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GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS OF
LOWER SAXONY AND SAXONY ANHALT
BRAUNSCHWEIG, LUNEBURG,
HILDESHEIM, GOSLAR & MAGDEBURG
DECEMBER 3-DECEMBER 11, 2010
(Limited to 10 passengers)
Join us as we travel to Lower Saxony, an area
with medieval towns & castles, baroque palaces, architectural
gems of the Renaissance, famous sagas & two UNESCO sites of
cultural interest. Lower Saxony is an area of stunning
scenery with the picturesque Weserbergland Hills and the Harz
Mountains. The heart of Germany, Saxony Anhalt was the cultural
centre of the Holy Roman Empire during The Middle Ages. Its
region’s contain great historical importance which can be seen
on its Romanesque route which connects 8 of its foremost
cathedral cities with their spectacular ecclesiastical & half
timbered buildings, castJoin
us as we travel to Lower Saxony,
an area with medieval towns & castles, baroque palaces,
architectural les, abbey & churches.
Friday, December 3
Depart on your trans-Atlantic flight to Hannover, Germany.
Saturday, December 4
Arrive in Hannover, Germany. Our private motorcoach will drive
us to the 12th century town of
Braunschweig founded by Duke Henry the
Lion. Duke Henry the Lion, the most powerful of all German
princes of his time, Duke of Bavaria and Duke of Saxony, made
Braunschweig his residence and built the Romanesque Cathedral of
St. Blasius and his castle “Dankwarderode”. The lively 1000
year old history of the “Lion City” can be seen in the
picturesque half-timbered buildings that are particularly well
preserved in the area around the St. Magni church. The group of
buildings around the Altstadtmarkt including the Gothic
Altstadtrathuas and Gewandhaus remind us even today of
Braunschweig’s great independence, its evolvement of power and
its economic boom years during its Hanseatic League membership.
Check into the Ringhotel Deutsches Haus for a 7 night stay.
Remainder of the day is at leisure; perhaps a visit to the
Christmas market located on the medieval Burgplatz. Join us
this evening for a welcome dinner in our hotel.
Sunday, December 5
We depart in the morning for Luneburg, a Hanseatic town near
Hamburg that dates back more than 1000 years and is the setting
for one of northern Germany’s prettiest Christmas markets.
Luneburg’s wealthy past is reflected in its
magnificent merchant houses with their characteristic gables and
Germany’s largest medieval town hall. After a tour of the
historical old town there will be free time to enjoy the
Christmas markets. Take a step back into the 16th century and
visit the town’s historical Christmas market with traders and
craftsmen in historical costumes selling old time wares such as
pottery, hand wrought pieces and felt bags. Return to
Braunschweig. Remainder of the day is free.
Monday,
December 6
"Happy
St. Nicholas Day”. Depart in the morning for
Hildesheim,
home of World Cultural Heritage sites, historical half timbered
buildings, one of the most important Ancient Egyptian
collections in the world and the 1000 year old rosebush. Our
local guide will take us on a tour of the historical old town
which will include such sights as the UNESCO site of St. Mary’s
Cathedral with its world famous art treasures, the historical
market square, the Butcher’s Guildhall (reputed to be the finest
half-timbered building in the world), etc. Time, afterwards, to
visit the town’s Christmas markets. Return to Braunschweig. Join
us this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. Remainder of
the day is free.
Tuesday, December 7
Today
enjoy a guided our of Braunschweig’s old town with a visit to
the Castle Dankwarderode. The Castle Dankwarderode was the
residence of Henry the Lion and today houses the medieval
collection of the “Herzog
Anton Ulrich Museum”. In the “Knappensaal” of the castle, some
of the treasures from the House of Welf are on display, along
with the original statue of the Branschweig Lion as well as
precious vestments. The splendid “Rittersaal” is to be found on
the upper floor. The Braunschweig Lion was the first
free-standing large sculpture north of the Alps. Henry the lion
had erected this bronze figure in this historical centre around
1166. Remainder of the day is free.
Wednesday, December 8.
In the morning, we depart for the UNESCO World Heritage and
former
Free Imperial Town of Goslar. For centuries
Goslar was the favored seat of government in northern Germany
and at the same time a centre of Christianity. The spires of
the 47 churches, chapels and monasteries delineated the town’s
unique silhouette. Goslar was referred to as the “Rome of the
North”. The scenic background of Goslar is the over 600 metre
high Rammelsberg
Mountain. The ore mines of the Rammelsberg are the only mines
in the world which were in uninterrupted operation for over 1000
years. It and the medieval Old Town of Goslar with the
Imperial Palace were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Enjoy a guided tour of the historical old town and a visit to
the World Heritage Rammelsberg
Mining Museum. Afterwards, there is free time to visit the
enchanting Christmas forest with tens of thousands of lights
which illuminate the fir trees and the lovely Christmas market
on the Marktplatz sqaure. Return to Braunschweig. Remainder
of the day is free.
Thursday, December 9.
Today we depart for Magdeburg
the 1200 year old capital city of Saxony Anhalt.
Those who visit Magdeburg have a great opportunity to discover a
modern and thriving metropolis as well as explore the many
beautiful sights and attractions bearing witness to the city’s
old heritage sites. Our local guide will take us on a tour of
the historical old town which will include the Cathedral of St.
Mauritius & St. Katharine the oldest Gothic religious building
on German soil. Afterwards, there is free time to enjoy the
Christmas market. Return to Braunschweig. Remainder of the day
is free.
Friday, December 10.
Today is a
free to enjoy at leisure. In the evening, join us for our
farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Saturday, December 11.
Transfer on our private motorcoach to
Hannover, Germany for your transatlantic flight
back home.
TOUR COST INCLUDES: LAND ONLY
*7 NIGHTS
ACCOMMODATION WITH PRIVATE FACILITIES AT THE RING HOTEL
DEUTSCHES HAUS.
*TEN
MEALS-7 BUFFET BREAKFASTS AND 3 SPECIAL DINNERS.
*TRANSPORTATION BY PRIVATE MOTORCOACH.
*ALL
SIGHTSEEING, TRANSFERS AND
EXCURSIONS.
*SERVICE
OF A FRIENDLY AND EXPERIENCED
DRIVER.
*PORTERAGE
AT HOTELS.
*ALL ROAD
TAXES AND TOLLS.
*ALL
OPERATIONAL AND RESERVATION COSTS.
*TOUR
INFORMATION PACKET.
*ESCORTED
BY PAMELA ANN DIXON, CTC, DS, ACC (Bilingual in German &
English).
TOUR
COST
PER PERSON-LAND ONLY
$1775.00
PP BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (THE
COST IS BASED ON A MINIMUM OF 10
PASSENGERS)
PLEASE
NOTE: DUE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE FOREIGN CURRENCY MARKET,
DESTINATIONS BY DIXON RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJUST THE USD TO
EURO RATE RATIO.
AIRFARE
PLEASE
CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR INFORMATION ON AIRFARE SCHEDULES AND
PRICES FROM YOUR GATEWAY CITY. IF YOU WILL USE FREQUENT FLIER
MILEAGE, PLEASE CONTACT US TO MAKE SURE YOUR ARRIVAL AND
DEPARTURE TIMES WILL MEET OUR TRANSFER.
DESTINATIONS BY DIXON
CONTACT: Pamela A. Dixon, CTC, DS, ACC
TEL: (815) or (877)
439-7999; EMAIL: destbydixon@comcast.net
Contact US
Destinations By Dixon
2364 Essington Road
Suite 508
Joliet, Illinois 60435
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Phone:
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815.439.7999
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877.439.7999
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Email: info@destinationsbydixon.com
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