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There are few traditions in the world as sought after as the Christmas spirit and the Christmas markets of the 13 member cities of Historic Highlights of Germany capture that spirit best in an old-world style, evoking the true sense of the season and the contagious festive nature of the local residents. 

From late November to just before Christmas the aroma of steaming mulled wine and grilled sausage, towering Christmas trees adorned with bright lights and antique ornaments, music floating everywhere with live choral and instrumental concerts, and stall after stall of handmade and unusual crafts make these celebrations some of the most popular in the world.  A variety of packages, daily tours and special events are being offered by the member cities to showcase each of their highlights and to welcome visitors from around the world to share in the holiday spirit.

A common market theme is shared by all of the cities but differ in some aspects of the celebrations: Augsburg offers a view of one of Europe’s most beautiful markets from the 250-foot Perlach Tower and special children’s events in Moritz church square; the university city of Heidelberg is all aglow with a glittering ice rink at the foot of the city’s castle and offerings of regional gastronomic delicacies; and Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, surprises children with visits from Santa Claus bearing gifts and horse-drawn carriage rides through the Old City.

Other highlights include Lübeck’s Christmas Fair, dating back to 1648, boasting more than 400 merchants offering everything from toys to gingerbread, and a fairytale forest where the little ones can meet Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella; in the 2,000-year-old city of Regensburg guests hear the voices of the Domspatzen (boys’ choir) emanating from the cathedral as children ride on wooden merry-go-rounds or adults make their way through the artisan stalls; and in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, visitors of all ages are entertained with brass choirs and puppet theater performances in the midst of the medieval Main Market.
• Augsburg – this Renaissance city is offering “Augsburg Luxurious,” a complete three-day weekend with accommodations in a 4-star hotel, breakfast daily, information packet and city tour for $158 per person, double; “Augsburg Optimal” offers the same in a 3-star hotel at $131.  www.augsburg-tourismus.de.

• Erfurt – a city with strong ties to Martin Luther and Johann Sebastian Bach has arranged “Erfurt at Christmas” – two nights accommodations at a convenient hotel, breakfast daily, welcome drink and dinner, Christmas meal at a traditional old quarter restaurant, city tour and a small Christmas gift; $219 per person, double.  A two-hour city walk is offered separately through the historical treasure of the city. www.erfurt-tourist-info.de.

• Freiburg – Although there are no packages offered it is simple for families to arrange a stay during the holidays in this 900-year-old city as there is so much to do within easy reach of any city hotel.  www.hhog.de/619.html.

• Heidelberg – “Christmas Special,” a three-night for the price of two with accommodations in standard, comfort or first-class hotels, breakfast daily, a Heidelberg Card allowing entry to the castle, museums and the funicular railway as well as special shopping deals, a goody bag with a city guide and map, and a free Heidelberg mug.  Prices are $152, $186 and $220 per person, double, respectively.  www.cvb-heidelberg.de.

• Koblenz – “Koblenz Christmas Market” is a two-day package with overnight accommodations in a centrally-located 3-star hotel, breakfast, three-course dinner, a guided Christmas walk, nostalgic carriage ride and a glass of “Glühwein” (mulled wine), priced at $91 per person, double.  www.touristik-koblenz.de. 

• Lübeck – a tradition for more than 350 years, this Hanseatic city offers several possibilities to independent travelers: crafts market in St. Petri Church or Heiligen-Geist-Hospital where superior craftsmen showcase their handiwork; and Marzipan-Bazaar inside the Niederegger shop is a tribute to lovers of tasty marzipan.  www.lubeck-tourism.de. 

• Münster – “Advent in Münster” is a three-day package that takes in the historical heart of the city as well as the many shops, churches, historic buildings and five Christmas markets.  Three-star accommodations, breakfast daily, a guided tour of the Old Town, one dinner, mulled wine at the Christmas Market, a one-day city bus pass and a surprise gift is priced at $192 per person, double.  www.tourismus-muenster.de.

