A Private, Historical and Cultural Tour of

Itinerary at a glance: Day 1 Arrival in Munich Day 2 Munich Day 3 Bavaria Day Trip Day 4 Munich – Day 5 Berlin Day 6 Berlin Day 7 Day Trip Day 8 Departure from Berlin

Why Exeter International?

At Exeter International we have been creating memories and crafting our trademark extraordinary journeys to Central Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and Central Asia for 25 years. Our specialty is to distill the best of the best in iconic places that are on so many people’s travel must-do list.

We are not a call center of nameless, faceless people. We do not try to be everything to everyone. We are a small team of specialists. We are all committed to providing the best travel experiences to our destinations. Each member of our team has travelled extensively throughout our destinations, giving them insider knowledge lacking in many other tour operators.

Our Extraordinary Experiences are different, unusual, and often closed to the general public. We can offer special insider access that takes you beyond the typical tourist sites. We know how important it is to remain authentic and increasingly going beyond the well-known sites is what is important to our guests—discovering the little known museum or street market that adds to their experience. We do this through our local knowledge, cultivating our extensive contacts and regularly visiting each destination to enable us to share the most up-to-date insider information with you, our valued partner.

The most important part of your trip will be your guides. Guides come in many quality levels, especially in the region. We have worked with a core group of the best of the best for over 20 years. We know them like family and if they weren't the best, they wouldn't work for us. Simply stated, a guide can make or break your experience. You should have 100% confidence in who is introducing you to your guide and the level of guiding that you are going to get throughout the countries you will be visiting. The best does indeed cost more and we pay our guides at the very top of the market, with pride.

You'll also want to know what kind of vehicle your tour will include. We use luxury late-model vehicles, often Mercedes, Audi, BMW, or Volkswagen, depending on the size of the vehicle you need. You'll want to see things that may or may not be open to the public and go in early or after hours before the crowds whenever possible. We also make every effort to skip lines whenever possible. Avoiding long museum lines is one of our top priorities and we work hard to minimize the wait time to get into the most popular sights in each city, maximizing your time in each destination.

You'll want impeccable planning and someone to bounce ideas off of before your trip and speak English as well as you do while planning your trip so there are no cultural misunderstandings when you arrive. You'll also want someone to talk to if your trip is not perfect when you get home. These are all ways that we distinguish ourselves from all other companies.

A lot goes into our travel program design. We arrange the program so that it is flawless and effortless for our travelers from the time they set foot in the first city until they leave us. The expertise to set up an itinerary like this comes after years of investing in staff on both sides of the Atlantic, and this too is a value that is incorporated into our traveler's trips with us. DAY 1

Arrival in Munich

Arrival into Munich where you will be met by your driver for your transfer to your in the center of the city.

Founded as a fortified trade settlement on the bank of the Isar River in the 12th Century, Munich was later granted a monopoly in the salt trade, which was so important in the Middle Ages, thus gradually growing in wealth and importance. In the early 16th century, it became the capital of Bavaria and reached its greatest growth in the 19th Century. Famous for hosting the annual Oktoberfest beer festival, Munich also has a multitude of architectural monuments, excellent historic sights, museums, and shopping.

Exeter Services Arrival Transfer

Hotel Rocco Forte The Charles DAY 2

Munich

This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on an overview walking tour of Munich’s Old Town.

You will see the Karlstor (Carl’s Gate) which was once part of the city’s medieval fortifications. Further east, you will pass the Burersaal (Citizens' Hall) which dates from the early 18th century and was initially a house of worship for the local Jesuits before becoming a church in 1778. Heavily damaged by the Allied air raids in the Second World War, it was rebuilt to its original form in 1945 and 1946. The façade with its double pilasters is the original, as is the statue of the Virgin with the Child on a crescent moon over the entrance.

