On our Christmas Magic Rail Tour in Germany & Austria, feel the magic of the season at Christmas Markets in Germany & Austria: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Wurzburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Salzburg.
Visit the Royal Castles, Neuschwanstein Castle (near Fussen), and Linderhof Palace (near Garmisch-Partenkirchen), the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg, Nymphenburg Palace and the Residences in Wurzburg and Munich. Enjoy the English-speaking tour with the Night-Watchman in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the famous Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg. And in all of the places you find world-famous Christmas Markets to visit: from small markets in medieval settings (e.g., “Reiterlesmarkt” in Rothenburg ob der Tauber) to very popular and large Markets with millions of visitors each year (e.g., “Christkindlesmarkt” in Nuremberg). The “Christmas Magic Rail Tour” includes second class rail tickets and well-rated hotels (see the tableau; this is already included in the price of your tour). There is an option to upgrade to 1st-class rail for the long-distance train rides. This is just an extra of US $ 179 per person and includes seat reservations! ! And since you will get into the Alps (near Salzburg and Neuschwanstein Castle), there is a good chance of a “white Christmas feeling”! Here you also find everything else that is included: transfers, rail tickets, tours, and admissions.
Price per Person
two sharing a double room | one in a single room | three sharing a triple room |
US $ 1,549 | US $ 2,299 | US $ 1,479 |
Would you like to submit your personal information so we can check availability for your specific travel dates for this beautiful tour? On our BOOKING INQUIRY page you find a form which you may use to forward your personal information:
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Day 1 Frankfurt Int. Airport /Wurzburg
Take a train from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg. The city is idyllically located in the midst of vineyards, with the medieval Fortress Marienberg towering above. Wurzburg is an old bishop’s seat and a lively town, proudly showcasing monuments of different eras. Culture, art, history, and hospitality are ever-present in this remarkable city! Fortress Marienberg (admission included), Wurzburg’s landmark, has of course changed its appearance a great deal since it was first mentioned. Today, the oldest part of the fortress is the “Rundkirche” (round church), which was built in the year 1000. The Cathedral, the Marienkapelle, the “Alte Mainbrucke” (old bridge across the river Main), the Juliusspital, and the “Kapelle” are musts, but make sure that you do not miss out on the “Furstbischofliche Residenz“, Prince Bishops Residence (admission included). This “Palace above all Palaces” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Enjoy the beautiful Christmas Market in Wurzburg. The market in Wurzburg is very atmospheric; the wooden stalls are decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments! If you do not have dinner at the Christmas Market, you will find typical Franconian restaurants in Wurzburg’s Old Town that serve hearty cuisine and, of course, the world-famous Frankenwein (Franconian white wine).
Day 2 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
By regional rail, you will get from Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The Bavarian medieval town is definitely a highlight along your tour. Your charming hotel is located in the Old Town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (within the City Wall). Taking a walk through this charming little town is truly a journey back in time. Rothenburg ob der Tauber was once a powerful free imperial town, and its monuments, landmarks, and buildings still bear witness to these days. Marvel at the half-timbered buildings and on top of the historic town walls, which have been withstanding time for hundreds of years. Visit the town’s most famous spot, the Ploenlein Square, probably the most photographed place in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Also very interesting to see is the Spitalbastei Gate, created by Leonhard Weidmann. The Latin inscription on the gate reading: ” Peace to those who enter, health to those who leave”. The Gothic St. James Church is the town’s most prominent church. Here, you can take a minute and relax in quietness while you enjoy the beauty of the famous Altar of the Holy Blood and the Twelve Apostles Altar. Rothenburg ob der Tauber also offers museums that are cultural highlights, such as the Doll and Toy Museum, where the history of playthings is shown, as well as the Crime Museum, where the visitor gets an insight into the law and especially its execution during the last 700 years. Before you join the English-speaking tour with the Night-Watchman (a true highlight—already included in the price of this holiday package), visit the charming Christmas Market (Reiterlesmarkt), which is located in front of the historic Town Hall.
