Adventure, Discovery, and Driving through the land of the “Four Rings”
The Audi Club of North America in conjunction with our European partners, Elite Rent-a-Car is offering an unparalleled six days, five night’s German touring experience, affording participants an opportunity to drive a number of different Audi models and engine configurations, some of which are presently not available in the US. Contingent on group size, below is the planned fleet of cars to be driven in this grand tour.
• RS Q3 310 HP, a RS3 Sportback or RS1 contingent on production
• RS4 Avant 450 HP
• RS5 Coupe 450 HP
• RS6 Avant 560 HP
• RS7 Sportback 560 HP
Day 1, Thursday Sept. 24, 2015
Upon arrival at the München airport, an easy unstructured day for relaxation is planned in “Athens on the Isar,” München. Participants are responsible for their transportation from the airport, to Hotel La Maison.
About München
After hotel check-in, a possible short rest to recoup from jet lag, and then the opportunities of exploring the Englischer Garten and its river surfers, Viktualienmarkt or many of the Museums and upscale shopping possibilities München has to offer.
• Evening: Reception and dinner close to the hotel
• Overnight: Hotel La Maison (3-star superior)
Description and location: La Maison is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant Schwabing district, between Leopold Straßer and the Englischer Garten. It is here where Audi has also maintained a top-secret design studio and the perfect spot to locate a “designer” hotel, which combines Munich’s charm with a modern lifestyle. A trendy ambiance with a very special character should put all in the spirit for the adventure to follow.
Day 2, Friday Sept. 25
Munich to Ingolstadt with a full day of Audi Brand immersion
Early morning minibus transfer to Ingolstadt
• Audi Forum and Museum visit plus factory tour
• Luncheon at Audi Forum “AVUS” restaurant
• Transfer to hotel: check-in and free time to discover Ingolstadt on your own
About Ingolstadt
• Tour the Bavarian Army Museum where Charles de Gaulle was once interned, the Medical History Museum, site according to Mary Shelley, where the scientist Victor Frankenstein creates his monster or the City Museum (Stadtmuseum Ingolstadt)
• Relax, grab a Leberkäse sandwich to go or enjoy some Cafe und Kuchen (coffee and cake) as you sit and people watch or stroll through the center of the Old City (Altstadt) amongst some buildings that date from the early middle ages.
Evening: Traditional group dinner
Overnight: Hotel Rappensberger
Located in the heart of Ingolstadt, Hotel Rappensberger is a modern Gasthof with the personal touch. One is not far from the Town Hall, and only a couple minutes’ walk to the Danube and the beautiful Klenzpark. All is very close: shops, the “New Castle” with the Bavarian Army Museum, the Museum of Art, or the Medical Historical Museum.
Day 3, Saturday Sept. 26
Ingolstadt to Heidelberg via Neckarsulm, Bad Wimpfen and Hirschhorn (300 km, max. 3hrs 30min driving)
In the morning, our fleet of RS Audis will be waiting for us at the Hotel Rappensberger. After a short introduction and vehicle briefing; the group will motor towards Heidelberg via both autobahns and country roads. Today’s driving is primarily about reaching Heidelberg. On route, all will have the opportunity to experience no speed limit (Ende aller Streckenverbote) on parts of the autobahn west of Nürnberg. Luncheon is planned at the Nuvolari restaurant in the Audi Forum, Neckarsulm. After lunch we will motor to medieval Bad Wimpfen then along the Neckar past Hornberg Castle, Hirschhorn Castle, and on into Heidelberg. Upon arrival in the city of the “Student Prince” and hotel check-in, a late afternoon exploration of beautiful Heidelberg’s Old City (Altstadt) awaits.
About Heidelberg
• Walk the famous Philosophers’ way (Philosophenweg) along the Neckar River, which had been frequented by numerous and famous philosophers and poets throughout history. Both Goethe and Mark Twain took up residence in Heidelberg.
• Visit the Old Town of Heidelberg, which starts from Sofienstraße and brings you to the castle.
• Explore Heidelberg University, the oldest in Germany.
• Stroll the main shopping street (Hauptstraße) and then turn north at the Heilig-Geist cathedral to the famous Karl-Theodor Bridge and check out the bronze monkey.
• Ride the incline up the Königstuhl and at the top, stop for some refreshments and a panoramic view of Heidelberg, Heiligenberg, and the Neckar.
Evening: Traditional dinner close to the bridge and hotel at the Hackteufel restaurant
Overnight: Hotel zur Alten Brücke (3-star superior)
Description & location: The Hotel zur Alten Brücke is in an historical building that is centrally located in the heart of the old town between the Heiliggeistkirche and the Alta Brücke (Old Bridge).
Day 4, Sunday Sept. 27
Heidelberg to Bad Säckingen through the Black Forest via Todtnau and Todtmoss (320 km, 5 hours driving)
Today the group will navigate to and through the Black Forest region, truly a driver’s paradise. We will continue to convoy allowing participants to swap cars. Lunch will be taken in Todtnau, Hotel Rossle, a traditional restaurant approx. 50 KM prior to Bad Säckingen, our final destination of the day.