• Potsdam – the 1,000-year-old city has an array of free and inexpensive attractions for visitors: an Advent concert (12/2) and Christmas concert (12/26) held at the park of the Schloss Sanssouci; and a variety of Christmas markets showcasing a steam-powered merry-go-round from 1893, children’s railway, Polish arts, crafts and specialties, and culinary delights from Holland.  www.potsdam-tourism.com.

• Regensburg – A special group package for eight or more includes two nights bed and breakfast, guided tours of the city and Palace of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis, entry to the Romantic Christmas Market and a traditional caraway roll with sausages from the Historic Sausage Kitchen – $199 per person, double.  www.regensburg.de.

• Rostock – the largest Christmas market in the north of Germany is lit up by thousands of Christmas lights in the historic city center.  The fair begins with the arrival of Santa and the dozens of stalls near St. Marien Church offer medieval crafts, entertainment and wonderful foods and drink.  A one-day program, “Sweet Scents, Christmas and Pleasure,” includes a guided city tour, a stroll through the Rostock Christmas market and a Mecklenburg Christmas menu, at prices starting at $27 per person.  www.rostock.de.  

• Trier – “Trier’s Christmas Market” is a three-day program with 3- or 4-star hotels, city walking tour, breakfast daily, gala dinner, engraved wine glass, wine tasting and dinner, and a city guidebook.  Prices are $183 and $213 respectively Sunday-Thursday and slightly higher on weekends.  www.trier.de/english.

• Wiesbaden – the elegant city, renowned for its ancient hot springs and old-world charm, opens it arms to visitors with choirs, nativity plays, arts and craft displays and the “Twinkling Star Christmas Market.”  A day program includes admission to the holiday decorated skating rink and rentals, soup and mulled wine, and the opportunity to relax in the thermal baths and saunas of Thermalbad Aukammtal at the end of the full day; prices are $40 per person.  www.wiesbaden.eu/christmas

• Würzburg – the historical market square in front of the Gothic Chapel and baroque architecture of surrounding building makes an ideal location for the 80 stalls that offer artist glass, pewter and pottery, wooden toys, Christmas cookies and the famous hot spiced red wine.  There is an Artist’s Christmas Showcase with glass-blowing, wood carving and engraving; a Medieval Christmas Market where bagpipers, court jesters, storytellers and jousting knights come together; and the Würzburg Christmas Express – a ride on the historic tram that takes young and old through the Old Town.  Group tours inquiries are welcome.  www.wuerzburg.de.

Historic Highlights of Germany is a tourism consortium consisting of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lübeck, Münster, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg - cities rich in historic and cultural heritage.  Contact Historic Highlights of Germany at info[at]historicgermany.com or visit www.historicgermany.com.
Contact:

Gillies and Zaiser
10 Nytko Drive; Suite 115
Pomona, NY 10970-2646
August, 2007

Whatever the fancy of the visitor, the cities are sure to surpass expectations: a weekend in Germany’s most romantic city of Heidelberg, following in the footsteps of Martin Luther in Erfurt, strolling through the UNESCO Old Town of Lübeck with its 1,300 historic buildings, exploring the many castles and gardens in Potsdam, bicycling amidst the gardens of Münster, or tasting the wines of Trier’s Mosel Valley or Würzburg’s Franconian wine region. Most of the one- to three-day packages vary include accommodations, breakfast, guided city tour, free admission at many sights, and public transportation.

 Erfurt - thousands of Americans pour into this former East German city to see where Martin Luther studied, prayed, walked and even slept. But there is far more than Luther. Almost every major sight of interest is within a five-minute walk of the historic Town Hall in the Old Town including the 14th-century Cathedral and 13th - century St. Severus. Two two-night packages, available year-round, are being offered: “First Taste of Erfurt” includes breakfasts, a Thuringian-style dinner at a traditional restaurant and a guided tour of the city at rates from€123 ($169) per person, double; “HappyWeekend” includes a tour of Petersberg Fortress’s underground maze of passageways, free admission to the museums, free travel on trams and buses, and a stop for coffee and Erfurt cake at rates starting at €119 ($163). Further information: www.erfurt-tourist-info.de or e-mail info[at]erfurt-tourist-info.de.

