)
Enjoy a morning visit to the Andechs Brewery for a tour & tasting.
Travel on to Füssen, making a photo stop for Neuschwanstein Castle
along the way. Stop in Füssen for lunch at our leisure.
Continue to Zugspitze and journey to the summit. Transfer to Ettaler-
Klosterbrauerei Brewery for a beer tour & tasting.
Dinner is at the nearby Klosterhotel Ludwig der Bayer.
Enjoy a morning visit to the Andechs Brewery for a tour & tasting.
Travel on to Füssen, making a photo stop for Neuschwanstein Castle
along the way. Stop in Füssen for lunch at our leisure.
Continue to Zugspitze and journey to the summit. Transfer to Ettaler-
Klosterbrauerei Brewery for a beer tour & tasting.
Dinner is at the nearby Klosterhotel Ludwig der Bayer.
DAY 5 | Sept. 25, 2018 | Starnberg - Franconia - Regensburg (B, L)
After a generous Bavarian buffet-breakfast, we say goodbye to the Munich
area, and head towards Franconia, the heartland of northern Bavaria.
People enjoying beer in the morning is a common site in Bavaria and
so, to fit in with the locals, our first stop is at Weihenstephan, the world’s
oldest brewery. Then it's off to our next stop, situated in a deep gorge on
the Danube River, Kloster Weltenburg is only accessible by boat. Here we
will enjoy a traditional lunch washed down with the locally brewed beer.
Then we visit beautiful Regensburg where we will spend the next two
nights. After checking-in the rest of the day is free to explore at leisure.
Overnight at Best Western Premier or similar (2 nights)
After a generous Bavarian buffet-breakfast, we say goodbye to the Munich
area, and head towards Franconia, the heartland of northern Bavaria.
People enjoying beer in the morning is a common site in Bavaria and
so, to fit in with the locals, our first stop is at Weihenstephan, the world’s
oldest brewery. Then it's off to our next stop, situated in a deep gorge on
the Danube River, Kloster Weltenburg is only accessible by boat. Here we
will enjoy a traditional lunch washed down with the locally brewed beer.
Then we visit beautiful Regensburg where we will spend the next two
nights. After checking-in the rest of the day is free to explore at leisure.
Overnight at Best Western Premier or similar (2 nights)
DAY 6 | Sept. 26, 2018 | Regensburg (B)
We start with another hearty German breakfast, preparing us for our
morning orientation tour of this UNESCO World Heritage City. Situated
on the banks of the Danube, Regensburg history dates back to Roman
times. In the middle ages it became an important trading centre and
much of the fabulous architecture dates back to this period. Fans of
Romanesque and Gothic architecture will have much to admire. Not to
miss is the double-towered, gothic Regensburg cathedral.
After our tour, the rest of the day is free to explore, eat and shop at
leisure. Perhaps we will come across a legendary tavern that serves
the local Roggenbier (Rye beer).
We start with another hearty German breakfast, preparing us for our
morning orientation tour of this UNESCO World Heritage City. Situated
on the banks of the Danube, Regensburg history dates back to Roman
times. In the middle ages it became an important trading centre and
much of the fabulous architecture dates back to this period. Fans of
Romanesque and Gothic architecture will have much to admire. Not to
miss is the double-towered, gothic Regensburg cathedral.
After our tour, the rest of the day is free to explore, eat and shop at
leisure. Perhaps we will come across a legendary tavern that serves
the local Roggenbier (Rye beer).
DAY 7 | Sept. 27, 2018 | Regensburg - Bamberg (B, L)
Breakfast as usual and it is ‘aufwiedersehen’ to Regensberg as we
head to Bamberg, another medieval gem in the heart of Bavaria.
On our way we will make a short stop at Walhalla, an impressive
19th century monument worthy of the Gods. We will enjoy lunch at
Maisel Brewery, followed by a tasting.
After we check into our hotel, the rest of the evening, and dinner
is at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel Europa, Bamberg or similar (2 nights)
Breakfast as usual and it is ‘aufwiedersehen’ to Regensberg as we
head to Bamberg, another medieval gem in the heart of Bavaria.
