Merry Christmas from Incantato with a special video from our talented Virgil Rosales and his band

Our 2012 Enchanted Christmas Market Tour to Germany and Austria

Incantato Dolce Vita Tours proudly present the second opportunity for individuals and small groups to join our unique journeys that are usually reserved to already existing groups only. However, with the lauch of our Dolce Vita lines, we are now welcoming past travelers from our tours as well as new guests that appreciate our approach to international travel. Enchanting Christmas Markets is a tour that will run with as little as 30 travelers at a great low price. Since people from all over the US and Canada are invited to join, this is a land-only package. 
Here is a quick summary of the package:
+ Experience some of the grandest and most historical, well-known Christmas Markets as well as unique celebrations in charming off-the-beaten path towns and villages. Soak up settings, ambience and atmosphere unmatched in the U.S. and bring home memories to last a lifetime. 

+ Ample opportunities to purchase one-of-a kind handmade Christmas decorations and unique presents at a fraction of the cost charged in the U.S.  

+ Plenty of free time for sightseeing or just relaxing, last but not least German spa treatments are divine, but very affordable.
"Enchanted Christmas Markets of Germany and Austria" is a festive journey for all senses - see, feel, taste, smell, and hear what makes the European Holidays so very special. As you travel with a local Incantato Tour Manager throughout Germany and Austria, you will soon make new friends and experience the joy of being a real traveler and not just a tourist. 

Taste traditional European Christmas specialities, warm up with mulled cider or traditional Gluehwein, grilled Bratwurst or crispy potato pancakes, learn how to make Stollen and other festive treats, meet local Artisans.     

This unique seven day journey to Germany and Austria is currently scheduled for arrival in Frankfurt on December 2 and departure from Munich on December 8, 2012. Additional dates may be offered after this date fills up and as always we can gladly offer special departure dates for already existing groups.

As always, Incantato will provide all the arrangements in Europe — comfortable 4 star hotels, transportation in a private deluxe bus with Incantato driver, buffet breakfast daily and three traditional dinners,and you will be accompanied by an expert Tourmanager from arrival to departure, plus get to meet local expert guides for four city tours. Again, all you need to do is book your own flights from your nearest international airport to Frankfurt and back from Munich once the tour is confirmed.

The tour cost for this very inclusive package is $1616 USD per person in a shared double room based on 30 participants. We can offer single rooms at a supplement, but recommend you find a friend or two or three to travel with as it saves you this hefty surcharge imposed by the hotels (and not us as Incantato Tours does not mark-up single rooms supplements) and you do have more fun with your friends joining for sure.

Now here comes the important fine print: The tour cost is based on 1 Euro = $1.50 USD. Any currency fluctuation over +/- 2% affects the overall tour price and result in an increase or decrease.

For more information, a detailed itineray and the registration form, please email us to dolcevita@incantatotours.com.

We offer a $50 early sign-up discount if you register and deposit for your tour before January 7, 2012 as that is the closing date for most 2011 Christmas Markets in Europe. Your deposit is fully refundable if the tour does not operate due to lack of participants.