Day 3 Nuremberg
By rail, it takes less than 1,5 hours from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Nuremberg. Your hotel is located within walking distance of Nuremberg Central Station, (which is located just outside the Old City Wall surrounding Nuremberg Old Town and the Imperial Castle). Nuremberg’s history reaches back to the year 1050; its name “nourenberc” translates into “rocky hill”. Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the “Kaiserburg” (Imperial Castle), towers above the Old Town, which is protected by the five-kilometer-long city wall. Many towers and gates can still be visited. The medieval castle is one of the most important imperial palaces, dating from the middle ages of the 11th century (admission included). In the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party had chosen Nuremberg for their Nazi Rallies and if you are interested in that part of history, you may want to visit the Documenation Center Nazi Rally Grounds which are located just south of the Old Town.
When exploring the beauty of Nuremberg’s medieval Old Town, you may want to start right at the Koenigstor (“Kingsgate”), which is the gate right across from Nuremberg Central Station. From where the timber-framed buildings, the Gothic Church of St. Lawrence and the Church of St. Sebaldus can be easily reached by foot. Right next to the Koenigstor is the Handwerkerhof (craft center). Here, you will feel like you are back in the medieval times, there are craft workshops like they used to have a long time ago, as well as a gingerbread bakery. The “Christkindles Markt” (Christ Child’s Market) in Nuremberg is among the most famous Christmas Markets in Germany. Held on Hauptmarkt Square, one can enjoy the delicious Nuremberg Bratwurst while marveling at the beautifully decorated stalls offering local and traditional handicrafts and specialties in a medieval atmosphere.
Day 4 Munich
On board of the High-Speed train “ICE” it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Nuremberg to Munich. The price of your tour already includes a ticket for unlimited free use of public transportation within Munich (also to Munich Int. Airport) as well as admission to many sights in Munich (Munich Residence and Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain). With your tour package, you will also receive walking suggestions for a self-guided walking tour through Munich City Center. Along this walking tour, you will visit the Marienplatz with the New Town Hall (with the “Glockenspiel”), the Konigsplatz (King’s Square), a cultural center in the 19th century, and later, during the “Third Reich”, site of Nazi Party mass rallies and location of the Nazi Party headquarters in Germany, the English Garden, as well as the State Opera House. You will be able to visit famous churches like Munich Frauenkirche, “Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), with a height of 325 ft. a Munich landmark, St. Peters Church, built in the 14th century, and the Asam Church, which was built as a private chapel and integrated into an apartment building. The tour will pass by the most famous Munich shopping streets (Kaufinger Street and Neuhauser Street) as well as by the “Viktualienmarkt”, a traditional farmers market (open every day except on Sundays). The tour will take you by the famous “Alois Dallmayr” luxury delicatessen and coffee store, as well as to the Hofbrauhaus, of course, probably the world’s most popular beer hall. This may be a great place to enjoy a hearty dinner and a fresh mass of beer (one mug holds 33.8 US fl oz)! Make sure to return to the Marienplatz in Munich Old Town in the evening—when it gets dark outside and all the lights are turned on. The Christmas Market in Munich has been located at the Marienplatz Square since the 14th century.
Day 5 Day trip to Salzburg
By High-Speed Rail (e.g., “Rail Jet”) you will travel from Munich to Salzburg. Depending on the train you choose from Munich, you may have time for some sightseeing in Salzburg before you join the (English-speaking) most unique 4-hour Sound of Music tour at 2 p.m. This tour is an ideal opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp whilst taking in local historical sights both from the city of Salzburg and also the picturesque Lakes and Mountains region along the way. Your tour will end around 6 p.m. at the Mirabellplatz, from where it is a short 5 minute walk through the lovely Mirabellgarden down to the river Salzach. Across from the river, you find the oldest part of Salzburg, with Mozart’s Birthplace, the Residence, and the funicular going up to Fortress Hohensalzburg. Along the “Getreidegasse”, you find many shops as well as restaurants for dinner. Or you grab something to eat at Salzburg’s wonderful Christmas Market. It was first mentioned in the 15th century—a very scenic market with a long tradition! Located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and around the Cathedral, the Salzburg Christmas Market offers many different crafts, local specialties, and other Christmas items. In the evening—at your convenience—take the high-speed train back to Munich.
