Day 1 | Mon. 09/23/24
Depart Greater Cincinnati Airport
Arrive Chicago (ORD) 2:33 pm | 3h 33m Layover
Depart Chicago (ORD) 6:05 pm | United Flight 953
Day 2 | Tue. 09/24/24
Arrival in Munich, Germany
Hotel Belle Blue
Schillerstrasse 21, Munich
Check-in starts at 3:00 pm
Double Room, King Bed
Breakfast Buffet Included
PH: +49 (89) 5506260
Located just a 4-minute walk from München Hauptbahnhof railway station (Google Maps), the family-run hotel is conveniently situated within 1.5 km of Oktoberfest grounds and Marienplatz. Rooms feature blue-themed decor, ensuite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. Enjoy complimentary all-day tea, cappuccinos, coffee, and the included breakfast buffet. 🌟
World’s Largest Beer Garden
The World’s Largest Beer Garden 🎫
Reservations for two for 7 pm at the largest beer garden in the world!
Hirschgarten 1, 80639 Munich, Phone: +49 (0) 89 17 999 119
The Königlicher Hirschgarten is a legendary establishment nestled in the charming district of Nymphenburg, Munich. With a rich history dating back to 1791, this traditional restaurant has been serving locals and visitors alike for generations.
- The Hirschgarten boasts an impressive capacity: over 500 indoor seats, 1200 serviced outdoor seats in the beer garden, and a staggering 7000 seats in the self-service area.
- Expect the best of Bavarian flavors. From crispy schnitzels to savory sausages, the menu celebrates regional specialties.
- The name “Hirschgarten” translates to “Deer Garden,” and you’ll find these graceful creatures roaming freely nearby.
- The picturesque setting, complete with lush greenery, adds to the magical atmosphere.
- Visit the official website for more details. Prost! 🍻
Thursday, 09/26/24
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour (Viator) 🎫
MEETING TIME: 8:40 am.
MEETING POINT: Radius Tours, Dachauer Str. 4 (approx. 10 min walk from hotel – directions). Arrive 20 min early for 9:00 am departure.
Gain insight into the Holocaust on this half-day guided tour of Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site from Munich. Travel by train and bus; includes professional, sensitive commentary on the camp’s history, exhibitions, memorials, reconstructed barracks, and cells.
Round-trip travel included.
Day 6 | Sat. 09/28/24 | Salzburg, Austria
Short walk or taxi from Hotel Belle Blue to Munich Hauptbahnhof station
Train from Munich to Salzburg
Deutsch Bahn RJX 63 – 1st class with reserved seats.
Board with luggage.
Train Station Information | Download DB Navigator App | Map of Station
Depart Munich Hbf at 9:29 am (tracks 5-10)
Arrive Salzburg Hbf at 10:58 am
Richard-Mayr-Gasse 2, Salzburg, Austria. Tel: +43 (662) 879662
Check-in starts at 3:00 pm
Superior Room with Double Bed. Breakfast buffet €16 per person.
Where to Go in Salzburg – History
Day 7 | Sunday, 09/29/24
Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg (GYG) 🎫
Please arrive at the meeting point by 8:30 am.
- Skip-the-line entry to the Eagle’s Nest
- Entrance ticket and elevator to the top
- Transportation from/to Salzburg
Meeting Point: Panorama Bus Terminal at Mirabellplatz.
Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Enjoy unique mountain landscapes on this round tour of the enchanting Bavarian Alps. Traveling along the Königssee river, you will be able to discover the imposing crags and romantically positioned farmsteads of the road towards Obersalzberg. In specially-equipped and comfortable buses, you will be able to relax in luxury, while your driver conquers the dramatic heights and sheer cliffs. 20 minutes travel on well-constructed roads will bring you to the Eagle’s Nest, where Adolf Hitler always spent his summer holidays. From the Eagle’s Nest, you will be able to enjoy an extraordinary view of the “Hoher Göll” and other majestic, snow-covered mountain summits of the Bavarian Alps.
