Come celebrate all things DANCE and More!
Ball-Fest in Bavaria!
Feb 1-8, 2026
8 days, 7 nights, 3 castles, 2 balls => 1 incredible trip!
Come join us as we celebrate "Fasching" season in Munich, a time when the city erupts in music, costumes, balls, and dance parties!
“Fasching” is the german term for “Carnival”, a period of merrymaking and feasting before the penitential season of Lent. The time is commonly associated with jesters, satire, and subverting the usual order of daily life, often leading to fun performances and whimsical merrymaking. Costumed parades and various types of balls, from elegant hotel events to masked gatherings, are central features.
Ball Fest in Bavaria is specifically designed for dancers who not only want to experience the whimsy and fun of Fasching's season in Bavaria, but who would also love to do so in the company of a fun group of like-minded fellow travel-adventurers!
During this fabulous week, we use Munich as our veritable playground -- exploring the city's beauty, enjoying unique dining opportunities, attending dance classes together, taking part in exchanges with other local dance schools, attending balls, and much more! At midweek, we travel to the southern Bavarian Alps to visit Mad King Ludwigs famous castle "Neuschwanstein" (the one Disney modeled their castle after), and spend time in Munich's famous thermal baths (the largest of their kind in Europe)
On Friday we attend the first of our two Fasching's balls at the famous Deutsches Theater in the heart of Munich, and on Saturday we culminate the week with a quintessentially fun & whimsical costume party at the beautiful "Kunstlerhaus" (Artist's House)-- Not to be missed!
*SPECIAL for 2026: Ball-Fest runs from Sun-Sun, Feb 1-8, 2026. If you have an opportunity to extend your stay in Munich for a few days, consider shifting into "swing" mode and joining Ari & Christine in Munich from Feb 12-16 for "Rock That Swing" (RTS), Europe's largest swing dance festival -- Not to be missed! (Please Note: Registration for Rock That Swing has not opened yet, but we will let you know when it does)
THE OFFICIAL "BALL-FEST" BALLS:
As a group, we will be attending the "Gaudeamus Ball" taking place at the Deutsches Theater on Friday, Feb 6th and the "Gauklerball" taking place at the Kunstlerhaus on Saturday, Feb 7th. These will be a delightful finish to our week of workshops and play (See details below). PLEASE NOTE: These Balls sell out quickly, so we need to get your payment in before Nov 30th to guarantee you a spot. Tickets for both balls are included in your Ball-Fest package.
BALL ATTIRE :
1) GAUDEAMUSBALL (Friday, Feb 6):
=> LADIES & GENTLEMEN: Evening wear is requested
*Gents, if you don't have a tuxedo, jacket and tie would be just fine.
2) GAUKLERBALL (Sat, Feb 7) The theme for the ball is "1001 Arabian Nights"
=> Come dressed in festive costumes becoming of the Arabian Nights theme, or if you don't have that kind of attire, for ladies, a semi formal/formal evening dress would be just fine; for gentlemen, a semi formal/formal suit or uniform would do just as well.
NOTE:
In order for us to ensure that you have tickets for both Balls, we encourage you to complete your registration by November 30th, 2025. This will provide enough time for our Europe team to purchase and collect the tickets as needed. While tickets ordered after November 30th cannot be guaranteed, we will do our best to get them for you regardless. Just be aware that these balls can sell out quickly once the box office opens. You will be refunded in full for any tickets which you paid for but could not be obtained.
---- [OPTIONAL] ADDITIONAL BALLS BEFORE BALL-FEST ----
There are several balls taking place just before Ball-Fest begins. These are:
1) Jan 29, 2026 (Thur): Ball der Sterne at the Deutsches Theater (Schwanthalerstraße 13, 80336 München) *Please note: This event is reputed to be more of a "show ball" than a "dance ball", with more emphasis placed on performances rather than on social partner dance opportunities (Details at: https://www.deutsches-theater.de/ball-der-sterne/). Entry from 7pm, Start 8pm
2) Jan 30, 2026 (Fri): Medizinerball at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof München (Promenadeplatz 6, 80333 München) (Details not available yet). Entry at 7:30pm.