German Gemuetlichkeit at our traditional Christmasmarkets

Munich's famous Weihnachtsmarkt

Christmasmarkets aka Weihnachtsmaerkte are a centuries old tradition in Germany. The markets light up communities with fun, laughter, companionship, good food and drink during the advent season. Sparkling lights everywhere, Christmas music, choir and band performances. There is this special Christmas spirit in the air filled with the wonderful scent of gingerbread, roasted almonds, mulled wine and kids laughter.
Charming Christmas markets are a good antidote to holiday commercialism. Instead of mass-produced gifts, the markets feature unique, hand-crafted items, purchased from vendors who have often crafted the items themselves. During the Christmas season, there are Christkindlmarkets throughout Germany. Each Christkindlmarket has its own special charm, unique to the community and region. Visit a German Christmas Market to experience the sights, smells and sounds of an Old World Christmas. Not only Nuremberg, but Bayreuth, Munich, Coburg (picured), the Dresden "Striezelmarkt" (first mentioned in 1434) and numerous other cities and villages in Germany offer this unique experience. The Nuremberg Christmas Market is the most famous event in Nuremberg and is also famous well beyond the borders of Europe. The special charm of the most beautiful Christmas market in Germany lays in the historical backdrop of Nuremberg’s Main Market Square, the Church of Our Lady and the Schoenem Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) with views of the gothic Old Town Churches of St. Lawrence and St. Sebald.
The traditional delicacies of Nuremberg include: Lebkuchen (Gingerbread), Früchtebrot (Fruit loaf), Nünberger Bratwürste (Nuremberg Grilled Sausages) and Glühwein (Mulled Wine). Above all, children will find what their heart desires in Nuremberg. The Sternenhaus (Star House) is awaiting the smaller visitor (4 years and older) and has a “Heavenly-Christmas” children’s cultural program with theater shows, puppet shows, fairy tales, ballet, as well as seasonal and classical music.

The city of Bayreuth, in the lovely Franconia region of Bavaria, is just 2 ½ hours north of Munich. Bayreuth is world-famous for the Bayreuth Festival, which celebrates Richard Wagner’s operas every summer. High-class and rich in culture, Bayreuth is particularly enchanting during the Christmas season. Shopping, sampling culinary delights, soaking in the festive atmosphere and enjoying the beauty of the holiday decorations - Bayreuth's Christmas market is truly an experience. The city has one of the longest chains of Christmas lights in Franconia. The market invites you to indulge with all your five senses. Come visit and be mesmerized by one of the most beautiful towns in Bavaria.

Or experience the Magic of Christmas in Coburg. During the Christmas season, the city of Coburg, just 3 hours north of Munich, develops a unique magic. The city’s market square transforms itself into a little city of Christmas boutiques. The Coburg Christmas Market (November 25 - December 23, 2011) is among the most atmospheric in the Franconia region of northern Bavaria. That’s not only because of the picturesque setting and the beautiful twinkling lights, but also because of the many special holiday activities around this festive time of year. In addition to the classic store booths at the Christmas Market, many artisans from the region are also present at the market. Visitors can watch basket weavers, glass blowers, porcelain painters and wood carvers - in a living workshop. For those who think that they’ve "been here, done that" when it comes to Christmas Markets in Germany, they haven't seen everything yet, if they haven’t been to Coburg. The performances and programs that are part of the Christmas Market change every year. If you'd like to "mingle" with the locals, the quickest way is by having a cup of Glühwein (mulled wine) beneath the starry skies - and next to Coburg’s large statue of Prince Albert. Visitors to the Christmas market can also experience a ride in a historical carriage - with real horsepower! - through the inner city, a truly romantic experience.

Proudly introducing Incantato Dolce Vita: the Enchanted Sweet Life

As passionate experts in the art of group travel, Incantato Tours is thrilled to introduce our new line of specialty tours: Incantato Dolce Vita – the Enchanted Sweet Life.  

Just like our performance tours, the Dolce Vita Journeys are custom-designed by our passionate travel specialists and personalized to meet and exceed the travelers’ expectations. Only with a boutique tour company will you experience Europe your way without having to worry about all the details.

By sharing our in-depth knowledge of the destinations and showing you our favorite and always pre-inspected hotels and restaurants, you are sure to be enchanted with the experience before, during, and after your journey.

Incantato Dolce Vita expertly organizes: Gourmet Wine or Beer Tastings, Cooking Classes, History, Culture, Religious, Spa, Senior and Multi-generational travel, Family Reunions, Golfing, Villa Rentals, and so much more. 

For more information, please contact the Incantato Dolce Vita concierge service at dolcevita@incantatotours.com or (646) 379-1293

Incantato Dolce Vita- Danube River Cruise Itinerary

In the spring of 2011, Incantato Leisure Tours operated its first epicurian river cruise on the Danube with AMA Waterways! Here is a look at the itinerary.

