The Best of Germany - NEW!
The Best of Germany - NEW!
11 Days
from $2,879
Tour Code: BGY
The Best of Germany - NEW!
Enjoy the highlights of Germany on this 10-day journey. Fly into Frankfurt and head to the lovely town of Wiesbaden for your first evening. Enjoy a Castles of the Rhine excursion, then head into the Black Forest - home of cherry cake and traditional farmhouses.
Then onto Munich where you enjoy a trip to the Bavarian Alps to visit the village of Oberammergau, home since 1634 of the Passion Play, followed by Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle of King Ludwig.
After a fascinating stay in Munich head north to Dresden. Upon arrival in Dresden see all the splendors of the city before continuing your tour to Berlin. Your sightseeing in Berlin takes in all the “must see” sites including Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag with time for an optional afternoon trip to Potsdam. On your flight home you will be confident you’ve seen the “Best of Germany”.
Stay in our selection of European First Class accommodations and enjoy 12 meals including Welcome Reception with snacks, 9 Buffet Breakfasts, 1 Three-Course Dinners with tea or coffee, 1 Dine-Around Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner with wine.
To ensure a comfortable travel experience, our motor coaches are equipped with large panoramic windows, reclining seats, air-conditioning and restroom facilities.
Note: This tour is operated by our sister company.
Your Tour Price Includes
VIP Door-to-Door Transfer
Transfers you from your door step to select airports. Start your vacation in style with our outbound VIP Door-to-Door Town Car airport transfer service available on every tour from over 40 cities throughout the USA. Our service will collect your from you home and transfer you to your departure airport. We will arrange a pick-up time from your home that suits you, and your driver will meet you at your front door and assist with your bags before transporting you to the airport with ample time for check-in.
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Loud & ClearThis tour utilizes our personal audio system allowing you to roam and explore sites (within 60 feet) without missing any insight from your Tour Director or local guide.
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TransportationLuxury motorcoach with A/C, panoramic windows, reclining seats & emergency restroom. Airport arrival and departure transfers as noted in itinerary included with the purchase of combined air and land package.
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Travel DocumentsTravel wallet, travel planner & map. $100 Frequent Traveler Discount upon return for a future tour.
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Professional Tour DirectorYour tour will be conducted by the most experienced Tour Directors in the business and will be with you throughout the tour.
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First Class HotelsHotels are an expensive element of any tour and certainly one of the most important. For our tours we reserve European Standard First Class Hotels (or best available) and all hotel rooms feature a private bathroom. You’ll enjoy our selection of hotels such as Radisson, Hilton and Sheraton.
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Local Expert Guides in Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Dresden and BerlinLocal Expert Guides in Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Dresden and Berlin.
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12 MealsWelcome Reception with snacks, 9 Buffet Breakfasts, 1 Three-Course Dinners with tea or coffee, 1 Dine-Around Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner with wine.
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Included Tour Highlights
Enjoy a scenic Rhine River cruiseEnjoy a scenic Rhine cruise. See the Deutsches Eck Monument in Koblenz. Survey the views from the heights of the Liebstein fortress and the Niederwald Monument.
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Visit Oberammergau & Neuschwanstein CastleSee the Passion Play Theater in Oberammergau. Visit the Wieskirche a masterpiece of Bavarian rococo, Visit the fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein.
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Heidelberg TourVisit the Castle overlooking the Neckar River.
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Dresden Walking TourSee the Frauenkirche, mosaic mural, Opera House and Zwinger Palace in Dresden.
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Visit the Black ForestHear about the origins and artisan manufacture of the cuckoo clock. Also, enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest.
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Berlin City TourDrive along the Unter den Linden past the Humboldt Universtiy and Opera. See the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag building.
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Munich City Tour
Munich's Glockenspiel See the Olympic Stadium, Marienplatz, Town Hall and Glockenspiel.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions can be purchased upon arrival.
The list below is a sampling of excursions that may be offered by your tour director.
Munich - Bierkeller DinnerLively Bavarian dinner with music, drinks and entertainment in one of Munich’s famous “Bier Kellers”.
