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Specialists in Group Tours to Germany
Germany is truly the powerhouse of the European Union. It is a wealthy nation of hardworking people that has brought us things as diverse as aspirin and MP3 technology. There are very few countries that have impacted the world both historically and culturally as much as Germany has. A very popular destination for history, concert, and architecture groups, a Casterbridge Tour is the best way to see Germany for the following reasons…
The Best Flights to Germany on Guaranteed Dates
We have exceptionally close relationships with many European national carriers, including KLM, British Airways, Air France and of course, the national airline of Germany, Lufthansa. These relationships allow us to find your group the very best flights and fares, with minimal connections in order to make your trip less time-consuming and stressful. This means we can offer you the very best routings, including to some of the lesser-known gateway cities, which can significantly reduce your journey time when you arrive. Imagine flying directly into Hannover or Dusseldorf rather than enduring a lengthy transfer from Berlin or Frankfurt. We strive to make your transfers as efficient as possible, without the unnecessary stress and increased cost of tiring, time-consuming journeys.
Casterbridge Tours always guarantee your tour dates and you will know your proposed flight schedule and routing as much as 11 months in advance of your tour!
Making the Most of Your Arrival Day in Germany
Casterbridge strives whenever possible to make arrival days a useful part of your tour. By doing things like touring Theresienwise on your way into Munich or taking a walking tour of Breitscheidplatz and Ku’ Damm on your arrival afternoon in Berlin, we are able to ensure that the afternoon of your arrival days are not simply lost time.
This standard practice will serve to increase the value of your time spent in Germany, and will simultaneously reduce your “jet lag.” Arrival Days count in your overall tour time; you should not allow that time to be wasted!
Thematic and Chronological Travel in Germany
In a genuine attempt not to confuse participants with mixed, haphazard, and unrelated materials, we aim whenever possible to provide a thematic and chronological context to each day of the tour. In Germany for example, thematic days are dedicated to such topics as ‘East Berlin – A New Freedom,’ ‘The Legacy of Mad King Ludwig,’ and ‘The Last Patrol of WWII.’ We carefully track the course of momentous events or the lives of historical figures to create learning that is both engaging and easier to follow.
All Casterbridge tours are highly customizable to fit your educational themes and priorities, ensuring you get the very best out of your travel experience.
Our Casterbridge Tour Manager/Guides in Germany
As we all know, there can be a few bumps in even the smoothest of roads. While we strive to ensure none pop up on your tour, you can relax knowing that your exclusive Casterbridge Tour Manager/Guide is there if they do.
Usually, your Tour Manager/Guide will live locally and be fluent in both German and English. He or she will be with you 24 hours a day, from airport arrival to departure, in order to confirm reservations, help you get from place to place, and suggest free-time and evening activities that meet your group’s needs and budget.
The role of a Casterbridge Tour Manager/Guide is so important that each one must go through a specially designed Casterbridge training program and only the top few percent of each class are selected to act as our representatives in Germany. They are continuously evaluated and only those with the highest recommendations from our groups are permitted to stay with us.
We hand-pick each Casterbridge Guide to make certain they meet our exacting standards.
The Expertise and Perspective of Local Guides in Germany
Never underestimate the value of expertise, especially when it is shared willingly with eager learners of any age. For this reason, Casterbridge strives to provide you with specialist local guides at the most important sites on your itinerary such as the museum at Check Point Charlie, the concentration camps at Buchenwald and Dachau, and the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
These local specialists are in addition to the 24-hour presence of your exclusive Tour Manager/Guide. Each if them is trained to impart even the tiniest detail of their particular area of expertise. In Germany, we generally plan for you to have a local guide with you at some point every other day, excluding arrival and departure days.
You can designate those sites where you would like to have a specialist guide and tell us whether you would prefer them to present an academic or a cultural emphasis that focuses on the specific theme of your tour.
A Balance of Educational Visits, Cultural Experiences, and Recreational Activities
Balance is essential, not only in life, but also on a great tour. Casterbridge makes every effort to achieve that balance by offering a variety of recreational and cultural activities to complement the educational opportunities along your tour. It may be taking a luge ride in the Alps, attending a falconry show, or learning how to waltz. Whatever your preference, we have many different options for fun, exciting experiences while in Germany.
Click here for our Cross-Cultural Connections, where you will find a comprehensive list of the recreational and cultural opportunities available in Germany.
Our Accommodations and Meals in Germany
Casterbridge Tours chooses 3-star (and occasionally 4-star or superior 2-star) hotels as a standard, but you are always free to request alternate accommodation for your group. Each hotel is evaluated following each stay and we continue to use only those who are consistently rated highly by our groups. When possible, we prefer to use smaller, family owned hotels as opposed to giant concrete monoliths. Please feel free to ask for a list of sample hotels in the area your group will be traveling.
As part of our educational travel philosophy, we always strive to give our groups extensive exposure to the local people and culture. Part of that experience is, of course, sampling the local cuisine. Therefore, unless you request it, your Casterbridge tour will not include a lot of American chain restaurants. For dinner, you will sample regional cuisine, either in your hotel or in neighborhood restaurants.
In Berlin and Munich, this means that whenever possible, we will have dinner in local restaurants away from the hotels for an authentic dining experience.
All Admissions Are Included on Our Group Tours to Germany
A standard Casterbridge Tour tends to have double (and sometimes even triple) the average number of admissions than most of our competitors. In addition, Casterbridge is one of very few operators who will pre-book your group into as many major attractions as we can. In Munich for example, we will pre-book visits to the Deutsches Museum and in Potsdam, to Sanssouci.
Pre-booking ensures that we always receive group admission rates, we can pay them in advance, and your group can bypass the lines. This unparalleled level of service and value has come to be expected by group leaders choosing Casterbridge as their tour operator.
Getting Around in Munich and Berlin
A practice unique to Casterbridge is that, unless a coach has been specifically requested, most of our groups will receive passes for the public transportation system for sightseeing in Munich and Berlin. Not only will this provide a great cultural experience for your group, but it is also the most efficient and convenient way to navigate these wonderful cities.
Remember that your exclusive Tour Manager/Guide will be with your group at all times, including on public transport, to help you with directions, the language, and interactions with local people as you journey to your next visit.
Undiscovered Jewels and Hidden Treasures in Germany
Because Casterbridge Tours is a custom tour operator, we can offer you tremendous flexibility in your itinerary. We can mold your schedule to your specific, detailed needs. So we would be delighted to take you to any of the “hidden treasures” around Germany not always found on a standard itinerary.
Some of the recent jewels chosen by our group leaders were Geigenbaum Violin Museum and The Fuggerei. Some groups have also requested to spend a night or two in off the beaten path places, such as Mittenwald and Garbsen.
Your tour is truly your tour with Casterbridge!
Register to plan an educational tour to Germany, either online or by calling 1-800-522-2398. Start planning your group travel program today!
