Tour Code: 27CMS
Tour Manager: Dan Brubaker
Group Size: 8
Activity level: Moderate

GERMANY, CZECHIA and AUSTRIA

Visit the Christmas markets in Munich, Nuremberg and Prague. Have some lebkuchen (Christmas cookies/pastries) and glühwein (mulled wine). Be enchanted by the Zwinger in Dresden. Sample the Sacher Torte in Vienna. Absorb the enchanting village of Hallstatt. Be awed by the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.

Sunday, December 5
Arrival into Munich. Transfer to hotel to rest up. Welcome dinner. Overnight in Munich.

Monday, December 6
Drive for 2.5 hours to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Explore the fortified town with a deaf guide before visiting an amazing year around Christmas store. Then drive 1.5 hour to Nuremberg to visit Documentation Centre Nazi Party Rally Ground. In the evening, we see St. Lorenz Church, Hangman’s Bridge and Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg) as well as Christkindlmarkt. Overnight in Nuremberg. 

Tuesday, December 7
Drive 3 hours to Dresden, which had been beautifully and faithfully reconstructed after a controversial total obliteration by Allied air forces at the end of World War II. Within a very small walking area, we visit Zwinger, Dresdner Palace, Semper Opera House, Procession of the Princes, Bruehl Terrace and Frauenkirche, with an optional ascent to the dome. Weihnachtmarkt (Christmas Market) in the evening. Overnight in Dresden. 

Wednesday, December 8
Drive 2 hours to Prague. After lunch, we visit Old Town (Stare Mesto), Old Town Hall and Astronmical Clock, Church of our Lady before Tyn, Powder Tower, Spanish Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery. Taste some traditional Czech foods that are made fresh right in front of you at Vanocni Trhy (Christmas Markets) at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square in the evening. Stay in Prague for 3 nights. 

Thursday, December 9
Today, we visit the major highlights including the Charles Bridge, Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana), Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and Golden Lane. 

Friday, December 10
In the morning, we visit a deaf school. Free time after lunch including an optional visit at a beer spa.

Saturday, December 11
Drive 1 hour to Kutná Hora for one of most unusual chapels in the world: Sedlec Ossuary. Also known as Church of Bones, it is artistically decorated with over 40,000 human skeletons. After lunch, we drive 2.5 hours to the fairytale Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov. 

Sunday, December 12
Visit the museum and tower of the massive Cesky Krumlov Castle (which is comprised of 40 buildings and palaces). Drive 3 hours down to Vienna. In the evening, we try out vanillekipferl (light crescent shaped almond cookies) at the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz and Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas Village) at Belvedere Palace. Stay in Vienna for 2 nights. 

Monday, December 13
In the morning, we visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, Haas House, Anchor Clock and Blutgasse District. After lunch, we visit Schönbrunn Palace. Then we head out of town for a relaxing 3 hour stay at a hot springs bath (with indoor and outdoor pools, hot springs sulphur pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam bath plus massages, cardio and weight training). Return late in the evening. 

Tuesday, December 14
Drive 3.5 hours to Hallstatt, a postcard-perfect lakeside village. Afternoon at leisure. Go up to the Skywalk for a panoramic viewpoint. Overnight in Hallstatt.

Wednesday, December 15
Drive 1 hour to Salzburg. Mirabell Palace where the Sound of Music was filmed. Hagenauer Haus where the world famous composer, Wolfgang Amandé Mozart, was born. Go up on the funicular to Salzburg Fortress. Explore the narrow streets filled with beautiful shops in the Old Town (Altstadt) ending with Christkindlmarkts at Domplatz and Residenzplatz. Overnight in Salzburg. 

Thursday, December 16
Drive 2.5 hours to Innsbruck. Enjoy lunch in the charming Tyrolean Alpine city, which is a world-renowned winter sports destination. Then drive 2 hours to Füssen. Overnight in Füssen. 

Friday, December 17
Visit the dazzling fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, as well as neighboring Hohenschwangau. Drive 2 hours back to Munich. Spend the evening exploring the Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market) at Marienplatz under the Rathaus-Glockenspiel in the heart of Munich. Evening at the world famous Hofbrauhaus. Stay in Munich for 2 nights. 

Saturday, December 18
In the morning, we visit either München Residenz or Nymphenburg Palace. Free time in the morning with more shopping at Christmas Markets. Farewell dinner. 

Sunday, December 19
After breakfast, we head to the airport for your flight back home.

Dan has been to 92 countries including Bolivia, Cuba, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, North Korea and Uzbekistan. He has also presented at Deaf Youth Leadership Camps in Germany and Thailand as well as team-coordinating an exchange program between two deaf schools in Kentucky, USA and Kamensk, Russia.

• 14 nights in 3-star or 4-star accommodations.

• 16 meals: Breakfast (14), Dinner (2)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins and ends in Munich (Germany).

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required

• Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required

• Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected

• Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: dan@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.