Harz Mountain
Meter-Gauge Mysteries
May 24 - June 8, 2001
Itinerary
May 24, Thursday
Depart U.S.
Depart from the U.S. for Frankfurt on individually arranged flights.
May 25, Friday
(D)
Arrive Frankfurt, Germany
Arrive at Frankfurt Airport, one of the largest in Europe. IRT's
tour leader, Mr. Werner Schorn, and his assistant will meet tour
members as they arrive in both terminals until roughly 10 a.m.
They will provide you with your transit ticket, good for all
public transportation for all the days of our visit in Frankfurt.
(If you are arriving ahead of time, this will be sent to you
in your pre-tour documents.)
They will assist you in taking the high-speed train into the city center. And thus, the wonders of the modern German Railway system will unfold. The train takes about 10 minutes. Our hotel will be a 4-minute walk out the north entrance of the Hauptbahnhof, (the main train station). Look left, and you will see the hotel sign. Walk across the street, and you are practically there. The welcoming, English-speaking staff will store your bags in a locked closet until time for check-in. The hotel is perfectly situated for anyone who wants to take day trips by rail or spend time in the railway station, a fascinating place, where 31 ICE trains, some of the fastest and most modern trains in the world, call daily.
At first glance, Frankfurt am Main is a gleaming modern city with an impressive skyline, home to many world trade fairs, where both traffic flow and ready cash are well regulated. But upon closer look, you'll discover Frankfurt's charm. This afternoon about 1 p.m. discover this during our city tour of Frankfurt, both on foot and using the fantastic, modern public transportation system, with its S-Bahn and above-ground tram system.
During our tour, with a resident professional city guide, we will see Goethe's House - the birthplace of Germany's greatest poet; the historic heart of the city Romerberg; the town hall from the 16th century, the imperial Cathedral where 10 German emperors and kings were crowned, the baroque guard room and prison of the old city, the concert hall. We will go to the suburb of Sachsenhausen - a picturesque place famous for its Apfelwein. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers better over welcome cocktails followed by dinner in the hotel's modern, airy dining room with wine and coffee.
Overnight: Intercity Hotel, Frankfurt
May 26, Saturday
(B, D) Rhine Cruise
After a magnificent buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant,
our first full day begins. Over the eons, the Rhine has cut a
deep gorge between Mainz and Koblenz in the Rhenish Uplands.
Today we will focus on this beautiful and historic river, which
twists back and forth as it flows swiftly northwards.
We will validate our rail passes this morning at the railway station before beginning our journey by train from Frankfurt north to Rüdesheim situated on the east side of the Rhine along the most popular part of the river. Both sides of the banks are dotted with ancient castles and fortresses. This evening, we will cruise the river north to Koblenz by boat and enjoy dinner with coffee on board. During our cruise, we'll see not only ships but also many trains that ply the rail lines on both banks.
As the day cools and the sun sets, we'll see the mountain peaks glimmering in the evening sunshine, as we watch for castles and perhaps catch a glimpse of the legendary Lorelei, a beautiful maiden who combs her flowing yellow hair with a golden comb and whose irresistible music entices unwary sailors to their doom on the treacherous rocks. The last time we offered this trip, this was a highlight, greatly enjoyed by all members. We'll take an IC, a fast train, home to Frankfurt, taking about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Overnight : Intercity Hotel, Frankfurt
May 27, Sunday
(B, L, D)
Train to Dresden
After another grand buffet breakfast, today we leave Frankfurt
and head across country to Dresden, fabled city of art and culture
on the River Elbe. Our adventure begins as we head to the train
station; to say it is bustling is a major understatement. Our
gleaming new ICE 1557, looking like a giant white snake with
red eyes, gleaming white with its signature red-orange stripe,
will be waiting for us. This is the newest ICE, which some call
the "ICT" because this third-generation of the German
high-speed trains also tilts around curves. Enjoy the relaxing
cross-country ride as we zip past almost every station. All the
while you'll wonder: why can't we have this across the US?
