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The Palatine Emigrant |
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| (800) 949-6362 | |||||||||||||
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Heritage, History, Culture, Landscape, People |
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| NONSTOP TRAVEL | |||||||||||||
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An introductory seminar and guiding services by university experts together with access to research facilities, passenger lists, databases and other archival holdings as well as a RESEARCH AND TRAVEL service package are provided. With pleasure, we design personal itineraries for customized extensions of your visit to Germany. |
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It was from the
Palatinate that early emigration from Germany to America started.
Mennonites or Hugenots in search of religious freedom in the very
beginning, Franz Daniel Pastorius and the Krefeld emigrants on the
Concord, the founding of the very first German settlement Germantown
in Pennsylvania in 1683, Palatine colonists in the War of
Independence, hopeless man, women and families struggling for a
better life abroad, the „Forty-Eighters“ of the German Revolution in
1848 and whoever started a new life in foreign parts - they all were
part of the Emigrant Experience. And through the centuries they made
the Palatinate a neighbor to America. Not only this. After World War
II the Palatinate became home of the largest American communities
outside the United States. We have designed a unique program to discover 300 years of a shared history. Experience what the emigrants brought with them to distant shores and see how the journey was organized. Travel the cycle of emigration. |
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| Day 0 - Transatlantic Flight from USA to Germany or individual travel to Frankfurt | |||||||||||||
| Depart via any gateway city and arrive in Germany at Frankfurt airport the next day. All major airlines have nonstop or connecting service to Frankfurt. Intercity Express trains from all major German cities arrive at Frankfurt Central station every hour. Contact Nonstop Travel for the best fares to Germany as well as for any rail rates. | |||||||||||||
| Day 1 - Frankfurt, Welcome to Germany | |||||||||||||
| Incoming flights from
the US arrive at Frankfurt airport. Transfer to your hotel is on
your own. Detailed information on hotel transfer will be provided
with booking/confirmations. Intercity Express trains from all major
German cities arrive at Frankfurt Central Station every hour. Your tour "The Palatine Emigrant" starts at 4 p.m. at your Frankfurt hotel. You will be met by your tour director with a welcome reception and an orientation on the days to come. A welcoming dinner in the hotel’s restaurant rounds up the day. CR, D. Hotel: Frankfurt. |
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| Day 2 - Heidelberg, Speyer and the Palatinate | |||||||||||||
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After breakfast we leave
Frankfurt. On route you will have a first glimpse on houses, towns
and landscape of the beautiful Rhine valley and the Palatinate when
we head south towards Heidelberg. Free time to explore this romantic
city and then on to Speyer whose cathedral is listed as UNESCO world
heritage. A smooth afternoon ride brings us to the town of Kusel
where we check in at your charming hotel. A dinner with special
Palatine dishes is waiting for you. B, D.
Hotel: Kusel |
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| Day 3 - Introductory Seminar: Emigration Fever in the Palatinate | |||||||||||||
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Motorcoach to
Kaiserslautern. An introductory seminar will be held at the
Institute for Palatine History and Folklife Studies. This
outstanding institution is widely known to many Americans who trace
their Palatine heritage. Dr. Roland Paul and his colleagues will be
our hosts and will explain strategies in historical biographical and
genealogical research. A RESEARCH AND TRAVEL service package and
individual research opportunities with the institute’s holdings will
be provided. Possible findings can be mailed to you later.
Additional costs may apply. In the afternoon free time in Kaiserslautern for leisure or shopping. The return trip to your hotel allows detours off the main roads to experience the charm of this beautiful spot of Germany. Dinner at your hotel. B, D. Hotel: Kusel |
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| Day 4 - Full day excursion: Hambach and the "Forty-Eighters" | |||||||||||||
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We present a full day
excursion by motor coach. You will encounter landscapes and
landmarks where echoes of the past recall the spread of emigration
fever in the Palatinate. En route visit to Landau, Neustadt,
Lambrecht and other places of origin of famous Palatine emigrants.
Included in the program is a visit to the castle of Hambach.
It was from these walls that the
revolutionaries from the Palatinate and the neighboring Baden
demanded democracy and national unification. Later the
„Hambach-People“ as many others in the course of the German
Revolution so called „Forty-Eighters“ found shelter as emigrants to
the USA. Many of them gained reputation in politics and public life
like Carl Schurz one of their most prominent companions. Hotel: Kusel |
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| Day 5 - Excursion: Heritage, Folk Life, Farms and Travelling Musicians | |||||||||||||
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Today's program is
dedicated to enjoy local hospitality and encounter a wealth of
stories and places. Meet the people at their farm and learn about
the tradition of the traveling musicians in this area during your
visit to the unique museum at the castle of Lichtenberg. Finally the
town of Oberalben not only depicts the history of the Palatine
Emigrant in it’s museum but is also hosts a night of traditional
folklore with a buffet, music and an opportunity to rub elbows with
the townsfolk during a „Pfälzer Abend“. Late return to your hotel.
