From the Alps to the Coast in August, 2015

The Austrian Alps

Led by James Derheim
This draft prepared by James  
Updated with new dates on January 30, 2015

Departure date: Sunday, August 9

Arrival date: Monday, August 10

Zurich, Switzerland

Weggis, Switzerland (2)

James meets the four of you at the airport and we drive about an hour south to Lake Lucerne where we stay two nights in a family-owned small hotel on the lake in the small town of Weggis. Views are lovely from the balcony of your rooms. 

Not much planned for today, taking it easy, enjoying the small town of Weggis. We make a stop in Lucerne on the way just to stretch the legs and if you want, walk across the famous Chapel Bridge. Welcome dinner tonight, weather permitting, at the hotel's acclaimed lakeside restaurant.(Dinner included)

We stay here: 
Seehotel Gottard

Day 2: Tuesday, August 11

Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald

James takes you on a drive way, way up into the Lauterbrunnen Valley, a spectacular area with tumbling waterfalls and splendid mountain views. At the end of the valley there is a cablecar to the hamlet of Gimmelwald, which has more cows than people. The views are breathtaking.

Also, we take a drive up to Grindelwald, a famous ski and hiking area in the shadow of the Jungfrau and Eiger Mountains. We have lunch with a close-up view of those mountains.

If you're not claustrophobic, a visit to the fantastic Trummelbach Cave Waterfall is a real highlight in this area. Gritty water from glaciers high above has over eons carved out an inner-mountain wonderland of waterfalls, pools and odd stone shapes. The falls roar through the narrow crevices for many hundreds of feet. An elevator and easy walkways allow access. 

Return to our lakeside hotel for the night. 

Day 3: Wednesday, August 12

Lans, Austria (2)

The distance from Weggis to Poland is about 1,300 kilometers. James has a drive limit of 400 kilometers per day. This is also about the max that our guests usually want to be stuck in the van in any given day. So, we split this journey up into three stops, with a relaxing two nights in the high alpine 'Cow Town' of Lans, Austria. On the way we stop and James shows you the highlights of the old town of Innsbruck. 

Right across the street from our alpine lodge is one of the best Gasthauses in all of Austria. James thinks the venison is the best, and they do a darned good schnitzel. We can go extra light on lunch so that you have an appetite for these treats.

The Landgasthof Wilder Mann where we stay in Lans, Austria

Visit the web site for the Wilder Mann

Day 4: Thursday, August 13

Exploring the Austrian Alps

James shows you the highest waterfall in Austria in the gorgeous Ötztal Valley. Mountains, mountains, and more mountains! Feel like apple strudel? A gasthaus near the waterfall has that and more. 
I know you will really enjoy your mornings at the Wilder Mann. If we are lucky, Manuela will make her very special omelet for us. It has to be one of the best I have ever had in Europe. 

Day 5: Friday, August 14
Stopover in Mondsheim, Austria (1)

We travel over the (you guessed it, Austrian Alps) on our way to the pretty little town of Mondsheim where we stay the night. Are you 'Sound of Music' fans? This is where the wedding scene was filmed. Freshen up your memory by watching the movie and then see the real thing today. If you are interested James can show you the villa where World War I started in nearby Bad Ischl in the morning. 

We sightsee on our way to Mondsheim. Worth seeing is the old center of Innsbruck. 

We stay at this beautiful lakeside hotel where your rooms will have a balcony

Day 6: Saturday, August 15
Vienna (2)

We drive through more of Austria and on to the capital city, Vienna, for a two-night stay. We stay in a B&B right across from the opera house. We are close to everything there. Certainly as it is the weekend there will be at least one concert that you can enjoy. 

Visit the little B&B where we stay, Opera Suites. 

Day 7: Sunday, August 16
Vienna

Sightseeing in Vienna. A fun way to get an overall view of the city's sights is by horse and carriage.

Day 8: Monday, August 17
Olomouc, Czech Republic (1)

Overnight stay on our way to Poland. This city does have a charming medieval center. 

Hotel Arigone in the heart of the medieval town is where we will stay the night.

Day 9: Tuesday, August 18
Auschwitz and Opole, Poland (2)

After a stop at the concentration camp museum at Auschwitz, we continue on to Opole. We drive via the back roads so that you can see the countryside and small villages on the way to Opole, where we stay two nights.  

We stay at the Hotel Starka. Jenean and I stayed here years ago and loved it. 

Day 10: August 19
Opole and area

Exploring the area around Opole. We see as many of the areas as possible that are pertinent to the genealogy goals of Phyllis.