You will enjoy the attractive, roomy first-class interiors, with large seats, plenty of legroom and space between seats, in a 2 and 1 seating pattern and grey leather-like upholstery. The seats tilt way back if you're interested in a nap, and the headrests cradle the head. The picture windows allow a wide site range. Much of the time, the ride is so smooth and quiet on these dedicated tracks, it's hard to tell you're moving. You may obtain an earphone from train attendants to listen to music or to watch television at some seats. Also interesting are the one-hour "Farhplans" which you should find in your seat. They provide the schedules all along the way, including all the connections within one hour of each stop.
We'll have lunch in the Bord Restaurant. When we call at Leipzig at 12:35 p.m., we will take time to look around the huge station, with 26 tracks the largest in Europe, before we continue on to Dresden. Our bags will be traveling separately; you'll meet up with them in your room at the Dorint Hotel. If you choose, you can remain on board and continue on to Dresden ahead of the group. You will arrive in Dresden at 1:47 p.m. The stopover group will arrive in Dresden two hours later. We will have five nights in Dresden, the historic provincial capital.
Upon arrival we will transfer by private vehicles to our modern, four-star hotel. However, if you want to be adventurous, you may easily take the tram. Mr. Schorn will give you directions. After check-in, you have time to explore on your own. A handy tram stop is just out the front door of the hotel. The tour includes a 5-day tram ticket for your convenience, for use on all public transportation in Dresden.
You may wish to attend services in one of the beautiful churches in the city. Please let us know upon booking so we can help make arrangements and provide schedules.
Dinner will be served at our hotel tonight; the chef prepares outstanding cuisine, and it is served in a candlelit, linen-covered setting with fresh flowers.
Overnight: Dorint Hotel, Dresden
May 28, Monday
(B) Tram tour, steam to Radeburg: The Lößnitztalbahn
The Dorint, also, offers a beautiful buffet breakfast. There is everything from eggs to many kinds of cheeses and breads, freshly made waffles (ask a waiter to make you one) and fresh-squeezed orange juice prepared on the spot. The city of Dresden abounds with activities for both the general tourist and the railfan alike. With its plethora of architecture, art and 750-mm-gauge steam railways it's the perfect city for a railfan and his/her non-railfan spouse. Today is a case in point.
With our professional local guide, we will begin our day with a chartered streetcar tour around the city. The excitement in this, the capital city of Saxony, which only 10 years ago escaped 50 years of Communist regime, is palpable. So many gorgeous monuments, from palaces to the opera, are open for visitors. The modern tram system and S-bahn is legend, and you can get just about anywhere on it. Other famous monuments are still being rebuilt after the 1945 Allied bombing. Part of our tour will include a stop at Dresden's interesting Tram Museum. Other stops will include the fabulous pleasure palace called The Zwinger, built by the city's benefactor, August the Strong (and the rich.) His vast collections of valuable art, jewelry, jeweled miniatures, porcelain and armor are also legend. And most are on display for visitors.
In the afternoon, we'll sample the S-bahn 1 from Dresden to Radebeul Ost. There, we'll hop a narrow-gauge steam train founded in 1900, traveling across fields and alongside pretty lake views, past Moritzburg. We will see its stunning royal saxonian castle from the train, traveling north to Radeburg, one of Germany's most famous beer towns. We'll have an hour to explore Radeburg, and have some Radeburger beer, before returning to Dresden via steam train and S-bahn again.
In the evening, you may wish to enjoy one of the many cultural offerings in Dresden. Highly recommended, among other venues, are performances at the outstanding, world-class Semper Opera, which is offering many musical choices while we are here. Please inform the IRT tour desk of your desire upon booking. We will be happy to book your tickets.
Overnight: Dorint Hotel, Dresden
May 29, Tuesday
(B)
Free day or, Guided Tour to Berlin
Today you are on your own to explore this charming city or venture
elsewhere. Highly recommended by our members is the Meissen porcelain
factory tour. Meissen is about 17 miles northwest of Dresden
and easily reached in about 45 minutes by train. The Dresden
Art Museum and the Semper Opera, open for tours daily, are both
fantastically exciting. Your included Dresden city card, good
on all transportation, will help you maneuver the city and take
you to and from tram or S-bahn connections.
