My German Ancestry Tour
About This Tour...
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Jacob Heinrich Flamm, father of Matilda Ann Flamm, was the first of the family to cross the Atlantic and come to America. He broke the chain of centuries of the Flamm clan who were born, lived and died in Metzingen Germany from before the 1500's to his departure in the mid 1800's.
During this trip we will honor the extensive family history work done by Matilda Ann Flamm by not only becoming acquainted with the names of those she put on paper, but come to understand them in a more intimate way by walking through their towns, visiting the palaces of their rulers, and learning of the political and religious influences of their day. In addition, we'll have the opportunity to experience the joys of their sunrises, empathize with their struggles with war, disease, and scarcity, and perhaps gain some insight as to what drove Jacob Heinrich to leave his homeland. |
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My German Ancestors Tour
9 Days, 8 Nights Starts in Munich, Germany Ends in Frankfurt Germany $1995 + Air* Limit: 20 People *Based on double occupancy and does not include airfare, car rental, petrol and car insurance. There is a supplement of $600 to room solo.
Still have questions?...
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What's Covered
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Itinerary
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Day one/Friday, October 9th, 2015/Munich
While our ancestors probably never came to Munich they were most assuredly influenced by the German Kings, Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and Dukes of their neighboring Duchy...Bavaria. Since this was a walled medieval city much can be seen in a short period of time. We'll start our walking tour at the town square or "Marienplatz". Then on to catch a glimpse of St. Peter's Church, built in 1158. From here we'll stop in at the local produce market then find a table at one of the local "non-beer" halls to eat our picnic lunch. After resting our legs for a bit we'll step into two of the local churches, St. Michael's Church and Frauenkirch. Both remind us of the power of the Holy Roman Empire that ruled most of Germany throughout the Middle Ages. We'll wrap the evening up with dinner accompanied by local musicians. |
Munich Skyline
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Day Two/Saturday, October 10th/Munich
Two major stops today will acquaint us with the most impressive architecture and art of Medieval Germany. Our first stop will be a visit to the Alte Pinakotech Art Museum housing Germany's best painting collection. Works of European masters from the 14th-19th century can be found here. Art lovers will be delighted to see works from artists such as Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Rubens and Rembrandt to name a few. After a relaxing lunch break we'll head on over to the opulent The Residenz, estate of the powerful, Bavarian Wittelsbach family. You'll have time to enjoy the palace, private apartments and treasury. |
Grand Hallway of The Residenz
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Day Three/Sunday, October 11th/ULM
We'll start the day out in Munich where we'll enjoy breakfast and then have a bit of free time in the morning to attend church services, visit the Nymphenburg Palace and gardens or choose from other options that will be provided. Then we'll hit the road and head for our ancestors' neighborhood with optional stops at Dachau Concentration Camp (for those wanting to see the darker side of recent history) or the more pleasant Dachau Gardens, and/or Augsburg, home of the Fugger dynasty, the bankers who replaced the Medici's as the richest bankers in Europe. We'll end the day in Ulm, Einstein's birthplace and the home of the Ulm Minster showing off the tallest steeple in the world. (Driving: Two hours) |
Ulm Minster sometimes called the Ulm Cathedral
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Day Four/Monday/October 12th/ Flamm Country-Metzingen!
Today we will see the sun come up over the same hills that your ancestors saw for over 300 years or more. Dating from the Swabian era in 1061AD through to the 1800's, the Hohenzollern dynasty would have had a great influence on the everyday lives of the Flamm's. Today we'll take guided Tours of Schloss Sigmaringen and the Hohenzollern Castle, two of the estates they left behind. Before nestling in for the evening we'll meet with a genealogist in the area that will give us a head start for tomorrow's adventures. (Driving: 1 hour 10 minutes) |
Hohenzollern Castle
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Day Five/Tuesday,October 13th/ Metzingen
Today we will take some time to explore the more humble lifestyle that our ancestors most likely lived. Taking into account tips we'll get from our genealogist, we'll explore the area. While we are at it we'll check out some flammkuchen and other local cuisine that might have been a part of the Flamm's everyday life. You'll have some free time to explore the the neighboring towns of Owen, Teck and Neuffen, which were also homes to some of our ancestors, or check out some sights suggested by yesterday's genealogist. To end the evening you might want to visit a somewhat luxurious visit to Bad Urach, a local hot spring facility. (Driving: Determined by personal interests) |
Vineyards near Metzingen
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Day Six/Wednesday, October 14th/Rothenburg ob der Tauber
We'll take off from Metzingen, pass through the towns of Owen, Teck and Neuffen and then move towards the "Romantic Road", which is a series of enchanting towns that have been restored to their former medieval glory. We'll stop in Nordlingen to enjoy lunch, meander a bit then continue towards Rothenburg with a quick stop in the adorable town of Dinklesbuhl. We'll arrive in Rothenburg just in time to see the day-trippers leave so we can enjoy dinner and catch the entertaining Night Watchman's Walking Tour. (Driving: Metzingen - Nordlingen, 2 hours. Nordlingen-Rothenburg, 1 hour) |
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
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Day Seven/Thursday, October 15th/Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg is easy to get around with lots of things to do. We will provide you with a guidebook with a candy store of options. Then you will be free to do as you please! Just to get your mind rolling, here's a list of a few options! Visit to the Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum, Walk the Wall, visit a restored Tradesman's House or leave town for a walk or bike ride through the countryside. Oh, and of course, this is the perfect place to shop. Rothenburg is the headquarters for the famous Christmas Markets so if you want to stock up for Christmas...this is THE PLACE! |
Rothenburg City Wall
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Day Eight/Friday, October 16th/Frankfurt
After breakfast we'll move towards our last medieval city, Wurzburg. Here we'll check out the fabulous Residenz Palace and spend time enjoying the gardens. After lunch we'll continue on to our final destination, Frankfurt, where we'll enjoy a nice evening meal together and prepare for the morrow. Driving: Rothenburg-Wurzburg 1 hour/Wurzburg -Frankfurt 2 hours) |
Wurzburg
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Day Nine/Saturday, October 17th/Depart from Frankfurt Airport
Farewell! We'll provide instructions on how to get from the airport to the hotel. You'll need to allow time to check in your vehicle and still arrive at their airport 2 hours prior to take off. If anyone is interested in staying longer or arriving earlier to see other parts of Germany let us know. We'd be glad to help you with trip planning.
Itinerary subject to change
Farewell! We'll provide instructions on how to get from the airport to the hotel. You'll need to allow time to check in your vehicle and still arrive at their airport 2 hours prior to take off. If anyone is interested in staying longer or arriving earlier to see other parts of Germany let us know. We'd be glad to help you with trip planning.
Itinerary subject to change
Pre or Post Trip Planning: Germany is a wonderful country with several fascinating regions. If you would like to check some of them out before or after your trip please let us know. We would be glad to help you with any planning.
Who Can Participate: We would love to have people of all ages! However, hoteliers require that there be at least one adult to be able to rent a room. We do require that anyone under 18 be accompanied by a responsible adult. In addition, people outside the Flamm Clan are also welcome to come. Many people are descendants from the "Swabia" area of Metzingen and would have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area.
Who Can Participate: We would love to have people of all ages! However, hoteliers require that there be at least one adult to be able to rent a room. We do require that anyone under 18 be accompanied by a responsible adult. In addition, people outside the Flamm Clan are also welcome to come. Many people are descendants from the "Swabia" area of Metzingen and would have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area.