On the trail of Charlemagne – Charles the Great
14 June - 1 July 2014
special tour 2014 CHARLEMAGNE † 814
Charlemagne – The Father of Europe?
2014 will be special year with respect to Emperor Charlemagne. It will be the 1200 years since he died and left as his legacy a powerful empire.
Over a period of more than two weeks our tour will take you to some of the many places where Charlemagne left an indelible mark. The powerful ruler of the Frankish empire, whom both the French and the Germans claim as their own, was a man with outstanding qualities – a towering figure in every sense, a potentate, a successful military leader and warrior, cruel and hard, a ladies' man, but also a far-seeing ruler of his people with a wealth of ideas concerning economics, agriculture, education etc. As we take up his trail we will learn a lot about him, about his time – and about the long, long road to modern-day Europe. At the end of our journey there is Aachen with its palace and the thermal springs which he so loved. An entertaining and varied journey back to the roots of the Germans
1st day Saturday, 14 June 2014
Arrival at our campsite near Prüm. It would nice to visit the Castle of Bertrada in the afternoon before we drive onto the site. It will be clarified whether there is sufficient parking space there. (The welcoming meal will be on the following day – at this point there will be only be a welcoming drink.)
2nd day Sunday, 15 June 2014
A Basilica in the Eifel mountains, an important woman... was Charlemagne born here? Our expert guide will tell us something about Charles' family.
In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to get to know the city's Mayor, and we will hear from a well versed gentleman a few things about Charlemagne in the city's historic council chamber. The identity of this gentleman is still my little secret – you will meet him soon enough and you will learn a lot. Then we will have our belated welcoming meal in a pleasant inn.
3rd day Monday, 16 June 2014
Off to Mainz. Savour the Middle Rhine World Heritage site as you drive along the Rhine, past many castles and vineyards, places like Rüdesheim, Oestrich, etc. etc., until we eventually arrive at our next campsite. You will then be free to spend the day just as you wish.
4th day Tuesday, 17 June 2014
By bus to Frankfurt am Main, where will first take up the trail. Our destination for midday is Mainz. After a lunch break in the Old City our well informed guide will tell us about the city's importance, especially with respect to the coronation of the Kings.
And then we proceed to Ingelheim and the famous "Kaiserpfalz". We will take a look at this royal palace - or rather what is left of it or has been restored – accompanied by a guide.
5th day Wednesday, 18 June 2014
While we are on the road today you will get the chance to see one or even two places which were important before, during and after Charlemagne's time.
In the afternoon we will all meet in Lorsch, where an interesting and informative programme in beautiful surroundings awaits us. The World Cultural Heritage town of Lorsch has made a lot of effort to give visitors a fascinating historical spectacle.
We will then continue a few kilometres to Worms, where we will spend the night on a site that the city has reserved for us.
In the evening we will be able to take a relaxed stroll through the old town with its cosy inns and wine bars.
6th day Thursday, 19 June 2014
With our friendly guide we will conquer the city of the Nibelungen. Charlemagne liked it so much that he very often stayed here. Listen to the interesting commentary as we walk on the trail of the King of the Franks and Emperor through the cathedral and the city. You can spend the afternoon and evening as you wish.
7th day Friday, 20 June 2014
Now we head for France. We will drive to Metz. Our campsite is directly on the Moselle.
From here it's only a few minutes on foot to the inner city. An ideal opportunity for an evening stroll.
8th day Saturday, 21 June 2014
On foot it's not far to the town. There the city guide will be waiting to show us the cathedral (with the Chagall windows) and the former Abbey of St. Arnulf, where some of the Carolingian family members were buried. Bishop Arnulf von Metz had a grandson, Pippin II the Middle, who gained central power as majordomo for the whole of the Frankish Kingdom in 687. The link between the Pippinids and the Carolingians was therefore always a very strong one.
Having walked around and listened, the time has now come to sit back and enjoy. At a very special place we have a date with a man who will demonstrate French savoir vivre. No, not a starred menu. There are other things. You can look forward to this encounter and the pleasures it will bring.
9th day Sunday, 22 June 2014
After a casual drive through the beautiful Champagne countryside you will now reach Epernay. Along the Avenue de Champagne there stand all the stone palaces of the champagne houses in a row. They are monuments to a past era and yet they have a very modern presence in this narrow, much travelled road which leads from the town centre, up a hill and into the middle of the vineyardsdern presence in this narrow, much travelled streetnd enjoy. very strong one. It has a touch of good neighbourliness, how the large companies and families live and present themselves here in this charming little town. Champagne is a matter of civic duty here.
The labyrinthine cellars of the town of Epernay house two hundred million bottles of champagne and just as many stories. Moët & Chandon own about 110 km of these tunnels.
10th day Monday, 23 June 2014
And off to Reims. We'll go by bus to the city where the French kings were crowned. Our guided tour will take in the wonderful cathedral and the palace. We'll see a bit of the town as well.