Mr. Schorn will be leading a group to Berlin, bustling with building and the stress of reunification after decades of Communist/Allied divisions, and one of his favorite cities. We will take a direct train, IC 872 to Berlin Zoological Garden station, about 2:10. A Bistro Car is scheduled to be part of the consist, so you can relax with some coffee as you watch the scenery unfold. Germans recently narrowly voted to move the capital from Bonn to Berlin. Thus, the Reichstag is moving here, and the new building is going up now; a new, underground high-speed train line is being put in and Berlin is drawing hordes of visitors to see the action. We will visit the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin, with its large display of steam trains. You'll also visit Berlin's OstBahnhof to see Polish and Russian trains calling here.
To return to Dresden, we'll take the
5:30 p.m. EC 179 (Yet another wonder of the German and European
rail system.) The EuroCity is a fast train called a EuroCity
because it connects major cities of Germany with major cities
in other European countries. The ECs have the best restaurant
cars in Germany. Dinner on your own tonight. If you like, you
may dine on board or back in Dresden after arrival at 7:42 p.m.
Please let the IRT travel desk know if you wish to dine on board;
we will make your reservation.
If you need help planning any independent travel this day, Mr.
Schorn will be more than happy to help you plot your arrangements.
Overnight: Dorint Hotel, Dresden
May 30, Wednesday
(B, D)
Steam to Kurort Kipsdorf - the Weisseritztalbahn
Today, we'll continue our exploration of Saxony's diminutive
750-mm steam train lines. We'll take the oldest steam driven
narrow-gauge railway still in service in Germany, the line from
Freital-Hainsberg, in the western suburbs of Dresden, to Kurort
Kipsdorf. Public services on the narrow-gauge secondary railway
line from Hainsberg to Schmiedeberg started in 1882 and was extended
the next year to include Kipsdorf. Today the line traverses 40
bridges, following the course of the Rote Weisseritz and linking
the town of Freital and the nearby state capital of Dresden with
the towns and villages of the eastern Erzgebirge mountains. The
"Bimmelbahn" (small train with a warning bell) is definitely
one of the area's major attractions. It takes 84 minutes to cover
a distance of 26.3 Km effortlessly overcoming a height differential
of 351 metres. A wide variety of walking tours through a varied
natural landscape, from narrow valley to mountain scenery, are
available all along the line. In 1994, the German government
placed this impressive example of the interaction between technology
and landscape on the list of protected technical monuments.
This steam excursion will take half a day. This leaves time for another outing south from Dresden on the Kirnitzschtalbahn, an electric tramline along the River Elbe to Bad Schandau to see mountain cliffs and a waterfall. We will take a steamer cruise back to the city. It is provided by the Saxon Steamship Company, which boasts the largest and oldest fleet of river steamers in the world. The scenery along the Elbe, with its 19th Century palaces and villas, is stunning. We will have dinner together tonight in Dresden.
Overnight: Dorint Hotel, Dresden
May 31, Thursday
(B) Steam to Zittau - Kurort Oybin
Today, we make the last of our 750-mm. steam jaunts: this time,
from Zittau, east of Dresden, where Germany, Poland, and the
Czech Republic meet, south into an area with some fascinating
rock formations.
We'll ride east for about 2.5 hours from Dresden to Zittau, northern terminus of the narrow-gauge line. The narrow-gauge line isn't long, and it splits at Bertsdorf, five miles out of Zittau, for Kurort Jonsdorf and Kurort Oybin, each three miles farther. There will surely be two steam engines and probably three in the Bertsdorf station as we pass through. We'll return to Dresden by the same route in time for dinner.
Overnight: Dorint Hotel, Dresden
June 1, Friday
(B, D)
Dresden to Wernigerode
After breakfast this morning we transfer to the main station
(Hbf) to travel northwest to Wernigerode, located in the heart
of the Harz Mountains. For this trip, we will take a combination
of trains: an IR, short for Interregio, meaning "inter-regional,"
connecting major regions of Germany, will take us to Halle Hbf.
It requires reservations and has a Bistro car serving snacks
and light meals. Then we change to an RE, a Regional Express,
which connects the smaller towns of the region. We will transfer
to our charming hotel right on the square of this quaint town
of half-timbered buildings, a real medieval castle and plenty
of shops and nooks and crannies to explore. This will be our
base for the next five nights. It is ideally suited for all kinds
of explorations, from touring, visiting other nearby villages
and towns, shopping and train riding.