Day 8 | Mon. 09/30/24 | Salzburg, Austria
Free Day
Day 9 | Tue. 10/01/24 | Zurich, Switzerland
Train from Salzburg to Zurich
ÖBB Train RJX160 – Comfort Class with reserved seats
Depart Salzburg Hbf at 9:56 am
Arrive Zurich Hbf at 3:20 pm
Hotel Scheuble, Zürich
Address: Mühlegasse 17, Zurich, 8001
Phone: +41 (0) 44 268 48 00 | Email: info@scheuble.ch
Check-in starts at 2:00 pm
Double Room with Double Bed
Discover a harmonious blend of modern elegance and warm hospitality at Hotel Scheuble. Nestled in Zurich’s vibrant heart, the boutique hotel offers a serene escape for leisure travelers. Ideally located near Zurich’s main train station, it’s a perfect base for exploring the historic Old Town, cultural landmarks, and dining scene.
Day 11 | Thu. 10/03/24
Mt. Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise (Viator)
Official departure point: Sihlquai Coach Terminal (near Zürich HB). Check in at least 15 min early at the white ticket office marked “Best of Switzerland Tours” or “City Tours & Excursions”.
AG Sihlquai Coach Parking, Limmatstrasse 4, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland (Map)
Immerse yourself in the majesty of Mount Pilatus on this full-day excursion from Zurich. Ascend by gondola and cable car for stunning Alpine views. Enjoy a moderate hike down the Dragon’s Path, descend via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, and take a short cruise on Lake Lucerne. (Itinerary may vary seasonally.)
Day 12 | Fri. 10/04/24
Day 13 | Sat. 10/05/24 | Depart for Home
Depart Zurich at 9:10 am on UA9746 (operated by Swiss)
| You must select seats with Swiss Online Check-in | Check in via website or SWISS app from 23 hours before departure. Download mobile boarding pass. Automatic check-in 20 hours prior if contact details on file. Change preferences in “My bookings”. Visit online check-in |
|---|
Arrive Geneva (GVA) at 10:00 am – Depart 11:00 am on UA975 to Washington (IAD) arriving 2:20 pm
Arrive Washington (IAD) at 2:20 pm – Depart 5:15 pm on UA6015 to Cincinnati (CVG) arriving 6:52 pm
PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
Cellular Phone Service | Verizon Phone Service
Plan your trip overseas with our travel planner | Verizon
Currency Exchange
Foreign currency exchange is the act of exchanging one type of currency for another. For example, if you’re planning an international trip to Europe, you may want to plan ahead and exchange U.S. dollars for Euros so that you are prepared to cover cash expenses as soon as you arrive without having to stop at an exchange office at your destination. Two hundred euros should get you through until you get to an ATM.
Making ATM Withdrawals – USE A BANK ATM!
The best way to get cash in Italy is to make an ATM withdrawal when you arrive. The Visa or Mastercard exchange rate applies and is better than any rate you’re likely to get exchanging currency at an exchange office or a bank.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to select the option for conversion by your bank. It’s a good idea to check with your bank for specific details about their foreign ATM conversion fees and any other charges that might apply.
Italian bank ATMs are called bancomats and some don’t charge a local ATM operator fee — but avoid using independent ATMs. These third-party ATMs charge like a wounded bull, and it’ll be obvious which ATMs are affiliated with a bank and which aren’t.
Cash and Currency Tips for Europe by Rick Steves
Foreign Currency Exchange Services (pnc.com)
How long does it take to receive foreign currency bank notes that are ordered at a PNC branch?
Standard foreign currency orders entered before 4:30 p.m. ET will be delivered to the branch by the end of the next business day. (during business travel season please allow 1 – 2 additional business days)
Customers may request overnight delivery for a $15 charge. Overnight delivery foreign currency orders entered before 4:30 p.m. ET will be delivered to the branch by noon the next business day. Overnight delivery is only available Monday through Friday and isn’t available on bank holidays.
Foreign Currency Exchange | Fifth Third Bank (53.com)
Fifth Third customers can buy and sell foreign currency at their local branch with competitive exchange rates. And when you return from your trip, Fifth Third can buy back any unused foreign currency, exchanging it back into U.S. dollars. Contact your local branch if you have questions about a particular currency carried.
Links for More Information
