Customizing a tour using Munich as the focal point allows students to experience the best of Southern Germany as well as Salzberg in Austria. Begin by creating the itinerary. With Munich as the central destination point, there is no need to change from one hotel to another if the itinerary is properly planned. When submitting the itinerary to a tour company or travel agent, it is important to be very specific regarding your requests. A visit to Nymphenburg Palace does not mean you will be allowed to tour the inside unless that is expressed included in the price quote once the itinerary is submitted. The Munich itinerary is one example that can be applied to many other destinations.
A Good, Workable Itinerary Might Follow the Following Pattern
Day 2: Arrive in Munich. Begin with a walking tour of the city. After lunch, visit Dachau Concentration Camp. End the day festively at Munich’s famous Hofbrauhaus.
Day 3: Begin with a bus tour led by a local Munich guide. Tour the interior of the Nymphenburg Palace as well as the Stables housing many of the old dynastic carriages. After lunch, tour the BMW plant (must be reserved in advance of your arrival in Munich). Evening is free.
Day 4: Leave early for Bertesgarden and participate in the Salt Mine tour. Arranging one of the first tours of the day will allow enough time to drive to Saltzberg for a late lunch, tour the city, and include visiting the Castle that overlooks the city. Return to Munich.
Day 5: Depart Munich early for an all day excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a pristine walled Medieval city that features more than enough to do and see in one day. Christmas shops function year round and the town is filled with superb stores, restaurants, and museums.
Day 6: Allow for a free day in Munich.
Day 7: Travel in the morning to Neuschwanstein Castle, the iconic creation of King Ludwig II. After touring the castle and having lunch at Neuschwanstein, spend the afternoon in Garmisch Partenkirchen and Oberammergau, site of the famous Passion Play.
Day 8: Tour the Residenz and the Cuvillies Theater. Visit the famous Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and the Theatinerkirche, a Baroque masterpiece. End with a farewell dinner at the Hofbrauhaus.
Staggering the Itinerary
The advantages of using Munich as a base includes using only one hotel for the entire trip. Additionally, the itinerary can be structured so that the group alternates between staying in Munich some of the tour days and taking day excursions on other days. The above sample itinerary can be changed and there are many other sites in and around Munich to substitute such as the very fine Egyptian Museum or Linderhof Palace.
When creating a customized itinerary, it is important to determine how long it takes to get from Munich to other day-trip destinations. Plan day excursions for two or three chief sites, rather than filling the day with too many destinations that may use up driving time. Build enough diversity into the itinerary to attract the interests of many potential travelers. Customized tours are only cost effective if enough participants enroll to drive down the overall costs.
A customized trip can be planned around any major city or can be constructed around a particular theme: a World War II themed tour; Charting the Holocaust; Gothic Cathedrals in France. It is imperative to be as detailed as possible so that the price quote accurately reflects the tour goals. Before signing a contract, the itinerary should be carefully reviewed to ensure that everything requested has been accounted for. And then begin marketing. Bon Voyage!