One element of fascination and surprise with this region is that it, too, was only recently opened up to the west: fewer natives speak English, fewer tourists come here, and the renovation of its beautiful buildings is stunning. Our hotel is a case in point: as soon as the Iron Curtain came down, developers completely rebuilt the entire historic 14th-centurry building. The results are stunning.
Lunch is on your own, and there are plenty of places to choose, our hotel or other spots nearby.
Just a 10-minute walk from our hotel is the Wernigerode Westerntor Station, central office and locomotive and car repair shops of the Harzer Schmalspurbahn (HSB) which in English means "Harz Narrow-Gauge Railway." We will have a private guided tour this afternoon. The railway owns 25 steam and 10 diesel locomotives; as the director put it "100 years of locomotives," from 1899 to 1999. Usually, 17 steam engines dating from the 1950s are used for the scheduled service between the 35 stations and stops. The railway also owns eight historic steam engines, the oldest of which was built in 1897.
Running scheduled steam services throughout the year, the mountain railways make their way through a rugged and scenic landscape. It is the longest narrow-gauge, steam system in Europe. The little trains, hauled by powerful 2-10-2 steam tank engines, carry passengers through deep, towering pine forests, over steep hills, through romantic valleys and past vast, green meadows.
Return to the hotel where we will enjoy dinner. The chef prepares excellent regional and continental dishes, served in a beautiful setting.
Overnight: Hotel Gothisches Haus, Wernigerode
June 2, Saturday
(B) The Ruebelandbahn
Today, we will begin our program in nearby Halberstadt with a sightseeing tour on a historic streetcar, visiting a working steam engine in the depot and a small museum of the Ruebelandbahn with its last steam engine.
Afternoon on your own to explore Halberstadt further, or head back to Wernigerode to enjoy an afternoon on your own.
Overnight: Hotel Gothisches Haus, Wernigerode
June 3, Sunday
(B)
Excursion to Brocken Mountain - The Brockenbahn
Today, we'll be treated to one of our tour's highlights: a trip by steam-powered special train with two steam engines and the traditional wagons. We will take the train to the summit of the legendary Brocken. The Cold War brought great hardship to this region formerly behind the Iron Curtain, and surely the closing of the rail line to Brocken, at 3,747 feet northern Germany's highest summit, was a major blow. It had been a favorite for hikers and nature lovers. For more than 40 years, the Brocken was used by the Communist regime as a military base and was off-limits to all but the Soviet military. As a result, even most Germans of current generations have not experienced the wonders of this region; its fame is spreading, however, and the entire Harz Mountain region is slowly opening up not only to railfans, cross-country skiers and hikers from Germany but from around the world as well.
In June, 1992, public rail service was resumed to this famous mountain, the legendary meeting place of witches on Walpurgis Night, April 30 (witch dolls are hot items in the souvenir shops!) In good weather, the view from the summit is splendid. We will depart Wernigerode at 10:30 a.m., returning at 4:39 p.m.
Overnight: Hotel Gothisches Haus, Wernigerode
June 4, Monday
(B)
The Harzquerbahn
Today after your breakfast, we will use our Harz Mountain rail
pass to explore the towns of the region. Today we will take the
Harzquerbahn (the Trans-Harz Railway) across the mountains south,
a gorgeous trip. There's a stopover of three hours in Nordhausen,
allowing plenty of time to explore. Return to Wernigerode by
4:15 p.m.
Or, after another beautiful buffet breakfast, you may choose to spend the morning exploring the city. Dawdle over your coffee in the outdoor café the hotel sets up in warm weather right on the picturesque square. Wernigerode is very compact and easy to maneuver. To call it charming is a major understatement. The town square is a good place to start, with small streets spanning out from the center, with one interesting shop after another. A model train store is located just off the square and the Westerntor train station has a good gift shop with Harz Mountain Railways souvenirs. A beautiful toy store, with the special carved wooden animals and angels of Germany, sits right around the corner from the hotel. Visit the romantic neo-Gothic castle rising above the old town for great views of the city and its beautiful red-tiled-roofed houses. Just walking around this city is a dream. Its half-timbered houses beckon.
Since several steam trains travel through Wernigerode, the photo opportunities at the station are endless. In 1999, tour participants were able to photograph 8 steam trains in the yard at once!
