A Taste of Europe: With Chef Roy Yamaguchi: Accommodations

Hotel Amigo, Brussles

PRE-TRIP:

Superbly located in the very heart of Brussels, Hotel Amigo is adjacent to one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Grand Place.  Hotel Amigo also provides a stylish and central base from which to explore the Brussels' financial district and is within easy walking distance of the antiques district of Le Sablon.

Each of the bedrooms and suites at Hotel Amigo are individual in style, spacious and luxurious, with some offering views towards Grand Place and others extensive views over the rooftops of Brussels. All the rooms are equipped with the latest technology and facilities for both business and leisure guests.

Bocconi, Hotel Amigo's Italian restaurant, serves creative Italian and Mediterranean cuisine within a relaxing, comfortable and contemporary atmosphere while the Bar Amigo, with its broad selection of cocktails, is ideal for an aperitif.

Throughout Hotel Amigo, the style depicts the fresh, modern interiors now synonymous with The Rocco Forte Collection brand whilst also retaining the hotel's character and charm. The hotel also offers a new fitness centre equipped with the latest exercise machines.

Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam
A Luxury Collection Hotel

Overlooking two of the city's most picturesque canals, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht, Hotel Pulitzer is ideally located in the middle of the old city center of Amsterdam.

Comprised of 25 restored 17th and 18th century canal houses, Hotel Pulitzer was named to Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List. Each of the 230 distinctive guest rooms represents a small piece of Dutch history and culture.

Though rich in historical splendor, Hotel Pulitzer also offers today’s modern amenities, including the latest technology with wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) High Speed Internet Access in all public areas, meeting facilities and all guest rooms.   All guest rooms and public spaces are 100% non-smoking.

Savor an exquisite culinary experience in the beautiful, trendy Pulitzers Restaurant. Or relax with an aperitif in Pulitzers Bar. Enjoy complimentary access to Pulitzers Gym, equipped with the latest state-of-the-art fitness equipment with individual flat screen TVs.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Cologne

Opened in 1863, the elegant and historic Excelsior Hotel Ernst is Cologne’s Grand Hotel, located next to the Cathedral.

The hotel has experienced more than 145years of varied history and has been the social center of the Rhineland. Its prime location, in the heart of the city and vis-à-vis to the cologne Dome Cathedral, makes the hotel accessible from all directions. It is within walking distance from the Opera, Philharmonic, famous landmarks and museums, as well as the Fairground.

Nobel material, valuable antiques and harmonic colors give each of the rooms and suites its own character, individual charm and create a timeless home décor which invites you to linger.

Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich

The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich is an elegant grand hotel with 150 years of tradition. Its central location on Maximilianstrasse, the address for exclusive boutiques and theatres, as well as the nearby opera house, will make your stay very special.

Under the magnificent glass roof showing symbols for each of the four seasons is one of Europe’s most beautiful hotel lobbies with an awe-inspiring atmosphere.

All rooms and suites are equipped with air-conditioning, mini-bar, television, radio and high speed internet access, exceeding even the expectations of the most discerning travelers. The windows to Maximilianstrasse are double glazed and many rooms face one of the three inner courtyards, which guarantee perfect peace.

A Taste of Europe: With Chef Roy Yamaguchi: Itinerary

Day 1: Wednesday, September 14, Amsterdam

Arrive in Amsterdam and check into hotel.
 

Design your own afternoon:

Visit the beer temple - the only American Beer café in Europe with a wide selection of American draft and bottled (craft) beers.  A beer tasting session will be available, time permitting, subject to your arrival from Brussels.

Take a canal boat tour or attend a wine-and-cheese tasting at the House of Bols

Dinner is on your own

Overnight Hotel Pulitzer

Day 2: Thursday, September 15 [B, L, D]
Design Your Own Day
 
Hertog Jan Brewery Visit

Well known Dutch brewmaster Gerard van den Broek will escort guests for an extended brewery tour at Hertog Jan, finished with Grand Prestige vintage beer tasting in brewery cellar and Gerard’s exclusive beer mix presentation in Vriendenkring room.  A Brewer’s Lunch at Hertog Jan Proeverij follows.

Diebels Brewery Visit

Continue to Issum for a brewery tour at Diebels, where the famous ‘Altbier’ is being brewed.  Altbier refers to the pre-lager brewing method of using a warm top-fermenting yeast.  A beer tasting follows with the traditional German 'Schweinshaxe' dish.

City Walk of Amsterdam

Your local guide will take you through the most picturesque neighborhood of Amsterdam, which is called "Jordaan." This neighborhood offers great antique shops and other particular stores. You can even find a toothbrush store here! The guide will also take you to The Begijnhof, the most peaceful place in the busy city center. It is a lovely courtyard with a small church, a chapel and gorgeous houses. The Beguines were widows and unmarried women who led an austere and devout life, dedicated to nursing and caring for the poor. Right on the edge of the Jordaan, next to a beautiful landmark of Westerkerk, you will find the Anne Frank House where Anne Frank was hiding during the German occupation. This small, however impressive museum, is definitely worth a visit. During the tour, the guide will of course make a coffee stop (4 hours).