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Berlin - Potsdam & San Souci ExcursionWe drive to Potsdam for a guided tour of the beautiful Cecilienhof Palace where the Potsdam Declaration was signed in 1945. We move on to another UNESCO World Heritage site; the magnificent Sanssouci Palace and the terraced gardens of Frederick the Great.
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Dresden - Pillnitz Pleasure PalaceSail back in time on a voyage by historic paddle steamer along the River Elbe to enjoy a guided tour of the gorgeous Pillnitz Pleasure gardens.
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Berlin - Berliner Dinner & EntertainmentA scenic drive through the historical center of Berlin with views of illuminated historical monuments. See the Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate and many more. After the orientation drive, we visit the Viewing Tower for spectacular views over the city.
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Berlin - Highlights of Former East BerlinWe first make a visit to the Soviet War Memorial in Trepow Park. Afterwards, we continue to the East Side Gallery, the largest stretch of the former Berlin Wall. Finally we drive to Checkpoint Charlie and visit the museum documenting nearly 30 years of dramatic escape attempts across the 'Iron Curtain'.
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DAY 1 USA - Frankfurt
VIP Door-to-Door Transfer to your local airport for your overnight flight to Frankfurt.
DAY 2 Arrive Frankfurt - Wiesbaden
Welcome to a contrasting journey of cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns and breathtaking natural scenery. On arrival at Frankfurt Airport, your transfer leaves for Wiesbaden at 09:30 & 12:00. Your luxury hotel is a member of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ nestled in the center of this elegant spa town, opposite the magnificent Kurhaus. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome reception with a drink and snacks.
Welcome Reception Included
DAY 3 Wiesbaden (Castles of the Rhine Excursion Included)
Begin the day with a relaxing cruise past steep sided vineyards, half-timbered taverns, the Cat and Mouse castles and the notorious Lorelei Rock. Alight at Boppard and continue to Koblenz where a gigantic equestrian statue of Wilhelm I guards the junction of the Rhine and Moselle. Cameras at the ready as you return along the eastern bank. Drive up to the twin castles of the ‘Enemy Brothers’ - from the ruined Liebstein fortress there is a fine panorama. Your next scenic viewpoint is at the mighty Niederwald Monument, comprising a 32 ton statue of Germania. Back in Wiesbaden you are at leisure.
Buffet Breakfast Included
DAY 4 Wiesbaden - Heidelberg - Black Forest
Head to Heidelberg, on the banks of the River Neckar. Enjoy the view from the heights of the castle fortress before a guided visit. See the Great Wine Vat, with its associated tales of the dwarf court jester, Perkeo! Now it’s into the Black Forest, land of cherry cake and traditional farmhouses which dip their thatched roofs almost to the ground. Climb up to the High Road for superb views, then wind through the valleys and pine forests to visit one of the centers of the local cuckoo clock industry. Time then to browse among the shops and admire the brightly colored houses before reaching your hotel.
Buffet Breakfast Included
DAY 5 Black Forest - Munich
Leave the Black Forest via the small town of Donaueschingen, where a fountain forms the official source of the river Danube. Drive along the flower-decked shores of Lake Constance, which marks part of the Swiss border. Pass through the heart of Bavaria to fun-loving Munich. Your orientation tour shows you the Olympic Stadium, university, Victory Arch and ends in the Marienplatz, where crowds gather outside the Town Hall to watch the figures of the Glockenspiel stage an elaborate performance. Tonight, perhaps consider a lively evening at one of Munich’s famous ‘Bier Kellers’?
Buffet Breakfast Included
DAY 6 Munich (Bavarian Alps Excursion Included)
Travel into the beautiful German Alps to visit the village of Oberammergau, home since 1634 of the Passion Play. After seeing the immense theater and colorfully-painted chalets, continue along part of the Alpine Road amidst beautiful scenery to the Wieskirche, a masterpiece of Bavarian rococo. Now to the ‘fairy tale’ castle Neuschwanstein, perched on a spectacular Alpine mountainside. This was Ludwig II’s favorite castle, though he spent little time here before his death. Visit exuberantly decorated apartments, including the Throne Room and Lohengrin Grotto. Return to Munich where you are at leisure.
