Chris - I hope you are still using this board. I have ready some of your other posts and you have great advice (and experience with Insight).

I have a question for you (and anyone else who cares to answer).

On the Winter Explorer trip, how much time is given to Neuschwanstein? IS it an inside visit or are you just driving by or stopping outside?

What about Oberammergau? How much time is spent there?

It would be an important part of the trip for me, so I would like to know if it would be a rushed experience.

Thank you,
Ash

Hi Ashley
Ihope Chris doesn't mind me jumping in. The brochure will definetly state if you will visit the castle and only a few selected tours do, it is likely you will see a distant view of the castle for taking photos. On the winter tour I did with Insight we had plenty of time in Oberammergau, which is a delightful village. hope you have a great trip.

Hi Ashley,

I haven't seen Chris on this BB for quite some time although he is active on the TT BB.

The "highlights" specified for the Winter Explorer tour include (amongst others):

• See Neuschwanstein
  
• Visit the village of Oberammergau

The words: "see" and "visit" have very specific definitions in Insight's tour itineraries (see Travel Tips). The itinerary for day 3 is:

quote:

DAY 3 – HEIDELBERG – INNSBRUCK
Today we head into Bavaria to admire the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. We continue to Oberammergau to see the renowned theatre and painted chalets before reaching lively Innsbruck. Hotel: Hilton. (BB,D)

According to the ViaMichelin Route Planner, the journey from Heidelberg to Innsbruck is about 453km with an estimated total travel time (excluding stops) of about 5.33 hours.

Here is a possible itinerary for the day:

• Depart Heidelberg at 0800
  
• Arrive for mid-morning (30 minute) toilet/coffee stop at about 1000
  
• Depart after mid-morning (30 minute) toilet/coffee stop at about 1030
  
• Arrive in Hohenschwangau (the village below the Neuschwanstein castle) at about 1145: 334km (~3.25 hours total driving time)
  
• Lunch and photo stop of about 1.5 hours
  
• Depart Hohenschwangau at about 1315
  
• Arrive in Oberammergau at about 1400: 379km (~4.0 hours total driving time)
  
• Mid-afternoon 40 minute view town and toilet/coffee stop
  
• Depart Oberammergau at about 1440
  
• Arrive in Innsbruck at about 1600: 453km (~5.33 hours).

In summary, you will only have time to take photos of the castle from Hohenschwangau (it will NOT be an inside visit) and the Oberammergau visit will only include a quick look inside the lobby of the theatre (NOT in the theatre itself), a short walk along the main street and time for a coffee/toilet stop.

I hope this helps with your understanding of the itinerary.

phil

Hi Deborah and Phil,

Thank you very much for your comments which were a great help!

Ideally I would have liked to have an inside visit inside the castle...and a visit in the Oberammergau village...guess I am greedy.

Globus offers one tour where you can do that- but you lose out on Rome! And I definitely would like to see Rome.

Oh well, win some, lose some I guess.

Thanks again for your help.

Ash