Passages to Germany: Plan to go to Germany 2007
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Passages to Germany - Reading Conference Tour
Sunday, July 29 - Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sightseeing: Visits to Heidelberg, Cologne, Bremen, Hamburg, Wittenberg, Nuremberg, Colditz Castle, Rothenburg and Neuschwanstein Castle
Scenic highlights: Rhineland, Romantic Road, German Alpine Road and Bavarian Alps, Lake Constance and Black Forest
Day 1
Sun, July 29 Board your overnight transatlantic flight from Chicago to Frankfurt
Day 2
Mon, July 30 Arrival in Frankfurt, Germany. Upon our check in at the Steigenberger City Hotel we will enjoy a guided city tour of Frankfurt time permitting. We will enjoy a special welcome dinner at our hotel and the remainder of the evening at leisure. (D)
Day 3
Tues, July 31 Frankfurt - Heidelberg - Cologne - Rhineland Area. Start the day by traveling to Heidelberg for a short stop. This city is the location of Germany's oldest and best-known university and that of the famed operetta, "The Student Prince." Just a few more miles to the shores of the Rhine for a scenic drive. A few miles north to reach Cologne for a visit to its massive and impressive cathedral. We will check into the Dorint Novotel City Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 4
Wed, Aug 1 Rhineland Area - Hamburg. Using the fast and comfortable motorway, journey northeast for a stop in Bremen. This member of the Hansestic League is Germany's oldest seaport and was already trading with America in 1783. The Markplatz is well worth seeing since it is surrounded by the finest buildings in the city. Less than a two-hour drive before reaching Hamburg in time to check into the NH City Hotel for our overnight. There will be time for an optional visit to the famed Hamburg nightspots. (B)
Day 5
Thurs, Aug 2 Rhineland Area - Hamburg. Start the day with an orientation drive to see some of Germany's greatest maritime city. Later this morning a comfortable drive to Wittenberg, an old university town that is world famous for one of its teachers, Martin Luther, the man who started the Reformation. See the Town Hall and the market fountain and a statue of Luther himself. The great painter Lucas Cranach the elder lived most of his life in Wittenberg. Continue eastwards along the autobahn to reach Berlin in time to enjoy your first evening in the capital of Germany. Upon our arrival in Berlin, we will check into the Alsterhof Hotel for the next two evenings. (B)
Day 6
Fri, Aug 3 Berlin. No longer divided but every bit as fascinating. Once the city of contrasts with its West and East side separating two different worlds. Berlin, since the wall came down, has developed into a harmonious blend of old and new, preserving its massive buildings, such as the State Opera House and the Brandenburg Gate; its neoclassic style boulevards, such as the Kurfursten-damm and the "Unter den Linden;" as well as creating brand new buildings in the daring up-to-date architectural styles. It is now, once again, Germany's capital and one of the most lively and interesting cities of Europe from a cultural point of view. In the morning, take an excursion to historic Potsdam to visit Sanssouci Park, a marvel of landscape gardening and architectural wonders over an area of 740 acres and a visit to Cecilienhof Castle. (B)
Day 7
Sat, Aug 4 We will enjoy a free day in Berlin to explore and shop on our own. (B)
Day 8
Sun, Aug 5 Participate in the 15th European Conference on Reading or enjoy independent time in the Berlin area. Lodging on your own.
Day 9
Mon, Aug 6 Reading Conference - lodging on your own.
Day 10
Tues, Aug 7 Reading Conference - lodging on your own.
Day 11
Wed, Aug 8 Reading Conference - lodging on your own.
Day 12
Thurs, Aug 9 Berlin - Dresden - Nuremberg. Travel southwest this morning bypassing Leipzig for some sightseeing in Dresden, the old capital of Saxony, at one time rightly called, "The Florence of the Elbe." Although almost totally destroyed by World War II bombing, Dresden has since been completely reconstructed and restored to its original beauty. See the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion and much more of this city as we sightsee. Further south into Bavaria for overnight in at the NH City Hotel in Nuremberg. (B, D)
Day 13
Fri, Aug 10 Nuremberg - Romantic Road - Rothenburg Area. Start the day with an orientation drive to see some of Nuremberg's highlights. This was one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Germany before it was almost totally destroyed in World War II. However, you will see the surviving historical highlights. Later this morning travel westward, then south along the beautiful scenery of the Romantic Road to visit Rathenberg and overnight at the Tilman-Riemenschneider Hotel. (B, D)
Day 14
Sat, Aug 11 Rothenburg Area - Neustchwanstein Castle - Munich. Further south today almost to the Austria border to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, perched in a dominant position overlooking the frontier town of Fussen. In the afternoon travel the relatively short distance northward to Munich, Bavaria's capital and one of Germany's best loved cities. We will enjoy a brief orientation tour of Munich before checking into our Munich hotel. (B)
Day 15
Sun, Aug 12 Departure from Munich. Arrive home the same day. (B)
Contact Information:
Terry Behlke
RS 2010; (262) 472-1003
behlket@uww.edu