Buffet Breakfast Included
DAY 7 Munich - Rothenburg
Drive north across the Danube to Nuremberg, still entirely enclosed by its fortifications. Witness the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings in the Old Town as well as the massive ramparts. Perhaps shop for delicious Lebkuchen (gingerbread) before continuing to Rothenburg-ob-der Tauber, the most well-preserved town on the Romantic Road. Plunge back into the 16th-century as you walk through narrow cobbled streets lined with high-gabled houses to the market square dominated by its Renaissance town hall. This evening, you are offered a selection of restaurants to choose from for your dining pleasure.
Buffet Breakfast and Dine-Around Dinner Included
DAY 8 Rothenburg - Bayreuth - Dresden
Journey through wooded Swiss Franconia, passing rocky crags and ‘Hansel and Gretl’ style villages, to reach Bayreuth, famous for its annual Richard Wagner Festival. Your journey continues behind the former iron curtain to the ‘Florence of the Elbe’, Dresden.
Buffet Breakfast Included
DAY 9 Dresden - Berlin
Join a local guide to see the splendors of the city. From the Frauenkirche, which has risen again from the destruction of World War II, walk past ‘The Procession of the Dukes’, a mosaic of colossal proportions on the Royal Palace façade. You also see the enormous cathedral, Semper Opera House and baroque Zwinger Palace. Now head north to the historic German capital.
Buffet Breakfast Included
Day 10 Berlin
A guided sightseeing tour takes you along the Unter den Linden past the Humboldt University and Opera. Stop on Museum Island before passing the Brandenburg Gate, symbol of the reunification. See Norman Foster’s glass-dome atop the reconstructed Reichstag building and drive through the Tiergarten. Spend the afternoon at leisure or take an optional excursion to Potsdam, site of the post war meetings which resulted in the division of the city? This evening to round off your tour, enjoy a farewell Celebration Dinner with wine at a lively Berlin restaurant.
Buffet Breakfast and Farewell Dinner Included
Day 11 Berlin - USA
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Departure transfers arrive at Berlin’s Tegel Airport at 08:00 & 10:00.
Buffet Breakfast Included
of $400 per couple when you book by
February 10, 2012.
| Depart Return |
Land Only Price | Price includes savings of: | International Airfare |
|---|---|---|---|
$2,879 | $200 | ||
$2,879 | $200 | ||
$2,879 | $200 | ||
$2,879 | $200 | ||
$2,899 | $200 | ||
$2,899 | $200 | ||
$2,899 | $200 | ||
$2,899 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,949 | $200 | ||
$2,949 | $200 | ||
$2,949 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 | ||
$2,929 | $200 |
Departure Details
Departures are available from May through September 2012.
Pricing Details
The prices above are for the land only portion of the tour and include the Early Booking Discount of $200 per person. In order to qualify for the discounts you must book and deposit by February 10, 2012.
Airfare is available at an additional cost from over 60 departure cities, call for an up-to-the-minute air quote from your hometown. When you book your Air & Land package together by you’ll save an additional $200 per couple!
Tour price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement or you can choose to participate in our room share program.
Single Room Supplement: from $630
At times we offer discounted departures where the price has been discounted to reflect savings. Discounted rates are valid for new bookings only and are not combinable with any other offers.
Please Note: This tour is operated by our sister company.