Overnight: Hotel Gothisches Haus, Wernigerode
June 5, Tuesday
(B) The Selketalbahn
The meter-gauge Selketalbahn is also part of the HSB, and that's
what we will take today.
The Selketalbahn is among the most romantic and beautiful routes of the entire Harz narrow-gauge system. For many years, this railway has been an "open secret" for nature-lovers, as its more than 32-mile route between Gernrode, Harzgerode, Hasselfelde and Eisfelder Talmühle is wild and untamed, brimming with wildlife, trees and flowers.
Today, we'll ride to Gernrode, starting out on a DB RE 3601, connecting through Halberstadt and Quedlinburg. At Gernrode, we transfer to a steam-powered train which takes us on a romantic ride through the Selke Valley. We will stop for lunch on your own at the Hotel Habichtstein in Alexisbad, for exploring, lunch and photographs.
Overnight: Hotel Gothisches Haus, Wernigerode
June 6, Wednesday
(B, L, D)
Wernigerode to Nürnberg
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Nürnberg
on RE 3604. First, we will travel west across gorgeous countryside
and past many little villages to Hannover on this regional train.
At this busy station, we'll switch trains to InterCity Express
(ICE) 787, a first-generation ICE. Again, we will enjoy Germany's
luxurious and well-engineered entry in the high-speed train competition,
which reaches 167.5 mph.
This will take us non-stop to Nürnberg. Sit back, relax and watch the beautiful scenery unfold: red-tiled-roofed villages, punctuated with a spire, set in green fields. We'll enjoy lunch on board in the BordRestaurant. We'll arrive in Nürnberg at 2:26 p.m. Upon leaving the platform, don't follow the crowd. Instead, turn right once you leave the platform. We'll depart the Hauptbahnhof through the "back door," the south exit, and see our hotel just across the street and to the right, Loew's Hotel Merkur. Its prime location offers wonderful views of the tracks and depot and easy access to all aspects of our program here.
The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city on your own. Nürnberg has been rebuilt so impressively that you may see no trace of the damage done by the 1945 bombing, which leveled 90% of the city. The castle and three churches were painstakingly rebuilt using the original stone. Wander around and marvel at this city's recovery. Or, enjoy taking branch lines out from the city, available in several directions.
Wherever you decide to roam, make sure you're back to the hotel by dinner time so you may enjoy our group dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Merkur, Nürnberg
June 7, Thursday
(B, D)
City tour; Transport Museum (Deutsche Bahn)
This morning, our local guide will meet our group at the hotel
for a city tour of Nürnberg. We'll stroll through the Alstadt
(old town), visit centuries-old churches and take in the Nürnberg
castle, which offers stunning views of the city.
We'll have time for lunch on our own before our trip to the Deutsche Bahn Transport Museum located just outside the city walls. This museum is astounding, even for people who are not railfans. The exhibits are beautifully laid out; the museum is spotless. The gift shop alone is worth the visit, and is packed with Märklin trainsets, posters, books, videos anything a railfan might want as a memento of a German railway adventure. We have scheduled an English-speaking guide to show us around the museum. Museum highlights include a reproduction of the Adler, the first locomotive to operate in Germany and "mad" King Ludwig II's stunning private cars a beautiful bright blue trimmed in gold leif angels and bowers of flowers and fruit. Try your hand at driving a DB locomotive at a simulator; see complete exhibits on every aspect of German rail such as how they lay the track, how they dig the tunnels. A huge model train layout is an inspiration. We will also get to see a new exhibit opening this spring, the history of the western and eastern German railway system. Stay as long as you like: our hotel is about a 10-minute walk away.
We end the day with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Nürnberg. Enjoy a wonderful meal with wine and coffee as we toast another Society tour to a close.
Overnight: Hotel Merkur, Nürnberg
June 8, Friday
(B) Depart Germany
After breakfast, it's time to depart our tour. Depart Germany
on individually arranged flights. Your final documents will include
a number of choices for train departures which will take you
straight to the Frankfurt Flughaven (Airport) or back to Frankfurt's
main station for an overnight before your flight. Mr. Schorn
will assist in aiding departures. Or, if you prefer, extend your
vacation in Europe. Nürnberg is surrounded with beautiful
towns just an hour or two away, perfect for day trips. Further
afield: Munich is only 2 hours away by train; Prague and Vienna
each are just 5 hours away. We will be happy to make your reservations.
