Tours

For more than 15 years Brett Harriman has worked in tourism on three continents, greatly expanding his universe culturally, intellectually and socially. Over that time Harriman has become an authority on European travel, i.e. Germany and Austria, and proudly sings of the more than 10,000 rapturous travel fans he has escorted on tour through many historically rich cities, towns, villages and Alpine hamlets. Harriman personally leads the tours listed below and he hopes to meet you on one soon.
     Our groups are small (6 to 24 passengers) affording you the personal attention you require and deserve as our guest.
     If you are flexible, curious for knowledge, have an adventurous side, like to have fun, enjoy the outdoors and going on walks, our tours are for you!
     By request, we also offer custom-designed tours for groups as well as an exclusive pamper package for private parties of just two or three people. Please contact us with your request. Click here for our contact details.
   Returning guests: Each of you will receive a $200 discount on your next tour with us. For example, piggy-back one of our tours with another, i.e. Germany & Austria Highlights with Berlin to Baden, and you pay only $2795 for the latter tour.
     Payment: You have a few options to reserve a seat on one of our tours. 1) By PayPal click the ‘Add to Cart’ button positioned directly beneath tour listing. After deposit is made we will contact you to confirm the details. 2) Contact us directly to discuss payment plan. 3) Contact our partner travel agency NonStop Travel for your pre/post-tour needs. NonStop Travel is located in the German-themed Alpine Village, 833 W. Torrance Blvd. Ste. 111, Torrance, CA 90502. Tel.# (310) 324-5500. Fax. (310) 324-7623. Ask for Chris Weike or Jackie Schmitt, the travel specialists handling our tour program. CST# 1018469-10. Web: NonStopTravel.net
     If you would like a color brochure of the tour, email us your street address and we’ll post it ASAP.

Below are the tour itineraries and departure dates for summer 2009. The price for either tour is $2,995 per person + air. Tour details, e.g. the fine print, are listed after Day 12. Accommodations on our tours vary from quaint family run pensions to four-star hotels. Ground transportation will consist of either a minibus or deluxe motor coach, depending on group size (min 6, max 24). Each tour guest will receive a complimentary copy of Harriman’s 2009 edition Germany & Austria guidebook.

Tours, 2009

Only $2,995
per person!

Germany & Austria Highlights
The 2009 dates for this tour will be posted December 2008
May ? thru May ?
May ? thru May ?
June ? thru June ?
July ? thru July ?

(Tour begins at the Rhine and concludes in medieval Rothenburg.)

On this 12-day sightseeing bonanza you will be personally guided from start to finish by travel specialist and author Brett Harriman. You will explore medieval Germany, tour the capital of Bavaria named after the monks, relive the movie classic “The Sound of Music,” climb Hitler’s former Eagle’s Nest, discover alpine Austria, visit “Mad” King Ludwig’s fairy-tale castle (Neuschwanstein), and cruise the romantic Rhine River. These are just a few of the attractions you will get to see and experience on this exciting and history-drenched tour. Join us!

Day 0, (Mon), Home: Depart for the castle-studded Rhine River, Germany. Note: Be sure to account for the time differential when coming from overseas. For example, you’ll arrive in Europe the day after you depart North America. Also note that the Rhine is an easy 90-minute train ride from Frankfurt airport.

Day 1, (Tue), Rhine River: At 6 p.m. we’ll meet at our hotel for orientation and introductions followed by a Welcome to Germany dinner (our treat). K-D boat, Rhine River Overnight either Boppard or Bacharach.

Day 2, (Wed), Rhine River: Today we cruise the romantic Rhine, explore a storybook village, tour a ruined medieval castle, and sample Riesling wine from a local vintner. Moderate walking.

Day 3, (Thur), Rhine-Munich: After breakfast we head to Munich, the capital of Bavaria (5.5hr drive). Check into our accommodations. Free time.

Day 4, (Fri), Munich: After breakfast we tour the Old Town on foot then free time. We meet again at 6:30 p.m. for a traditional Bavarian dinner show (our treat), inclusive of whip cracking and spoon clanging.