Day |
City |
Hotel |
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| 2,3 | Wiesbaden | Nassauer Hof Hotel | |||||||||||||||
Nassauer Hof Hotel
Nassauer Hof Hotel Location: Hotel Nassauer Hof, a revered Wiesbaden landmark for 170 years. Centrally located across from the Kurhaus with conference center and gambling casino, within walking distance of the Opera House and Shopping area. Hotel Amenities
In-Room Amenities
Location: Hotel Nassauer Hof, a revered Wiesbaden landmark for 170 years. Centrally located across from the Kurhaus with conference center and gambling casino, within walking distance of the Opera House and Shopping area. |
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| 4 | Titisee | Maritim Titisee Hotel | |||||||||||||||
Maritim Titisee Hotel
Maritim Titisee Hotel With its large lakeside meadow and prime location overlooking the lake’s crystal clear waters, the Maritim Titisee Hotel truly deserves its name. The hotel features typical Black Forest ambiance and a genuinely friendly atmosphere, restaurant, cafe, lake pavilion, lakeside terrace, pool, solarium, sauna, spa, fitness room, and business center. Rooms feature hair dryer, satellite TV, internet connection, and minibar. Hotel Amenities
In-Room Amenities
With its large lakeside meadow and prime location overlooking the lake’s crystal clear waters, the Maritim Titisee Hotel truly deserves its name. The hotel features typical Black Forest ambiance and a genuinely friendly atmosphere, restaurant, cafe, lake pavilion, lakeside terrace, pool, solarium, sauna, spa, fitness room, and business center. Rooms feature hair dryer, satellite TV, internet connection, and minibar. |
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| 5,6 | Munich | Sheraton Munich Arabellapark | |||||||||||||||
Sheraton Munich Arabellapark
First Class Sheraton Munich Arabellapark Location: Bavarian charm greets you at the lavishly renovated (in 2008) Sheraton Arabellapark Hotel. Just 10minutes from city center this hotel offers convenience and comfort. Hotel Amenities
In-Room Amenities
Location: Bavarian charm greets you at the lavishly renovated (in 2008) Sheraton Arabellapark Hotel. Just 10minutes from city center this hotel offers convenience and comfort. |
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| 7 | Rothenburg | Hotel Eisenhut | |||||||||||||||
Hotel Eisenhut
Hotel Eisenhut Character and atmosphere embrace you when you enter the hall. Four partician buildings from the 15th and 16th century form one hotel today. The most wealthy and powerful families of Rothenburg used to live in these houses. All 78 rooms are equipped with bath or shower, hair dryer, beauty mirror, minibar, trouserpress, direct-dial phone, satellite TV, internet access, dry-cleaning services Hotel Amenities
In-Room Amenities
Character and atmosphere embrace you when you enter the hall. Four partician buildings from the 15th and 16th century form one hotel today. The most wealthy and powerful families of Rothenburg used to live in these houses. All 78 rooms are equipped with bath or shower, hair dryer, beauty mirror, minibar, trouserpress, direct-dial phone, satellite TV, internet access, dry-cleaning services |
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| 8 | Dresden | Westin Bellevue Dresden | |||||||||||||||
Westin Bellevue Dresden
Westin Bellevue Dresden Situated in the heart of Dresden, amidst the most beautiful gardens along the banks of the Elbe, The Westin Bellevue, Dresden offers its guests the highest levels of comfort. Due to its excellent location, it presents the famous “Canaletto’s view” of Dresden’s skyline, which artist Bernardo Bellotto once recorded for posterity in his paintings. The Bellevue Gardens and terraces, with their magnificent view of the Frauenkirche and Semper Opera, invite one to stay for awhile. The “Canaletto” restaurant is among the top destinations for gourmets in Dresden and attracts guests for its elegant ambience, the unique “Canaletto’s view” of Dresden’s old town, and excellent service. The baroque quarter of Königstrasse with its exclusive shops, galleries, and cafés is just a few metres’ walk from this gracious hotel. Hotel Amenities
In-Room Amenities
Situated in the heart of Dresden, amidst the most beautiful gardens along the banks of the Elbe, The Westin Bellevue, Dresden offers its guests the highest levels of comfort. Due to its excellent location, it presents the famous “Canaletto’s view” of Dresden’s skyline, which artist Bernardo Bellotto once recorded for posterity in his paintings. The Bellevue Gardens and terraces, with their magnificent view of the Frauenkirche and Semper Opera, invite one to stay for awhile. The... |
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| 9,10 | Berlin | Marriott Berlin | |||||||||||||||
Marriott Berlin
Marriott Berlin Location: Located right at the beautiful and cultural Gendarmenmarkt, in the historical centre of the city. Within walking distance of all major government buildings, ministries, embassies and association offices. Close to the hotel is the Brandenburg Gate, the Potsdamer Platz, the famous Unter-den-Linden Strasse and Alexander Platz. The U2 Underground train station is right in front of the hotel. Hotel Amenities
In-Room Amenities
Location: Located right at the beautiful and cultural Gendarmenmarkt, in the historical centre of the city. Within walking distance of all major government buildings, ministries, embassies and association offices. Close to the hotel is the Brandenburg Gate, the Potsdamer Platz, the famous Unter-den-Linden Strasse and Alexander Platz. The U2 Underground train station is right in front of the hotel. |
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Travel Tools
Terms and Conditions
How to Make Your Reservation:
After selecting your tour and departure date, simply call 1-800-552-5545 and a Travel Specialist will take your reservation over the phone. You can pay your $350.00 deposit by credit card, or alternately you can mail a check made payable to Grand European Tours to the following address: GRAND EUROPEAN TOURS 6000 Meadows Road, Suite 520 Lake Oswego, OR 97035 USA. Please make your reservations as early as possible since many of our tours are completely filled 4 to 6 months before departure.
