MERRY CHRISTMAS Europe! by Executive Travel

Merry Christmas Europe! November 28 – December 6, 2015 November 26 – December 4, 2016

Dear Friends, Executive Travel is thrilled to present a custom-tailored, deluxe tour to Germany and Austria. This time we celebrate Christmas, “Chris’s Mass,” the “Midwinter Feast,” or simply “The celebration of the Light!” If you are tired of commercialism taking over this holiday period and would like to get away for a real traditional and romantic Christmas market experience, you should consider joining us. Our journey is a feast for all the senses. This once-in-a-lifetime, 9-day Christmas fairytale tour takes us through the German and Austrian cities of Munich, Regensburg, Nuremberg and Salzburg, before ending our tour with two unforgettable nights in Vienna. Our days are filled with Christmas magic and each place we visit has its own unique atmosphere. Here Christmas gifts are not mass-produced, but craftwork of real quality.You can buy all kinds of Christmas merchandise and presents, especially traditional things such as crib figurines, toys, woodcarvings, marionettes, candles, and lambskin shoes to place beneath your Christmas tree.

Beyond the rich opportunity of buying genuine gifts and ornaments and the unique ambience of typical German and Austrian Christmas markets, our tour is further enhanced by the aromas of roasted chestnuts, grilled sausages, gingerbread biscuits and marzipan figures. The sweets are appealing and who can resist a baked apple on a crisp winter day, accompanied by a glass of delicious mulled wine? We are going to taste and enjoy it all, and, while listening to Christmas carols, our guide will share all her local knowledge of every city we visit. There is a certain timelessness about the sights that is unbelievable. The opportunities for photography are exceptional and insight into the history, architecture, lifestyle, culture, and cuisine of both countries is unparalleled. Take a look inside this brochure to learn all the details of our wonderful tour. Once you do we hope you will join us on this special tour. Sincerely, Steve Glenn Chairman of the Board and CEO Executive Travel

Nov.

Depart for Europe

Nov.

Munich

28/26

Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic to Munich. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you start your Christmas market fairytale vacation.

Arrive in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, in the early morning. We will be met by our local Englishspeaking guide, who will be with us for the full duration of our journey in Germany and Austria. We will take a panoramic tour of Munich to become familiar with the city before we check in to our hotel, located within few minutes from the famous pedestrian streets and Marienplatz (Mary’s Square). Munich is a beautiful city of high-tech modernity and proud old traditions, and has so many fantastic attractions that it is hard to know where to start. Walking the colorful old town (Altstadt), we retrace the paths of 850 years of history. From Marienplatz and the famous Glockenspiel, we stroll through the medieval heart of the city admiring the simple beauty of the Frauenkirche, whose twin towers dominate the city’s skyline. Munich is also a city of royal scandals and a turbulent 20th century with the early days of the Nazi Party, but the story we all love most is that of the most famous beverage worldwide: beer! 29/27

We visit the Viktualienmarkt where you will find a whole host of stalls selling local delicatessen, fresh fish, exotic fruits, flowers and plants, and much more. We end at the famous Christmas Market at Marienplatz and enjoy a glass of mulled wine before we walk back to the hotel for a late afternoon and evening at leisure. B|T

Nov.

Regensburg

After a rich breakfast we take a short one-hour drive to the Weltenburg Abbey, situated on a peninsula in the Danube on the so-called “Danube Gorge.” The monastery was founded by Irish or Scottish monks in about 620 and is held to be the oldest monastery in Bavaria. It is home to the famous Weltenburger Klosterbrauerei, the oldest monastery brewery in the world, operating since 1050. We continue our journey to Regensburg, a medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Germany’s oldest towns. Crusaders used the 12th century Stone Bridge to cross the Danube en route to the Holy Land. We have arranged an old-town sightseeing by foot and we will visit the Christmas market at the Thurn & Taxis Palace. During Advent the palace courtyard serves as a magical stage for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Bavaria. We will enjoy the roasted chestnuts and homemade potato soup served from a loaf of bread, which is the specialty here. Still hungry? Let’s swing by the historic “Wurstkuchl” (Sausage Kitchen) of Regensburg. Located in a 900-year-old building, this is the world’s oldest sausage kitchen, still serving more than 6,000 sausages to its guests daily. The menu is simple: Sausages (come in portions of six, eight or ten) along with sauerkraut and mustard – delightful bites! We return to Munich in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure. B|T 30/28

Dec. 1 Salzburg Nov. 29 Today we take a day-trip to the hometown of

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Salzburg. We will visit the “Geburtshaus,” the house where Mozart was born in 1756 and lived with his parents until 1773. The house is now transformed to a three-floor exhibit showcasing Mozart’s life: how he grew up, his start in music, who his friends and patrons were, family relationships, his passion for opera, and much more. Before leaving, make sure to taste the “Mozartkugeln,” round chocolate filled with nougat and pistachio, beautifully wrapped in silver foil. Then we take an old town sightseeing by foot and visit the Salzburg Christmas Market, where we will enjoy the famous sweet Brezel. After lunch we follow in the footsteps of the Trapp family and hum along to the tunes of “The Sound of Music” as we continue to the Hellbrunn Castle. We will admire the pavilion, the gardens and the romantic courtyard, a path lined by torches and an oversized Advent calendar. We will step into the magic of Advent; romantic booths, tempting treats and pre-Christmas gift ideas add to the charming atmosphere. The Advent afternoons at Hellbrunn Caslte are hearty and cheerful, and we will enjoy the delicious local punch before retuning back to Munich. The evening is free to enjoy Munich. B|T

Dec. 2 Munich Nov. 30 The mid-morning is free to relax before we

head out to enjoy two prominent Christmas markets. The organizers of the Residenz Christmas Market have recreated a farming village in the Emperor’s Court of the Munich Residenz, the former Bavarian seat of government. They say the prettiest gingerbreads in Germany are made and sold here;, we will taste and judge! We continue to the English Garden’s Christmas Market. The Chinese Tower is located right in the center of the garden, which is transformed into a lovely market with everything the city markets have to offer. Sample local bratwurst, beers and mulled wine, shop handmade arts and crafts and simply enjoy. This is a great place to spend the remainder of the day. The middle-of-the-forest atmosphere just seems so appropriate for the Christmas feel! B|T

Dec.

