What
will we see each day?
Our
itineraries are designed to be not too full - or too empty! Each
day we'll have breakfast at our hotel, followed by the day's activities.
Enjoy browsing the proposed
itinerary. Back
to top
IF = In flight
meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1, Saturday, July 10, 2010: Departure
Our journey begins with our flight from Chicago to Munich, Germany. (IF)
Day 2: Sunday, July 11, 2010: Dinkelsbühl
On arrival in Munich, the city of “Gemütlichkeit” we meet our tour guide who will escort us to our waiting motor coach for the
drive to Dinkelsbühl as we reconnect with our family roots. This evening we'll have a wonderful reunion with German cousins at the Hotel Blauer Hecht, where we will stay for four nights. (B/D)
Day 3: Monday, July 12, 2010: Dinkelsbühl, Schopflohe
Today, we have a full day to enjoy time in the Dinkelsbühl area. Dinkelsbuhl is one of the three 1,000 year old cities in
Germany that is located on the Roman Highway. The old part of the city is still surrounded by ramparts and moats dating
back to 928. The most important structure of the city is the St. George Church that was built in 1448-1499. While we do not know of any relatives living in the city, this is where our forefathers paid their taxes and did much of their buying. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Schopflohe, the birthplace of Andrew Linsenmeyer. There are many people with this name living in the village today. Part of our adventure will be to establish which of these Linsenmeyers we are directly related to. We may be able to have refreshments in the Linsenmeyer Guest House and view the cemetery with many names familiar to us. (B/D)
Day 4: Tuesday, July 13, 2010: Veitswind, Weidelbach
Veitswind is a very small village of six homes, one of which was the home of Andrew and Carolina, before they came to
America. The family living in the home today, whom we will visit, are descendants of the man who purchased it from Andrew.
A little further down the valley is the village of Weidelbach. This village has the church and school where the family worshiped and began their formal education. We will be able to see school records, baptism and confirmation records of several of Andrew's children. (B/D)
Day 5: Wednesday, July 14, 2010: Burgstall
Burgstall is the home of Carolina (Meyer) Linsenmeyer. She was born in this village and there are several direct
descendants of her siblings living in the village today. Seeing the homes and life styles of the people in these villages will give
us a greater appreciation for our heritage. (B/D)
Day 6: Thursday, July 15, 2010: Prien, Lake Chiemsee
After breakfast, we board our coach and drive to Prien, where we will board a boat for a relaxing ride on Lake Chiemsee, the
largest lake in Bavaria. When we land on Herrenchiemsee, we’ll take a horse and carriage ride to visit Herrenchiemsee Castle, built by King Ludwig II in the style of Versailles. We’ll then take a second boat ride to Frauenchiemsee (Ladies
Island) and enjoy the small artisan shops and cafes, as well as the Benedictine Abbey. The boat will bring us back to Prien and we'll check into the Hotel Bayrischerhof. (B/D)
Day 7: Friday, July 16, 2010: Eagle’s Nest, Prien
This morning we board a local bus for a ride up the Kehlstein Strasse to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. There is a spectacular view
into Austria. We can also enjoy coffee or an ice-cream in the cafe. Upon our descent, we visit a salt mine where we will put on miner’s clothes for a fascinating tour of the mine.
(B/D)
Day 8: Saturday, July 17, 2010: Romantic Road, Oberammergau
We will begin today with a visit to King Ludwig’s
spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, nestled in the Bavarian Alps. This is where we will meet up with Dr. David and Elizabeth Sparks, who will be our hosts for the next two days. We’ll end the day at our hotel in the delightful spa town of Bad Kohlgrub, just outside Oberammergau.
(B/D)
Day 9: Sunday, July 18, 2010: Oberammergau Passion Play
The morning is free to stroll around Oberammergau before eating
lunch and heading to the Passion Play. The seven hour performance
is truly a moving experience as we witness the passion of Jesus,
recalling how He gave His life so that we might be forgiven. Gathered
together with Christians from around the globe, this once-a-decade
play is an unforgettable experience. (B/L/D)
Day 10: Monday, July 19, 2010: Bavarian Castles
Our leisurely day today will include a tour of the Wieskirche, “The Church on the Meadow”, then Linderhof Castle, with its
ornate suites and Venus Grotto. We’ll end the day in Munich with free time before a group meal this evening at the Hotel St. Paul. (B/D)
Day 11: July 20, 2010: Salzburg
This morning we will take a drive to the “City of Music”, Salzburg, Austria. We’ll drive by some of the locations used in this
classic film. Our walking tour will introduce us to this city, visiting Mozart’s birthplace, Mirabell Gardens, and tour the Salzburg
Cathedral, the Getreidegasse shopping area, the market area, Peter’s Church and more. The afternoon will be free to explore
at our leisure, before returning to Munich. (B)
Day 12: July 21, 2010: Return
We leave this morning and drive to Munich Airport for our flight home. (B)