Included in the tour:
- Accommodation
in 4-star superior hotels as mentioned in the program
- Buffet
breakfast daily, service charge, taxes
- Porter
service in and out of hotels
- Special
"room to room" transfers of luggage between hotels
- Frankfurt-Dresden; Dresden-Wernigerode;
Wernigerode-Nürnberg
- Transfers
from train stations by taxi or motorcoach as mentioned in the
program.
- Welcome
dinner with cocktails and wine and coffee, Intercity Hotel
- Dinner
at the Hotel on May 25, May 27, June 1, June 6
- Dinner
on Rhine cruise May 26 with coffee
- Cruise
of the Elbe River on steamship
- Dinner
at a Dresden restaurant
- Lunch
on DB BordRestaurant Car May 27 and June 6
- Festive
farewell dinner in a local restaurant, (Nürnberg) June 7
including wine and coffee
- A
five-day pass for the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways
- Two-day
transportation pass in Frankfurt good for all public transportation,
including into the city from the airport.
- Shop
tour in Wernigerode of the HSB with guide
- Visit
to the Deutsche Bahn Musuem with English-speaking guide
- City
card in Dresden, providing access to all transportation, good
for one week
- Chartered
tram car tour of Dresden
- Visit
to the Tramway Museum, Dresden
- Optional
Visit to the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin
- Professional
local city guides in Frankfurt, Dresden, and Nürnberg
- All
seat reservations and extras for all trains, cruises
- All
supplements for the special trains on the schedule
- MedTrip
insurance, which provides 24-hour access to American nurses and
emergency evacuation
- The
services of a tour director throughout the journey
- Society
of International Railway Travelers luggage and nametags.
- Gratuities
for all included services and meals, except that of your tour
director. Gratuities, of course, are a personal
matter and optional.
- Detailed
itinerary with rail schedules and connections
- A
railmap of Germany published by the Deutsche Bundesbahn
- A copy of "A Railfan's Guide to Germany"
by George Drury
- Assistance
with rail scheduling and extra hotels for independent journeys
Not included: Airfare; German rail pass; passport and visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not listed in the itinerary; optional sightseeing excursions; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; excess baggage charges.
Cost: $2,775 per person, double occupancy
Single room supplement: $410
Railpasses: The above price includes a 5-day Harz Mountain Rail Pass, but does not include a German Rail Pass, which starts at $333. The tour will require a minimum 10-day pass, but if you plan to extend your vacation in Germany, you may wish to get an additional 5-day pass.
German Pass: the price is the same whether purchased here or in Germany. Avoid standing in line; order the appropriate pass upon booking. If you're not sure, please discuss your travel plans with the IRT Tour desk, and we will help you make the appropriate pass choice.
10-day first class German Twin Pass:
$333 per person (two people must travel together at all times)
10-day first class German Pass: $444 per person
5-day first class German Twin Pass: $213
5-day first class German Pass: $284
*Please note: The above prices are for Society members only. Members enjoy a discount on this trip of $50 per person, which is figured into the above price. If you are not a member, please add $50 to your cost per person. If you wish to join to become a member, the cost is $65 per year. Please inquire about membership at our main office: 800-IRT-4881.
Reservations: A deposit of 15% of the tour cost is needed to confirm your reservation. For your convenience, you may call our Tour Desk at 800-IRT-4881 and use MasterCard or Visa for your reservation deposit only. Final payment is due 90 days before departure by check, payable to The Society of International Railway Travelers.
Air reservations, extra hotel nights, train reservations, tickets for cultural events: We are delighted to arrange your air reservations and any extra hotel or train services that you will need before or after your tour with us. We can get very reasonable air arrangements provided you book far enough in advance. Many people like to stay another day or so before the journey in the beginning and ending hotels. Please outline these requests upon booking and again in writing on your client information form. We regret that we cannot make additional arrangements after final payment is made.
If you plan to fly out of the Frankfurt airport, please note that international flights usually leave early, and Frankfurt is a 2 and a half-hour train ride from Nürnberg. This could mean a very early morning departure from Nürnberg. You may prefer to spend the night prior to your flight in Frankfurt or fly from Nürnberg.
