Moods Hotel Prague Light Dinner included Day 3: October 27
Saxon
Switzerland to Dresden
We take the coach beside the River Elbe through
majestic mountains, "die Sachsische Schweiz". We stop at Konigstein, a 16th century
fortress built on the site of a castle. Enjoy the spectacular views and have short
lunch here, followed by a visit to Schloss Pillnitz. We should be able to visit
Augustus the Strong's castle, and also have time to see the grounds and the giant
camellia. The park is laid out in English & Chinese styles. Visit the small artisan
boutiques on the grounds- see the church in the vineyards. After our visit, we
board a boat for Dresden while luggage follows by our coach. Dinner is included
at our beautiful old-city location.
Days 3-5: October 27-30
Dresden
< 3 nights>
Day 4: October 28
We enjoy
a walking tour of the reborn cultural and historical center with a local guide.
This is combined with a guided tour of the Semper Oper. We await confirmation
of exact timing for this and the Meissen tour. There is time for lunch, and we
take an afternoon trip to Meissen. Meissen is a quaint town with narrow cobblestone
lanes and is world famous for its porcelain manufacturing center. We have time
to stroll around in Meissen or in the museum shop before returning to Dresden.
Radisson Blu Dresden
Day 5: October 29
In the morning we are
on our own to explore all that Dresden offers. We can break into groups going
to Museums, and you will receive descriptions of many of the choices. The Zwinger,
Saxony's glorious palace has been immaculately restored to its original glory.
This famed Dresden complex houses world famous art & porcelain galleries: included
is the Gemaldegalerie, with some of Europe's finest paintings. Baroque fountains
feature sculptures, tritons, and nymphs.
12:00pm
Frauenkirche has organ concert daily: the church and the music said to be beautiful.
The afternoon timing today is giving you a chance to be here if you choose..
Afternoon- 2:30pm
Judy B is confirming a reserved entry in to the World
famous Green Vault, with incredible treasures. You may hear commentary on your
own audiotapes, but our entry must be together. You wont want to miss this.
Night
We have tickets to SemperOper tonight, a comic Opera by Rossini,
with music by Dresden Staatskapelle, the VERY BEST. The physical building majestic
also.
Day 6: October 30
Leipzig
Our brief coach trip from Dresden brings us to Leipzig, where Johann
Sebastian Bach and Georg Friedrich Handel achieved their musical fame. We visit
this center of culture for one plus days. We arrive for a morning tour, followed
by a free afternoon.
3:00pm
Plan for musical St. Thomas
Church
5:00pm
St Nicolai- a very interesting history as well
as a famouos organ. Dinner included in an atmospheric restaurant. Victor's Residence
Hotel
Day 7: October 31
Leipzig to Wittenburg,
& onto Berlin.
9:30am
The regular service
at St Thomas has special guests for Reformation Day: Monteverdi Choir from Hamburg
said to be about Germany's best choir. The early morning option to visit this
service will give some needing a rest to sleep in and the rest of us will do what
it takes to hear this choir. Stay tuned and be urged to do all, any or none of
these optional Church offerings.
Our participants asking for a Catholic
service will be offered the chance on Saturday at 6pm. Judy will have the information.
October 31 is Reformation Day in Wittenberg, when and where
Martin Luther's Reformation began. In 1517, on the eve of All Souls Day, Martin
Luther nailed his 95 "theses" to the doors of the castle church in Wittenburg,
condemning the practice of indulgences.
Reformationstag is a festive holiday
in Germany. Here we celebrate with a huge medieval party - lots of vendors, music,
food, and Martin Luther's face on just about anything you can buy.
12:30-1pm
Our
guide meets us at the Luther house for a visit, and proceeds to guide us through
the city. We have some time on our own to enjoy the festivities.
5pm
Schlosskirche
A concert with songs of the Reformation Choir and a Danish Youth Choir, with local
trumpeters and horn players. We are still evaluating how best to use this day.
Stay tuned for the detail as it will be interesting.
Day
7-10: October 31 - November 1-4
Berlin <4 nights>
Berlin is
now the capital of a reunified Germany and one of Europe's greatest and most vibrant
cities. Hotel Suitehotel Berlin Potsdamer
November 1 morning
Llocally-guided
tour. The best way to approach Berlin and to get to know this beautiful and ever-changing
metropolis is a sightseeing tour. We have a chance to witness the new and the
historical Berlin.