Amsterdam City Bike Tour

Via bicycle, reach places which remain inaccessible to others. This is a safely guided tour, which gives a fascinating picture of Amsterdam. You will pass the harbor, charming Jordaan quarter, the Anne Frank House, the Vondel Park, the "Skinny Bridge" and the Red Light distric. See undiscovered Amsterdam with its idyllic small canals, quiet hidden courtyards and photogenic views. (4 hours).

Return to your hotel with the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Perhaps Take A Walk on the Wild Side:

A tour through "Dark" Amsterdam can be rather illuminating not in the least due to a visit to the famous Red Light District. The visit to the Red Light District might just be the most interesting part of this tour. There you will be able to see 'the oldest profession in the world." The tour continues past monuments and through old streets, one of which is the well-known 'Zeedijk,' a street where past sailors went looking for local amusement. Nowadays, you can find lively pubs and restaurants here. A reliable and trustworthy guide with accompany you.

Overnight Hotel Pulitzer

Day 3: Friday, September 16 [B]
Amsterdam to Cologne

Rail to Cologne by high speed train
Transfer to your hotel upon arrival
The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the Cathedral and other aspects of this charming city.

Overnight Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Day 4: Saturday, September 17 [B]
Cologne to Munich

Porsche Self Drive: Cologne to Munich (OPTIONAL)

Porsche – check. GPS – check. Autobahn – check. Get behind the wheel of a legendary Porsche sports car and GO!  Enjoy the thrill of the road at your own pace, stopping en route near Stuttgart to pay homage at the Museum and Factory.

Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen

More than 80 cars are on display in the 5,600 square metre (60,250 square feet) Exhibition Area styled and designed futuristically by the Viennese architects Delugan Meissl, ranging from the legendary wheel hub motor of the Lohner-Porsche, the world’s first hybrid automobile built as far back as in 1900, all the way to the latest generation of the Porsche 911. 

Apart from the exhibition itself, the historical archives and the “transparent” workshop for historical cars, the Museum offers a wide range of catering services complete with a coffee bar, a bistro and an exclusive restaurant.

Check in to your hotel with the evening at leisure
Overnight Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich

Day 5: Sunday, September 18 [B, L, D]

Please make this a day of leisure. This morning we suggest you view the Oktoberfest parade

One of the best and most colorful displays of Bavarian history, culture, and tradition occurs on this first Sunday of Oktoberfest. Watch regional costume groups, "troops" in historical uniforms, marching bands, riflemen, thoroughbred horses, and even oxen, cows, and goats pass by in a 3-mile long procession.   The parade leads through Munich's city center and boasts more than 7000 performers, showcasing ribboned trees, harvest garlands, and historic craftsmen's tools.

Design your own afternoon:

Optional Visit to Huell Hop Farm

Venture about 45 minutes outside of Munich to the Hallertau region of Bavaria to discover the largest interconnected hop-growing region of the world.  Here on 34 hectares that make up Huell Hop Farm, they grow the aroma hops that are used in Anheuser-Busch beers: Hallertau Mittelfrueh and Spalt Select.  The visit begins with a welcome farmer’s lunch and continues with a walk around the farm to inspect the fields and observe hop harvest activities before returning to Munich.

City Tour of Munich

Stroll through Marienplatz, the central square and heart of Munich. Visit The English Garden, Munich's largest park (and bigger than NYC's Central Park) and its traditional beer gardens. Stop in Hofbrauhaus, the most famous beer hall in the world and known for its regional specialties like veal sausage and pork roast (along with beer of course). For a more sobering and historically reverent experience, journey 10 miles outside Munich to Dachau Concentration Camp, one of the first concentration camps of Nazi Germany and model for subsequent camps. Here you will follow the 'path' of the prisoner - baths, barracks, courtyards and crematorium.

 Oktoberfest Tents

On this first evening of Oktoberfest, be among the few who are invited to the Spaten or Lowenbrau tents for beer and traditional cuisine.  The Schottenhamel beer tent is the 'in' tent par excellence - always full, always lively. This is where the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first keg of Oktoberfest beer - Spaten, of course. After that, there's no end to the fun.

The Munich Oktoberfest - known by the locals as the "Wiesn" - is the biggest public festival in the world and will be held in 2010 for the 177th time.  At the foot of the Bavaria statue, the huge Oktoberfest grounds also provide carousels, roller coasters and all the spectacular fun of the fair for the enjoyment and excitement of visitors of all ages.

Overnight Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich

Day 6: Monday, September 19 [B, L]
Munich

Spaten Brewery Tour

One of Germany's most successful breweries, Spaten is deeply rooted in Munich's venerable beer-brewing tradition, yet it remains modern and dynamic. Tour the brewery during peak time to learn how Spaten, Franziskaner and Lowenbrau are made.  Then continue enjoying with a traditional Bavarian lunch at the top of the Brewery Tower. 

Return to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure

You have the option of returning for another Oktoberfest visit!  Reservations required in advance.

Overnight Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich

Day 7: Tuesday, September 20 [B]
Departures

A Taste of Europe: With Chef Roy Yamaguchi: Trip Options

• PRE OPTIONS