3) Jan 30, 2026 (Fri): Ball Total at the Deutsches Theater (Schwanthalerstraße 13, 80336 München)(CLICK HERE for Ball Tickets). Entry from 7pm, Start 8pm.
There may be more balls announced as the time draws near -- We will update this site as we learn more. Keep checking back if you are interested in exploring these options.
PRICING:
The cost for this 8-day, 7-night dance adventure is per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy (unless otherwise noted for solo travelers).
The Early-Bird discount is good through Nov 30th, 2025. After that the price goes up $100 in each category. On Jan 1st, it goes up another $100 (on a space available basis), so be sure to sign up soon!
See the Deposit section below for payment methods.
If you are coming with someone who would like to join us for all of the social activities, but who does not dance, we also have a "Non-Dancer's package"
To keep our numbers balanced, single follows are encouraged to sign up with a single lead. If you can't find a single lead, sign up anyway and we can add you to the waiting list if needed.
We will assist in matching single roommates as needed.
A) BALL-FEST PRICING (Early Bird Special):
DANCER'S PACKAGE:
=> $2,295 shared room (double)
=> $3,295 solo room
INCLUDES: seven nights hotel with breakfast, all classes and workshops (10 hours), welcome dinner at a local traditional restaurant, farewell dinner, walking tour of Munich, entrance to Schloss Nymphenburg (Munich's residential palace), a 1-month German rail/metro pass (good Feb 1-29), tickets to Fri's & Sat's balls, entrance to Munich thermal baths, Neuschwanstein day trip (including entrance to Hohenschwangau castle), evening non-dance group activities during the week, fun group socials and adventures yet to be named.....
DOES NOT INCLUDE: airline/transportation, travelers insurance, outside meals, outside practices or dances
NON-DANCER'S PACKAGE
=> $1,995 shared room (double)
=> $2,995 solo room
INCLUDES: seven nights hotel with breakfast, welcome dinner at a local traditional restaurant, farewell dinner, walking tour of Munich, Entrance to Schloss Nymphenburg (Munich's residential palace), a 1-month German rail/metro pass (good Feb 1-29), entrance to Munich thermal baths, Neuschwanstein day trip (including entrance to Hohenschwangau castle), non-dance evening group activities during the week, fun group socials and adventures yet to be named.....
DOES NOT INCLUDE: dance classes, tickets to balls or other dance events, airline/transportation, travelers insurance, outside meals, outside practices or dances.
PLEASE NOTE:
We encourage you to register and pay for Ball-Fest in Bavaria by Nov 30, 2025 to ensure enough time for our organizers to purchase tickets for the Fri & Sat night balls. Tickets for any of the other balls outside of those offered for Ball-Fest (as well as to the Rock That Swing Festival) must be arranged on your own.
Tickets ordered after November 30th cannot be guaranteed. We will still do our best to get them for you, but these balls can sell out quickly once the box office opens. You will be refunded in full for any tickets you paid for but could not be obtained.
Tickets for the Balls will be given to you on the first day of Ball-Fest.
All prices are in US Dollars. If using Euros, currency conversion will automatically take place using this website.
DEPOSIT:
A $600 deposit is required to book your reservation. Please register and pay your deposit using the WeTravel registration page below. The remainder of your payment can be made either through WeTravel (with an added fee), or to Ari directly using one of the following methods:
WITHOUT A SURCHARGE
Venmo: (Send to @Ari-Levitt-1) The picture is of Ari lifting his dance partner. The last 4 digits of his phone are 9172. There is no surcharge for using Venmo.
Zelle: Send to: arilevitt@hotmail.com There is no surcharge for using Zelle
WITH A SURCHARGE
PayPal (Send to: arilevitt@hotmail.com). You will need to add a 3.5% PayPal fee to the final cost of the trip
WeTravel (in US, Canadian, or European funds). Simply complete your payment through this WeTravel site. **PLEASE NOTE: A 3.5% fee will automatically be added to your cost through WeTravel
REGISTRATION:
Please continue to the registration section below to register online. Simply select your package and click on the BOOK NOW button to register.