Day 11: August 20
Legnica, Poland (1)

We take the fast road to Legnica and stay the night there while exploring villages and other areas of interest nearby. We will be at Legnica by about 10:30, leaving the entire day for exploring the villages to the south of there that Phyllis is interested in seeing. 

Hotel Qubus

Day 12: Friday, August 21

Dresden (2)

Stopping on the way in Görlitz, Herrnhut and Berthelsdorf. Arrival in Dresden in the late afternoon. Stay two nights in the heart of the historic city just steps away from all of the major sights. 

We stay at my favorite, the Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe. The breakfast buffet could be the best in Germany. 

Day 13: Saturday, August 22
Dresden (and Pirna)

Enough time to take in the sights of the city, which are all concentrated within a block or two of our hotel. A highlight is the jewelry and precious items collection in the Neues Grüne Gewolbe located in the castle as well as the Old Masters collection in the adjacent museum. Likely that James will take Phyllis and Devon to see nearby Pirna during the morning. We may hook up in the afternoon. 

Also worth doing is a cruise on the Elbe on one of their old-style steam boats. These boats date from the 1920s and they are perfectly-preserved and maintained. This could be something for all of you to enjoy this afternoon.

Day 14: Sunday, August 23
Magdeburg (1)

Following the trail of ancestors up to Torgau where we stop and then on to Lutherstadt Wittenberg, which is about two hours drive along the back roads. Lunch at Wittenberg. 

Continue on to Magdeburg where we stay the night in a hotel designed according to the work of the famous artist and architect Hundertwasser. Learn more about him here: 

http://www.hundertwasser.at/english/oeuvre/arch/arch_projekte.php

We stay at the Green Citadel. 

Magdeburg was bombed in WWII and it was also destroyed under the Soviet occupation, but there is enough left to make for a nice overnight. 

The massive church is also something to enjoy. 

Day 15: Monday, August 24
Lüneburg (3)

Following the trail and staying close to the river through Tangermünde, Stendal and on to Lüneburg, which is a beautiful town that is completely preserved since it was not bombed in World War II. We stay here three nights. 

We stay at the Hotel Altes Kaufhaus

Day 16: Tuesday, August 25

Lüneburg 

Enjoyment of Lüneburg. There is much to see in this pretty town.

Day 17: Wednesday, August 26
Boizenburg and Hamburg

Experience the water that ancestors sailed on as they left Hamburg en route to America with a stop in the Netherlands. Enjoy a cruise lasting about an hour around the Hamburg harbor and then lunch in the restored warehouse district at a place where you can try the famous Hamburg 'currywurst.' On the way back, we stop for 'Kaffee und Kuchen' in Boizenburg. 

Prepare for departure the following day from Hamburg International Airport. 

Day 18: Thursday, August 27

Day of departure 

From Hamburg back to the USA 
Flight departs at 1 p.m.
We leave the hotel at 9:30 for the 45-min drive up to the airport, leaving time for traffic. 

Included: 

• Transportation on the ground from landing to departure
• Double-occupancy rooms in moderately-priced but comfortable and safe hotels. 
• All breakfasts
• All lunches
• All sightseeing and entry fees
• Cablecar ride to the hamlet of Gimmelwald, Switzerland (weather permitting) 
• Harbor cruise at Hamburg 
• Entry to Auschwitz for those interested
• Fuel, tolls and other expenses of travel 
• Hour long cruise on the Elbe at Dresden
• Guide's fee

Not included: Except for a first night welcome dinner, your other dinners. James will provide guidance on where to go. Many of our hotels also offer dinner. As of 2010 European Focus does not include dinners except for the first night because that way you're not 'stumbling from one big meal to the next,' and it allows you more flexibility in how you plan your day. It also means you're not being charged for dinner that you don't want. It also allows your guide to have much-needed down time in the evening which he needs to plan and prepare for the next day. With breakfast usually a generous buffet and a lunch around 1 p.m. most people don't feel like having much at night.

All pricing is locked in at the Euro, however, your actual payment amount will change with the changes in euro to dollar exchange rates. We will keep you advised as to what your dollar amount is on the dates when your payments are due in May and in July.

Price for the combined trip, alpine section and the leg from Krakow to Hamburg:  7,084 Euro per person 
17-day tour. 
Total time away from home including travel time: 19 days
At today's exchange rate: $8,500
Air travel and trip insurance not included

Please read our trip regulations found here

Deposit amount to guarantee the dates and start the booking process: 1,500 Euro converted to dollars for your convenience. 
All of your payments are in US Dollars on the day they are due. 

Followed by: 1/3 of your balance due on May 1, 2015
Balance due on July 1, 2015