The Nutcracker Tour
December 3 - 19, 2009

There is no other Christmas Tour which offer anything remotely the same as what we offer on this tour. If you want a very special Christmas Tour then join us on the Nutcracker Tour.  The pace is leisurely designed to let you experience a destination rather than just get a glimpse of a place. We are not multi-tasking on this tour dashing from town to town cramming several destination into a day. It is one of our favorite tours that is why we escort it ourselves.

Helga and Jack van Horn

Posh Journeys

ITINERARY

Dec. 3 - Depart USA for the flight to Leipzig.

December. 4 - After arrival in Leipzig transfer to the hotel which is located within a few minutes walk of Leipzig’s fabulous Christmas Market. Leipzig is one of Germany’s oldest cities and one of its most dynamic. The Christmas Market set up in the historic town square with its Renaissance Town Hall and beautifully restored old Patrician houses. Dinner this evening is typical Saxon fare in one of the city’s oldest restaurants. D

December 5 - After a leisurely and ample breakfast you have the morning in Leipzig. At noon we drive to the Castle Triestewitz, a Saxon country castle which will be your home for two nights. En route we make stop in the small Renaissance town of Torgau with its immense Hartenstein Castle. Here we have a private tour of the Marien Church where Katherina von Bora, the wife of Martin Luther is entombed. In the evening a Christmas Concert at the Castle Triestewitz is performed by famous artists from theater and opera. During intermission enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner. B D

December 6 - Today we embark on an excursion to the 1000-year old town of Meissen huddled around a steep hill and towered over by its great Albrechtsburg Castle. Opt to walk up to the castle or visit the Meissen Porcelain factory. Meissen Porcelain was invented in the early 1700's and it was the first hard paste porcelain in the western world, the process which until then was only known to the Chinese. Before returning to the Castle Triestewitz we will stop for a wine tasting at the winery of Prince von Lippe where some of the best wines of this region are produced. After returning to the castle join our hosts Manfred and Monika Pawlik for a cup of coffee and a slice of Stollen, a traditional Christmas bread which originated some 500 years ago in Dresden. In the evening dinner is in a nearby country inn. B D

December 7 - Today we bid Manfred and Monika goodbye to travel to the Czech Republic where we are the guests of Sylvia Kirby and Tony Acevedo, two Canadian who have bought an elaborate turn of the century Chateau which they have made into a stunning and romantic B&B. The Chateau is located near the small town of Krasna Lipa in a scenic area referred to as the Czech Switzerland. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee after arrival before we drive to a local inn for a dinner of Czech fare. B D

December 8 - After breakfast we embark on a day trip into the romantic countryside of the Czech Switzerland Region where the River Elbe flows through an area of steep cliffs and primeval forests. For lunch we will pause in a small inn after which there is time to browse through the local handcraft stores of the village. Tea and coffee awaits after returning to the Chateau. Dinner this evening is on your own, however, our bus will take us to a quaint local inn where you can order from the menu at a cost so inexpensive it will astound you. B L

December 9 - This morning a scenic drive will take us back to Germany to the small town of Seiffen in the Erzgebirge, (Ore Mountains), the home of the original Nutcracker. Your abode for two nights is a pretty country hotel in the very center of Seiffen. After arrival you are free to go out and explore the shops that that abound with Nutcrackers, smokers, angels and miners which have not changed much since the Nutcracker was invented a couple of centuries ago. In the evening a fine dinner of Erzgebirge fare on the itinerary. B D

December 10 - Today you have the day to go shopping, but before you do so we embark on a sleigh ride (Wagon ride if the snow is sparse) through a fairytale forest.  Since your hotel is in the very center of Seiffen you can return to the hotel to deposit your purchases before going out for more. In the evening we drive to an old stage coach inn to feast on a Neinerla, a traditional Christmas dinner as it has been served in this region for centuries. B D

December 11 - This morning a short drive will take us back to the Czech Republic to fabulous Karlovy Vary Europe’s most famous spa town during the mid 19^th century. At this time European Royalty, from the Tsars of Russia to Queen Victoria, had their villas and palaces in Karlovy Vary which was then known as Karlsbad. To this day you can stroll through the elaborate arcaded spa promenade just as royals did some 150 years ago.  In the evening you are on your own, but your hotel is in the very center of Karlovy Vary with restaurants, café's and quaint bars just outside your door. B

Dec. 12 - Today we embark on a drive to the tiny village of Hexenagger in Bavaria. The drive is a scenic one and the destination the lovely 13^th century Castle Hexenagger where you will be the guests of Maria and Eberhard Leichtfuss the owners the Castle which we have all to ourselves, and which will be home for the next two nights However, it is not only the castle that is the attraction here, but its romantic Christmas Market set up in the castle’s courtyard and in its Renaissance Gardens. Dinner this evening is in the candle-lit dining room of the castle. A D 

December 13 - This morning you will take a short scenic drive to Kehlheim on the Danube ending at the Monastery of Weltenburg founded by Irish and Scottish monks in the 7^th century. The monastery is romantically set at the mouth to the Danube Gorge the narrowest point of the River Danube. Afterwards we visit the stunningly beautiful Befreiungshalle, a rotunda set high above the Danube in memory of the Battle of the Nations where Napoleon was defeated for the first time and which was the beginning of the end of the French Emperor.  Afterwards return to the castle to enjoy more of the Christmas Market which ay night comes alive with thousands of lights strung in the trees on the hillside and in the garden. The evening is on your own to snack on the many delectable foods you will find at the market. B

December 14 - After breakfast continue on to the alpine resort of Garmisch Partenkirchen in the Bavarian Alps where the charming Chalet Edelweiss is your home for two nights. After arrival there is time for a stroll through Garmisch before dinner in a historic brewery in the oldest part of Garmisch. B D

December 15 - This morning we have a specially arranged tour to a school where young men and women learn the art of wood carving and wood sculpture. In the school's show room you have a chance to purchase wood carvings for much lower prices than you would pay for them in a store. You also have the possibility to custom order wood carvings or wood sculptures. The afternoon is on your own to pursue your own interests. In the evening dinner is at the Gasthof Fraundorfer in Partenkirchen where you are entertained with song and dance while feasting on Schweinshaxe with all the trimmings. B D

December 16 - After breakfast a scenic drive will take you to fairytale Salzburg, the setting for the Sound of Music. After arrival check into the beautiful 5-star Hotel Bristol set next to Mirabel Gardens and just across the river from Salzburg’s Baroque center. After getting settled we will take you on an orientation walk to show you what is where. Afterwards you have time on your own until we meet for dinner in a nearby local inn. B D

December 17 - The day  is on your own to shop at the Christmas Market or browse through the many shops at the Getreidegasse, Salzburg main shopping street. You can also take the tram up to the Fortress Hohensalzburg which towers above the old town, or you may opt to join any of the "Sound of Music" tours. In the evening we take you to the very old and astounding Augustine Abbey and Brewery, the most traditional beer hall in Salzburg which to this day is still run by Augustine monks. Their motto is; "good food and drink keeps the body and soul happy." Since you have draw your own beer and buy your own food in a market hall the meal is on your own tonight. And if you don't drink beer there is always wine - but you will be missing something.  B

December 18 - Today you bid Salzburg goodbye and transfer to Erding near the Munich Airport for an overnight.  We have chosen the return from Munich rather than from Salzburg since you have far more choices of flights and better fares. After arriving in Erding there is time for a stroll through this pretty medieval town before we meet for dinner. B D

December 19 - Transfer to the airport for your return flight.