Partnering for the BallS:
Please note: while we do try to keep an even lead/follow balance, you do NOT need a partner to attend Ball-Fest in Bavaria. This is one of the main reasons we established this fabulous event -- so that solo dancers and couples coming to Munich will have partners to dance with! (Rest assured that we will be rotating partners throughout all of our classes and during our evening dance excursions, so again, no worries if you do not come with a partner).
If you do sign up as a single lead or follow, and we are imbalanced in your direction, your name will be put on a wait list until we can guarantee we have a matching lead/follow to keep the registration balanced. We will let you know when that happens and confirm with you by email that you are registered. In the meantime, your down-payment will hold your spot on the waitlist. If we can't get you off the waitlist, your downpayment will be fully refunded.
European Ball Etiquette:
Please be aware that outside of our official group activities, if you were planning to come on your own and attend a ball in Europe as a single person (or as a single couple), you should be aware of a few etiquette points.
First, at these kinds of events, guests will typically dance only with the partner they come with. That is to say, unlike some of the social dance parties you might have attended in the United States, at a formal European ball, the etiquette of partner exchange is generally not done. For this reason, we highly recommend coming to these balls with a partner in hand. (Again, if you are participating in Ball-Fest, this won't be a problem since we will be sharing partners throughout the evening).
If you have signed up for Ball-Fest but would like to attend one of the other balls not listed on our group events calendar (i.e., any of the optional balls), we highly recommend that you post your intentions on our "Waltz Week in Vienna" Facebook page and see if you can coordinate meeting up with other Ball-Fest participants there.
Hired Dance-Partnering Services (Taxi-Dancers):
Another option for single attendees to the non-Ball Fest balls is that some of the balls may help you arrange for a local taxi dancer to attend as your dance partner. Just be aware that this can be expensive. Hiring a dance escort means that you are responsible for all of their costs, including the ball ticket, tuxedo rental (if needed), transportation, meals/drinks, hiring stipend/fee, etc. That being said, ball escorts are typically charming people, lovely dancers, and enjoy being there as much as you do. If anything else, it's a wonderful way to meet a fellow dancer and get to learn more of their local culture and history first hand. Please contact the local ball committee (click on their web page link) to see if this option is available for that particular ball.
General:
Munich is magical in the winter, but it can also be pretty cold. There may be sunshine, but chances are equally high for icy winds, rain or even snow.
Average temperatures for February range from 25°F-38°F (-3°C to 3.5°C). So be prepared to take warm winter clothes with you, especially if you plan to have an extended walk around the city, and don't forget to bring comfortable and warm walking shoes.
Workshop/Classes:
Comfortable and practical clothing. You may want to bring a small towel. Deodorant is always appreciated! You may also want to bring a small water bottle and/or light snacks as needed.
The right shoes are important: We suggest choosing standard dancing shoes or shoes with leather soles for the waltz classes. Ladies - think about wearing comfortable shoes that are nice to your feet. Please avoid rubber soles and staining black soles during classes. Please also plan to bring your dance shoes separately from your street shoes (This will help avoid tracking dirt or mud onto the dance floor). If it's wet out, think about bringing an extra pair of socks to change into in case yours get wet.
Evenings/Practices:
We suggest avoiding jeans and too informal clothing for practices.
Balls:
Each ball posts it's own dress code. For the "Ball-Fest" balls, please refer to the dress code for that ball on our balls page. In general, however, we would suggest the following if you are choosing the formal wear option:
Ladies: We suggest wearing a long evening dress. While certain balls may specifically request 'floor-length', most of the dresses you'll see at the balls will fall below the knees. We also suggest wearing nylons or stockings, as you may not wish to have bare feet under a long evening dress. While the shoes should fit the gown, think about favoring medium-heel shoes that give you a comfortable feeling and are well broken in, as you will be wearing them for several hours while dancing and moving around.