Day 5, (Sat), Munich-Salzburg: Before noon we tour Dachau concentration camp memorial and afterwards we head south to our overnight destination: Salzburg, Austria (2.5hr drive). Check into our accommodations. Free time. Note: Brett will have other options available for those who are not interested in Dachau.

Day 6, (Sun), Salzburg: Fans of Rodgers and Hammer-stein will cherish today’s rounds as we visit the sites made famous by the movie classic, “The Sound of Music.” Included in this sightseeing fest is an excursion into the majestic lake district outside Salzburg. Moderate walking. Overnight Salzburg.

Day 7, (Mon), Berchtesgaden: From Salzburg we drive across the Austrian border into Bavaria to explore Berchtesgaden, a picturesque alpine village. For military history buffs this excursion will be sensational to say the least. We will discover a WWII bunker system and Hitler’s former neighborhood at Obersalzberg. From here a local bus will deliver us to an elevation of 5,500 feet where an elevator will lift us a final 400 feet into the heart of the famed Eagle’s Nest. The jaw-dropping views will astound you! We will conclude this memorable day in the Baroque hall of Europe’s oldest restaurant as guests of an enchanting Mozart dinner concert (our treat). Overnight Salzburg. Innsbruck cable car

Day 8, (Tue), Innsbruck: We depart Salzburg early for the Olympic city of Innsbruck (2.5hr drive). Check into our accommodations and begin touring the sites, including a visit to the Swarovski crystal factory. Oh yes, then we have schnapps tasting.

Day 9, (Wed), Innsbruck: Tour Innsbruck and surrounding Alps. Moderate to strenuous walking, but this is up to you.

Day 10, (Thur), Innsbruck-Füssen-Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Another trip highlight; today we depart Innsbruck early and drive thru the Alps back into Germany to tour “Mad” King Ludwig’s fairy-tale castle, Neuschwanstein. We then continue our journey northbound on the Romantic Road for medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber, our overnight destination. Note: Moderate to strenuous walking is required because visitors on the castle tour need to negotiate more than 300 steps. Rothenburg rooftops The steps don’t hit you all at once, thus it’s manageable. Besides, if there’s a problem, your guide (Brett Harriman) will be there to assist you.

Day 11, (Fri), Rothenburg ob der Tauber: As far German castle towns are concerned, Rothenburg is the jewel in the crown. After breakfast we will explore this medieval gem on foot then you’ll have the rest of the day to make new discoveries on your own. We meet again at 6 p.m. for our last night together when we’ll enjoy a farewell feast (our treat). Evening tour with the legendary Night Watchman. Moderate walking.

Day 12, (Sat): After breakfast, it’s time to say Auf Wiederseh’n. Our tour is over. You can either extend your stay in Europe or Brett will escort you to Frankfurt airport.

Tour Details: We are setting a minimum of 6 passengers and maximum of 24 so your experience is unhurried and tailored. The price per person is $2,995 (land price only) based on double occupancy, with a single supplement of $300. It includes all group tours and ground transportation within Germany and Austria. (Note: If you like, we can assist you with booking your flight.) Transportation will consist of either a minibus or deluxe motor coach, depending on group size. The tour price also pays for accommodations ranging from family run pensions to four-star hotels, breakfasts and four dinners (on days 1, 4, 7 & 11). Otherwise, lunch, dinner, and whatever you do on your free time will be at your own expense. In a nutshell, we will cover most everything else, except souvenirs and alcohol, of course. You will be hard-pressed to find a comparable tour anywhere! To reserve: We require a deposit of $300 per person and full payment at least 60 days prior to tour departure date (payable by personal check or money order). To cancel: Deposits are fully refundable 60 days prior to tour departure. Within 60 days, however, we will return full payment minus your $300 deposit. (Sorry!) Oh, and lastly, we recommend you pack light and pick up some travel insurance.

If you don’t do it,
how will you feel?

Berlin to Baden
June ? thru June ?, 2009
The 2009 date for this tour will be posted December 2008

(Tour begins in Berlin and concludes in the Black Forest.)

