Preparations are well under way for our tour to the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. Our German hosts have been very cooperative and helpful, and that makes our job in providing you with the best possible travel experience that much easier.

The track venue is the renovated and historic 1936 Olympic stadium---surely one of the world’s most attractive and very best venues for track & field. The convenient subway system will make our access to the stadium quick and easy.

There are two benefits to using the U- or S-Bahn: 1) tour members can go and come as they please; they don’t have to conform to predetermined bus schedules; and 2) the tour cost can be kept reasonable, since hiring buses for nine days can be an expensive proposition.

The mix of modern and traditional architecture, the fine and varied restaurant fare, the museums and monuments---if you’re so inclined, you’ll find something fascinating, informative and/or entertaining to do in Berlin every day.

THE COMPETITION SCHEDULE

There will be nine straight days of competition as in recent versions of the World Championships from August 15 through 23. The schedule includes 5 morning sessions, which run from 10 am until approximately 1 pm, evening sessions are scheduled generally from 6:00 pm until 9:45 pm.

In contrast to most previous World Championships, the marathons and walks will start and finish at the Brandenburg Gate, rather than in the stadium. The loop courses have been designed to show off Berlin’s attractions and make the events accessible to the public.

TICKETS

The tour package includes tickets to all of the track and field sessions. Our seat locations, for the most part, will be on the backstretch opposite the finish line.

HOTELS AND PROJECTED TOUR PRICES

We have two great city center hotels confirmed: the 5-star Hilton on Gendarmenmarkt Square and the 4-star Maritim ProArte on Friedrichstrasse. We have also obtained an economy hotel—Art'otel Berlin Kudamm. Both the Hilton and the Maritim are located in the city’s historical and cultural center (Berlin-Mitte) in what was once East Berlin. They are within walking distance of many of Berlin’s main attractions including the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden boulevard, Friedrichsstrasse, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag (parliament building), Museum Island (five state museums, including the Pergamon, on an island in the Spree river), along with a wealth of shops and restaurants. The hotels are all on subway lines with direct routes (no changes) to the stadium.

The Hilton, double occupancy---$4,175 per person
The Hilton, single occupancy---$5,425
The Maritim, double occupancy---$3,875 per person
The Maritim, single occupancy---$4,725
The Art’Otel, double occupancy---$3,495 per person
The Art’Otel, single occupancy---$4,290

WHAT THE TOUR INCLUDES

The basic tour dates are arrival on August 13 and departure on August 24. It’s an 11-night tour with the following tentative itinerary:

August 13: arrive Berlin, Thursday
August 14: half day city tour, evening welcome reception
August 15 - 23: track and field competition (nine evening sessions, 5 morning sessions).
Date TBD: gala luncheon with invited guests and athletes (to be held on a day with no morning track competition)
August 24: depart Berlin, Monday

The tour will include:
• 11-nights hotel accommodation in Berlin (breakfast included)
• Prime tickets to all sessions
• Gala tour party with invited athletes and coaches
• Half-day city tour of Berlin
• Optional day trip to Potsdam
• Daily newsletter prepared by the Track & Field News editorial staff
• Airport transfers
• Tour accessories and literature

Not included: transAtlantic air or meals, other than daily breakfast or the gala tour luncheon.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TOURS

TOUR A: THREE SPLENDORED CAPITALS --- Budapest, Vienna, Prague

Three of Europe’s great cities---all with enormous historic, cultural, and architectural significance. Superb museums, palaces, cathedrals, restaurants---three of the most brilliant destinations in Europe.  Three days in each city.

Post-A
Same as Post-A in reverse: Three nights in Prague, August 24, 25, 26. Three in Vienna, August 27, 28, 29. Three nights in Budapest, August 30, 31, and September 1.  Return to USA on September 2.

Pre-A and Post-A include daily breakfast at the hotels, three city sightseeing tours, deluxe motorcoach transportation throughout, and a group escort. Projected price: $1775 per person double occupancy, $2350 single occupancy.

TOUR B: SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY --- Featuring Zurich’s famed Weltklasse meet

Post-B includes daily breakfast, three city sightseeing tours, Weltklasse tickets, deluxe motorcoach transportation throughout, visit to the IOC Museum, group escort throughout. Projected price $1,950 per person double occupancy, $2,400 single occupancy.  Note: this tour itinerary could be altered if there’s another convenient track meet available.

TO SIGN UP

Current deposit, $1500 per person. The cancellation penalty increases to $100 per person on August 31, 2008. Send to Track & Field News, 2570 El Camino Real, Suite 606, Mountain View, CA 94040. Or phone (650/948-8188) or fax (650/948-9445) and charge to M/C, Visa or Amex.