Princeton Class of 1969

Germany Mini-Reunion

General Information

Our next Class of ’69 mini-reunion will be staged from Wiesbaden as we explore the castles, history and vineyards of the spectacular Rhine and Lahn River Valleys. A huge ’69 locomotive goes out to David and Étel Fisher who will be our hosts and have organized the core itinerary. We are also exceptionally fortunate that Michael Jennings, Class of 1900 Professor of Modern Languages and Chair of Princeton’s distinguished Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures has agreed to be our principal intellectual leader and oenological advisor. Mike has also offered to lead a 3-day prequel to the main event in which he introduces us to Berlin, in his words, the most interesting city in Europe today. Those who still thirst for more can participate in the after-party – a scenic train ride into Bavaria to experience Oktoberfest in Munich. Both the Berlin and Munich extensions are optional.

If you’ve been on any of our mini-reunions you know that they always have a theme, and this one is Back to the Roots of Old Nassau. One might wonder what Princeton has to do with the Rhine valley but actually our alma mater has deep roots in this area. It has been a fault line in European history since Roman times. In 9 A.D. a Teutonic chieftain named Arminius destroyed three Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest. After that Rome never again tried to extend its power into the territory of the Germanic tribes. Mainz across the Rhine from Wiesbaden was an important Roman base but in the Taunus Mountains behind Wiesbaden lies the limes (Latin for imperial boundary) where Roman power ended. The natural hot springs in Wiesbaden have made it a spa since Roman times. Aristocrats from all over Europe traditionally came to Wiesbaden "to take the waters" alleged to cure all manner of ailment (still an option for participants of the mini-reunion). This is what Dostoyevsky was doing when he lost his money in the Wiesbaden casino which inspired him to write The Gamblers. A millennium after the fall of the Western Roman Empire the limes divided the parts of Europe that opted for the Reformation from those that stayed loyal to Rome. Wiesbaden and Mainz were on the front line of the religious wars, Wiesbaden being the Protestant capital of Nassau and Mainz being the seat of the archbishop elector of the Holy Roman Empire. This theme unites many of the places we will be visiting. Nassau was, of course, the original castle of the House of Nassau that eventually produced Prince William of Orange-Nassau but Worms also is part of this story because that is where the imperial diet condemned Luther. During this trip we will be learning much about the history of many of the issues that exercised Princeton's founders.

The shared costs for the trip will be approximately $2,300 per person, double occupancy, which includes hotels outside of Wiesbaden (4 nights), all lunches and dinners, bus and boat costs, intellectual leadership, local venue and guide costs, communications support, emergency medical insurance and of course the wine tastings. By signing up you accept that the final shared costs could be slightly more or less. The final number will depend to some extent on how many people participate. In addition, each participant is responsible to arrange air fare and hotels in Wiesbaden (3 of the 7 nights in the core schedule). Economy non-stop round-trip air fare from major east coast points to Frankfurt is presently about $800-$1,000. A range of hotels in the Wiesbaden spa district is included as one of the quick links at the top of the page. The total cost of economy air fare, mid-priced hotels in Wiesbaden and incidental meals and expenses should be in the range of $1,400 to $1,600 per person, double occupancy, basis arrival Monday, September 16 and departure Monday, September 23. It can be done for a bit less, and of course you can spend a lot more on air fares and hotels if you’re so inclined. The premium for a single traveler in a separate hotel room will be in the neighborhood of $100-150 per night and the registration procedure provides for single travelers to request a roommate.

A $250 per person deposit is required with registration. The balance will be called for mid-to-late summer. At this point we have a high level of confidence in the arrangements for this exciting trip. If for any reason it becomes necessary to cancel, the unexpended part of the deposits will be refunded. But all participants should know that expenditures are required beginning almost immediately and we can make no assurance about refund of deposits in the event of cancellation. If you withdraw from the trip a full refund will be guaranteed only if we can fill your slot(s). We will, of course, make best efforts to accommodate any personal hardships that arise unexpectedly.

As with our previous minis, once registration is in hand we will be sending out periodic bulletins with information of interest and various further requirements. We will also announce arrangements for the Berlin and Munich side-trips, including details on the excellent German rail system. However for advanced planning we expect to arrange transport directly from our last hotel in the Rheingau to the airport on Monday September 23 for those wishing to fly home that day.

• We are limited to a maximum of 50 by the bus and the accommodations at several of the hotels and restaurants we will visit. Each classmate may sign up for a maximum of two spots unless we find that we have excess capacity.

• Registration here on the Class website is strongly recommended since based on the survey it is possible that the trip will fill up quickly. Just read the Terms and Conditions below, then click on the Register Online button at the top of this page.  NOTE: as you register online, make sure you complete the process all the way through to a PayPal confirmation.  If you run into a problem, please call Ken Mertz at (610) 648-0655 to ensure that you're placed on the list.

• You may also sign up by printing, completing and returning the registration form with your deposit check to our registrar Ken Mertz at the address on the form. The sign-up priorities will be set by time of registration on the website or receipt of the mailed registration form with deposit check. Mailed registrations that arrive before noon on March 27 will be counted as having arrived at that time.

• If the trip becomes fully subscribed we will build an ordered wait list using the same procedures. Deposits for wait-listed folks who cannot ultimately be accommodated will be fully refunded. You may withdraw from the wait-list and receive a refund at any time.

• When registration opens on March 27, Ken Mertz will begin sending out e-mails confirming registrations. Once you receive a confirmation it is recommended that you book your hotel in Wiesbaden promptly for the nights of September 16 – 18 and any additional nights that you may wish to stay in Wiesbaden. The International Automobile Trade Fair is in Frankfurt the week of our mini-reunion and most hotels in the Frankfurt-Wiesbaden region are likely to be fully booked.

• Be sure to indicate your interest in the Berlin and Munich extensions when you register. This information is important for further planning. Also, single travelers should indicate if they would like to be matched with a roommate.

1. Sponsorship: This trip is arranged by the Princeton University Class of 1969 as a convenience to classmates and their families. The Class is not in the business of arranging tours. It is not sponsored by nor is it connected in any way with Princeton University.

2. Medical Information: Participation in this trip requires that you be in generally good health. Participants are advised that the itinerary entails a substantial amount of walking, some of which is fairly strenuous. It is essential that persons with any medical problems or dietary restrictions make them known to us well before departure. The Class has the right disqualify or limit the participation of any participant at any time during the trip if we feel the participant is physically incapable and/or if a participant's continued participation will jeopardize either the individual involved or the group. There will be no refund given under these circumstances.

3. Cost Fluctuation: The costs given on the registration form and accompanying material are given in good faith but are budgetary. Participants acknowledge that final costs may be more or less than those indicated.

4. Itinerary Changes and Trip Delay: The itinerary is based on information available at the time of the registration mailing and is subject to change. The Class reserves the right to change the program's staff, itineraries, or accommodations as conditions warrant. If the trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which the Class cannot make provision, the cost of delays or changes is not included.

5. Cancellation: The Class reserves the right to cancel this trip before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants or logistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God, or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All unexpended trip payments received will be refunded, and this refund will be the limit of the liability of the Class. The Class is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including nonrefundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

6. Force Majeure: The Princeton University Class of 1969, and its Officers and Agents give notice that they assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss, or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the participants.

On advancement of deposit to the Class, the depositor acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the above recited terms and conditions, and agrees to be bound by them.