This exclusive 12-day tour is limited to 6 passengers, no more. (Tour will sell out so be quick to reserve your seat.) These fortunate few will be personally escorted from start to finish by travel specialist and author Brett Harriman. We begin our journey in the nation’s capital, where you’ll experience the metropolis like no one on any other tour. Berlin is a dream, and to many it is a miracle. It has a unique past unparalleled in history: imperial Berlin, Huguenot Berlin, the Kaiser’s Berlin, industrial Berlin, Weimar Berlin, Nazi Berlin, bombed-out Berlin, Cold War Berlin, and reunified Berlin — you’ll experience a sampling from each. Then we move on to Dresden, the capital of Saxony. Its landscape is so beautifully Baroque that it is easy to call it the quintessential city of grandeur. We can’t wait for you to see it for yourself. From Dresden we drive southwest to the medieval walled town of Nürnberg. We’ll explore its cobbled lanes, its dark Nazi past, and taste test the local culinary specialties: Bratwurst and gingerbread. Next up is Stuttgart, where car buffs — and anyone who appreciates the finer things in life — will be delighted to know that a tour of the Mercedes plant awaits us. Large tour groups are not preferred here, thus we are a cozy six so you’ll get the chance to witness the assembly of this luxury-class automobile. Our last excursion steers us into France for a been-there-done-that photo of you in the Alsace before we hook left towards the Black Forest and our final destination: Baden-Baden. The quarry of hot springs here from which Baden-Baden derives its name is invigorating, even therapeutic. Mark Twain visited this spa town in the 19th century and penned the following words referring to his Friedrichsbad experience: “I had the twinges of rheumatism unceasingly during three years, but the last one departed after a fortnight’s bathing there, and I have never had one since. I fully believe I left my rheumatism in Baden-Baden. Baden-Baden is welcome to it. It was little, but it was all I had to give.” And we want to give you the vacation of a lifetime. Join us!

Note: There will be a lot of walking on this tour; thus you can eat that extra Brandenburg Gate slice of strudel for lunch and not feel guilty about it!

Day 0, June 2 (Mon), Home: Depart for Berlin, Germany. Note: Be sure to account for the time differential when coming from overseas. For example, you’ll arrive in Europe the day after you depart North America.

Day 1, June 3 (Tue), Berlin: At 2 p.m. we’ll meet at our hotel for introductions followed by an orientation tour and a Welcome to Germany dinner (our treat).

Day 2, June 4 (Wed), Berlin: On your first morning we’ll introduce you to Berlin’s past, present and future on a 3-hour walking tour of the Mitte district, beginning at the iconic Brandenburg Gate; walking past the site of the Hitler Bunker (where he and Eva Braun committed suicide); along Berlin’s fashionable main boulevard flanked by a parade of historic sights; finishing at Alexanderplatz, the pulsating heart of former socialist East Berlin. After our walking tour is over you will have the rest of the day to enjoy on your own. Your guide (Brett Harriman) will assist you with any help you may require.

Day 3, June 5 (Thur), Berlin: Today you’ll experience Berlin as very few others have; cruisin’ through the city streets inside a nearly extinct, classic Cold War automobile called the Trabant, East Germany’s answer to the West German Volkswagen. Keeping to the socialist theme, after the tour we will hunt down remnants of the infamous Berlin Wall.

Day 4, June 6 (Fri), Dresden-Berlin: You’ve seen it on The History Channel, now you’re gonna get to experience it for yourself: Our local guide will lead us beneath the city streets to where few people have gone since WWII. Excavated under Hitler’s watch, these stark air-raid tunnels leave little imagination as to how thousands of terrified Berliners felt when huddled together while Allied planes dropped 1000-pound demolition bombs onto the city above shattering blocks at a time. After our subterranean adventure you will be free to make more big-city discoveries. Again, Brett will be there to offer any help or Dresden Altstadt suggestions you may need. We’ll meet again later and drive two hours south to Dresden, our overnight destination.