Day 6 Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles
Another highlight of your Europe Rail Tour will be a visit to the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle. You will be on an all-day escorted coach tour that will first take you to Oberammergau for a photo stop (you may want to take a look at the Festival Hall, where the Passion Play takes place every ten years). The coach will then take you to Linderhof Palace, the Royal Villa of King Ludwig II. The Palace and Park were inspired by Versailles, and the rooms are gorgeously decorated and furnished. After a short drive through Austria and back into Germany, you will get to Neuschwanstein Castle. The picture of Neuschwanstein is probably present in everybody’s mind, and Neuschwanstein really seems to be taken out of a fairy tale. You will join an English-speaking guided tour through the castle. The tour of the interior, the Throne Hall, the Hall of the Singers, the Grotto and all of the private rooms which were built for King Ludwig II, will complete the picture! After the tour of the inside, make sure to take some time to explore the castle grounds. The view of Neuschwanstein from the bridge behind the castle is like no other! Your luxury coach will take you back to Munich, where you will arrive in time for dinner and/or another visit to the Munich Christmas Market!
Day 7 Heidelberg
In about 3, hours the Speed-Train InterCity (IC) will take you directly from Munich to the romantic city of Heidelberg. Since the central station in Heidelberg is a little bit outside of the Old Town, the tour already includes a taxi transfer to your hotel, which is located in the historic heart of Heidelberg.
Your tour package includes a suggestion for a walking tour through the Old Town. A “must do”—of course—is a visit of the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which is idyllically towering above the Old Town and located at the Neckar River. If you do not want to take the walk up, there is also a mountain train that you could take. From the castle, you have a beautiful view over the city and the Neckar River. The Heidelberg Christmas Market is held on seven squares around the Old Town, featuring those typical stalls displaying Christmas handicrafts, local specialties, and an ice rink. Enjoy a perfect Christmas Market setting in Heidelberg: a splendid view of the illuminated Castle towering above thousands of lights coming from the Christmas Market located in this beautiful setting. The historic Old Town is a lively city with many students living there. In your tour information sheets, you will find a recommendation for where to go for a typical dinner.
Day 8 Frankfurt
By train, you will get from Heidelberg to Frankfurt, and maybe it would be nice to visit “Alt-Sachsenhausen“, where you find many restaurants and the famous apple-wine taverns, like “Wagner” or “Das gemalte Haus”. In Sachsenhausen Schellgasse 6, you will also find Frankfurt’s oldest timber-framed house, which was built around 1291. For sightseeing in Frankfurt, your tour includes the Frankfurt Card. The card offers a variety of discounts for sightseeing and admissions, as well as unlimited free use of public transportation within Frankfurt as well as for the train from Frankfurt Main Station to Frankfurt Int. Airport). Frankfurt is a very modern metropolis that nevertheless offers many historic sites, such as the Romerberg with its town hall, the “Romer“, as well as the beautifully restored timber-framed houses, of course the Goethe Haus where the world-famous poet once lived, and the Paulskirche, a symbol for democracy and freedom in Germany. The Frankfurt Museum Riverbank is one of the most important locations for museums in Germany and Europe. The exhibition buildings are lined up on both sides of the Main Riverbank, and several famous museums are to be found in the city center. Visit the “Städel”, the German Museum of Architecture, as well as the Museum of Applied Art, or the “Schirn Kunsthalle”, to name only a very few. Don’t miss out on Frankfurt’s “Zeil“, a huge pedestrian zone where shopping is the name of the game.