You may wish to see the historic Frauenkirche church. This site was originally occupied by a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, before this new church with the distinctive copper onion domes was erected in the 15th Century. It is one of Germany’s largest Gothic buildings, able to accommodate a congregation of up to 20,000. You can take the elevator to the top of one of the over-300-feet-tall onion-domed towers for a good view of central Munich. Just right of the entrance, the sarcophagus of the Emperor Ludwig IV is carved from black marble and surrounded by figures of kneeling knights.

Nearby is the Marienplatz (Mary’s Square), which has been Munich’s focal point since it was first laid in the 1300s. Originally a marketplace, the square was later used for public events like fairs, proclamations, and executions. It is now dominated by a golden statue of the Virgin Mary atop a column erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation of the city. Don’t miss the Viktualienmarkt, the open-air food market frequented by locals and tourists alike. It’s a great place to pick up a fresh pretzel for a snack.

Continuing your walk north of Marienplatz, you will soon reach the historic street Maximilianstrasse which was built to connect the Old Town and the Imperial residence with the river Isar further east. Today, this exclusive avenue is lined by neo-gothic palaces which house, among others, the Schauspielhaus - one of the most important German language theaters in the world; the building of the Bavarian Parliament; and the Museum of Ethnology. The western portion of Maximilianstrasse is known for its designer shops, luxury boutiques, and jewelry stores.

To finish your tour, you will visit the Residenz – the former residence of the Bavarian kings and the largest downtown palace in Germany. A fortress was first built on this spot in the 14th Century, which was gradually replaced by a palace complex, which itself was later modified and expanded in stages and styles through the centuries. Restored to its original form after the bombings of the Second World War, the huge palace complex now contains seven courtyards, lavish living quarters which have housed foreign dignitaries, and several museums including the Residenz Museum, the Treasury (Schatzkammer), the richly gilded Rococo Cuvilliés Theater, and the Antiquarium – a large Renaissance ceremonial hall which is also the oldest surviving part of the palace complex.

Exeter Services Guide (4 Hours)

Hotel Rocco Forte The Charles

DAY 3

Bavaria Day Trip

This morning your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby for a drive deep into Bavaria and into the Alps. Today you may visit Neuschwanstein, one of the most recognized symbols of Bavaria. It took 17 years and over 6 million Gold Marks to turn “Mad” King Ludwig II’s fantasy into reality. Set in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, the castle overlooks the idyllic 700-year-old medieval village of Füssen. The views from the castle and from the nearby town are priceless.

Although the castle is still, to this day, unfinished, the interior is stunning. Neuschwanstein is designed in the authentic style of old German knights’ castles and is decorated in themes from Wagner’s operas.

The castle is extraordinarily busy all summer long. We avoid lines as much as possible by booking a pre-set entrance time. Should there be any change in timing today, your guide will advise you. You will also have tickets to get to the castle in the horse and carriage system operated by the castle administration.

After your visit, your driver will take you to the village of Oberammergau for a bit of exploration. Oberammergau is most known for its Passion Play – first performed in 1634 and still performed once every 10 years. Come back in 2020 to see the next performance! It’s a very picturesque village, as residents have a tradition of painting frescoes on their houses with scenes from fairy tales, folk life and bible scenes. If you want to pick up a souvenir here, Oberammergau is famous for its wood carving.

If you wish, you can also visit the Wies Church (Wieskirche), a UNESCO-protected baroque landmark. Completely unassuming from the outside, the interior of this church is magnificently decorated and is a highlight of Bavarian rococo architecture.

Exeter Services Vehicle and Driver (10 Hours)

Hotel Rocco Forte The Charles DAY 4

Munich to berlin

Meet your driver for your private transfer to the train station for the journey to Berlin.

The journey takes about 4 hours; tickets are not included in the program cost and will be quoted separately; please inquire about cost of transfer with private driver.