Day 5, June 7 (Sat), Dresden: Anyone visiting this city should be here on a Saturday. Why? Because every Saturday morning begins arguably Germany’s best flea market, a smorgasbord of treasures and trinkets; some-thing for everyone, from old coins, stamps, Reichsmarks, WWII and communist medals to leather bags, porcelain wares, and pre-loved clothing. After browsing, we will embark on a 90-minute walking tour of the Old Town.

Day 6, June 8 (Sun), Dresden: After breakfast we’ll get acquainted with more of Dresden’s stunning cityscape then explore a banquet of world-class museums.

Day 7, June 9 (Mon), Dresden: Today you’re free to do what you’d like: How about ridin’ a historic paddle-steamer on the Elbe River upstream to the porcelain town of Meissen, or head downstream on a train into the majestic national park that is so unique and diverse it recently joined ranks with such places as the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal and the tropical rainforest of Sumatra as an esteemed member of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Or you may just want to hang around and absorb Dresden’s insatiable beauty that is deservedly billed as “Florence on the Elbe.”

Day 8, June 10 (Tue), Dresden-Nürnberg: This morning we’ll hop in our van and drive five hours southwest through Saxony and cross state lines into Bavaria, home of our overnight destination: Nürnberg. We’ll check into our accommodations, freshen up, and meet later for an enjoyable dinner (our treat).

Day 9, June 11 (Wed), Nürnberg: We start early and begin sightseeing. There’s much to see and do in this walled medieval town. And WWII buffs will relish our visit to the Reichsparteigelände, Mercedes or former Nazi Party Rally Grounds, and its contemporary museum educating visitors about Nazism in Nürnberg.

Day 10, June 12 (Thur), Nürnberg-Stuttgart: After breakfast we’ll drive a few hours west and cross state lines again – this time into Baden-Württemberg – to yet another trip highlight: Germany’s motor city, Stuttgart, where we’ll tour the Mercedes plant. You will witness first hand all facets of the assembly of this prestige automobile; workers fitting custom seats; installation of windshield and dashboard; painting of body; dropping engine into chassis; and watch customers eagerly pick up their pre-ordered luxury-class sedan and drive it off the showroom floor clocking its first revolutions on the odometer.

Day 11, June 13 (Fri), Stuttgart-Baden-Baden: From Stuttgart we travel west all the way to the French border at the Rhine River – good photo opp. – before turning around to the fringes of the Black Forest and the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, the ideal locale to conclude our trip. First we’ll do some sightseeing before checking into our digs, when you’ll have the rest of the day free to soak (with or without your bathing suit) in the town’s curative mineral baths. Mark Twain once visited Baden-Baden and said this of the baths: “Here at the Friedrichsbad you lose track of time within 10 minutes and track of the world within 20…”

Day 12, June 14 (Sat): In the morning we’ll tour the casino. According to Marlene Dietrich, Baden-Baden’s gaming parlor is the “most beautiful of all casinos.” This will take us to about 11:30 a.m., time to say Auf Wiederseh’n. Our tour is over. You can either extend your stay in Europe or Brett will escort you to Frankfurt airport.

Tour Details: On this boutique tour there will only be a minimum/maximum of 6 passengers. It will sell out so be quick to reserve your seat. The price per person is $2,995 (land price only) based on double occupancy, with a single supplement of $300. It includes all group tours and ground transportation within Germany. (Note: If you like, we can assist you with booking your flight.) Transportation will consist of a 9-seater van. The tour price also pays for accommodations ranging from family run pensions to four-star hotels, breakfasts and two dinners (on days 1 & 8). Otherwise, lunch, dinner, and whatever you do on your free time will be at your own expense. In a nutshell, we will cover most everything else, except souvenirs and alcohol, of course. To reserve: We require a deposit of $300 per person and full payment at least 60 days prior to tour departure date (payable by personal check or money order). To cancel: Deposits are fully refundable 60 days prior to tour departure. Within 60 days, however, we will return full payment minus your $300 deposit. (Sorry!) Oh, and lastly, we recommend you pack light and pick up some travel insurance.