Gentlemen: If you have a tailcoat and are eager to wear it on a special event - voilà. If you don't - black dinner jacket/tuxedo or tuxedo with bow tie are fine too. Black patent-leather shoes are never wrong.
Dance Shoes vs. Street Shoes:
If you are concerned about dancing in your street shoes, please feel free to bring a separate pair of dance shoes for your dancing comfort and pleasure. Of course, it's best if they also match your outfit.
Rentals, Purchases, Accessories*:
Munich has numerous shops for tuxedo or gown purchases or rentals, or for buying shoes, gloves, scarves, hats, ties, or other such accessories. If you are planning on going shopping, please remember to allow yourself plenty of time for any needed tailoring. Many hotels also offer in-house tailoring, cleaning, polishing or ironing services if needed.
*Personal Note: You should be warned that formal attire rentals or purchases can be quite expensive in Europe. You will definitely be better served by purchasing new or second-hand accouterments in your home town and bringing them with you. That way you can spend the bulk of your time in Munich touring, socializing and dancing (not shopping!)
How many dance classes will there be?
There will be 10+ hours of group private dance classes, plus many more opportunities for social dancing in the evenings at local dance venues and at the two Balls we will be attending over the weekend. Private lessons will also be available as time permits.
What dance styles will be taught during the classes?
The dance styles taught will be selected from among those that are typically played at the Balls. These may include, but are not limited to:
Viennese Waltz
Slow Waltz
Polka
Münchener Francaise
Swing
Foxtrot
Latin (mambo, cha cha)
Ballroom
Connection technique and styling
We will try to balance the classes between the various styles, combining the best of traditional Viennese ball forms with the latest American social dance styles that will leave you well-prepared for any ballroom dance to come.
Where are the classes held?
All classes will be held at the Vintage Club (Sonnenstraße 12b, 80331 München, Germany). The Vintage Club is run by Marcus & Barble who also organize Munich's Rock That Swing Festival which is taking place Feb 12-16, 2026. The studio is an easy walk from where we will be staying, just a few blocks from our hotel.
How large do you expect classes to be?
The number of participants for the Ball-Fest workshops will be limited, allowing us to keep the classes more intimate and the instruction personalized. Every effort will be made to maintain equal lead/follow balance.
At what level will classes be taught?
Ball-Fest dance classes are not for the absolute beginning dancer. Participants will be expected to know some basic dance steps and partnering skills (ie, be comfortable with beginning level waltz or social dance).
If this isn't you yet, not to worry! -- you have plenty of time between now and February to sign up at a dance school near you and complete a beginning level waltz or social dance class!
If you have any questions about your level of dance, please let us know.
What language will classes be taught in?
All classes will be taught in English. Translation is available for German or Spanish speakers.
Will there be opportunities for private lessons?
Private lessons can be arranged with individual instructors during the week.
Should I come with a partner or can I come alone?
While we highly encourage you to come with a partner, it is not required to participate. That being said, there are MANY more advantages to attending Ball-Fest with a partner (especially if you are planning to dance at any of the pre-Ball-Fest, or "alternate" Ball-Fest Balls) and these are discussed further at the bottom of the "Balls" page.
In order to keep balanced lead and follow numbers, and due to the fact that we typically have more follows registering early-on, any single leads and lead-follow pairs will be able to get in right away. Any single follows will be automatically put on the waiting list until we can match you with a lead. We HIGHLY encourage single follows to recruit a lead with whom you can register!
For anyone coming without a partner who would like to find a partner, we highly encourage you to connect with fellow interested single party's and participants on our FACEBOOK PAGE "Waltz Week in Vienna" (click on the link to post there, to arrange meet-ups, or to coordinate partnering for the Balls)
Will there be opportunities for social dancing during the week?
Yes. There are dance practices available at local dance schools several times during the week (separate admissions apply). There will also be opportunities for social swing and salsa dancing at local dance clubs. More information about these will be available during the first day of workshop orientation.