DAY 1 Saturday, April 2, 2011
Overnight Flight to Budapest


DAY 2 Sunday, April 3
Welcome to Central Europe
Your Incantato Tour Manager welcomes you at Budapest airport and brings you to the cruise ship for a champagne reception and check-in at the MS Amalyra river cruise ship. The afternoon is at leisure to rest and explore the Hungarian capital city before you gather for a welcome dinner aboard with traditional Hungarian fare and Gypsy music. Don’t forget that typical local wines are served complimentary aboard during dinner every night.

DAY 3 Monday, April 4
Budapest Sightseeing – Sunset Sail
Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour with a local guide ending in the Castle District. Lunch will be served on the ship and the afternoon is at leisure for additional sightseeing and shopping. After another gourmet dinner, and once the sun sets over the Danube, your floating hotel will start the journey to Slovakia, and seeing Budapest by night from the water is a very special treat. Some of you may even want to experience the sunset sail-away from the rooftop hot-tub where a local brandy will be served as you bid farewell to Hungary.

DAY 4 Tuesday, April 5
Bratislava - City Tour & Beer Tasting, Vienna by Night
Good morning in Slovakia and welcome to Bratislava. After an orientation tour of the
historical city center, a special Slovakian beer tasting awaits the Incantato Dolce Vita group. Learn
about and taste the two traditional styles from various local breweries. After some free time, the ship continues on to Vienna and docks in the Austrian capital for two nights.

DAY 5 Wednesday, April 6
Vienna Sightseeing & Heurigen Evening
“Willkommen in Wien˝: Your guided tour includes the city‘s highlights followed by a Vienna brew pub visit and talk with an Austrian brew master. The afternoon is at leisure to visit museums, shop or just people watch. Upon return to the ship, a traditional Heurigen evening with Austrian specialties and live music awaits you.

DAY 6 Thursday, April 7
Beautiful Danube Valley: Dürnstein & Melk -Abbeys and Apricot Delicacies
Visit the picturesque town of Dürnstein and taste some of the local products like Marmalade or Schnapps made from the indigenous Marille, an Austrian apricot, then take a guided bicycle tour or visit the stunning Benedictine Abbey of Melk. Today will feature not only one, but two wine-tastings, first off the ship at Weinresidenz Sonnleitner, then aboard your floating hotel as the journey continues towards Linz.

DAY 7 Friday, April 8
Visit Linz and Optional Excursion to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov
Prior to saying “Auf Wiedersehen Austria”, visit Linz- home to Bruckner, Mozart, and some really good beers. Those of you who don’t mind a few hours bus ride can choose between an optional excursion to Salzburg or crossing the border to the Czech Republic and South Bohemia to experience Cesky Krumlov‘s historic city centre and a medieval-style luncheon in a cellar restaurant that was a former prison. Tonight, continue on to Germany.

DAY 8 Saturday, April 9
Hallo Deutschland: Ancient Passau & Vilshofen “Oktoberfest”
Upon arrival in Germany and Bavaria, visit the historical fairy-tale town of Passau, founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago. See how the locals eat, drink and dress. If there is still space in your suitcase, you may want to add some Lederhosen or a Dirndl for special occasions like tonight’s “Oktoberfest” in charming Vilshofen. Eat, drink and be merry in the rustic atmosphere of a local beergarden, accompanied by folk music, song and dance. Upon return to the ship, the party continues as this is your last night on the cruise.

DAY 9 Sunday, April 10
Scenic Drive to Prague
Embark from the ship after breakfast and head to the heart of the Czech Republic by bus to visit its capital city Prague with a local guide. Your tour includes the Royal Castle District, Charles’ Bridge and historical city center. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure for some last minute shopping, a final beer tasting and is followed by a fun farewell dinner.