We will help you choose one or more of the many fantastic
museums to see. We have one full day on our own to gather in various groups to
experience some of the attractions: Antiques, clothing, handcrafts, and street
markets are fun shopping. See museum recommendations at the end of itinerary.
IN BERLIN- we will have a "talk" from a music specialist to enrich the
program. An included trip to Potsdam and Sans-Souci Palace is a full day.
Without doubt, Potsdam is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Potsdam's
most popular sight is the Schloss Sans-Souci palace, the summer residence and
garden planned by and built for King Frederick the Great of Prussia. He was the
military genius of the Seven Years' War and an accomplished man of culture; as
an old man, Johann Sebastian Bach came to play the harpsichord with the King.
The historic sections of the city: Alexandrowka, Holländisches Viertel or Dutch
quarter, and the Weaver's quarter, the historic sections of the city, provide
the flair of a city steeped in European tradition.
November 3 night
We
are scheduled to hear the Mariinsky< Kirov> Orchestra at Berlin Philharmonic Hall,
and await final confirmation.
Day 11: November 4
AUF WIEDERSEH'N
See city descriptions and
notes below for trip details.
Judy Borisky Metzger
Brownell
Travel
Birmingham AL
(205) 802-6222 ext 114
Jan
Hamlin
Hostess-organizer extraordinaire WMPA
(703) 360-1998
TOUR
INFORMATION
TOUR COST:
- $3795.00 for minimum of 20 passengers
< other than hosts>
- $3695.00 for minimum of 25 passengers
Single supplement on request + $660.00
This includes $300.00 air departure
taxes and fuel surcharge as of January 2010.
COST BASED ON Euro to Dollar
1.45 1/18/2010 If more fuel costs in excess are passed on to us, we must pass
on to passenger.
The "PRETOUR" 2 days in advance: October 24 & 25. If there
are less than 10 on pretour, individual pricing applies. Please let us know as
soon as possible as air for October 23rd is not being held, only our group space
on Oct 25. Judy B will arrange the extra plans for Prague. Hotel is being held,
will be same as ours for 26 October. Our guide is available.
PLEASE
MAKE PAYMENT "ASAP" TO HOLD YOUR PLACE ON THIS EXCITING TRIP. SEE JAN FOR ENTRY
FORMS OR MAIL CHECK AND I WILL MAIL BACK THE ENTRY FORMS TO YOU. WE ONLY HAVE
TWO SPACES AVAILABLE AS OF 1 AUGUST. FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE MID AUGUST. WE STRONGLY
SUGGEST TRIP CANCELLATION AND MEDICAL COVERAGE WHILE ABROAD INSURANCE. WE CAN
PROVIDE OUR AFFILIATES TO YOU. PAYMENTS:
ATTN JUDY
BORISKY METZGER
BROWNELL TRAVEL
813 SHADES CREEK PARKWAY
BIRMINGHAM
AL 35209 |
BROWNELL TRAVEL, OPERATING SINCE
1887, OFFERED THE FIRST COACH TOURS IN EUROPE!
WE HAVE ADVISORS ALL OVER
THE USA.
TOUR RATE INCLUDES
- Round trip airfare from Washington
to Prague & return Berlin to Washington on British Airways (based on including
$300 air taxes and fuel surcharge)
- Airport transfers with local assist-
Prague and Berlin
- Accommodation/breakfast in 3*** and 4**** centrally
located hotels
- Deluxe motorcoach begin Prague & end in Berlin as per
itinerary
- Guiding in each city per itinerary for local sightseeing tours:
Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, Wittenberg, and Berlin.
- Guided full day tour
to Potsdam and Sans Souci Palace
- Admissions for Prague tour, Semper Opera
House-Dresden, Meissen porcelain factory, Martin Luther House and Church in Wittenberg
- Boat trip from Piillnitz to Dresden on Elbe river. Coach via Konigstein
and Saxon Switz.
- 19% VAT tax · Dinners of atmosphere- one each in Dresden,
Leipzig, and Berlin
- 4-5 music events
- Services of Judy Borisky,
Tour Manager and Jan Hamlin, hosting the trip. Also included is a tax deductible
contribution to Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic.
TRIP
DETAILS
ORGANS: Germany is exceptionally rich in historic organs. Open
the door of any village church or city cathedral. Chances are that you will be
rewarded with a fine historic instrument in resplendent casework. We plan to "be
aware of " and enhance our trip with any organ concerts that are available as
we plan our itinerary for travel.