Upon arrival, private transfer with assistance to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Your hotel is right in – one of Berlin’s most beautiful squares, which was created in the 17th century as a marketplace. Its center is crowned by a statue of the famous German poet and playwright Friedrich Schiller. Many of the historic buildings surrounding the square were destroyed in the Second World War but have been restored to their former state. Among these, worth noting are the magnificent neo-classical Concert Hall with its colonnaded portico, as well as the French and the German Cathedrals on both sides of the Gendarmenmarkt square.

Exeter Services Train Station Transfers

Hotel Regent DAY 5

Berlin

This morning, your English-speaking guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to accompany you on an initial walking tour that will introduce you to Berlin’s fascinating history.

Begin with a walk with your guide along . Berlin's magnificent boulevard and the centerpiece of the Old Berlin, Unter den Linden leads from the Schlossbrücke Bridge to at the . As you walk down this street, your guide will tell you some of the history of this area of the city, when Unter den Linden was originally a bridle path.

You will see the renewed beauty of the Pariser Platz. The new buildings which have been added to this historic square are based on their historic forbearers. This area was originally a parade ground. Noble villas, embassies and the luxurious Hotel Adlon arose around the square, which was then destroyed in the Second World War.

You will also see the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s only remaining city gate and a symbol of the city. Situated as it was in the no man’s land just behind the , it also became symbolic of the division of the city.

Next you can visit Berlin Holocaust Memorial, which opened in May 2005, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. The location is directly behind the Hotel Adlon. The memorial commemorates the Jewish victims of Nazi terror. This striking memorial consists of approximately 2,700 concrete slabs arranged in a grid pattern on unevenly sloping ground. This symbolizes an undulating graveyard. You are able to enter and walk through the field of slabs from all four sides. You will experience the wavelike form differently from each position. This moving and solemn memorial contains the names of 4.4 million murdered Jews. Don’t skip the information center located underground.

Later, stroll back to Brandenburg Gate, from there you will see the symbol of Berlin – the Reichstag. The Reichstag was built in the late 19th Century to house the German Parliament. The building was badly damaged by fire, and renovations did not start until well after the end of the Second World War – in 1957. As part of the rebuilding, the dome and most of the ornaments on the facades were removed. The latest rebuilding project began in 1995 transformed the Reichstag into a modern parliamentary meeting hall with an elliptical dome.

Today if you wish, you might enjoy lunch at Käfer, the restaurant at the top of the Reichstag. Your guide will say goodbye here and will explain to you how to return to your hotel after lunch. If you wish, you can also step into for a stroll in the afternoon.

Exeter Services Guide (4 Hours)

Hotel Regent

DAY 6

Berlin

This morning meet your guide and driver for an overview of Berlin’s recent history. You will first drive pass through , a striking example of urban renewal in action. As late as the 1990s, this was a desolate wasteland and now you will find Berlin’s business center. Your first stop will be the . For history lovers, this outdoor museum on the site of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and SS is an essential visit. The museum is an outdoor timeline of Nazi terror in Germany.

Today your driver will also drive by the . After the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the checkpoint remained an official crossing point until the reunification in October 1990 when the booth was removed and the watchtower was later destroyed. The course of the former wall is now marked on the street with a line of bricks and a copy of the booth and sign that once marked the border crossing was later erected where Checkpoint Charlie once stood.

Afterwards you may stop by the “East-Side Gallery.” This is the longest cohesive section of the Berlin Wall. This stretch of the Berlin Wall has been painted by various artists after the fall and it stretches for a mile or so.

Later today you will also visit one of the most interesting exhibits detailing life in a divided Germany – the Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Center. This is located direct at a former border strip on Bernauer Strasse and both the no-man’s-land strip and watchtower have been preserved. The Documentation Center shows the history of the Wall, its construction and how it divided the city. You can walk right in no-man’s land yourself – on the footsteps of those who tried to escape communist oppression and flee to the West.