Frankfurt’s Christmas Market is one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Germany, with its beginnings reaching back to the year 1393. The location on Roemerberg Square is very romantic, and the market attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Advent concerts and trumpet-playing from the tower of St. Nicholas’s Church are part of the daily program.
Day 9 Frankfurt Int. Airport
Today your tour ends after breakfast. Depending on your flight schedule you may have some more time for sightseeing in Frankfurt. The train only takes about 10 minutes from Frankfurt Main Station to Frankfurt International Airport.
Would you like to download an overview of the 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04) as a pdf to print it out or to forward it to a friend? Please download it right here:This is already included in the price of your tour
Day 1 - Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg/ Wurzburg | Unrestricted train ticket from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg (travel time about 1:30 hrs) | Hotel Wurzburger Hof (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Wurzburg Central Station | Admission to the Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress (open March 16th to October, closed on Mondays) |
Day 2 - Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber/ Rothenburg ob der Tauber | Train ticket from Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (travel time about an hour) | Romantik Hotel Markusturm (or similar if not available), located within the Old Town, right across from Rothenburg Central Station - 8 walking minutes) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Wurzburg, english speaking tour with the Night Watchman |
Day 3 - Rothernburg ob der Tauber to Nuremberg/ Nuremberg | Train ticket from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Nuremberg (travel time about an hour) | Hotel Victoria (or similar if not available), located within the Old Town, right across from Nuremberg Central Station - 3 walking minutes) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Admission to the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg, admission to the Deep Well and to the Sinwell Tower |
Day 4 - Nuremberg to Munich/ Munich | Train ticket from Nuremberg directly to Munich (travel time about 1:30 hrs), ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Munich | King´s First Class Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Nuremberg, Admission Residence Museum Treasury, Admission Cuvilliés-Theatre, Admission Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Admission Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Admission Marstallmuseum and Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain |
Day 5 - Day Trip to Salzburg/ Munich | Train ticket from Munich directly to Salzburg and back (travel time about 1:30 hrs one way) | King´s First Class Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, 4 hr Sound of Music tour |
Day 6 - Royal Castles/ Munich | no train ticket needed | King´s First Class Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, All day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau and to the Royal Castles - Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, Admission Neuschwanstein Castle (Hohenschwangau), Admission Linderhof Palace & Park (Ettal) |
Day 7 - Munich to Heidelberg/ Heidelberg | Train ticket from Munich directly to Heidelberg (travel time about 3:20 hrs) | Hotel Hollander Hof (or similar if not available), located in the Old Town (taxi transfer provided) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to your hotel in Heidelberg Old Town |
Day 8 - Heidelberg to Frankfurt | Train ticket from Heidelberg to Frankfurt (travel time about an hour) | Hotel Hamburger Hof (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Frankfurt Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Heidelberg, taxi transfer from your hotel in Heidelberg Old Town to Heidelberg Central Station, 2 Day Frankfurt Card |
Day 9 - Frankfurt Central Station to Frankfurt Int. Airport/ Frankfurt Int. Airport | Frankfurt Card for free use of public transportation as well as for the train from Frankfurt Central Statiohn to Frankfurt Int. Airport | no hotel needed | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Frankfurt, 2 Day Franfkurt Card |
The tour package we provide includes a day by day itinerary as well as all tickets, vouchers and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. It also contains general information about the cities you visit which you can downloaded from our website once your tour is confirmed.