DAY 10 Monday, April 11
Departure home to Charlotte or Prague Extension.
As the official Incantato Dolce Vita Tour comes to an end, the flight group returns home today via Munich airport which features its own brewery. However those of you making your own travel arrangements may well decide to stay a few days longer in or around Prague.

Incantato Dolce Vita river cruise overview

Budapest (Hungary)

Bratislava (Slovak Republic)
Wien (Austria)
Dürnstein (Austria)

Melk (Austria)
Linz (Austria)

Passau (Germany)

Vilshofen (Germany)

Incantato Tour Hotel: Hotel Maximilian

After spending the nights on the ship, the travelers of the 2011 Grapevine Dolce Vita Tour will stay at Hotel Maximilian (4 stars) in Prague on April 10. The hotel was designed by Eva Jiricna - one of the world's finest architects. The two buildings ("Black House" and "Red House") contain six floors with 70 rooms and 1 suite. Chairs, sofas tables and lightning follow the designs of Pierre Chareaou, Guiseppe Terrani, Eileen Grey, Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd, as well as Eva Jiricna. Graphics by Czech artists of the era are exhibited throughout the hotel. All rooms are equipped with 7" rainfall shower heads, telephone and analogue data port with high-speed internet connection free of charge, plasma-TV, DVD and CD Player, fully stocked mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers, hairdryer, toiletries, air-conditioning with individual temperature control and a safe.

Travel Insurance: Make sure you are protected

Incantato Tours strongly recommends getting travel insurance for your upcoming journey. Not only are you covered medically should anything happen when traveling, but with TravelGuard's policies, you also protect your investment should you have to cancel or interrupt the trip. Last but not least, there is also coverage for delayed and lost luggage, etc.
Here is a direct line to purchase travel insurance online, and you can do so with your credit cards and also select the option that is best for you.



In the meantime, have a look at the most comprehensive coverage option The Protect Assist Gold below.

Protect Assist (Gold) -

Comprehensive Travel Protection for the World Traveler

Trip Cancellation JUST ADDED! - Trip Cancellation due to employment loss or layoff if employed with the same employer 1 year or longer Trip Interruption and Travel Delay Emergency Medical and Emergency Medical Transportation Baggage and Travel Document Protection Baggage Delay and Lost Baggage Tracking NEW - Cancel For Any Reason option now available NEW - Cancel For Work Reasons option now available NEW - Children age 17 and under covered at no additional cost IMPROVED -Trip Cancellation limit increased to $100,000 (from $15,000), IMPROVED - Trip Interruption coverage increased to 150% of Trip Cost IMPROVED - Travel Delay required hours reduced to 5 hours (from 12) ProtectAssist special features: Best coverage for Weather Related Cancellations Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver* Default/Bankruptcy Protection* $50,000 Flight Accident Insurance* 24-Hour "LiveTravel" Travel Agency Emergency Cash Transfers Identity Theft Restoration

Comprehensive non-insurance travel services* automatically included with plan!With the ProtectAssist plan, every customer also has access to these valuable travel services when they travel:· Arrangements for last-minute flight changes· Hotel finder and reservations· Rental car reservations· Emergency medical assistance· BagTrak® -- lost baggage tracking· Pre-trip health and safety advisories· Live e-mail and phone messaging to family and friends· Cash transfers· Airport transportation· Golf course reservations· Event ticketing· Floral services· Identity Theft restoration
Business Assistant* (available when Optional Cancel for Work Reasons coverage is purchased)

*Non-Insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.