Final Payment:
Upon receiving the $350.00 deposit per person, you will be sent a confirmation. VISA, MASTERCARD, American Express and DISCOVER CARD may be used for this deposit amount, however, final payment is preferred by check or money order and is due in our Oregon office 60 days prior to the departure date. If reservations are made less than 60 days prior to departure, payment in full is required at the time of booking. If final payments are not received on time, Grand European Tours (2003) Inc. may cancel the reservation and invoke the cancellation fee. For Highlights of South Africa tour and all River Cruises final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Pricing:
Land prices printed in this catalog are per person based on double occupancy. The Operator reserves the right to adjust prices due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, imposed fuel surcharges, taxes, charges and levies imposed by any third party including government and its agencies. Should these change the price of your tour by more than 10% you may cancel without penalty within 7 days after we notify you of the increase.
Cancellations, Changes & Refunds:
If a cancellation in writing is received by Grand European Tours (2003) Inc. 30 days or less after your reservation has been made, your $350.00 deposit will be FULLY REFUNDED. *See Air Reservations section for specific change fee information for air reservations. For cancellations or changes thereafter but more than 61 days prior to departure there will be a $350.00 per person fee assessed. If you must withdraw or make a change 60 days or less prior to departure (90 days or less for River Cruises and Highlights of South Africa), the following fees will apply:
| Number of Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation/Change Land Tours – Per Person |
| 31 - 60 Days | 25% of tour cost |
| 15 - 30 Days | 50% of tour cost |
| Less than 15 Days | 100% of tour cost |
| Number of Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation/Change River Cruises – Per Person |
| 89 – 60 Days | 35% of the cost |
| 59 – 30 Days | 50% of the cost |
| 100% of the cost |
Air Reservations:
Air Add-On prices listed in this catalog were effective on August 19, 2011 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher. Air Add-On prices shown include September 11th Security fee, government fees, taxes and airline fuel surcharges based on destination and routing. The total price at time of purchase may vary slightly due to fluctuations in currency exchange. For the most competitive and up to date pricing from your departure city call our toll free number at 1-800-552-5545. Quoted air reservation prices are inclusive of all taxes and fees and are subject to change before payment is made in full. Air transportation is in economy class by scheduled airlines. Business class is available upon request. Some tours are not available from all of the airports. Requests for specific airlines, non-stop or direct flights and/or seat assignments are accepted as preferences only and cannot be guaranteed. Frequent flyer programs are under the control of the respective airlines. Your airline tickets will be electronically issued in lieu of paper tickets. Please note that your airline tickets and other tour documentation must bear your FULL name as it appears on your passport. Please note that airline reservations can only be made for dates less than 331 days out.
Airline Tickets Issued by Grand EuropeanTours:
The following charges apply for cancellations or changes to airline arrangements made by Grand European Tours: • Prior to Airline Ticketing: service fee of $50 per person • After Airline Ticketing: service fee of $75 per person plus any airline imposed penalties which may be up to 100% of the airline ticket value.
DOT Advisory:
The Department of Transportation requires us to inform you of the following conditions. The package price is subject to change as a result of increases in fuel surcharges and/or government taxes until it has been paid in full. You must consent to the possibility that, until you pay for your package in full, your price could go up. Once you have paid in full we would only pass along increases in government taxes if applicable at that time. You have 7 days from receipt of the first invoice to revoke your consent and request a refund, at which time we would cancel your booking.