This is not included in the price of your tour
- Airfare from/to your origin to/from Frankfurt International Airport
- all meals other than breakfast (which is included)
- gratuities (tips)
You have booked the tour already and would like to download the to-europe tour package for this tour now? Please download them right here:
CHRISTMAS MAGIC 1ST-CLASS RAIL TOUR Dear Michaela and Thomas, I am home now from my trip to Germany and Austria. Lucy and I had a wonderful time and your tremendous organization of our train tour was so appreciated. It all went well and we loved Germany and Austria – enjoyed it immensely! The Christmas markets gave such atmosphere and the scenery of the Alps Palace tour and Salzburg were unforgettable. Must try and learn some German before I return. Would love to do another trip with you in the future so must keep in touch. Once again a big thank you for everything. Merry Christmas – Anna R., Adelaide, South Australia
We are fortunate to have travelers from all over the world on our pre-packaged tours and we would love to have your feedback! If you have been traveling along this tour with us please leave us a review below – we greatly appreciate your time! (your Email address will not be displayed)
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An excellent way to have hassle-free independent travel. All arrangements were well thought out with our input. Hotels were always centrally located and close enough to railways to be walkable. All communications were prompt and competently answered. I would definitely use this company again and would recommend to other independent travelers!
A long overdue huge Thank You to Thomas and the entire staff at To-Europe for a marvelous Christmas Marketplaces tour. From the first time I contacted them to obtain information about the trip to my last email upon my return they were always wonderful to work with, very responsive and on top of those little unexpected things that could have become problems. Like snowstorms and train strikes. It was truly one of my best trips ever. And I would without a doubt use them for any future trips. And I recommend them to everyone I tell about the trip. The whole experience exceeded my expectations.
Our customized Christmas Market tour was amazing. Thomas and his crew not only made the modifications we requested but were there for us throughout the trip. They made suggestions to our itinerary that worked better than we anticipated. On one day they dealt with a canceled train due to 17" of snow in Munich., On another day they found a train for us that was still running when the rail workers called a strike on the day before we were to travel. We were a bit apprehensive being "on our own" without a group to travel with, but in reality, found it so much better. Not having to rush to be back on a boat or bus by a fixed time to be herded from place to place is so freeing. The hotels were great and always a short walk to train station. While the Markets were similar, each town was different and so were the opportunities to explore their differences as you wished. Thomas and crew had the local transportation passes and information that we needed to experience what we wanted. One day we did a half day trip from Munich to experience Dachau. When we plan our next trip to Europe we will be using To-Europe.
Once again you made our dreams come true. Our trip was amazing and it was all because you took such care down to the last detail. We appreciate to-Europe and will be back gin for more adventures in the future.
Having been the "Tour Director" for extended family vacations in Europe, I really enjoyed having someone else taking care of the details. The only glitches we ran into was the railroad deciding not to run our trains into and out of Heidelberg. (The conductor and information booth worker happily helped us figure out how to make the itinerary work.)
Michaela did a great job customizing our tour (taking out the day seeing the castles as we had been there before), replacing it with a day trip to Cologne (Four fun Christmas Markets).
In each of the cities the hotels were well appointed and convenient to everything we wanted to see. We also didn't read the Germany free entry/lower cost brochure first and paid for the first castle in Wurzburg.
The trains really do allow you to see more of the cities without the hassle of figuring out where to park (or spending hours on the highway).
I highly recommend their service, and would not hesitate to use them again.
Very grateful to Michaela for taking care of everything. Loved being able to hand tickets to a train conductor with the confidence that nothing had been messed up! It was so nice to focus on my journey and to enjoy the hotel choices and tour suggestions of a company that had clearly done their homework. Everything I was hoping for in terms of this vacation. In addition, some other members of my family saw how helpful I found this service, that they asked if Michaela could provide them with some extra tour tickets and train tickets, unrelated to my family's journey. She took care of that as well, and even priced it separately. Wonderful service, highly recommend. Thank you, To Europe!
Let me start by saying I was VERY nervous about letting a travel consultant make all of our plans. It quickly became apparent that there was nothing to worry about - they take care of EVERYTHING!
Our trip was nothing short of magical. Each Market was unique and the tours where spectacular.