 Romance is in the air in Germany’s most romantic city, Heidelberg. Packages of one to three nights through October allow guests to soak up the city’s history, wander through its many museums and castles or visit the 700-year-old University. Rates per person, double, start at €70 ($96) for one night, €110 (151) for two and €150 ($206) or three nights and include lodging with breakfast, a guided walking tour of the city, a Neckar River excursion, unlimited travel on the funicular railway, entrance into the Castle, a Castle tour and admission to no less than a dozen of the city’s museums. Further information: www.cvb-heidelberg.de or e-mail info[at]cvb-heidelberg.de.

 UNESCO designated Lübeck’s entire Old Town and its 1,300 historic buildings as a World Heritage site. The three-day package offers enough time to get a sense of this beautiful Baltic Sea city and its rich 850-year history of trade and culture. Its seven churches gave it the nickname, “City of Seven Spires,” the first being built in 1160, and the wide range of activities including golf, fishing, bicycling, horseback riding and sailing serve as a way to work off some of the wonderful meals. The package includes lodging with breakfast, three
days’ public transportation, and sightseeing admissions and discounts. Prices are €105 to €159 ($144-$218) per person, double, through Dec. 20 except during Oct. and Nov. - €95 to €149 ($130-$204). Further information: www.luebeck-tourism.de or e-mail marketing-hl[at]luebeck-tourismus.de.

 Visitors to Münster, Germany’s “Bicycle City,” encounter a town filled with 1,000 gardens and a ring of car-free promenades. The city is a treasure trove of architecture, from the Gothic City Hall to the so-called “Baroque Island” with a wealth of historic structures and no less than 31 museums, including the Picasso Museum, where a special exhibition of paintings, sculptures and ceramics from the Antibes Picasso Museum will be on display through Aug. 12. Münster is also the gateway to Münsterland, a lush region dotted with lakes
and moated castles. The “Münster a la carte” package includes two nights’ lodging with breakfast, a bus ticket or bike for one day, guided tour of Old Town, and a visit to the city museum. Rates start at €99 ($136) per person, double. Further information: www.tourismus.muenster.de or e-mail tourismus[at]stadt-muenster.de.

 Trier’s “Romans and Wine” package initiates guests to the noble vintages of the Mosel Valley, where 2,000 years of viticulture has helped shape Germany’s oldest town. Many of its architecturally historic buildings are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The two-night package, available through 2007, includes accommodations with breakfast, city walking tour, wine tasting at a local winery, a vintner’s supper, a city guidebook, and choice of a four-course wine-tasting dinner or Roman-themed wine dinner according to ancient recipes. Rates range from €165 to €205 ($226-$281) per person, double, through Nov. 4, and €152 to €191 ($208-$262) between Nov. 5 and Dec. 31. Further information: www.trier.de or e-mail hotel[at]tit.de.

 The cosmopolitan Bavarian city of Würzburg is filled with architectural and artistic treasures – and exquisite Franconian wine. Guests to the city sitting on both sides of the Main River have a choice of strolling through huge parks, sipping wine at a riverfront café, visiting the museums or churches, and cycling along some of the 600 miles of bicycle paths. The Schlosshotel Steinburg is offering “Wine and the City,” 25% off regular rates through 2007. €226 ($310) per person, double, includes two-nights lodging with breakfast buffet, picnic lunch including a bottle of Franconian sparkling wine, admission to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Würzburg Residenz palace, guided tour through the famous wine cellar beneath the palace (weekends only), ship ride to Veitshöchheim and a visit the famous rococo gardens and castle (Apr. –Nov.), and a five-course gourmet meal with wine tasting and wine diploma in the hotel’s castle restaurant. Further information:
www.steinburg.com/english or e-mail Hotel[at]Steinburg.com.