In the afternoon, take the time to explore a bit of Hackescher Höfe, a series of ambitiously restored industrial courtyards which are now at the center of Berlin night life. The whole area is a hive of smart restaurants and trendy clubs. It is in this area where you will find another interesting place to stop - the small Museum of Otto Weidt’s Workshop for the Blind. Known as the “Schindler of Berlin,” this museum will introduce you to the efforts of Otto Weidt to protect his Jewish employees from persecution and deportation. He employed mainly blind and deaf Jews who produced brooms and brushes.

The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Exeter Services Vehicle, Driver and Guide (8 Hours)

Hotel Regent DAY 7

Potsdam Day Trip

Today, after meeting your guide in the hotel lobby, you will head to Potsdam - the former home of Prussian Kings, onboard the express train.

Potsdam celebrated its 1000th birthday in 1993 and is known for its palaces and beautiful gardens. The enormous Park is among the most beautiful palace complexes in Europe. The Sanssouci Palace was the first building to be erected in Potsdam as a summer residence of Frederick the Great. Over the years, the park was expanded and new palaces and pavilions were added. You would need at least one whole day to enjoy the park fully. You will tour the old residence of the Prussian Dynasty, which today is a center of culture and history.

Your guide will also take you to the Cecilienhof Palace, the historical venue of the Potsdam Agreement. Built in the style of an English country manor, this was the family home of the Hohenzollern dynasty after they lost the crown.

Note: Public transportation will be used today. Taxis will be available in Potsdam if preferred, and are payable locally. Please inquire about cost for the services of a private driver for the day.

Exeter Services Guide (8 Hours)

Hotel Regent DAY 8

Berlin Departure

Today, meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for the transfer to the airport for your journey onwards.

Exeter Services Departure Transfer What Is Included

Cost of the Program:

From July - September For two (2) guests traveling $7,480 together From Rest of the year $7,100 From July - September For Four (4) guests traveling $5,460 together From Rest of the year $5,100

All pricing is per person and based on double occupancy. Airfare is not included.

Accommodations

Munich One Deluxe Room for 3 nights at the Rocco Forte The Charles; tax and breakfast included.

The Charles Hotel is Rocco Forte’s newest hotel in their expanding Germany portfolio. Located just steps from the Maximilianstrasse- the main shopping and cultural promenade in Munich- but within the grounds of the city’s botanical gardens- you could not ask for a better location in central Munich. The hotel is completely new construction with large rooms, all overlooking either the gardens or the historic neighborhood. This hotel offers the largest rooms in the city with bathrooms that rate among the finest in the world: crème-colored marble from top to bottom, rainforest showers and deep-soak tubs. Guests can also indulge in the expansive Spa and Wellness Club, which includes a serene swimming pool and a large fitness center. The Charles is chic and modern, but nestled in one of Munich’s most historic neighborhoods and just a short stroll to all the top sights.

Deluxe Rooms: These rooms are the same size as the Classic Rooms, at 430 square feet of space. Bedding is also one king or two twins. Rooms in this category feature views of the Old Botanical Gardens and offer a small French Balcony.

Berlin One Deluxe Room for 4 nights at the Regent Hotel; tax and breakfast included.

The Regent Berlin offers traditional luxury and is known for its personal service and classic elegance. Its location, at the Gendarmenmarkt Square in the heart of the city, is near Berlin’s famous Friedrichstrasse and the magnificent Unter den Linden Boulevard. The hotel features 195 guest rooms and offers the city’s most spacious rooms.

You will find a Michelin-starred restaurant, a cozy bar, fully-equipped fitness center and some of the most service-oriented staff in Berlin. All rooms feature luxurious marble bathrooms, deep soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Rooms are decorated in a traditional and comforting style.

Deluxe Rooms: These rooms offer approximately 430 square feet of space and are located on the upper floors and have fantastic views overlooking the Gendarmenmarkt. Bedding is either one king bed or two twins.

Meals No meals included. Your final documents will include our top recommendations. Your guides will recommend restaurants that fit your exact needs daily.