On our way we will make a short stop at Walhalla, an impressive
19th century monument worthy of the Gods. We will enjoy lunch at
Maisel Brewery, followed by a tasting.
After we check into our hotel, the rest of the evening, and dinner
is at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel Europa, Bamberg or similar (2 nights)
DAY 8 | Sept. 28, 2018 | Bamberg (B, D)
After breakfast, we will get a brief orientation tour of Bamberg,
another spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautifully
preserved and restored, Bamberg is one of the prettiest towns in all
Germany with rushing rivers, narrow winding cobblestoned streets,
timbered houses and gothic spires. It is a photographer’s dream.
Beer lovers will also rejoice since Bamberg is a brewing centre and
home to the famous Rauchbier (smoked beer).
Afternoon circular river cruise from central Bamberg. Remainder of
the day at leisure. Dinner at Schlenkerla.
After breakfast, we will get a brief orientation tour of Bamberg,
another spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautifully
preserved and restored, Bamberg is one of the prettiest towns in all
Germany with rushing rivers, narrow winding cobblestoned streets,
timbered houses and gothic spires. It is a photographer’s dream.
Beer lovers will also rejoice since Bamberg is a brewing centre and
home to the famous Rauchbier (smoked beer).
Afternoon circular river cruise from central Bamberg. Remainder of
the day at leisure. Dinner at Schlenkerla.
DAY 9 | Sept. 29, 2018 | Bamberg - Würzburg - Dinkelsbühl (B, L, D)
Morning transfer to Würzburg with a guided walking tour upon arrival
with a visit to the Hofkirche included. Visit the Würzburger
Hofbräu for a tour and tasting.
Lunch is included in the city. Then it is down the Romantic Road to
Dinkelsbühl, one of the only remaining walled medieval towns in
Germany, and check in to your hotel. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Overnight at Hotel Deutches Haus or similar (1 night)
Morning transfer to Würzburg with a guided walking tour upon arrival
with a visit to the Hofkirche included. Visit the Würzburger
Hofbräu for a tour and tasting.
Lunch is included in the city. Then it is down the Romantic Road to
Dinkelsbühl, one of the only remaining walled medieval towns in
Germany, and check in to your hotel. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Overnight at Hotel Deutches Haus or similar (1 night)
DAY 10 | Sept. 30, 2018 | Dinkelsbühl - Munich - Toronto (B)
We travel down the Romantic Road (stops to be made are subject to
flight times). Then we transfer to Munich airport for our flight home.
End of services
We travel down the Romantic Road (stops to be made are subject to
flight times). Then we transfer to Munich airport for our flight home.
End of services
Details
8 nights
CONTACT US FOR PRICING.
Sight-seeing
Group size: 20 maximum
Departs Toronto:
Sep. 21, 2018
Operated by Merit Travel.
Not included: Any personal expenses, such as insurance, passport fees, any meals, or items not mentioned.
**Minimum 10 passengers required for a Merit Travel tour host.HighlightsMunich | Weihenstephan | Oktoberfest | Regensburg | Bamberg | Würzburg | Bayreuth | The Romantic Road, Zugspitze
CONTACT US FOR PRICING.
- Roundtrip airfare
- Plaza Premium airport lounge pass
- Eight nights 4-star hotel accommodation
- Eight breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners (dinners include beer)
- Private motor coach transportation
- Local English speaking tour guide
- Oktoberfest admission with VIP lunch
- Brewery visits with beer tastings as per the itinerary including: Oktoberfest, Kloster Andechs Brewery, Klosterbrauerei Ettal, Weihenstephan Brewery, Maisel Brewery Bayreuth, Würzburger Hofbräu, Wurzburg
- Merit Travel tour host**
- All taxes and gratuities
Sight-seeing
Group size: 20 maximum
Departs Toronto:
Sep. 21, 2018
Operated by Merit Travel.
Not included: Any personal expenses, such as insurance, passport fees, any meals, or items not mentioned.
**Minimum 10 passengers required for a Merit Travel tour host.HighlightsMunich | Weihenstephan | Oktoberfest | Regensburg | Bamberg | Würzburg | Bayreuth | The Romantic Road, Zugspitze
For more information about future tours, please contact us.