Passports and Visas:
A valid U.S passport is required for traveling outside of the U.S.; including to Canada & Mexico. Passport application forms may be obtained from your local post office. All passports must contain at least 3 blank visa pages and must be valid for 6 months after the completion of your tour. Entry visa application forms will be sent prior to your departure for U.S. passport holders. Russia ($218*), China ($193*), Brazil ($220*) and Vietnam & Cambodia ($283*). An entry fee is required upon arrival at the airport in Egypt ($15*), Turkey ($20*) and Zimbabwe ($30*), these countries prefer payment in U.S. dollars rather than local currency. A per person Departure Tax is required at Costa Rica ($26*) and Peru ($31*) paid at the airport. A onetime Reciprocity Tax is required upon entry at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina ($140*) and Santiago, Chile ($131*); the fee can be paid in local currency, US Dollars, credit card or traveler check; the tax is valid for multiple entries for 10 years or until your passport expires. Australia requires an electronic visa ($0*) which is obtained at the time of airline ticket purchase. *All visa costs and entry/exit requirements can change at any time. Please visit travel.state.gov for current information. Individuals who do not hold a U.S. passport should contact CIBT/ZVS at 1-866-788-1100 to see if visas are required.
Travel Documents:
Approximately 15 days prior to the departure date you will receive a travel information package that will include your airline itinerary, travel tips, hotel list, baggage tag, travel wallet, etc. Visas, when required, will be distributed as soon as they are issued by the countries involved. Please note that your airline tickets and other tour documentation must bear your FULL name as it appears on your passport.
Tour Membership:
These tours require a blend of adventuresome spirit, physical fitness, walking ability, mental alertness, and a capacity for accepting situations as they exist and not, necessarily, as we would find them in America. If you have health concerns, we suggest that you contact your physician to help determine the suitability of one of these tours for you. We regret that we are unable to accept requests for special diets or itinerary variations. Disabled travelers requiring special attention or treatment on any tour must be reported when reservations are made. A companion who is able to provide the required assistance must accompany any person who is unable to travel independently or who needs any type of assistance.
Baggage:
Due to limited motorcoach storage capacity, each tour member is permitted one large suitcase not to exceed 50 pounds in weight nor 30”x22”x10” in dimension on European tours. Handling of this bag by hotel porters is included in the tour price. In addition, each person is allowed one small piece of carry-on size luggage that does not exceed the dimensions of 12”x11”x6” and is the complete responsibility of the tour member and must be taken on the motorcoach with you. Carry-ons with telescopic handles and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartments and therefore cannot be accepted as carry-on luggage for safety reasons. Please note, North America, Mexico and Egypt tours have smaller baggage dimensions which are noted in your pre-tour documentation. Grand European Tours (2003) Inc. does not assume any responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or passengers’ belongings. Please note: It is your responsibility to verify the baggage weight restrictions for the individual airlines that you will be traveling on as in some instances baggage is restricted. Airline baggage charges collected at check-in are not included and are at passengers own expense.
VIP Door-to-Door Transfer Service:
The VIP Door-to-Door Transfer service is available for all customers departing from the 41 airports highlighted on page 12 and living within a 25 mile radius from point of departure to your chosen airport. It is an outbound service only. Maximum passengers in one car can not exceed four. For bookings with more than four people, further vehicles may be necessary and further supplementary charges will apply. For any journeys greater than 25 miles a supplementary cost for additional mileage will apply and will be advised within 48 hours of booking if necessary. Mileage is based on journey information from www.mapquest. com. Should you not use the VIP Door-to-Door Transfer we will deduct $50 per person from your tour price (this must be advised at time of booking). Cancellation of service or changes must be made 72 hours before scheduled pick-up.
Early Departure or Extended Stay:
If you wish to depart early or extend your stay in Europe, flight and hotel arrangements can be made by contacting our Oregon office. Airport transfers are not included but may be purchased through GET. On most tours you can reserve up to 3 additional nights at the hotel where your tour starts and ends, however space may be limited and is subject to availability. Please call for our low cost rates and availability. Luggage handling and breakfast is not included on North American tour extensions.
Land Tour Only:
If you wish to make independent flight arrangements, you may still reserve the land portion of a tour. Hotel-airport transfers are subject to availability and flight details must be provided in writing at least 45 days prior to departure. See tour page for specific transfer times.
