SOCIAL TOURS

A total of four Social Tours were planned. They highlightd special points of interest within the Munich vicinity. Since the social tours have a limited capacity tickets were allocated on an first-come-first-served basis.

S1 The Monastery of Andechs (F�nfseenland)
Monday, May 10, 12:00 h - 17:00 h
departure from the MOC
Participants were guests at the Holy Mountain of Andechs where they toured one of the most famous monasteries in Bavaria (built 1455 by Duke Albrecht III from Bavaria). This is also the grave site of the famous composer Carl Orff. Here each summer his amazing works are performed at a festival held in his honour. Just as famous is the strong beer brewed by the local monks. Participants enjoyed sampling a glass or two following a tour of the brewery.

S2 The Porcelain Factory of Nymphenburg
Tuesday, May 11, 14:00 - 17:00 h
The Porcelain Factory of Nymphenburg has been in operation since 1747. For over 250 years artists have created some of the world�s finest porcelain here � it is even rated higher than Meissen porcelain by connoisseurs and collectors � all hand made. First the raw materials are mixed, kneaded and hand spun into plates and other objects. After they have been fired, the pieces are individually decorated with delicate flowers and/or elaborate designs � and then embellished with 24 carat gold leaf and finally polished. Participants had the unique opportunity (normally only reserved for State visitors) to peek behind the walls of this factory which is officially registered as a historic monument. Eighty men and women, including among others, turners, sculptors and artists, work here to create these unmistakable works of art, each of which is adorned with the Bavarian coat of arms and crowned with a royal �F�. Following the guided tour and a stroll through the factory gift shop, visitors had an opportunity to visit a museum displaying an elaborate collection of Nymphenburg porcelain in the adjacent Marstall Palace. (Unaccompanied).

S3 The Haus der Kunst Museum
Exhibition �Meisterwerke der Klassischen Moderne�
Haus der Kunst, Prinzregentenstra�e 1
Tuesday, May 11, 18:00 - 20:00 h
One of the nation�s best known and most innovative museum directors, Christoph Vitali, personally escorted us through the Haus der Kunst (The House of Art). Here visitors observed a special presentation of the Joseph M�ller collection entitled �Modern Classic Masterpieces.� In addition to this, Mr. Vitali told participants of the history of the museum building and provide us with background information on his work.

S4 Meet the Fugger Family
Wednesday, May 12,
9:00 h, departure from MOC and hotels,
returning around 16:30 h
A one-day tour for approximately 30 persons traveled to Augsburg, the home of the renowned Fugger family. The Bavarian-Swabing lineage which spawned the Fugger clan literally wrote world history between 1400 and 1600.

The story of the Fuggers is the tale of a symbiosis between royal politics and money. Thanks to their fabulous wealth, the Fuggers were able to influence events of their day as if Europe were a chess board and they held all the best pieces � emperors, kings, popes, etc. � in the palm of their hands.

Participants toured the length and breadth of this beautiful, famous city which has retained much of its Middle Age charm. The first highlight was a tour, personally conducted by its administrator, Graf von Hundt, of the world�s oldest social community, the so-called Fuggerei. It was founded by Jakob Fugger in 1521. Afterwards participants visited one of the Fugger palaces. Following lunch at the Fuggerstuben in Kirchheim participants visited the Zedern Hall at the palace of Duchess Angela Fugger-Glott. Here we enjoyed the tour�s second highlight: an intimate concert which clearly demonstrates the superb acoustics of the Zedern Hall. Guests returned to their hotels at around 16:30 h that afternoon.