Travel-Learn Program

When: December 04, 2012 - December 11, 2012 (iCal)

Description

Join Tufts travelers and visit Bavaria and Austria during the magical winter days. Beautiful Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Vienna wait to be explored with their cozy Christmas markets, quaint shops and restaurants, and wintry charms. Experience how Germans and Austrians celebrate their festive Christmas season, shop for high quality original ornaments and handicrafts, and savor local treats. Sightseeing highlights include visits to Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of Vienna, and a stroll through the medieval lanes of Innsbruck to Emperor Maximillian’s Golden Roof. Our program features an enchanting line-up of sights and experiences that are sure to make the holiday season a memorable one.

Activity level: Moderately Active

Download the program flyer.

To avoid disappointment of a sold out program, register now!

Cost

$1,995 per person based on double occupancy

Contact

For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1– 2: U.S. / Munich, Germany

Arrival in Munich. Welcome to the capital of Bavaria! We will meet our traveling companions at the airport and transfer to the hotel. We will meet this evening for a welcome dinner at our hotel.

Day 3: Munich

After breakfast, join a local guide for sightseeing in Germany’s “secret capital”. Highlights include the Olympic Stadium, 951-foot-high Olympic Tower, Marienplatz with the Old and New Town Halls, and the gothic Frauenkirche whose two towers have dominated the Munich skyline for centuries. Lunch is on our own and the afternoon is free to explore the Munich Christmas Market at our own pace and sample traditional seasonal delicacies, including, Lebkuchen and Glühwein. Dinner is on our own.

Day 4: Munich / Innsbruck, Austria / Salzburg

After breakfast, we will journey across the border to Innsbruck, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, which served as the seat of the imperial court of Maximilian I at the end of the 15th century. Then we will stroll through the quaint medieval lanes of the Old Town to the Golden Roof, constructed for the Emperor in 1494. We will take in the whimsical ambiance as we browse the beautifully decorated stalls of the local Christmas market. A leisurely lunch is on our own before we make the scenic drive to Salzburg. This evening we will meet for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5: Salzburg

The majestic alpine scenery surrounding Salzburg provides a stunning backdrop for the Baroque architecture of its “Old Town”. After breakfast, a walking tour includes stops at exquisite Mirabell Palace Gardens, St. Peter’s Churchyard, and the monumental Domplatz. We will also visit the birthplace of one of Salzburg’s most renowned residents – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. After lunch on our own, we have a free afternoon to take in the atmosphere of the Advent season as we wander the enchanting Salzburg Christmas Market at the foot of Hohensalzburg Fortress. Alternately, we may choose to go for a ride nestled under warm blankets on a horse- drawn sleigh amidst the mountains, lakes and villages that surround Salzburg. Dinner this evening is on our own.

Day 6: Salzburg / Vienna

After breakfast, a scenic morning drive will bring us to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Hapsburg Empire. We will meet our local guide for an afternoon of sightseeing with stops at lavish Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family, the impressive Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Austrian capital’s most important Gothic edifice. This evening we can pursue individual interests or choose to attend an orchestra performance in one of Vienna’s concert halls.

Day 7: Vienna

Breakfast this morning is at the hotel. An entire day at leisure will give us an opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in Vienna’s festive Christmas markets, each with its own unique character. We may choose to further explore the sights and sounds of Vienna or relax at one of its famous coffee- houses or traditional wine taverns, or yet sill wander along narrow medieval alleyways, sample the city’s cultural attractions or visit Schönbrunn Palace, a former imperial summer residence. This evening, we will meet for a farewell dinner with our traveling companions.

Day 8: Vienna / U.S.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for U.S.-bound flights. Or, board a train for an optional 3-day extension to Prague, Czech Republic.

Price and Itinerary are tentative and subject to change.

617-627-5323|usha.sellers@tufts.edu