Sunday, July 13, 2008

GEMS of GERMANY


This May I travelled to Germany with my family and from Frankfurt to Munich I travelled by train. I was highly impressed of the efforts put in by the people of Germany to reduce the carbon emission by using bicycles instead of cars and bikes in most cities and later it didn't surprise me when GERMANY was declared as the GREENEST NATION in 2008 as they managed to reduce the carbon emission by 5.6% whereas the global energy consumption was up by 2.4%. Further, as a frequent traveller and seeing the escalating fuel prices I thought why not I introduce a concept of A LA CARTE travel and here it is.....
Visit the world’s greenest country – GERMANY, the COMPACT TRAVELS way

COMPACT TRAVELS – the first and only destination specialist in India for 5 CENTRAL EUROPEAN destinations including Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and Poland bring to you a unique concept of travel - TRAVEL A LA CARTE- now choose the number of days of travel as per your time, budget and combine them with experiences – whether it is historical, amusement parks, river cruises, mountains, castles or a combination of all of them.

First in our series of A LA CARTE options is GERMANY…..


Why GERMANY?

With escalating fuel costs, the best way to travel is by going green, just fly down to your destination and complete the rest of the journey by rail and what better way than to start with the GREENEST NATION for 2008. Yes GERMANY, is the greenest nation as it has slashed its energy consumption by 5.6% whereas the global energy consumption rose by 2.4%. Additionally, Germany is a great value for money destination especially as the average rates for hotel room rates in Germany are far lower compared to U.K, France or even Italy.

Germany is truly an unexplored territory for the Indian traveller. Most Indian visitors have seen glimpses of Germany when they land at Frankfurt airport to attend a trade fair or have an express stop in Black Forest or Heidelberg as part of their group tour itinerary and regret for having missed out on such a wonderful country whilst taking a fast paced tour across Europe.

However, we at COMPACT TRAVELS with our reliable partners in Germany have chalked out a unique itinerary designed by our Germany Destination Expert who explored each of the region to plan out what you would like, as you like and extend your stay in Germany from a minimum of 7 days going up to 21 days or even more taking you across its 16 Federal States from North to South and East to West.

A country which boasts of 28000 Castles - a majority of them unexplored; state of the art automobile engineering with top brands such as Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Volkswagen; home to some of the most scenic routes such as the Fairytale Route, Romantic Route, Castle Road; the biggest theme park in Europe amongst five other theme parks, there are various ways one can explore Germany and COMPACT TRAVELS has put together a unique concept so that you can set your own pace and include a wide range of experiences across its various regions. Germany is also home to one of the most successful clubs in the world – FC Bayern Munich and you may be lucky to see some of your favourite players in action in one of the state of the art stadiums across Germany.

To make your experience all the more exciting we offer you a basic programme covering atleast three regions of Germany and this can also be extendable to neighbouring countries such as Switzerland and Austria to complete the GERMAN TRIANGLE. Incidentally COMPACT TRAVELS has the distinction of being Austrian Certified Specialist as well as Swiss Specialist. We not only plan exciting itineraries for you but also provide you with a crash course in basic German expressions for you to experience the gemütlichkeit - the true German hospitality extended during your visit to a Biergarten, Gasthaus, Ratskeller or Weinstube.

So all you need to do is pack your bags and leave the rest to us…


THE BASIC PACKAGE of 6 nights/7 days comprise of the true flavour of Germany combining the Rhine cruise, visit to the wonderful region of Black Forest and then to see one of the most scenic castles – the Neuschwanstein Castle.

A week in GERMANY includes:


- all accommodation on 4 star basis
- 2 overnights in Mainz to experience the Rhine river cruise covering Rudesheim & St. Goar. This also includes your private transfer from the Frankfurt airport directly to the hotel and train tickets back to Mainz on 2nd class
- 2 overnights in Freiburg with an all day scenic ride into the Black Forest and return train tickets on 2nd class
- 2 night in Munich with One way rail ticket on 2nd Class and One way airport shuttle and a Hop-on Hop – off Munich City Tour ticket & All day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau and the Royal Castles- Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace
- Daily breakfast in hotels
- Return airfare ex-Mumbai in Economy Class
- Tourist Visa for passports issued in Maharashtra
Total cost – From Rs 99850 per person on twin sharing. Rates are subject to change based on the class of fare availability and revision in fares, taxes and fluctuation in currency exchange rates.
Single supplements, triple and quad pricing available on request.


