12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY RAIL PROGRAMbooths are located along the mile-long Hauptstrasse(main street). We’ll extend our stay in Heidelberg tovisit the unique Christmas market located around themajestic castle. Note: The walk and tram ride to thecastle are not stroller friendly. Tour price includestransportation, German train orientation, city andcastle tour, and a <strong>USO</strong> tour guide. This tour includesa city tour, the ride up to the castle, and the entranceto the castle courtyard, but will not include a tour ofthe interior of the castle.Transportation: German trainDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 0800Return: Approximately 2000Cost: $35 Adults, $29 ChildrenDB Landau and DeidesheimFriday, December 13This special trip will take you to two of the nicestChristmas markets in the southern Palatinate. Landau’sspecial artisans market is named after ThomasNast, famous caricaturist who was born in Landauin 1840. Although known as a political cartoonist,some of his most famous sketches are his Christmasdrawings. The Deidesheim Christmas Market withmore than 100 booths is one of the most popular inthe region and we hope to arrive before the crowds.You’ll have time at both Christmas markets to shopat the stands and taste some of the specialties beforewe return home by train. Price includes train ticketsand a <strong>USO</strong> escort. Bring euro for shopping and lunch.Group size is limited so sign up early.Transportation: German trainDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 1130Return: Approximately 2000Cost: $29 Adults, $25 ChildrenDB Mainz and Bad Münster amSteinSaturday, December 14On today’s Christmas market tour, we’ll travel toMainz, a bustling capital city located at the confluenceof the Rhine and the Main rivers, and Bad Münster amStein, a cozy spa town on the Nahe River. The statecapital of Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz is rich in history;it was once a Roman headquarters for the upperGerman territories, and home to church and politicalleaders over the centuries. Its Christmas market also hasa longstanding tradition; more than 200 years ago, theyhad their first Nikolaus market. The Christmas market issituated on the historical market square immediately infront of the mighty cathedral and the museum dedicatedto the famous son of the city—Johannes Gutenberg.You’ll have free time for lunch and shopping in someof the unique stores in the close proximity of thecathedral, before we head to our next destination, BadMünster am Stein, a quaint spa town. Bad Münster’sromantic Christmas market of 90 booths is set up inthe park near the Nahe River with its dramatic cliffsproviding a spectacular backdrop. Our evening visitwill be especially enchanting with thousands of lightscascading from the old park trees and outlining thesilhouette of the historical bath house.Transportation: German trainDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 0830Return: Approximately 2030Cost: $35 Adults, $29 ChildrenDB Neustadt and FreinsheimSunday, December 15Come with us as we visit two charming destinationsright in our own back yard. Advent in Germany isone of the most enchanting times of the year, andthese two markets combine the spirit of the seasonand the traditions of the Palatinate Region. Neustadtis a quaint town on the German Wine Road and itspedestrian zone is conveniently located across fromthe train station. We’ll have plenty of time to enjoythe Christmas market that features products from thePalatinate Forest. After our stay in Neustadt, we’lltravel on to Freinsheim, a walled medieval town. Thehighlight of its romantic Christmas market is a livingnativity scene and play conducted in the Palatinatedialect, held on the historic market square. You cantry some of the local specialties and even some ofthe local wines (not included) before we return homevia train. Don’t miss the Glühwein (hot mulled wine)made from the local Dornfelder red wine.Transportation: German trainDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 1100Return: Approximately 1930Cost: Adults $29, Children $25DB SaarbrückenMonday, December 16On this special <strong>USO</strong> tour, we will visit Saarbrücken,the capital of our neighboring state of Saarland. Adynamic university city with a population of 180,000,Saarbrücken has some of the best shopping in the area.It is very close to France, and Saarbrücken’s downtownarea and Christmas market reflect the moods of theFrench “savoir vivre” and classic German Christmastradition. You’ll have time to visit the Europa Galerie,Saarbrücken’s elegant shopping mall. With its 110 shops,the mall is located at the beginning of Saarland’s longestpedestrian shopping zone. The newest additions arePrimark and TK Maxx, large clothing and accessorystores. Of course, you’ll have time to enjoy the sightsand sounds of Saarbrücken’s festive Christmas market,with more than 80 stands where you can try some of thelocal specialties and even some Glühwein. We’ll stay atthe market around the old town square until 1700, so wecan witness the aerial arrival of Santa via sleigh. Ifyou want to visit some of the historical sites, below thepalace are underground passages that were once part ofthe medieval castle, and were essential to Saarbrücken’sdefense for over 500 years. Bring euro for shopping andfood. Some of the stores accept VAT