Note: Once again, this day is mainly about driving through the Natural “Black Forest” Reservation. We will only visit one village, Bad Säckingen, later in the afternoon.
About the Black Forest
Many people think of southern Germany when they talk about the Black Forest. The region is also called the “Hochschwarzwald” – as it reaches a height of 1500m above sea level. There are no steep peaks, only rounded hilltops. The “Feldberg” is the largest hilltop, a massif several kilometers long, covered with forests. It is the highest region of all German low mountain ranges. This natural geography of sweeping valleys and beautiful panoramas make for one of the most concentrated areas of 5 star “driver” roads anywhere in Europe. In the peak of summer, this area is a favorite destination for bikers and motorists alike wanting to immerse themselves in the challenge and exhilaration of the Black Forest. Following the Black Forest drive, the group will visit Bad Säckingen, a cozy historical village; take the short walk over the wooden covered bridge to Switzerland, then on to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Evening: Dinner and lodging at the Hotel Landsgasthof Krone (3-star family hotel)
Day 5, Monday Sept 28
Bad Säckingen via the shores of the Bodensee, and Lindau, Hohenschwangau then on to Munich (420 km, 6 hours driving)
Departing Bad Säckingen, the drive will be along the north shore of Bodensee with lunch in Lindau then towards the Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles.
About Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles
Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace, which is on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria, both as a retreat and homage to Richard Wagner. Ludwig II spent most of his childhood at the nearby Hohenschwangau castle, upon becoming regent he built Neuschwanstein and paid for it out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing, and not with Bavarian public funds. The palace was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his 1886 suicide/murder, no one knows for sure. After castle visit, we will continue along picturesque country roads towards München where we will bid farewell to our cars at the hotel.
Evening: Reservations and farewell dinner at Zum Franziskaner
Overnight: Hotel La Maison (see the first night)
Day 6, Tuesday Sept. 29
Early morning breakfast then shuttle to München Airport for departing flight or one of the following:
• Pick up a rental car, preferable an Elite Audi, for additional European Touring
• Additional explorations of Munich and attend Oktoberfest
• Alternatively, and the best option of all, boarding the airport shuttle to Ingolstadt, then a European delivery of your new 2016 Audi and an additional two weeks continuation of adventure, discovery and driving in the land of the “Four Rings”
PRICE:
Total package price based on 10 participants approximately EUR 3’650 per person
* Guests are sharing double-occupancy rooms, and two participants per car. Local VAT included.
Price includes:
• 3 days car rental of Audi RS fleet (5 vehicles), the highest insurance coverage (CDW/TP2) with deductible of approx. EUR 4’000, – per vehicle), gas, cars delivery to Ingolstadt, collection in Munich downtown.
• 5 nights’ accommodations (double room) including breakfasts.
• Meals – All meals during the tour (2-course set menu for lunches, 3-course set menu for dinners) both inclusive of beer, wine, water and coffee).
• Café und Kuchen (coffee and cake) stops at selected Gasthofs along the way
• Minibus transfer from Munich hotel to Ingolstadt on day 2.
• Admission fees for: English guided tour of the Audi Forum Museum and Hohenschwangau castle visit.
• Organization of the event, support guide including lead car, printed route books for each participant, pre-programmed navigation systems and walkie-talkies .
Price does not include:
• Airfare to Munich.
• Guest transfer from airport to La Maison Hotel on arrival day 1 (Elite can organize Mercedes Viano transfer on request for additional EUR 185,- for up to 6 passengers at approx. 31 EUR per person based on 6- passenger car occupancy). Airport transfers from La Maison Hotel to airport morning of day 6.
• Additional personal travel and health insurance
• Other items not specified in “Price includes.”
• Bookend your trip with a visit to the IAA International Auto Ausstellung (Exhibition) in Frankfurt and or the Oktoberfest in München.
Conditions:
Payment:
• Deposit of 20 % to confirm the booking to be charged on January 15, 2015
• Second deposit of 20% by March 1, 2015
• Balance of payment 60% due on July 1, 2015
Car guarantee:
• Elite requires a vehicle security deposit (guarantee) of EUR 4’000. – from each driver.
• The deposit will be held on client’s credit card before departure and released back after car check and collection.
Driver requirements:
• Valid passport and International driving license.
• Min. age for drivers: 30 years.
• 2 credit cards, one for payment and second for car deductible guarantee of 4’000 EUR (AMEX, VISA, or MC).
Note: Elite Rent-a-Car will ask each participant to fill the ID form. They will also require scans of passport, driving licenses and credit cards in advance from each participant.
Cancellation policy:
• Cancel after January 15, 2015 – loss of deposit.
• Cancel after March 1, 2015 – loss of first and second deposit
• Cancel after July 1, 2015 – 100% of total price.
REGISTRATION
Space is limited! There will be only 5 cars (10 participants). Reservations are on a first come, first reserved basis, the minimum number of participants is 8. If you are interested in joining this program, please email the following information to both bob@audiclubfl.org and audiclub2015tour@eliterent.com
• Audi Club membership number
• Phone number
• Convenient time slots for us to call you
PROGRAM CHANGES MIGHT OCCUR.
Check out this brief video of the 2014 “Driving durch Deutschland”, which will provide a glimpse of what is in store.