Tour Manager Judy Borisky Metzger was
in Berlin in November '89 when the Berlin wall opened: she became a spokesperson
from Alabama. She looks forward to sharing those personal events with the group.
OUR CULTURALLY ENRICHING FEATURES:
PRAGUE
October
26th- Today we find out a lot more about this city. Have comfy shoes on: you will
be walking on a lot of cobblestones. We visit Old Town Square to see the astronomical
clock. This fantastic little invention was so good that the locals didn't want
the engineer to ever make another one, so they poked his eyes out! We will go
up to Castle Hill and see the St Vitus Cathedral.
We visit Charles Bridge,
which is like no other bridge, with its looming dark sculptures, their respective
legends and pretty towers on either side of the bridge. The bridge is busy with
street performers, local artists selling their work. Appreciate the views over
the castle district and the medieval town.
Our tour includes exploration
of Prague' s historic Jewish section JOSEFOV. *Experience beautiful Prague, with
fairytale turret churches, & pastel colored houses".
"SAXON-SWITZERLAND"
IN GERMANY
The view from Konigstein < Konig=King> Castle in Saxon Switzerland
National Park is truly breathtaking. High above the Elbe river are look-outs to
the Lilienstein rock. We are rewarded with breath-taking views.
DRESDEN
Priceless art treasures, buildings of mesmerizing beauty and classical music ensembles
of world renown amidst the charming River Elbe landscape are the hallmarks of
Dresden. .. Music, Opera House, Museums, Organs...lots and lots of fine organs
everywhere!
This is Saxony.
Saxony's culture is highly influential
in the world of music, represented by the Semper opera house in Dresden and the
almost 800-year old Thomaner Choir in Leipzig, where Johann Sebastian Bach was
once a cantor. Many of Dresden's 30 -odd museums are world-class. The Zwinger
Palace houses the famous Old Masters Gallery with the "Sistine Madonna" and the
world's largest porcelain collection. Equally renowned is the collection of former
crown jewels, now on display in the Green Vault on Brühl Terrace.
Semper
Opera House has magnificent architecture and acoustics: Dresden has a tradition
of opera dating back to the Renaissance period. DRESDEN NOW is stunning and has
returned from the ashes of World War II.
MEISSEN
A historic town
on a knoll overlooking the Elbe River with a splendid cathedral and medieval castle.
However, its main claim to fame is the production of fine porcelain, which has
been known the world over for many generations. (Some of you might remember your
grandmother speaking of the "Dresden" doll that she played with as a child-made
of porcelain with a finely painted face.)
Meissen's other tourist attractions
are: the Dom (cathedral) and Albrechtsburg Castle, high above the town and visible
from afar, are masterpieces of Gothic architecture. This region of Saxony is also
famous for its fine vintage wines.
LEIPZIG
Many people are surprised
by Leipzig's beauty. Any preconceptions of a shabby, grey, socialist metropolis
are swiftly forgotten upon arrival. Leipzig's city centre has been completely
refurbished since German reunification and its magnificent historical buildings
once again bask in their former splendour. For those interested in all things
cultural, the Neue Gewandhaus - home to the world-famous Gewandhausorchester-shouldn't
be missed. Other cultural landmarks include the Opera House, the Johann Sebastian
Bach Museum. Yet perhaps the best thing about Leipzig is the pulsating multicultural
atmosphere that permeates its city center, day and night.
WITTENBERG
On 31 Oct 1517 Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustinian monk with a doctorate
in theology from the University of Wittenberg, posted on a side door of All Saint's
Church in Wittenberg 95 "theses" or complaints (in Latin), which protested vehemently
the sale of indulgences that the Roman Catholic Pope in Rome had started. The
purpose was to cover the cost over-run in rebuilding St. Peters' Basilica in Rome.
These 95 complaints were translated into German, spread throughout Germany, and
started the Protestant Reformation. Luther later married, had children and worked
for a long time in a building almost adjacent to All Saint's Church in Wittenberg.
BERLIN
Including a day trip to POTSDAM AND SANS SOUCI PALACE THESE DAYS IN BERLIN
-there is so much to see and do: musically and outstanding museums...we offer
as much as possible. From Gardens to music opportunities- small scale, grand scale,
history pre & post wall dividing the city & wall opening in 1989.
