Kabel Magazine - (USO) - Europe

USO TOURS, CLASSES & ORIENTATIONSwww.uso.org/kaiserslauternhow the cheese is made, visit the Huntsman Lodge andcuring chambers, and have a tasting of several differentcheeses. He can also buy cheese and other Swissspecialties. U.S. (blue), EC, or Canadian passports arerequired. Travel documents are the responsibility ofthe customer. Please bring Swiss franc for meals andsouvenirs. Tour price includes transportation, city tour,tour of the cheese factory, and USO tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0400Return: Approximately 2330Cost: $89 Adults, $79 ChildrenInnsbruck and Munich ChristmasMarketsSaturday, December 14Join the USO on a special trip to Innsbruck, Austria, thecapital of Tyrol, and Munich, capital of Bavaria. Innsbruckis one of the most beautiful towns of its size anywherein the world, owing much of its fame and charm to itsunique setting. To the north, the steep sheer sides of theAlps rise like a shimmering blue and white wall, literallyfrom the edge of the city, an impressive backdrop for thegreen domes and red roofs of the Baroque town tuckedbeneath. En route, we’ll stop for a German breakfast (notincluded). On arrival in Innsbruck, we’ll tour the old town,which remains as it was 400 years ago, and you’ve havefree time to visit the Christmas Market. On our return triphome, we’ll stop in Munich. Nestled in natural Bavariansettings, Munich is Germany at its picture-perfect best.It’s Germany’s third largest city and is the heart of Germantechnology; but at the same time, its traditional localcostumes, music, dance, food, and festivals make Munichthe stuff of guidebook cliché. This time of year, the entirecity is decked out in its finest Christmas attire, giving thecity a special charm not seen any other time of year. You’llhave time to enjoy the city on your own, have dinner, orshop at the Christmas market. There is a boundless varietyof things to see and do in Munich. Bring euro for shoppingand lunch. We recommend U.S. (blue), EC, or Canadianpassports. Travel documents are the responsibility of thecustomer. Tour price includes transportation, Innsbruckcity orientation, and USO tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0100Return: Approximately 0030 (SUN)Cost: $79 Adults, $69 ChildrenMilitary Heritage Tour—Bastogne Historic WalkSaturday, December 14Join us on this special tour for the 35th Annual BastogneDecember Historic Walk. This year’s walk willbe in the area where the 101st Airborne/502nd PIR andthe 436th Field Artillery Battalion defended Bastongein the area to the northwest of the city. You will havea choice of a 7, 13, and 22 km walk. We will sign upand depart from the Sport Center in Bastogne. Thefee for the walk includes a certificate of participation,a free hot drink along the longer routes, a map of theroute, a historical booklet, and a souvenir patch. Afterthe walk, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at theMcAuliffe and Patton memorials. There will also be aceremonial throwing of nuts at the city hall. The routesusually converge in Bastogne near the 101st AirborneCommand Post—the “Nuts Cave”—so don’t miss theopportunity to visit. Remember to wear comfortablewalking shoes and dress for the weather. We will notstop for breakfast on the way and if you walk the longerroutes there is no place for lunch so plan accordingly.You will have time for dinner in Bastogne before wereturn. Please bring euro for dinner and souvenirs.There will be several opportunities to buy WorldWar II memorabilia all around the city. We recommendU.S. (blue), EC, or Canadian passports. Traveldocuments are the responsibility of the customer. Tourprice includes transportation, participation fee, and anexperienced USO military history tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0500Return: Approximately 2130Cost: $69Regensburg Medieval CityOld and New Side by SideSaturday, December 14To understand why Regensburg is known as “the medievalwonder” of Germany, you only need to see its beautifulold town with its impressive collection of closely packedhouses, the stone bridge, the cathedral spires of St. Peter’s,the old town hall, the Porta Prateoria, and the impressiveremains of the Roman wall at Donaumarket. This ancienttown on the Danube, once a free city of the Holy RomanEmpire, has retained much of its medieval character. Itsflair is very distinct from that of any other city north ofthe Alps. Back in the 13th and 14th centuries, aroundthe same time as the lovely Gothic cathedral and the oldtown hall were built, the Patrician families of Regensburgconsidered it very chic and modern to build high-riseapartment buildings after the Italian fashion. Once therewere around 60 of these houses, today 20 can still beseen, and Regensburg is fondly called “Italy’s northernmosttown.” The town was added to the UNESCOWorld Cultural Heritage list in July 2006. Regensburg’sChristmas market is as good as they get. Crooked alleysand open squares provide a fitting ambience for thiswonderful market. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy theChristmas market, shop, sightsee, and explore this uniquelittle town. Tour price includes transportation, city tour,and a USO tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0500Return: Approximately midnightCost: $69 Adults, $59 ChildrenRüdesheim International ChristmasMarketWiesbaden Christmas MarketSaturday, December 14The quaint wine village of Rüdesheim on the RhineRiver becomes host to an international Christmasmarket with more than 100 booths from many countriesfeaturing their native foods, handicrafts, andChristmas customs. At the Christmas market, you’llfind glassblowers, pewter casters, porcelain painters,lantern makers, wood crafters, doll makers, and more.You’ll have plenty of free time to explore the marketas well as the famous Drosselgasse (a small alley)with its cozy winestubes (wine bars), restaurantsthat offer pre-Christmas foods, and souvenir shops.If you feel cold, a glass of Glühwein (hot spicedred wine) will warm you up in a hurry. Wiesbaden,known for its elegant casinos and spas, is also a fantasticshopping town. We’ll head downtown to visitthe traditional Christmas market in the pedestrianarea. Wiesbaden’s pedestrian zone presents manyopportunities for holiday purchases. Bring euro forshopping and wine. Tour price includes transportationand a USO tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 1000Return: Approximately 1900Cost: $49 Adults, $39 ChildrenCologne Christmas MarketSaturday, December 21Enjoy the enticing smell of hot-spiced wine, roasted chestnuts,and gingerbread at the Cologne Christmas markets.There are five different markets taking place all withinwalking distance of each other. The markets are a massof color and smells, incredible decorations, candles, lights,great food and drink, and Christmas carol singers. Thetraffic-free streets make a perfect setting for the Christmasmarkets, and on this tour, you can combine your shoppingwith a little sightseeing. The magnificent cathedral, the OldTown Hall, and the broad River Rhine flowing through thecity will entice you. Come and join the fun. Price includestransportation and USO tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0630Return: Approximately 2200Cost: $59 Adults, $49 ChildrenBad Wimpfen, Michelstadt, and ErbachChristmas Markets and MedievalTownsSaturday, December 21You don’t want to miss this Christmas tour to three medievaltowns that provide breathtaking backdrops for theirenchanting Christmas markets. We’ll begin the day in BadWimpfen, an imperial town of great importance throughoutthe Middle Ages. Experience the town in its Christmassplendor as we step back in time walking along the oldtown walls and through the gates, towers, and windingstreets lined with half-timbered houses. Its famous “BlueTower” dominates the town’s skyline when viewed fromthe Neckar River Valley below. The Christmas market inBad Wimpfen is known as the “Altdeutscher WeihnachtsMarkt” (Old German Traditional Christmas Market). Withits 160 booths, the romantic atmosphere will invite youto try many of the Christmas delicacies. The Christmasmarkets in Michelstadt and Erbach are not quite as large(70 booths) and both provide wonderful settings. TheMarket Square of Michelstadt with its 15th century cityhall is one of the most photographed sites in Germany.The Baroque Palace of Erbach and its adjoining medievaltown are the ideal backdrops for the seasonal festivities.In Michelstadt, you can visit the crafts market in theold castle. You will find many reminders of the onceimportant trade of this region of the Odenwald—ivorycarving. Whether you are coming along to work on yourChristmas shopping list, collect a few more Christmasmugs, take plenty of pictures, or learn about the historyof these charming towns, you won’t be disappointed.Tour price include bus transportation, town orientations,and a USO tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0830Return: Approximately 2200Cost: $59 Adults, $49 Children10 Kaiserslautern Kabel