Airport Transfers:
Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included in the tour price when you purchase our land/air package and operate at fixed times on the first and last day of your tour. See the individual tour pages for details. For those making their own flight arrangements or extending at GET hotels, transfers can be purchased; please call for details. London Heathrow Airport Arrivals: For tours commencing in London, we have included a free group shuttle to/from LHR for clients that have booked our combined land/air packages. For clients that have made their own flight arrangements GET has negotiated special rates for shuttle transfers from LHR to your London hotel (which must be booked through GET) at a price of $40 per person per single trip to/from LHR. London Gatwick Airport Arrivals: Clients arriving at LGW who have booked our combined land/air packages are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher to Victoria Station, and will need to make their own way from Victoria Station to the tour hotel. For clients that have made their own flight arrangements we suggest you visit www.gatwickexpress. com for transfer information.
Smoking:
Please note that we do not permit smoking on our motorcoaches, however, frequent stops are made while touring.
Surface Travel & Sightseeing:
Ground arrangements are provided by Grand European Operations Ltd., a separate company, and include inter-city travel by private motorcoach with air-conditioning and an emergency restroom*, ferry, train, and ship as per the itinerary. Activities on days indicated in the itinerary as being “at leisure or optional” are left to your discretion. *Some exceptions apply.
Holidays:
During local or national holidays some museums, restaurants or sightseeing may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered wherever possible. At times, some itineraries may be operated in reverse; you will be advised at the time of booking. Nile River Cruises: due to the unreliability of domestic air scheduling, religious festivals and other unforeseen circumstances, the order of some itineraries may need to change at short notice; on occasion an alternative cruise boat of equal standing may be used.
Hotels:
The hotels reserved for our tours are rated as European Standard First Class. All hotel rooms provide a private bath (and/or shower) and toilet. These hotels are clean, comfortable and located so as to best facilitate guided sightseeing of the area. Hotels reserved for each tour are indicated in the Day-By-Day Itinerary. If, for any reason, it becomes necessary to use other hotels, they will be of a similar standard, where possible. We only contract non-smoking rooms. All accommodations, meals and services have been designated as first class in Russia, Eastern Europe and provincial areas though some tourism facilities are less developed than what might normally be expected in this category. Tours in North and South America use Standard First Class hotels
Single Rooms:
A limited number of single rooms are available at the supplement shown for each tour. While single rooms provide privacy, they are often smaller than twin-bedded rooms. We do offer the option to join our non-smoking Room Share Program (see page 13 for details). The Room Share Program is not available on tours/cruises to Greece, Egypt, Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Peru, South America, South Africa, China, Select London & Paris, Select London, Paris & Rome, all European River Cruises and all pre or post tour extensions.
Triple Rooms:
Triple room accommodations are available on a limited basis at a reduced price. Triple rooms usually consist of a twin-bedded room with an additional folding bed or cot for the third person. They may not be comfortable for three adults. Triple rooms are not available on cruises.
Meals:
WR=Welcome Reception. Breakfasts are served as: B=Breakfast, BB=Buffet Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, SB=Scandinavian Buffet Breakfast, FB=Full Breakfast. Lunches (L) and three-course table d’hote (set menu) dinners (D), (FD) farewell dinners and (BD) buffet dinners are shown in the itinerary for each tour and are generally catered by the hotel in which you are residing. (HD)Highlight Dinner and (HL) Highlight Lunch will be catered at a local restaurant or special venue. (DA) Dine-Around dinners are catered at a selection of restaurants preselected by Grand European Tours. Please note in cases of early morning departures, FB may not be available. Please note that we are unable to accept requests for special menus to meet dietary or religious requirements.
Tour Price Does Not Include:
Beverages and meals not detailed in the itinerary. Personal expenses including passport and visa fees, alcoholic beverages, optional sightseeing tours, laundry, phone calls, traditional end of the tour gratuity to your Tour Director and Motorcoach Driver, tips to local city guides, crew tips and all other items of a personal nature, airport tax, service & security charges and port taxes. (Subject to change.) Travel Insurance is also not included but is highly recommended.
Consumer Disclosure Notice:
Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully, as your deposit and payment for a trip constitutes consent to all conditions and general information contained in this brochure.