 The 1,000-year-old city of Potsdam, home to kings and artists for nearly as long, is offering three nights for the price of two at several of its hotels in July and August and on weekends in Sept., Nov., and Dec. The possibilities seem endless in this rich cultural setting - UNESCO heritage sites including the Sanssouci Palace and Gardens, the Neues Palais, the Cecilienhof Palace and the Babelsberg Palace and Gardens; the lush landscape of Lenné Gardens, Friendship Island and the Pleasure Garden; and the Baroque inner city with its
Dutch Quarter, Old Guard House and Royal Stables. There’s also a lively downtown area with shops, theater and restaurants. Further information: www.potsdam-tourism.com or e-mail tourismus-service[at]potsdam.de.

Historic Highlights of Germany consists of the cities of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lübeck, Münster, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg. Each city has a unique character and profile; all have a rich historic and cultural heritage. Additional information and city links can be found at www.historicgermany.com.

Gillies and Zaiser
10 Nytko Drive; Suite 115
Pomona, NY 10970-2646
HHOG-02-May, 2007

In Trier, founded by the Romans in 16 BC and Germany’s oldest city, a major exhibition on Roman Emperor Constantine the Great runs from June 2 to November 4 in the Rhine State Museum, the Bishopric Cathedral and Diocese Museum and the Simeonstift City Museum, focusing on this master of the Roman Empire, first Christian emperor and on traditions and myths of his legacy.  Highlights include the head of a colossal statue of the emperor, original frescoes depicting his family and scale models of Christian churches he built.  Trier, Constantine’s first imperial residence and capital of his empire from 307 to 324 AD, retains splendid Roman monuments such as the well-preserved 2nd-century Porta Nigra (Black Gate), his throne room, the Amphitheater and Imperial Baths.
The Karl Marx House in Trier, where the founder of Communism was born in 1818 and lived until 1835, is a showcase of his life and 19th-century socialism through letters, photographs, his love poetry and a large collection of editions of Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto.  The city is a good base for exploring the winding Mosel Valley with its wine villages and vineyards, many planted by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago.

The reunification of Germany made it easier for tourists to follow the Martin Luther Trail to Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia and part of former East Germany, where the young man came in 1501 to study law at the university, switched to theology and was ordained a priest at St. Mary’s Cathedral.  The Augustinian monastery where he was a monk from 1505 to 1511 contains an exhibition on “Bible-Monastery-Luther” in the former monks’ quarters, his cell, a library and lodging in sparely furnished rooms with private shower and toilet but no telephone, TV or radio.   An excursion can be made to Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament into German.

Lübeck, the Hanseatic city on the Baltic Sea, honors giants of 20th-century literature Günter Grass and Thomas Mann, winners of the Nobel prize in 1999 and 1929, and the writer Heinrich Mann, brother of Thomas.  The 18th-century gabled Buddenbrooks House of Mann’s grandparents was the setting for Buddenbrooks, his famous novel about the decline of a wealthy Lübeck merchant family.  Photographs and exhibitions at six biographical stations give an intimate view of the Mann family and the patrician lifestyle.
Opened in 2002, the Günter Grass House is “a crossroads forum about where literature and the visual arts meet” and explores Grass’s “double gifts” of talent in literature, sculpture, graphics and music.   Exhibits on the author of The Tin Drum include the writing process, with bold corrections, from handwritten manuscript to Olivetti typewriter to computer as well as his sculptures in a courtyard garden.
Other sites related to outstanding historical figures are the birthplace of playwright Bertolt Brecht, best known for the Threepenny Opera, in Augsburg; the Pablo Picasso Graphics Museum with more than 800 lithographs in Münster; the Kepler Memorial House, where the great astronomer died in 1630, in Regensburg; and Haus von Walfisch (House of the Whale) in Freiburg, where the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam lived for two years during the Protestant Reformation.

The Historic Highlights of Germany consists of the cities of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lübeck, Münster, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg.  Each city has a unique character and profile; all have a rich historic and cultural heritage.  Additional information and city links can be found on their web site, www.historicgermany.com.

Gillies and Zaiser
10 Nytko Drive; Suite 115
Pomona, NY 10970-2646
February, 2007