At midday we'll go back to Epernay, where we'll have some lunch before visiting the largest champagne cellars and their spectacular passages. You will of course be able to sample the products of the house.
11th day Tuesday, 24 June 2014
It's not far to Paris and our campsite, which is NOT IN PARIS itself. For various reasons it's advisable to park our living quarters a little outside the city.
12th day Wednesday, 25th June 2014
We'll take a bus and train to Saint Denis in Paris. It is in this large and magnificent cathedral that nearly all the French kings have been laid to rest. It has been of the utmost significance throughout the centuries. We will take a guided tour through this imposing building and we will hear about the French royal dynasties.
If you wish, you can come with me into the city for the afternoon. We can go to the Louvre with our city guide – a unique experience – and all the more so because she will be accompanying us.
13th day Thursday, 26 June 2014
A free day ! If you want, you can accompany me into the city.
14th day Friday, 27 June 2014
Our journey continues. Three places which were very important for the Carolingians: Noyon, Soissons and Laon. While we're on the road, before we reach the campsite, we will arrange a stop to take a look at Soissons, where Charlemagne's brother Carloman was crowned king on 9 October 768.
In the evening we will settle down at a lovely campsite.
15th day Saturday, 28 June 2014
Before we continue on our travels we'll visit the place where Charlemagne was crowned king. Once again we'll be given a guided tour and we'll see some fascinating things.
In the late afternoon we are scheduled to arrive at a place near Liège, where we will meet a lady who has a done a lot research into Charlemagne. She is looking forward to our flying visit en route for Aachen.
In Aachen we will be accommodated on the campsite.
16th day Sunday, 29 June 2014
First we'll take the bus into the city. The exhibitions at all the historic locations have been open since the middle of June. We will visit two of them with a guide to gain a picture of Charlemagne and his times in the palace at Aachen.
In the afternoon – like Emperor Charlemagne way back then – a warm welcome awaits you at the thermal springs – if you wish. Enjoy the beneficial warmth of the healthy Aachen waters in the Carolus Baths. It's easy to get back to your mobile home by bus.
17th day Monday, 30th June 2014
By bus again into the city centre. An experienced city guide will first take us through Aachen and will tell us not only about Charlemagne and his times.
Then you can return to your mobile home to put your feet up and rest for a while. In the afternoon we will set off to meet a woman who knows a lot about Charlemagne. She will be pleased to share with you her experience of him and the secrets surrounding the palace and the cathedral. Curious? But we're giving anything away! After this enjoyable encounter we will take you to a restaurant which we know you will like! Just let your host spoil you with his outstanding cuisine.
18th day Tuesday, 1 July 2014
And so into the city by bus for the last time. With one of the most knowledgeable experts on Charlemagne, a prominent representative of Aachen, we will visit what is the crowning highlight of our stay in this city: the cathedral. It will give me great pleasure to introduce to you such a distinguished expert.
Why have we had to wait until today? From 19 to 30 June there is the annual "Heiligtumsfahrt" or Pilgrimage in Aachen, a really special and much frequented festival. In this period it is not possible to tour the cathedral in the way we want. And so we'll visit it today – a fitting conclusion to our journey.
And then it's goodbye and bon voyage!
INCLUDED:
• 12 x campsite charges • 5 x parking bay charges (with services) • 1 x welcoming drink with snacks • 1 x welcoming meal • 1 x final meal • 1 x lunch in Metz • 1 x lunch in Epanay • 1 x "appetizer" evening • 2 x special events (Prüm , Aachen) – taxi transfers as per programme – public bus journeys as per programme • 2 x "little train" trips as per programme • 2 x bus excursions • 2 x Paris-Carte Mobilis or 1x bus transfer & – various entrance charges as per programme – various guided tours in German as per programme – tour guide – qualified travel documents (maps etc.) |
NOT INCLUDED:
• motorway charges • fuel • insurance • personal expenses • gratuities • beverages and food where not given as included |
minimum number of participants: 10 units
maxmum number of participants: 15 units
TOUR PRICES:
per person in a two-person unit: single travellers: |
€ 1.295,00 € 1.398,00 |
No liability is accepted for any printing errors we reserve the right to make changes to the programme and to adjust prices.
Special remarks:
The General Terms and Conditions (AGB) of I.N. Touristik shall apply. If fuel prices in 2014 are above the average or if the rate of value added tax is suddenly raised the tour price will be increased accordingly since all bus and transport companies have indicated this possibility.
Pets may only be carried on request.
We assume that you have taken out health insurance for foreign travel and that you have international travel cover for your vehicle.
I. N. TOURISTIK - Barbara Fohrer
Münsters Gässchen 38
D-51375 Leverkusen
Fon: 0214/50699044
Fax: 0214/50699046
www.intouristik.com
e-mail: info@intouristik.com