Eligibility
Citizenship: All Nationalities
Residency: United States
New York, Oregon, and Washington residence please call to purchase
Some rider options are not available and other restrictions may apply
Destination: Worldwide
Ages: All Ages
Max Trip Length: 365 Days

Incantato Dolce Vita River Cruise - flight schedule out of Louisville, KY

Departure for Europe:

Saturday, April 2, 2011

DELTA flight DL4282, leave LOUISVILLE (SDF) at 1:00PM

Arrive in DETROIT (DTW) at 2:21PM

DELTA flight DL252, leave DETROIT (DTW) at 4:00PM

Arrive in AMSTERDAM (AMS) at 5:55AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIR flight KL1975, leave AMSTERDAM (AMS) at 10:10AM

Arrive in BUDAPEST (BUD) at 12:10PM

Return to USA:

Monday, April 11, 2011

DELTA flight DL211, leave PRAGUE (PRG) at 11:30AM

Arrive in NEW YORK (JFK) at 2:30PM

DELTA flight DL61, leave NEW YORK (JFK) at 4:40PM

Arrive in ATLANTA (ATL) at 7:35PM

DELTA flight DL1243, leave ATLANTA (ATL) at 9:45PM

Arrive in LOUISVILLE (SDF) at 11:15PM

Incantato Dolce Vita River Cruise - flight schedule out of Los Angeles, CA

Those of you choosing the air-land package from Los Angeles, California, will be flying the friendly skies with one of the world's premier airlines, British Airways. For more information on your on-board experience, please visit the British Airways website. The Incantato Tours Team wishes you a safe and relaxing flight. 

Departure for Europe:

Saturday, April 2, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA268, leave LOS ANGELES LAX at 9:20PM

Arrive at LONDON-HEATHROW LHR at 3:30PM on Sunday, April 3, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA870, leave LONDON-HEATHROW LHR at 8:15PM

Arrive in BUDAPEST BUD at 11:45PM

Return to USA:

Monday, April 11, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA853, leave PRAGUE PRG at 8:00AM

Arrive at LONDON-HEATHROW LHR at 9:15AM

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA283, leave LONDON-HEATHROW LHR at 12:00PM

Arrive in LOS ANGELES LAX at 3:05PM

Incantato Dolce Vita River Cruise - flight schedule out of Charlotte, NC

Those of you who chose the air-land package will be flying the friendly skies on the long-hauls with one of the world's premier airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, on the 2011 Incantato Dolce Vita Wine Cruise on the Danube. For more information on your on-board experience, please visit the Lufthansa website. The Incantato Tours team wishes you a safe and relaxing flight.

Departure to Europe:

Saturday, April 2, 2011

LUFTHANSA flight 429, leave CHARLOTTE at 5:35PM

Arrive in MUNICH at 8:10AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011

LUFTHANSA flight 1676, leave MUNICH at 11:05AM

Arrive in BUDAPEST at 12:20PM

Return to USA:

Monday, April 11, 2011

LUFTHANSA flight 1697, leave PRAGUE at 7:10AM

Arrive in MUNICH at 7:55AM

LUFTHANSA flight 428, leave MUNICH at 11:40AM

Arrive in CHARLOTTE at 3:35PM on Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Your Vineyards of the Danube travel route through Central Europe

Incantato Impressions: Danube river cruise

Floating Hotel on the Danube: MS Amalyra, a four-star boutique vessel

Built in 2009, 360 feet long and 38 feet wide - that could be your home on the Danube river during your performance tour 2011 from Budapest to Vilshofen. The MS Amalyra was designed and built in Holland by Europe's best ship builders and under the watchful eyes of Europe's top Caterers. There are 2 lounges located on the Upper Deck from which you can enjoy panoramic river views, the Panorama Lounge which accommodates up to 150 passengers, and the smaller Adagio Lounge in the Aft of the ship, which can also be reserved for group meetings. A wellness area is located in the aft area of the Violin Deck. This generously designed space includes a glassed-in fitness room, massage and beauty salon. Each ship has an elevator, which very few river cruise ships feature. The onboard culinary staff offers menus comprised of soups, fresh produce, high quality choice cut meats, and fresh fish and seafood. Start your day with a breakfast buffet and choose from a rich assortment of breads, croissants and pastries, a variety of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, and smoked salmon. In the evening, be the guest for an elegant dinner or a traditional theme night with a feast of regional specialties.

Czech Republic: Nation of Beer