Nuremberg

After a tasty breakfast we leave our hotel to drive to Nuremberg. In the shadow of the towering imperial castle, we are going to explore the city by foot. Gothic churches, patricians’ houses, romantic corners, and spots of the city – all right at our feet. A unique atmosphere of lively coexistence between medieval and modern, past and the present, prevails in Nuremberg. We are going to taste the delicious “3 im Weckla” (“3 in a roll” sandwich) and of course visit… a Christmas market! The Nuremberg market is famous for its culinary delights and is one of the most important Christmas markets in Germany. It is definitely time to pull out your cameras! The joyful sound of bells and the clatter of hooves tell you that the stagecoach is coming! Take a ride with Heinz, who proudly has braved wind and weather for more than 20 years and offered a noble and nostalgic 3/1

Executive Travel • Phone 402–435–8888 • Fax 402–435–2735 • Toll Free 800–737–0582

trip back in time, a journey which was once a luxury that only the wealthiest could afford. We return to Munich in the late afternoon to enjoy an evening at leisure. B|T

Dec.

Vienna

Dec.

Vienna Christmas Markets

Dec.

Vienna — Departure

We leave the impressive Munich and drive towards another enchanting city: Vienna. On our way we will make a stop at Lake Attersee to enjoy lunch. The scenery is stunning and the Attersee area has for many years attracted holidaymakers from all over the world. Gustav Klimt, the famous Austrian symbolist painter, painted a select number of landscapes of the Lake Attersee area, as he vacationed here between 1900 and 1916. We arrive to Vienna in the early afternoon and enjoy a sightseeing tour before checking in to our hotel in the center of the city. The “City of Waltz” embraces both the contemporary and the classic and is one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals with an exciting cultural, music and theater heritage. The Museumsquartier and Hofburg are world class and Vienna is definitely the “coffee town of all coffee towns” in the world! Do not miss a Viennese Melange and a piece of the famous “Torte” in one of the city’s countless cafes. The evening is yours to enjoy. B 4/2

The day is dedicated to the Christmas markets of Vienna, a true age-old tradition. The forerunners of the present day events date back to the Middle Ages when in 1298 Albrecht I granted Vienna’s citizens the privilege of holding a December Market or “Krippenmarkt” (cribs market). Since then, the characters and prevalence of these markets has changed considerably. Nowadays, over 20 official Advent Markets sell a vast array of seasonal gifts and mouthwatering treats. The Wiener Rathausplatz Market, within walking distance from our hotel, is our first stop. The Viennese Christmas Market in front of City Hall is an unforgettable highlight for those eager to get into the spirit of the season. The unique backdrop gives this market a charm of its own, and delicious aromas are sure to lull all of us into the seasonal joy. We continue by foot to the Christmas Market of Stephansplatz, which focuses on contemplation and tradition, with more than 30 booths offering high-quality products from Austria. Today’s tasting is a Schaschlik, yet another popular local delicacy. B|T 5/3

All too soon, your vacation has ended. Transfer to the airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight and clear security. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty-free stores before boarding and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States. B 6/4

Executive Travel • Phone 402–435–8888 • Fax 402–435–2735 • Toll Free 800–737–0582

Route Map Overnight Visit/Stop

Highlights

GERMANY

• Munich City Sightseeing

• Regensburg City Sightseeing

CZECH REPUBLIC

Nuremberg

• Nuremberg City Sightseeing • Salzburg City Sightseeing • House of Mozart • Vienna City Sightseeing

Regensburg Munich

• World-famous Christmas Markets

Vienna Salzburg Hellbrunn Castle

Included

AUSTRIA

• Local English-speaking professional guide in Germany and Austria • Transport by luxury motor coach with driver for 8 days • Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed opposite for 7 nights • Full breakfast daily • Daily tastings of local delicacies • Visits and admission fees to all above mentioned Christmas markets and the House of Mozart in Salzburg)

Not Included

• Local tastings

Pricing • Stunning sceneries

Per person, land only

• Double occupancy: $1,995 • Single room supplement: $1,000 A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at time of reservation. Full payment is due August 28th, 2015/ August 26th, 2016. The tours are confirmed at a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 participants. We are happy to assist with international air at the best rates possible. Travel insurance is highly recommended – contact us!

Hotel Accommodations

• Munich — Hotel Torbrau, 4 star

• Tips

• Vienna — Hotel Astoria, 4 star

• Meals other than mentioned

Final accommodations will be confirmed 30 days prior to the departure with the travel documents.

• Entrances to monuments and/or museums other than mentioned • Personal expenses • Flight tickets to Munich and return from Vienna. We are happy to assist with reservations.

Executive Travel • 1212 O Street • Lincoln, NE 68508 • Phone 402-435-8888 • Fax 402-435-2735 • Toll Free 800-737-0582 Forwarding registration and deposit signifies that you agree to the terms and conditions of this tour which can be found at http://www.executivetravel.com/group_tours/terms_and_conditions.html