Michaela, Petra and Thomas were exemplary in communications and answer questions. I probably drove them a little crazy with questions before leaving but they were extremely responsive, professional and helpful.
We really had no issues while traveling that required us to contact To-Europe. Everything was taken care of!
I would not hesitate to use them again!
We went on the Magical Christmas Market tour in December 2019. The service we received was excellent. The staff are thoughtful and considerate. Hotels were great and at unbelievable locations. We had a great time. Thank you!
I've never been on a guided or self-guided tour before, so to give up control was difficult for me. We thought this would be the best way to see the Christmas markets and this tour was the right choice. We wanted to concentrate on seeing the German markets, but it was a bonus to go to Salzburg too. The whole trip was absolutely perfect and everything they said in the brochure happened and without a hitch. We expected issues around train schedules, getting to the hotels or not being able to have a voucher. Everything was at our first hotel. The only bummer is I didn't read the Germany free entry/lower cost brochure first and paid for the first castle in Wurzburg. The team at To-Europe were so helpful both on the phone and email. I highly recommend this tour if you want to take the stress out of figuring out where to go and stay. 100% percent perfect trip!
This was our first trip with the company. We were used to bus tours. However, our time on the trains was fantastic. It was a new experience for us. The tour was so well organized. It all went off without a problem for us. Everyone we met along the way was so friendly and helpful. The hotels were beautiful--very nice people. They were all located within an easy walk from the station. Breakfasts were so nicely set with lots of choices. We felt special!!!! The Night Watchman tour was interesting...so glad it was included. The 2 bus tours were a welcome change from the markets --they gave us an opportunity to sit back and listen. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute!! Of course, the markets were spectacular--festive, colorful, fun, busy. We were amazed at the tremendous organization of this entire trip--the vouchers were easy to use. We recommend this tour--and recommend the company.
My sisters and I enjoyed our time on the Christmas Magic Rail tour in December of 2018. This was our first time traveling international and To Europe made it so easy to enjoy our time in Germany and Austria. We loved every minute! It was wonderful to have our accommodation and transportation arranged for us in every city, enabling us to focus more on sightseeing. Each hotel was conveniently located and we found the rooms to be comfortable and the staff very friendly and helpful. The walking directions and information provided about each city were a great resource and really helped us make the most of our time there, especially since we had a limited amount of time in each city. We would have loved to spend more time in each place we visited but we appreciated that the organization of this tour allowed us to maximize our time in the country. The markets were all amazing and each of the activities included in the tour package helped make our experience even more enjoyable. It was great to have contact with someone in the country both before and during our trip to answer any questions we had. We would not hesitate to recommend To Europe to anyone looking to travel in Europe, and we definitely use them again. Thank you to the entire To Europe team for helping us have and incredible and memorable vacation!
Trip overall very good. Markets fantastic. Just too many cities in such a short time. Lots of stairs so be prepared. Great customer support . Hotels close to stations as well as mainly in old towns so not far to go for sights and markets. Would certainly recommend tour for anyone who doesn't want a follow the guide type trip, gives lots of freedom for personal choice.
Last week was my first trip to Germany and To Europe made it one of the most enjoyable vacations I have had. It was so nice to have all the transportation and hotels taken care of ahead of time. This gave me more time to focus on what I would like to get out and do! The hotels were all very nice and located extremely close to the rail stations, which made it so convenient to grab breakfast and head on to the next location in the mornings. Before my trip, the To Europe team gave amazing customer support when I had a few questions. You never felt like you were dealing with a company, more like a friend. Also included in the tour were taxi vouchers for one stop and a museum/tour pass which got me into a few places, some for free and some at a discount. I would have never known about this on my own, so I am grateful it was included. Finally, the walking tour suggestions, direction sheets, and included tours and markets made this an amazing trip! I am highly recommending To Europe to my friends and will most definitely look to them in the future when I am traveling.
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