Getting To Munich, Booking Flights:
You can get great discount prices for travel using online search engines such as:
If you're traveling locally to/from another city in Europe, check out the great prices on the Flixbus Bus Line, which arrives/departs from the Munich Central Bus Station. Both the Central Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) and the Munich Bus Station are one stop away from our hotel on the S-Bahn (Hackerbrucke Stop)
**No COVID Requirements are needed for travel to Austria:
As of June 2022, entry to Austria is permitted for all travel purposes. It is no longer necessary to present proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a negative test result for entry.
Getting to our hotel in Munich:
We will be staying at then NH Collection München Bavaria Hotel, located at Arnulfstr. 2, Maxvorstadt, 80335 Munich. Our first group meeting will be at 12:00pm on Sunday, Feb 1st in the hotel lobby.
For folks arriving that day, hotel check in is officially at 3pm, but you can leave your luggage with the concierge if you need a place to store your things. Just be sure to set aside any dance shoes and clothes you would need for our first class.)
For folks planning to arrive in Munich on Fri, Sat, or perhaps even earlier, let Ari know if you need to book extra nights at the hotel and he can extend your room reservation accordingly. Same applies if you are planning to stay later and would like to remain at the hotel during that time.
The nearest BUS STOP/STREET CAR STOP to the hotel is the Hauptbahnhof Nord" station right in front of the hotel.
The nearest METRO STOP (U-Bahn) is the "Hauptbahnhof" (Munich Central Station) right in front of the hotel.
The hotel is located one block away from both the central bus station and the central train station
The nearest train or U-Bahn Station is "Heckerbrucken"
Getting To Our Ball-Fest Classes in Munich:
The "Vintage Club Ballroom" - located at Sonnenstraße 12b, 80331 München - will be our main location for classes during the week. It roughly a 12 minute walk from our hotel. If you prefer to take the metro, you can board any of the S-Bahns (S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S8) at the Hauptbahnhof (Munich Central station) right in front of our hotel, and take it one stop down to Karlsplatz.
The nearest METRO STOP (U-Bahn) to the studio is the "Karlsplatz" station on the S-Bahn (about three city blocks, or a six-minute walk from the studio).
The next closest METRO STOP (U Bahn) to the studio is the "Sendlinger Tor" station on the S-Bahn (about four city blocks, or an eight-minute walk from the studio).
Getting To/From The Munich Airport (MUC), & Around Munich
You will need to get to the NH Collection München Bavaria Hotel (Arnulfstr. 2, Maxvorstadt, 80335 Munich) on your own -- see directions above. Our first meeting will be at 12:00pm on Sun, Feb 1st, 2026. Please be on time as we will be walking over to the Vintage Club dance studio from there for our first group class shortly after we meet.
A) Airport transportation: More information is available HERE
- by S-Bahn Train (City Railway): Take the S8 train
Current schedule shows S8 trains leaving every 15 mins, starting from 4:54 am to 0:18 am;
Current price: One-way ticket € 9-14 Euro
Journey time: 40 mins (13 stops). Exit at Munchen Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station)
- by LH-Bus:
Current schedule shows LH-buses leaving every 20 mins from Terminal 1d
Current price: One−way ticket € 13 Euro, return ticket 13 Euro
Journey time: 45 mins. Exit at Munchen Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station)
- by Uber
Uber is available from the Munich Ariport (MUC) to the Hauptbahnhof. Prices will fluxuate depending on time of day but are typically between € 60-100 Euro depending on the service you order (UberX, UberXL, UberMAX, Comfort, Premium, etc), and the time of day.
Download the app, log into the Wifi at the airport, and order your uber from there as needed
- by Taxi/Cab
Various taxi cabs are available. For a trip into town from the airport, the usual cost is around EUR € 110-130.
Journey time: average 30-40 mins (downtown - depending on the target location and the traffic)
B) City transportation: (a 1-Month Metro Card & Regional Train Pass will be provided)
As part of Ball-Fest in Bavaria, we are providing you with a 1-month Metro Card that will give you free access to all of the local transportation services in Munich while you are here as well as free regional train transportation between German cities (including to Neuschwanstein). The card is valid from Feb 1-29 only. Perfect if you desire to stay after camp ends on Feb 8th to explore the region a little more (ie, get yourself to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Augsburg, Regensburg, or any other of the regions charming towns) or attend the Rock That Swing Festival in Munich from Feb 12-16, 2026.