B, D. Hotel: Kusel |
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| Day 6 - The Historic Route: Rhine Valley to Cologne and Osnabrück | |||||||||||||
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As in the 19th century
your farewell follows the next morning. You will travel the historic
route which starts with a relaxing romantic Rhine river cruise
passing the most scenic strip with the many castles from Bingen to
the famous Lorely. Continuation of tour by motorcoach via Koblenz to
Cologne. It was in Cologne were the Palatine emigrants had to decide
which way to go: either on the river to Antwerp or Rotterdam or to
Bremen. Before we continue the tour you visit Cologne’s world famous
breathtaking cathedral right in the heart of the city. Continue to
Osnabrück. B, D.
Hotel: Osnabrück |
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| Day 7 - Osnabrück and Bremen | |||||||||||||
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After breakfast explore
the historic market place and town hall in Osnabrück where the
European 30-Years War was brought to an end. As a fitting location
for a lunch break we have scheduled the group at the historic
Linnenschmidt Inn, a former emigrant agency, where you can study the
old schedules of the transatlantic passage. Original documents from
the holdings of this mid 19th century agency will inform you about
travel patterns, emigration policy and how the journey was
organized. Arrival in Bremen will be during the afternoon. Your
hotel is located right on Bremen's historic market place. There are
many historical landmarks and monuments which bear witness to
Bremen's great past as a Hanseatic city. And there are sites where
emigrants stayed while waiting for an overseas passage. Millions of
emigrants from Germany and Eastern Europe traveled through Bremen on
their way to Bremerhaven. In this respect the monument of the Bremen
City Musicians, well known fairy tale character s, will gain a new meaning for you as symbol of the desire of a better life in foreign parts. And memories of the Palatine traveling musicians are sure to come up. Evening free to browse through the many cafes and restaurants in the historic Schnoor neighborhood. B, L. Hotel: Bremen |
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| Day 8 - Emigration through the port of Bremerhaven, Vintage Sailing | |||||||||||||
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The next morning we
follow the river Weser towards Bremerhaven the old continents most
important port of embarkation. Weather permitting and based upon
tidal waters and availability of the crew we have arranged 3 hours
sailing on an historic boat either on the river to Bremerhaven or
during our afternoon program. Passing the monument to the emigrants,
Columbus Quay and the Lloyd docks you can share the experience of
saying good-bye. You pass the sites that also many Americans saw
first when they arrived in Germany by ship. In the post-war period
Elvis Presley went ashore in Bremerhaven as did many others. Research opportunities in the German Emigrant Database at the Historical Museum (German passenger arrivals in US ports 1850 - 1891) will be provided. Before driving back to Bremen enjoy the German Maritime Museum. A farewell-dinner in the steerage section of a mid-19th-century sailing ship will complete this fascinating part of your journey. In the evening we recommend a visit to the famous wine cellar at the Bremen Ratskeller restaurant to round up the day and your tour in the footsteps of the emigrants. B, D. Hotel: Bremen |
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| Day 9 - Homeward flights or optional extensions | |||||||||||||
| The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Bremen airport (30 minutes) or Hamburg airport (90 minutes) for homeward flights will be on your own. Your tour director will provide every assistance that is needed. Those who depart for a homeward flight will arrive at any US destination in mid-afternoon/early evening local time. Others may continue on a customized research trip in Germany. . | |||||||||||||
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Included (land only):
Not included: Airfares, transfers upon arrival and departure, beverages others than coffee, tea, juice with breakfast, possible individual cost for research, use of archives, databases etc., customary gratuities to tour directors / drivers.
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Minimum of 18 participants is required. Should we need to cancel a tour we will send out a revised mini-group arrangement at least 4 month prior to departure or a full refund of any deposits paid. Detailed information and a consumer protection plan is available along with reservation/confirmations. |
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Optional extension - Your Personal Itinerary We have designed a special service for the individual traveler who wants to benefit from pre-travel research and arrangements: „Your Personal Itinerary“:. Based on your advance information, we check your request and start preliminary research about the possible origin of your family. A dossier with all relevant information and professional tourist service allows you to find your way to the places, records and people you like to see. Day 9 Visit your forefathers place of origin Day 10 Local Heritage program Day 11 Home Costs |
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