Experience the best and most famous Christmas Markets in Rothenburg and other Bavarian villages and cities with knitters from across the US. Itinerary also includes day-long Knit-to-Fit workshop with Claudia Eisenkolb, behind the scenes visits and factory store shopping at the Woolmeise and Schoppel yarn mills, and guided tour and workshop with a focus on fabric printing techniques at Augsburg Textile & Industry Museum. Other well-known German sites we will visit include Nuremberg World War II locations, Dachau Concentration Camp, and Munich's Residence Museum. See detailed itinerary here >>>
And listen in as Battenkill Textile Tours host Mary Jeanne Packer chats with Corinne from The Wooly Thistle on TWW's Shopcast about this trip and travel with Battenkill Textile Tours in general.
Mary Jeanne Packer, the founder of Battenkill Textile Tours LLC, has been leading groups of knitters and fiber enthusiasts on trips around the world (and around the corner) since 2006 when she put a small ad in the national knitting magazines to see if anyone might want to come and spend a few days knitting, wine tasting, and visiting fiber farms in the Finger Lakes; and 20 people signed up! Those first 20 said they would "like to go to Ireland sometime"; and the rest is history. Mary Jeanne is the founder and co-owner of Battenkill Fibers Carding and Spinning Mill in Greenwich, NY. Before that, she worked for many years at the US Forest Service and then later as a nature tourism consultant and interpretative planner. Because of Mary Jeanne's background, all Battenkill Textile Tours' experiences focus on the ways in which local nature and history have informed culture and textile arts in a destination
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Arrival at Munich airport no later than 1 pm, where we will be met by our coach; and the adventure begins. (Note: if you are are planning to arrive early, just be sure you are at the airport near baggage claim before 1 pm on December 3). Drive to Nuremberg where we will enjoy a welcome reception and dinner; and settle into the NH Collection Hotel, our home for the next several nights.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
We will meet our English-speaking guide this morning and set out on a city tour of Nuremberg including important World War II sites and the well-stocked Tolle Wolle yarn shop. Our group lunch (included) will be at a well-known Nuremberg brewery and will include a full tour and tasting. After lunch, we will have the rest of the afternoon free to visit the Nuremberg Christmas market and have dinner (on your own) in one of the many nice places in the market area. Overnight Nuremberg NH Collection Hotel.
Thursday Dec. 5
This morning we will take a drive to Rothenburg-and have a short city tour followed by the rest of the morning and lunch at the Rothenburg Christmas market (on your own). In the late afternoon we will drive to Wallhausen for a factory tour and shopping at one of the big-name German yarn companies – Schoppel. Tonight we will have a group dinner at the NH Collection upon our return to Nuremberg. Overnight Nuremberg NH Collection Hotel.
Friday Dec. 6
Today we say goodbye to Nuremberg and head to Munich. Along the way we will stop in Pfaffenhofen where we will have a tour and shopping at the Wollmeise yarn company. Lunch will be provided at Wollmeise and we will stay on there for a full afternoon workshop with a focus on a fun new shawl design presented by Nicola Susen from Nicolor Strik Design. Later we will proceed to Munich and check into the Marriott City Center Hotel where we will have dinner as a group before calling it a night.
Saturday Dec. 7
This morning we head out to Dachau where we have arranged for guided tours of the notorious Concentration camp as well as the historic artist village; and a visit to a lovely group of modern-day Galleries. Following a group lunch, we will return to Munich by way of the Die Mercerie yarn and craft shop. There we will have a hands-on workshop on embroidery for Christmas gift tags and ornaments. Dinner will be on your own. Overnight Marriot City Center Hotel.
Sunday Dec. 8
Our itinerary today begins with a short drive to Augsburg where we will have a guided tour and lunch at the Textile & Industry Museum. Our time at the Museum will also include a hands-on fabric printing workshop. The rest of the afternoon will be on your own to explore in Augsburg before we drive back to Munich for dinner on your own. Overnight Marriot City Center Hotel.
Monday Dec. 9
Today we will enjoy a half-day guided tour of Munich including the Clock Tower and admission to the Residence Museum. Following a group lunch, we will have the afternoon free to visit the Munich Christmas market and find dinner in the market (on your own). Overnight Marriot City Center Hotel.
Tuesday Dec. 10
As our time together begins to wind down, we will spend it in two very interesting ½ day workshops held right at our hotel, including knitting garments that fit with designer and instructor Claudia Eisenkolb. That eventing, we have planned a fun farewell dinner with a show for the group at GOP Variete Theatre. Overnight Marriot City Center Hotel.
Wednesday Dec. 11
Travel home. We can help organize small group transfers to the airport as needed (on your own).