Services Private vehicle, driver and guide at your service as described. The timing for each day is noted in your program.

Exeter International’s local offices are available for your assistance 24 hours per day while you are traveling. Our local staff may also assist you with restaurant reservations and purchasing of additional theater and museum tickets at your request.

Transportation Transportation is included as noted. Unless otherwise noted, all transfer service is with a driver only, not a guide. In general, drivers have limited English-speaking skills. Timing for each day is noted in your program.

Guides Hand chosen for their knowledge on local history, art & architecture. Guides are at your disposal as noted in your itinerary.

Tickets All entrance tickets as described in the program.

Exeter International Travel Information BAGGAGE The vehicles reserved for your itinerary can accommodate up to two medium-sized suitcases per person. If you intend to travel with additional luggage, please advise your travel consultant so appropriate arrangements may be made. In general, we schedule a sedan for parties of two, a minivan for parties of three to four and a minibus for parties of five or more.

SIGHTSEEING Sightseeing arrangements have been made with your special interests in mind. Your drivers and guides are at your disposal as indicated in the itinerary. Within those time and mileage guidelines, you are free to modify your program as you please. Should you require additional time or mileage, the costs will be quoted on request and may be paid for locally in the local currency or U.S. Dollars.

Every effort has been made to confirm that scheduled sightseeing venues will be open at the time you plan to visit them. However, individual estates, museums, gardens and other points of interest can change their hours of operation at short notice. In the event that a particular attraction is closed on the day or time of your visit, your guide will offer alternative arrangements or rearrange your sightseeing to accommodate these unexpected events.

OPTIONAL EXPENSES Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing services or other optional additions to your established itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally in the local currency.

GRATUITIES Gratuities are not included in your tour price. Gratuities are at your own discretion. We recommend $15- $20 per person, per day for your guide and $5 - $10 per person, per day for your driver. For your airport or station transfer, a gratuity of $5 - $10 is customary, based on service. Dollars, Euros and any local currency are all accepted.

DINING WITH YOUR GUIDE On days when dinner and lunch costs have not been included in your itinerary (or in your tour cost), you may, at your discretion, choose to invite your guide to dine with your party. You are under no obligation to do so but, if you do extend such an invitation, the guide is your guest and you will be responsible for the cost of his/her meal.

Booking Conditions PAYMENTS Exeter International must receive a deposit of 25% of the total program cost before reservations for your independent travel program can be initiated. The balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure. No reservations are made on your behalf until this deposit has been received. Availability and pricing is subject to change until this deposit is received. All deposits are nonrefundable.

CANCELLATION Written cancellations received less than 60 days prior to departure are subject to the following forfeit of tour cost  59-14 days prior to departure, 50% of total tour cost  14 or less days prior to departure, 100% of tour cost

CANCELLATION POLICIES: WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018  From the time of booking: 100% cancellation fee  World Cup dates are June 14–July 15, 2018

REFUNDS We regret that refunds cannot be issued for arrangements confirmed on your itinerary but unused once your tour has begun.

INSURANCE Exeter International strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect your investment.

PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS Once an itinerary is finalized and final payment has been made, a $100 revision fee will be charged if the itinerary is changed. For programs during World Cup in Russia in 2018, changes may incur higher fees and will be quoted at the time of the request.

The tour price includes planning, handling and operational charges. Rates are quoted in U.S. Dollars on the current rate of exchange and tariff as of 2018. Exeter International reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Devaluation of a foreign currency will be weighed against any tariff increases imposed. Exeter International does not breakdown costs involved in any Small Group or Individual Travel Program.

All arrangements are subject to availability and modification if necessary. Prices are subject to change if necessary until paid in full.

Exeter International www.Exeterinternational.com 111 South Dakota Avenue │ Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone: (813) 251-5355 │ (800) 633-1008 │ Fax: (813) 251-6685