forms.Transportation: German trainDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 0900Return: Approximately 1900Cost: $35 Adults, $29 ChildrenDB Karlsruhe and LandauTuesday, December 17On the eleventh day of Christmas (markets), we’ll travelto two special markets. Our first destination will be to thebaroque city of Karlsruhe with its population of 300,000.Karlsruhe’s Christmas markets are guaranteed to wrapyou in irresistible magic. The markets feature a broadselection of crafts where you are guaranteed to find theperfect gift for Christmas or other occasions. Landau isa university city with a charming Christmas market of 70booths, plus an enclosed tent in which artisans show theirwares and demonstrate their crafts. It’s one of the nicestChristmas markets in the southern Palatinate. Landau’sChristmas Market is named after Thomas Nast, famouscaricaturist who was born in Landau in 1840. Althoughknown as a political cartoonist, some of his most famoussketches are his Christmas drawings.Transportation: German trainDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 0830Return: Approximately 1830Cost: $35 Adults, $29 ChildrenDB Mannheim and LudwigshafenWednesday, December 18On the last day of our Christmas Market series, we’lltake you to two very special destinations. Mannheimis a university city located on the Rhine River with acosmopolitan flair and great shopping opportunities. Itswonderful main Christmas market with more than 200booths circles the city’s famous landmark, the watertower, or Wasserturm. Another smaller special marketfeaturing 70 booths is located on the Kapuziner Plankennear the main shopping street, the Planken. You’ll havetime for lunch, exploring the markets, and some shoppingbefore we head to Ludwigshafen’s Rhein-Galerie,a 323,000-square-foot mall on the site of the formercustoms port on the Rhine. After spending some timeat the mall or at Ludwigshafen’s Christmas market, wereturn via train to Kaiserslautern.Transportation: German trainDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 0830Return: Approximately 1830Cost: $29 Adults $25 Children14 Kaiserslautern <strong>Kabel</strong>
<strong>USO</strong> TOURS, CLASSES & ORIENTATIONSwww.uso.org/kaiserslauternJ A N U A R YAmsterdam City TourSaturday, January 4Explore exciting, beautiful Holland with the <strong>USO</strong>. Wearrive in the Netherlands early morning for breakfast(included). After breakfast, we’ll visit a wooden-shoemaker and cheese farm where you can see how shoesand cheese are made. You can also sample and buysome of the cheese products, as well as shoes andother souvenirs. We’ll then have an orientation ofdowntown Amsterdam. From the Dam Square, you’llbe able to visit Anne Frank’s House, the famous RedLight District, the Royal Palace, or some of the manyother downtown sights, museums, and shops. After thecity orientation, you’ll have the afternon to spend inthis fascinating city. When ordering tickets, indicatethe 1-3 p.m. time slot. We recommend U.S. (blue),EC, or Canadian passports. Travel documents are theresponsibility of the customer. Please bring euro. Dinnerstop will be in Germany (not included). Tour priceincludes transportation, breakfast, shoe maker andcheese farm, city orientation, and a <strong>USO</strong> tour guide.Those wishing to visit the Anne Frank House canreserve tickets in advance at http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?PID=754&LID=2.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0130Return: Approximately 0100 (SUN)Cost: $99 Adults, $89 ChildrenBrugge, BelgiumSaturday, January 4Time has long stood still in medieval Brugge, aromantic city that went to sleep in the Middle Ages,leaving a perfectly preserved gem that is today amongthe loveliest places in <strong>Europe</strong>. On our journey fromGermany through Belgium, we’ll make a short breakfaststop (not included). After arriving in Brugge, wewill tour the city, stroll through the lively markets,and have an opportunity for lunch at one of the manyrestaurants and cafes. Don’t pass up this opportunityto visit a marvelous city that is often overlooked.We’ll make a dinner stop (not included) en routehome. We recommend U.S. (blue), EC, or Canadianpassports. Travel documents are the responsibilityof the customer. Tour price includes transportation,city tour, and <strong>USO</strong> tour guide. This tour includes along bus ride, strenuous walking on cobblestonestreets, is not stroller friendly, therefore it is notrecommended for children under 6.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0400Return: Approximately midnightCost: $79 Adults, $75 ChildrenCologne City TourSaturday, January 4With a history of almost 2000 years, Cologne (Köln)is the one of the largest and oldest metropolitan citiesof Germany. You will be awestruck by the majesticcathedral, one of the largest in <strong>Europe</strong> and the mostimportant landmark of Cologne. The physical appearanceof modern Cologne belies its ancient heritage.Allied bombing during World War II destroyed some90 percent of the town; therefore, much of what yousee was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s. Our expertguide will give you a tour of the city and relate toyou the history and sights of Cologne’s storied pastdating back to the first century B.C. when the Romansfounded Colonia Agrippensis. After our city tour,you’ll have free time to stroll