Intercity Hotel, Frankfurt, Pre or
Post-tour
Double: $104 per person, per night
Single: $165 per person, per night
Hotel Merkur, Nürnberg
Double: $79 per person, per night
Single: $120 per person, per night
Prices include full buffet breakfast
and taxes. Prices for other cities available upon request.
Tour Conditions
How to Book: Call our tour desk at 1-800-IRT-4881 to make a reservation. A deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required. Deposits can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover). Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is made by check 90 days before departure.
Passport: A valid passport is required, valid for six months after departure from U.S.
Cancellations: Notice of cancellations must be received by this office in writing before 90 days prior to departure and are subject to a $250 per-person administrative fee. Final payment is due 90 days before the trip. Cancellations occurring within 90 days prior to the trip are nonrefundable unless the space is resold to a client on the waiting list. In the event the space is resold, a refund, equal to the resale value of the space, is made after deduction of the $250 per person administrative fee and applicable airline cancellation penalties. No refunds will be made in the event of "no-shows" or cancellations the day of the trip. No refund will be given for unused portions of the tour. No refund for airline tickets once issued.
Insurance: We highly recommend that all passengers protect themselves with tour insurance to cover your costs in case you must cancel your journey. We will send you a brochure upon confirmation of your reservation. Please note: in order to waive pre-existing medical conditions exclusions in the tour insurance, insurance must be post-marked within ten days of date of deposit.
Minimum Participants: The main tour must have at least 20 passengers in order to qualify for special group rates.
Prices: This tour price is based on currency exchange rates in effect at the time of printing. In the event of revaluation or devaluation of U.S. currency, the tour operator reserves the right to make adjustments.
Price does not include: German rail pass; Passport and visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not listed in the included section; optional sightseeing excursions; services other than those specifically mentioned in the included section; accident; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges. Please note that transfers and baggage handling to/from airport included only if traveling with the IRT group on its group flight.
Medical: Any physical or mental condition which may require special medical attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking to take full advantage of the transportation systems of each country we visit. Some rail stations do not have escalators; thus, the ability to walk up stairs is essential.
Baggage: Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Porterage of one suitcase is included.
Responsibility: The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and Hardy Publishing Co., Inc. (HPC), parent company of The Society of International Railway Travelers, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to travel services. IRT and HPC do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, IRT and HPC are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom IRT and HPC has no control.
We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or the "included" section are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare or make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by
air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, changes in the itinerary, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
When issued, the air tickets shall constitute the sole contract between the air company concerned and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. Please note that advertised air rates can change before ticketing. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or events during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances.
By forwarding of deposit by either check or credit card, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. IRT and HPC reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
Behavior: Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, IRT personnel and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of our tour leader, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger the safety of other passengers, the tour leader will issue him with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter, a second, written warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning, then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untraveled portion of the tour will be entertained.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or its included features are anticipated; however, the right is reserved to make any changes without notice, that might become necessary, with the mutual understanding that any additional expenses will be paid by the individual passenger. Baggage is at the owner's risk throughout the trip, unless insured. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
Acceptance of terms: Upon payment of a deposit, by either check or credit card, tour participants indicate acceptance of all stated IRT and HPC terms and conditions.
Optional Activities that may be Dangerous: Depending on the itinerary you have selected, optional activities furnished by independent suppliers will be available at some of the places you will visit. Some of these activities carry with them the inherent risk of serious personal injury. These activities include, but are not necessarily limited to: walking safaris; horseback /elephant back/camel safaris; canoe trips, white-water rafting and river cruises; hot-air balloon trips and gorilla-tracking on foot; steam engine foot-plate rides, cab rides or photo run-bys; helicopter rides scuba diving; shark diving;boat rides. You should be aware that your safety cannot be guaranteed. Should you elect to participate in such activities while you are on tour, you are of course, free to do so. However, you must understand that such participation will be at your own risk, and that The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. assumes no responsibility for your safety.
Complaints: The stated mission of The Society of International Railway Travelers is to offer the very best in rail travel around the globe for our members. However, if you have a complaint during your journey, please bring it to the attention to your tour leader as quickly as you can. Should the problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY). Our desire is to set things right. We cannot accept liability for any claims not made to us in writing within two months of completion of your journey. We also cannot tender any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth above. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky.
For bookings and information, call
800-IRT-4881
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
