May 25 – June 6, 2019

Land Tour

Saturday, May 25 – Home City/Munich

Depart from your home city on your overnight flight to Munich, Germany.

Sunday, May 26 – Munich

Welcome to Munich! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Following check-in, this afternoon, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of this magnificent, almost 1000 year old city. You will see the Pinakotheks (art galleries), Olympic Stadium, Nymphenburg Palace in the modern part of Munich. Then you will have a walking tour through the heart of the city to discover its historic center. The Viktualienmarket (open air market), St. Peter Church, City Hall and Church of our Ladies are only some of the famous sights you will see. (D)

Monday, May 27 – Munich

Today, enjoy a full-day excursion through the Bavarian countryside to visit the fairytale castle of King Ludwig II. The enchanting old-world town of Fuessen lies in the foothills 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 a sight made from the stuff of dreams: the fabulous and ethereal Neuschwanstein Castle. This glorious folly 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 was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, and is famous the world over as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Castle.

After the visit of Neuschwanstein Castle, you will return to Munich and en route you will stop in the town of Oberammergau. Oberammergau is a town in the Bavarian Alps and known for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play in the Passion Play Theater. The House of Pilate has frescoes by Franz Seraph Zwinck and live demonstrations by woodcarvers and artists. Nearby, the Kölblhaus has a gabled roof and a painted exterior, also by Zwinck. The Oberammergau Museum features woodcarvings by local artisans. Your day ends in Munich late this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a Bavarian evening with a glimpse behind the scenes of a traditional Munich brewery. You will see the brewing process from the raw ingredients to the finished product, complete with samples! You will enjoy a hearty Bavarian dinner complete with a Bavarian Folklore show. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, May 28 – Munich

Today is a completely free day to enjoy this amazing city, independently or perhaps take an optional excursion to Dachau or the BMW factory. We will be happy to pre-plan some things for you or you may opt to make plans with your Escort upon arrival. (B) 

Wednesday, May 29 – Munich/Berlin

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for the short flight to Berlin. Upon arrival in the capital of Germany, which is perceived both nationally and internationally as a pulsating creative metropolis you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Since the fall of the wall and German reunification, an interesting design landscaped with agencies, ateliers, showrooms, fairs, and sales platforms has emerged on the Spree. Following check-in, this afternoon, you will enjoy a short walking tour of the city. (B, D)

Thursday, May 30 – Berlin

You will begin your visit with a tour of historical Berlin; it’s fascinating monuments, the Political Berlin; with its government area and along the Embassy Quarter, and the cultural Berlin; passing many theaters, museums and the divided Berlin; with Checkpoint Charlie and the former border crossings. The balance of the day will be free to enjoy this vibrant city and we recommend this evening that you take advantage of its many culinary options. (B)

Friday, May 31 – Berlin

Breakfast will be served this morning in your hotel. You will begin your day with a taste of one of the things that makes Berlin different from other cities: their graffiti and street art. While you may be used to graffiti as a “crime”, in Berlin they have allowed their young people, fascinated with this art form, to channel it into something quite interesting. Your tour will highlight the building high paintings, unintelligible colorful bold letters making unknown words, or funny words. These artists make surreal figures cut out of rough wallpaper and plastered on a wall. Even traffic lights become objects of art. Your guide will point out these and many others as you make your way through the city. This afternoon you will receive a “day pass” to independently explore Museum Island. Between 1823 and 1930, a unique ensemble of museums emerged on Spree Island. This UNESCO World Heritage site consists of five individual museum buildings: The Altes, the Alte Natonalgalerie, the Neues Museum, (designed as a “sanctuary for art and science), the Bode Museum and the Pergamonmuseum are oriented towards the Kupfergraben. Your pass is valid for unlimited entry to all of the museums on Museum Island. This evening we will gather for a farewell dinner! (B,D)

Saturday, June 1 – Berlin/Hamburg

After breakfast this morning you will depart for Hamburg, site of the 110th Rotary International Convention. Upon arrival, you will check-in to your hotel in preparation for the exciting convention ahead. (B)

Sunday, June 2 – Hamburg

This and every morning, breakfast will be served in your hotel. Prior to the opening ceremonies, discover the Hanseatic city of Hamburg on a guided tour immersing yourself in the unique atmosphere and enjoy a piece of Hamburg’s lively culture. Hamburg has a lot to offer from Jungfernstieg with its upmarket shops, the downtown lakes (the Binnenalster and the Aussenalster), the Reeperbahn (Hamburg’s entertainment district), to the largest harbour in Germany and the old Speicherstadt (warehouse district). Strolling through time you will discover the historical beauty of Hamburg’s Speicherstadt accompanied by a guide clad in the traditional robes of Hamburg’s merchants of old. This strikingly picturesque commercial and warehouse complex with its unmistakable red-brick architecture, green copper crowns, charming modest towers, bay windows and gabled roofs offers you unique views of historical urban beauty. Aromas of roasted coffee, tea and various spices from around the world fill the air. On a little hill, not far from the harbor, you will find the “Michel”, Hamburg’s landmark. It is 132 meters high and Germany’s most important protestant baroque building. The view from tProtestantm, 82 meters high is worth the exhausting ascent of 432 stairs. (Elevator also available) A bold glass structure rises above the historic Kaispeicher A, a monumental redbrick block at the western tip of Hamburg. An architectural vision has become reality – the Elbphilharmonie concert hall is Hamburg’s new cultural landmark. The design combines tradition and modernity just where the Hanseatic city is at its most authentic: directly on the water and in the heart of the city. The Elbphilharmonie opened in January 2017 as one of the world’s finest concert halls. Join us this evening, following the Opening Ceremonies, for the now famous Hamden Rotary Club Tours Cocktail Reception.  (B, CKTL)

Monday, June 3 – Hamburg

Breakfast will be available in your hotel this morning, prior to a day filled with several Plenary Sessions during the convention hours. Tonight you may wish to choose one of the many Host Committee Events available. (B)

Tuesday, June 4 – Hamburg

Breakfast will again be available in your hotel. Plenary Sessions and events of the Rotary International Convention continue. Tonight, you may wish to choose one of the optional tours available. (B)

Wednesday, June 5 – Hamburg

Again, breakfast is served in your hotel this morning. The Plenary sessions and events of the convention continue. Tonight, enjoy the unforgettable Closing Ceremonies. (B)

Thursday, June 6 – Hamburg/USA

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your journey back to the United States, with fond memories of your German Rotary experience. (B)

Land Only Price:

$6299 Per Person based on double occupancy

We offer International Air Fare from all major US Cities. Please ask us about Economy and Business Class airfare.