through the picturesqueold town, take a walk along the Rhine River, or trya Kölsch (a light beer only made in Cologne). Don’tforget that Cologne has fantastic shopping. The twoclassical shopping streets known by all Colognevisitors are the Hohe Strasse and the Schildergasse,Germany’s first shopping streets only for pedestriansand completely without traffic. The many shops andtwo shopping malls offer clothing, shoes and jewelry,and much more. Whatever you do, expect to spend anunforgettable day full of exciting impressions. Bringeuro for meals and purchases. Tour price includestransportation, city tour, and a <strong>USO</strong> tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0630Return: Approximately 2130Cost: $59 Adults, $49 ChildrenGerman for BeginnersEvening ClassStarts Wednesday, January 8Are you new to Germany and want to communicatewith the locals? Let the <strong>USO</strong> help you with a specialbasic German language course. This class for beginnersteaches the basics of German language in an easyway by studying grammar and vocabulary and havinga lot of conversation. You will also gain an insight tothe German customs and culture. Class meets Mondayand Wednesday evenings for six weeks. Priceincludes class materials and textbook. Sign up now,since class size is limited. This class is geared to adultstudents; please, no children under 11. Please note:Our beginner’s German class has been increased to12 lessons, and we will no longer offer a German IIcontinuation class.Dates: JAN 8, 13, 15, 20, 27, 29, FEB 3, 5, 10, 12,17, 19 (No class JAN 22)Times: 1830-2030Place: Landstuhl Education Center bldg. 3701,room 203Cost: $95, including bookGerman Cooking ClassEvening ClassSpecial Hands-On Soup ClassThursday, January 9Do you enjoy German food? Would you like to learnhow to prepare typical German cuisine? Then signup for this <strong>USO</strong> class. This three-hour class willfeature soups. This is a great time of year to learnhow to make some of those delicious soups to sharewith your friends and families. We will taste whatwe create, but please bring small containers to takehome any leftovers, a coffee cup, and your appetite.The <strong>USO</strong> will supply all the ingredients. Recipesare planned in advance and can be viewed on theFacebook group, KMC <strong>USO</strong> German Cooking andBaking. Bring your camera if you would like to takepictures of the wonderful specialties. Participationis limited so sign up now for this special <strong>USO</strong> class.This class is a hands-on class. This class is for adultsonly; please no children under 12.Time: 1800-2100Place: Vogelweh Chapel Kitchen (new location forevening class)Cost: $25Bern, SwitzerlandSaturday, January 11Come with the <strong>USO</strong> to Bern, the romantic capital ofSwitzerland. A beautiful city with its famous clocktower, fountains, and quaint specialty shops, Bern isan unspoiled jewel of medieval architecture. Duringa guided tour through Bern’s old town, you’ll see thebear garden, cathedral, Houses of Parliament, prisontower, and famous Zyttglocken clock tower. You’llhave time to shop for Swiss chocolate, cheeses,watches, and other souvenirs on the six-kilometer longarched shopping promenade, the largest in <strong>Europe</strong>.We will also visit the famous Swiss EmmentalerCheese Factory, where the history of EmmentalerSwiss Cheese begins. Here, we’ll have a guided tourwhere you’ll see how the cheese is made, visit theHuntsman Lodge and curing chambers, and have atasting of several different cheeses. He can also buycheese and other Swiss specialties. U.S. (blue), EC,or Canadian passports are required. Travel documentsare the responsibility of the customer. Pleasebring Swiss franc for meals and souvenirs. Tour priceincludes transportation, city tour, tour of the cheesefactory, and <strong>USO</strong> tour guide.Transportation: German busDepart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0400Return: Approximately 2330Cost: $89 Adults, $79 ChildrenLearn to Ride the German Train—DB Orientation and Trip to HeidelbergSaturday, January 11Learn all about how the German train system workson this <strong>USO</strong> train orientation and tour. Tour theKaiserslautern train station, receive a briefing onthe train system, and take a trip to the beautiful andromantic city of Heidelberg and return. You’ll beaccompanied by a <strong>USO</strong> escort, but you can gain firsthand experience purchasing tickets and riding thetrains. Learn about the many specials the GermanTrain (DB) offers, for example: weekend tickets,family tickets, city specials, and much more. InHeidelberg, we’ll begin with a city tour through theold section of town and see the historic buildings andmarket areas. Then we’ll ride and walk to the castlewith its splendid gardens and wine cellar, whichclaims to have the largest wine cask in the world.After a castle tour, we’ll break for lunch (not included)and free time before catching our train back home.Note: The walk and tram ride to the castle are notstroller friendly. Tour price includes transportation,German train orientation, city and castle tour, and a<strong>USO</strong> tour guide.Transportation: German railDepart: Meet at Kaiserslautern HBF main lobby 0700Return: Approximately 1830Cost: $49 Adults, $39 ChildrenKaiserslautern <strong>Kabel</strong> 15
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