Responsibility:
These trips are arranged by Grand European Operations Ltd. (“Operator”) in conjunction with Grand European Tours (2003) Inc. It has made the travel arrangements as agent for the transportation carriers and other suppliers of services connected with the tour (“suppliers”) all of which are independent contractors. The Operator in no way owns or operates the vehicles or facilities to be used during the trip, and does not guarantee or assume responsibility for the acts and/or omissions of suppliers, their employees, agents, etc. Transportation companies, airlines etc. are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board planes, transportation or conveyances. We rely on international convention which may apply to the services provided by us, our suppliers or agents with respect to any claim of any nature brought by you against us as a result of the provision of those services. International conventions which apply may include: Warsaw Convention 1929, (as amended by Hague Protocol and Montreal Protocol) in relation to air travel, or Montreal Convention; the Berne Convention for rail travel; Athens Convention 1974 for carriage by sea; the Geneva Convention for carriage by road and the Paris Convention 1962 for Hotels. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of these conventions on limiting our liability in relation to any claim for death, injury, loss, damage and delay to passengers and luggage. Enrollment in and payment for a tour shall constitute agreement and acceptance by the passenger of the terms and conditions set forth in this brochure which cannot be varied except in writing by an officer of the Company.
All bookings are accepted subject to the conditions imposed by suppliers and Operator, including airline, cruise line, rail, coach, hotel, restaurants, insurance and other companies, firms or persons concerned with the trip, and the Operator will make no refund in the event of their delay, cancellation, overbooking, strike, force majeure or for elements of the package not used by customer. If there is a difference between the Operator’s Conditions and those published by a supplier, the conditions of supplier shall apply. The Operator reserves the right to cancel a trip or change the itinerary whenever in its sole judgment conditions warrant, or if the Operator deems it necessary for your comfort, convenience or safety. Trips outside the USA require a valid passport. You are responsible for, and release the Operator from, passport, visa, vaccination requirements, and safety conditions in travel destinations. The Operator strongly recommends you purchase appropriate cancellation/medical/baggage insurance for the trip, which is available from the Operator. For medical information, call the Center for Disease Control at 800- 232-4636 or visit www.cdc.gov/travel, and for U.S. State Department travel advisories, call 202-647- 5225. The Operator reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the trip at any time who presents a significant risk to the health or safety of himself or others which can not be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by the Operator’s reasonable accommodation. The Operator reserves the right to correct an error in the advertised price prior to your departure. Prices in this brochure are accurate at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice due to changes in market factors including but not limited to foreign currency and supplier cost fluctuations. Prices set forth in future brochures shall supersede the prices in this brochure. Airfare quotes, and Air Add-ons in this brochure are subject to airline capacity limitations and higher airfares may apply depending on seat availability at the time of reservation. A contract is made when your reservation and payment are accepted by the Operator at its office, and any dispute shall be governed by Oregon law and subject to the jurisdiction of Portland, Oregon. In calculating the cost of your trip, Operator has relied on your consent to these terms and in the absence of this release, the trip cost would have been higher. Operator reserves the right to substitute hotels of similar quality at any time or to make changes in itinerary of similar quality. Operator will not be responsible to any person for expense, loss of time, money or other circumstance resulting from a change in itinerary or change of tour arrangements. Operator also reserves the right to cancel a tour prior to departure, and in such cases all payments made to date will be refunded and shall constitute full settlement. If you purchase an airline ticket separately, ensure that your travel agent explains the conditions under which the ticket is issued, as the Operator assumes no responsibility for such airline ticket cancellation fees. Please understand that not all museums and attractions are open every day of the year. Operator reserves the right to vary the sequence of sightseeing and/ or to re-route the order of cities if that will enable you to visit all listed excursions. In either case, the itinerary content will be maintained to the extent possible and there are no refunds for any unused or unavailable excursions. Promotional offers subject to change. This brochure supersedes any other current brochure on the market.
Privacy Policy:
Occasionally we make portions of our mailing lists available to carefully selected companies. If you would prefer not to have your name and mailing address made available, please call us at 1-800-552-5545. To review our full privacy policy, visit our website at www.getours.com/privacypolicy.
