DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Munich.

DAY    2            ARRIVE MUNICH (6 NIGHTS) - THERESIENWISE
We will be met at the airport by our tour manager/guide and transfer into Munich, Bavaria's magnificent capital city. En route we will stop in Theresienwise, the former fairgrounds on which the Oktoberfest festival began after the marriage of Ludwig I and Theresa von Sachsen-Hildburghhausen. We will visit the Neo-Classical Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame) built by Leo von Klenze. This open hall, fronted by 48 Ionian columns, contains the busts of 77 prominent Bavarians. In front stands a gigantic statue of a Bavarian Goddess, and those that choose can Ascend to the Head for a wonderful view of Munich. Our day continues into central Munich, where we will stroll down Maximilianstrasse, Munich's "Golden Mile," which is the equivalent of New York's Fifth Avenue. Here we will find the city's most elegant and expensive boutiques and restaurants.

DAY    3            MUNICH (THE HEART OF MUNICH)
This morning we will explore the Aldstadt (Old Quarter) of Munich, beginning at the Karlstor, once a gate to the walled city. We continue with a stroll down Neuhauser Street, Munich's largest shopping street, with typical 19th century buildings, outdoor cafes and shops. Next we visit the Frauenkirche, the largest Gothic assembly building in southern Germany and the seat of the Archbishopric of Munich. With its twin towers, topped with onion domes, the church has become a symbol of the city. Next we will explore the area of Munich around the Marienplatz, dedicated to the patron of the city, the heart of the Altstadt. We will begin at the Neues Rathaus, where we will observe the Glockenspiel on the façade, the fourth largest chiming clock in Europe, which stages an elaborate performance twice a day. Those that choose will have the opportunity to climb the 55 steps to the top of its tower for a good overall view of the city center. After viewing Peterskirche and the Altes Rathaus, we will visit Asamkirche, a church designed by the Asam brothers, which offers the full effect of Gothic artistic expression and a mysterious theatrical illusion of another world. This afternoon we will visit the Alte Pinakothek, one of the world's great art museums. The museum houses a large and important collection that represents the greatest European artists from the 14th through the 18th centuries, including Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Durer, Holbein, Rembrandt, Rubens, Bruegel, Hals and El Greco.

DAY    4            DACHAU & NYMPHENBURG PALACE
This morning we will travel outside of Munich to visit Dachau Concentration Camp. In 1933, what had once been a quiet little artists' community became a tragic symbol of the Nazi era, the first German concentration camp. Our guided-tour will include: the three memorial chapels built in the early 1960s; Lagerstrasse, the main camp road; two barracks, which have been rebuilt to give visitors insight into the horrible conditions endured by the prisoners; and the Museum, housed in the large building that once contained the kitchen, laundry, and shower baths. This afternoon we will visit Nymphenburg Palace, once the residence of the Bavarian kings. We will explore the splendid palace including the Rococo Banqueting Hall, with its vivid frescoes based on mythological themes, and the Gallery of Beauties, which displays portraits of the loveliest women of the time of Ludwig I. Our visit will also include the Carriage Museum, which houses coaches, carriages and sleighs once belonging to the Bavarian rulers, and a stroll in the formal Gardens. We return to Munich, where after dinner, we will attend a traditional Bavarian music and dance show at the world famous Hofbrauhaus.

DAY    5            MUNICH (TREASURES OF THE WITTELSBACH DYNASTY)
Today we will focus on the treasures left behind from the Wittelsbach dynasty, which ruled the region from 1180 to 1918. We begin the day in Wittelsbachplatz, a beautiful square laid out by Klenze, which is lined on three sides by Neo-Classical palaces. After viewing the monument to the Elector Maximilian I in the center of the square, we continue for a visit to the Theatinerkirche, built to celebrate the long-awaited birth of the Elector Ferdinand's son. The building is pure Roman Baroque, flanked by two massive towers. Our visit will include the Crypt, which holds the tombs many rulers of Bavaria. Our morning continues with a visit to the Residenz, home of the Wittelsbach dynasty up until 1918. Our tour of the Residenzmuseum will include: The magnificent State Rooms, the Grottenhof, Hofkapelle and the spectacular Antiquarium, the largest Renaissance ceremonial hall north of the Alps. Our visit to the Residenz complex will also include the Cuvillies Theater, one of the finest Rococo theaters in the world, and the Schatzkammer (Treasury), which houses the crown and orb of the Bavarian kings. Our day concludes in the Englischer Garden, one of Europe's largest city parks, laid out in the manner of an English landscaped grounds. Highlights of the park include: scenic streams that feed the Kleinhesseloher Lake; the Eisbach, where locals practice surfing; the Chinese Tower, which is perfect for views of the city; the city's most famous beer garden; and the Monopteros, a Neo-Classical building in the heart of the park designed for viewing the city.

DAY    6            DAY TRIP TO NEUSCHWANSTEIN, WIESKIRCHE &                           LINDERHOF (THE LEGACY OF KING LUDWIG II)
This morning we will take a day trip into the heart of Bavaria to explore the former treasures of "Mad" King Ludwig II. We begin with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, situated on an outcrop of rock towering over a gorge in the River Pollat. This is one of Germany's most famous castles, though the king himself only lived there for 172 days. The Throne Room, designed in Byzantine style, with gilded mural paintings, mosaics and a huge chandelier, will highlight our tour. Our day continues to Wieskirche, where we will visit the unique Church of Zum Gegeisselten Heiland. The church is the most resplendent example of South German Rococo and one of the finest Rococo churches in the world, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. Our day in Bavaria concludes with a visit to Linderhof Palace, another of Ludwig II's residences, which clearly shows his fondness for France and Louis XIV. After touring the extravagantly decorated rooms of the palace, we will explore the extensive Park, featuring French-style Formal Gardens, Italianate terraced gardens, a Moorish kiosk, with a lavish Peacock Throne, and the Grotto with a lake, a stage, a throne and colorful lighting.

DAY    7            MUNICH (MODERN MUNICH)
Our morning begins with a visit to the Deutsches Museum, one of the most important museums in the world for scientific and technical matters. During our visit, we will enjoy a series of working models and demonstrations as we trace the history of science and technology from the beginning of time to present day. Our thematic day continues with a visit to the BMW Museum, where the history of the automobile is stunningly displayed in an atmosphere created by Oscar winner Rolf Zehetbauer, a "film architect." In addition to the BMW's on display, we will view the exhibition "Horizons in Time," housed in a demisphere of modern architecture, which takes the visitor into the future and back to the past. Our day concludes with a tour of the Olympiapark, built for the 20th Olympic Games, held in Munich in 1972. We will take a guided-tour of the park, highlighted by the Olympiahalle, and the Olympiaturm, where we can ascend the Olympic Tower for sweeping views of the entire complex.

DAY    8            DEPARTURE FROM MUNICH
Our enjoyable and rewarding trip will come to an end as our guide accompanies us to the airport for the return flight home.