EXTEND your stay to add experiences ranging from 1 night to 7 nights which includes the following experiences from EUR 135 onwards:


1. AMUSEMENT EXTENSIONS (recommended for children and the child in you)

(A) EUROPA PARK
Return transfers from the train station in Seat in Coach basis
Admission ticket for an all day visit of the Europa park
Overnight stay in Freiburg (incl. buffet breakfast) in a 4star

And/or

(B) LEGOLAND
Return train tickets in 2nd class
Admission ticket for an all day visit of the Europapark
Overnight stay in Munich (incl. buffet breakfast) in a 4star

2. OVER THE TOP (a panoramic view of Germany and Austria with stunning scenery from the
highest point in Germany )

ZUGSPITZE
Return train tickets to base station in 2nd class
Return Special train/ high-speed funicular tickets the Zugspitze peak
Overnight stay in Munich (incl. buffet breakfast) in a 4star.

3. ROMANCE & MUSIC (fall in love again with your loved ones at picturesque locations)

(A) ROMANTIC ROAD
All day escorted coach tour to the Romantic Road, visit of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Harburg
Overnight stay in Munich (incl. buffet breakfast) in a 4star. And/or

(B) SALZBURG
Return train tickets in 2nd Class
Mozart city tour on seat in coach basis
Overnight stay in Munich (incl. buffet breakfast) in a 4 star.

4. WAR & HISTORY (go back in time to recall forgotten moments and relive the past)

(A) DACHAU – first Nazi Concentration Camp in Germany
Return train tickets in 2nd Class
Fully guided 5 hour comprehensive tour through all surviving buildings, English documentary film, Museum Exhibition Center,
Overnight stay in Munich (incl. buffet breakfast) in a 4 star.

(B) HEIDELBERG - the oldest University town in Germany
Train tickets in 2nd Class
Return train station transfers
Private tour of the city
Overnight stay in Heidelberg (incl. buffet breakfast) in a 4star



Note: All rates indicated are subject to amendments and alterations due to reasons beyond our control such as fluctuation in currency exchange rates, changes in taxes, etc. Validity: 2008


BERLIN & BAVARIA ( B & B) Combos on a BUDGET

Explore the Best of EAST GERMANY and move to the wonderful region of Bavaria with various combinations starting from 7 days and extended up to 24 days covering 17 cities and all of GERMANY with accommodation on 3 star basis


A Week of B & B combo comprises of

- All accommodation on 3 star basis
- 2 overnights in Berlin to experience the experience the capital city with a Walking tour covering the main sights if the city
- 1 night in Wurzburg with admission to Wurzburg Residence & Court Garden
- 1 overnight in Nurnberg with admission to the Nurnberg Imperial Castle
- 2 overnights in Munich with admission to Munich Residence (incl. Treasury), the Cuvilliés-theatre, Hall of Fame & Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum (Museum of Carriages and Sleighs in the former Royal Stables) and Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain and All day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau and the Royal Castles- Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace
- Rail tickets on 2nd Class for all the sectors
- Daily breakfast in hotels
- Return airfare
- Tourist Visa for passports issued in Maharashtra

Total cost – From Rs 82000 per person on twin sharing. Rates are subject to change.
Single supplements, triple and quad pricing available on request.

EXTEND your stay to add experiences ranging from 1 night to 17 nights which includes a range of 15 destinations across Germany from EUR 80 onwards :

Choice of destinations:

Hamburg
Dresden
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Potsdam
Infamous Third Reich
Sascsenhausen Concentration Memorial Camp
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Frankfurt
Aschaffenburg
Ansbach
Bamberg
Bayreuth
Stuttgart
Ellingen
Bavaria Extensions – Zugsptize, Dachau, Salzburg


Note: All rates indicated are subject to amendments and alterations due to reasons beyond our control such as fluctuation in currency exchange rates, changes in taxes, etc. Validity: 2008

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