After WWII,
Berlin was a crippled pawn, sandwiched between East and West, with a literal and
metaphorical wall deeply dividing the two halves. Berlin hosts the Continent's
most important film and music industry. The art scene is going international,
and there is enough classical music (and jazz) for two or three normal cities,
CULTURAL COLLISIONS ARE CELEBRATED, RATHER THAN AVOIDED. Coupled with the
wave of recent construction is a city laden with historical charm - from old streets
of East Berlin, slowly being restored after remaining unchanged for 50 years,
through to the grand architecture of Museumsinsel < insel= island> & Unter den
Linden, & the green lung of the Tiergarten Park.
DETAILS
OF BERLIN SIGHTSEEING TOUR:
We pass the oldest Church in Berlin, the Nikolai
Church, and the Friedrichstraße. We approach the Potsdamer Platz. This Place,
once the dead heart of Berlin where the Wall stood - is being resuscitated as
the pulsating, whirlwind centre of the 21st century. In the course of only a few
years there will emerge something that usually takes decades, if not centuries,
to develop - a balanced mixture of living and working areas. the political and
the private. Having crossed over to the former West Berlin by means of the infamous
Checkpoint Charlie, we will see Kurfürstendamm, passing the huge Department Store
KaDeWe, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Memorial Church, and the former Café Kranzler (does
not exist anymore). We return to Alexander Platz with the Red Town Hall, the T.V.
Tower, and the St. Mary's Church. From there we continue along the famous boulevard
Unter den Linden with the Berlin Cathedral, the Old State Library, Staatsoper
(State Opera), and the St. Hedwig Cathedral. At the end of this lovely boulevard
we will make a short stop at the very symbol of Berlin: the Brandenburg Gate!
The Brandenburg Gate is the crossing back to the West, passing the government
district with the Reichstag. Next is before they arrive at the Hackeschen Höfe,
originally commercial trading buildings and workshops. Guests can enjoy the colourful
mixture of offices, small business, apartments, catering and culture.
MUSEUMS-FREE
TIME
The afternoon can be yours to rest, shop or begin the exploration
of amazing museums: Included are a few names to begin to research, but I will
be giving information on many of the museums in Berlin. The Pergamom, top museum
in former East Germany; Checkpoint Charlie Museum still interesting; Art collection
in Berlins' Gemaldegalerie wont disappoint; the exciting and imaginative architecture
of the recently opened Jewish Museum; The Stasi Museum, where the Stasi, the German
Democratic Republic secret police, had their headquarters; The neighborhood that
was the oldest within Berlin, Spandau: the settlement dates back to 8th century.
Descriptions of Potsdam in addition to Sans Souci.
The
Russian Colony Alexandrowka
The colony was created 1826-27 upon the request
of Frederick Wilhelm III in memory of his deceased friend Czar Alexander I. The
artist's village was built in the groundplan of a hippodrome within which a St.
Andrew's Cross is laid, it consists of 12 yards, one warden's house at the point
of intersection and a royal mansion and a Russian Orthodox chapel (1829) on the
neighbouring Kapellenberg hill in the north.
The artist's village of Glasowo, located in the Pawlowsk park, construction started
in 1815 by request of Czar Alexander, was the model for these unique architectural
forms for farmsteads.
The arrangement was designed by Peter Joseph Lenné,
and was simultaneously an illustration of the exemplary cultivation of fruit trees
which was considered necessary in context of the agrarian reform for promotion
of agriculture in Prussia. Former members of a Russian soldier's choir were the
first inhabitants of this village. In 1999 the colony was made part of the UNESCO
world heritage. Today you are welcome in the Russian tea-room which is now in
the warden's house.
The Dutch Quarter
Residents and tourists are
equally fond of it - the Dutch Quarter. Covering an area of four city blocks with
about 150 houses built of red bricks in the Dutch style - unplastered, with white
seams, shuttered windows and sometimes with sweeping gables.
This ensemble
of buildings is unique in Europe. It was built in the period from 1734 to 1742
for Dutch craftsmen, who had been invited to come to Potsdam by King Frederick
Wilhelm I, the Soldier King. Johann Boumann was the head of construction for this
quarter. A museum dedicated to his work is to be found in Mittelstraße 8. Another
museum about the history of the residential quarter is in the Benkertstraße 3.
Stroll through the quarter and discover the many exclusive shops, cosy coffee
houses and restaurants which - in addition to the architecture - define the special
flair of this quarter.
