GERMANY:
OBERAMMERGAU & OCKTOBERFEST

Sept 18-27, 2010

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. Call us today to reserve your space.

Berlin: Hotel Berlin or similar
Dresden: DRS Mercure Elbpromenade or similar
Rothenburg: Rothenburg Altes Brauhaus or similar
Rottenbuch: Rottenbuch Moosberck-Alm or similar
Ettal: Posthotel
Munich: Munich Azimut Ost or similar

Included:
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.

Group Size: The maximum group size for this tour will be 39 guests. As the Oberammergau Passion play only happens every 10 years we expect this trip will sell out very quickly.

Transportation:
Transportation is provided by luxury air conditioned mini-bus with English speaking driver.

Visas: Canadian and American passport holders do not require visas to any of the countries on this tour. Please make sure you passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

Shots and Immunizations:
There are no shots that are required for travel to Central Europe but Hermes Tours does recommend that your tetanus booster be up to date.

Currency and Money Issues: Germany uses the Euro as their national currency. . It is now very easy to withdraw money from ATMs located throughout each country as well as to use your Visa or MasterCard. The American Express card is less widely accepted. Travelers checks are also accepted however can carry a heavy commission fee. We recommend to travelers to bring only a small amount of cash and/or travelers checks and to rather use their ATM and credit cards while traveling.

Not Included: 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.

Making a reservation with a deposit will be considered to be consent to the following conditions:

Hermes Tours reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 15 participants.

Hermes Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure. Travel cancellation insurance would cover these costs should the tour be cancelled.

Hermes Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.