travel
connection
GERMAN NATIONAL TOURIST BOARD
Germany is
wunderbar
By Stephanie E. Ponder
GERMANY HAS A REPUTATION as a charming, clean and tourist-friendly country with a
rich cultural heritage. This vacation destination has something to offer to all visitors.
From beautiful architecture and seasonal
festivities to great food and scenic countryside,
travelers who have never been to Germany
may feel overwhelmed by how much there is
to see and do.
For those who are curious but unsure
about how to approach a country with so
much variety, Trafalgar Tours, through Costco
Travel, offers a comfortable and convenient
way to discover one of Europe’s most beautiful countries. With groups of no more than
50 and plenty of opportunities for individual
exploration, Trafalgar’s escorted motorcoach
tours allow travelers to experience the very
best that Germany has to offer.
One place to sample many of Germany’s
cultural offerings is along the Romantic Road
in the southern part of the country. Stretching
approximately 217 miles from Würzburg to
Füssen, this former trade route dates back to
the Middle Ages and takes travelers to sites and
experiences that have a “typically German” feel.
The Romantic Road’s path winds past the Main
River, into wine country and through the Alps,
and each of the cities and small towns along the
way offers something new to see, taste or learn.
One particularly enchanting aspect of the
Romantic Road is the opportunity to see several of Germany’s castles. Perhaps the most
recognizable of these (thanks to Disneyland)
is Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian
Alps. Built for King Ludwig II in the late
1800s, the castle receives more than a million
visitors each year.
Other impressive structures include the
Hohenzollern Castle, which is home to a
summer festival and a Christmas fair;
Trausnitz Castle, which houses a collection of
750 exhibits; and the Imperial Castle of
Nuremberg, which boasts that over a 500-year
span it hosted all of the emperors of the Holy
Roman Empire during their reigns.
“Diversity differentiates Germany from
Neuschwanstein Castle in southern
Germany served as the inspiration for
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.
its European counterparts,” says Michaela
Klare of the German National Tourist Office.
“Cutting-edge architecture is built next to
ancient castles or half-timbered houses. Small,
enchanting towns as well as big and elegant
cities offer a wealth of options for an unforgettable holiday.”
In addition to the fairy-tale virtues of the
Romantic Road, cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt
and Munich showcase the country’s metropolitan qualities. Berlin, Germany’s capitol, is
great for daytime strolls past historic spots and
nighttime wanderings from art galleries and
theaters to restaurants, pubs and clubs where
visitors can bump into one of the city’s political or cultural stars.
Munich and Frankfurt also combine the
old with the new. In Munich, visitors can travel
to see modern sports stadiums and buildings
such as the new BMW headquarters. In
Frankfurt, the old opera house and the skyscrapers built in the old main part of town
attract tourists.
Fairs pop up around the country all year
long. Germany boasts more than 1,000 wine
festivals, along with 2,500 Christmas markets.
Other annual celebrations include Fasching
(Carnival)—November 11 to Ash Wednesday
(March 6 this year)—and Oktoberfest.
Germany also offers museums catering to
nearly all interests, including toys, farming,
natural wonders and, of course, traditional
art museums that house works by master
painters as well as contemporary artists.
Regardless of what you decide to do and
see in Germany, the hardest part will be saying auf wiedersehen. C
The Costco Connection
For information on escorted and independent
Europe vacations, visit costco.com and click
on “Travel,” or call toll-free 1-877-849-2730.
FULLY ESCORTED
13-DAY VACATION
Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg,
Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg,
Munich, Black Forest
Tour includes:
• A professional multi-lingual Tour
Director with you throughout
your vacation
• Round-trip ground transportation
from airport to hotel
• Hotel accommodations in twin-bedded
rooms with private facilities
• Sightseeing on a luxury
air-conditioned motor coach
• Daily buffet breakfast, five
three-course dinners, a specialty
dinner in Munich and a farewell
dinner in Frankfurt
• All hotel service charges, tips, baggage
handling fees and local taxes
Ask about Executive Member benefit.
from $2,150 per person*
Valid for 4/27/08 departure.
Costco Members Receive:
One complimentary pre-night at the
first hotel designated in the itinerary,
plus a pre-night one-way private transfer
OR
Instant 10% savings off the land portion
of any first-class Trafalgar Tour featured on
costco.com or as designated by a
black triangle in Trafalgar’s Europe and
Britain book.
Visit costco.com or call Costco
Travel toll-free at 1-877-849-2730.
*Price is per person based on double occupancy, land only, and
includes hotel taxes. Price is valid for travel as specified. Price and
inclusions are subject to change without notice. Travel purchases
are not included in the Executive Membership 2% Reward program.
Seasonal surcharges, availability, blackout dates and restrictions
may apply. All prices are in U.S. dollars. Costco Travel disclaims
liability for any inaccuracies or typographical errors. Costco Travel
is a registered seller of travel and travel agency in the following
states: Washington (WST 602042600); Ohio (8789302); Florida (Fla.
Seller of Travel Reg. No.ST32555); and California (CST 2054248-50).
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by
the state of California. Nevada (Nevada Seller of Travel,
Registration No.2007-0060). 08TR0301_A 11/07