C) City Sites & Tours Transportation:
There are numerous ways to explore Munich! -- by foot, by bicycle, by bus, or by boat. There are tours for city sights, local countryside excursions, or specific venues. These are available for a few hours, half a day, all day or night, or for several days. Perfect if you are planning to arrive in Munich early or if you are staying later than the Feb 1-8 camp dates.
CLICK HERE for six FREE walking tours of Munich (Free + Tip)
A good self-guided walking tour of Munich can be found HERE
Hop-On-Hop-Off and other regional tours can be found through VIATOR
For Tickets to Concerts, Shows, Cultural Events, Museums, Palace Tours, etc, you can use the city's webpage to explore options at www.introducingmunich.com
To visit places outside of Germany, the best deals can currently be found on the Flixbus Bus Line (located at the Central Bus Station next to the Hauptbahnhof), or use the Google Map App on your phone to look for more options. The regional pass we are providing for Ball-Fest will not work outside of Germany.
As a group, we will be staying at the NH Collection München Bavaria Hotel, located at Arnulfstr. 2, Maxvorstadt, 80335 Munich. This is very centrally located right next to the main train and bus station, and just a short walk to the Vintage Club (where we will have our lessons), the Deutches Theater (for the Ball), and old Munich.
Our first group meeting will be at the hotel lobby 12:00pm on Sunday, Feb 1st. (For folks arriving that day, hotel check in is officially at 3pm, but you can leave your luggage with the concierge if you need a place to store your things. Just be sure to set aside whatever dance shoes and clothes you would need for our first class.) For folks planning to arrive at the end of January, let Ari know if you need to book any extra nights at the hotel and he can extend your room reservation accordingly. Same applies if you are planning to stay later than Feb 8th and would like to remain at the hotel during that time.
The nearest BUS STOP/STREET CAR STOP to the hotel is the Hauptbahnhof Nord" station right in front of the hotel.
The nearest METRO STOP (U-Bahn) is the "Hauptbahnhof" (Munich Central Station) right in front of the hotel.
It is one block away from both the central bus station and the central train station
The nearest train or U-Bahn Station is "Heckerbrucken"
Who these trips are tailored to:
Social partner dancers with a sense of adventure who would like to explore some of the most beautiful and charming locations the world has to offer!
Easy-going affable people who would like to be part of a fun interactive group of like-minded travelers
Folks who have the flexibility to appreciate that other countries do not operate the same as the U.S. and can easily pivot and adjust to changes in the plans and schedules.
A desire to get to know new people and a sense of humor will ensure you have a fun relaxing dance adventure with us as we explore and dance the world together!
Why You Should Join Us!
It's the perfect blend of travel-adventure, beautiful locations, wonderful people, and fabulous itineraries!
Our focus is on fun & engaging non-competitive social partner dancing with the flavor of each region we're visiting.
A wide variety of dance styles (or ones specific to the region we are going -- ie, swing, blues, Latin, ballroom, etc) will be celebrated and taught by world-class instructors in beautiful locations across the globe (check the "dance class & group activity" section for below specifics about each trip).
You're going to have a fabulous times, meet incredible people, and make life-long memories!
Travel insurance is required for all of our trips and will help protect both your investment and our vendors should you need to cancel.
There are many independent companies that offer travel insurance options. Here are a few suggested options:
=> You can sign up with WeTravel for one such policy during the payment checkout portion of this registration. One great benefit to this is that they offer an option that allows you to cancel for any reason at anytime (very nice!)
=> You can frequently purchase travel insurance through your airline when you buy your tickets, and these are often offered at a lower rate than buying insurance separately through an independent agency.
=> If you are an AAA member, you may want to check with them as well.
=> I have found that Faye insurance is very easy to purchase online (www.withFaye.com).
=> Allianz Travel Insurance seems to be a very popular choice among our travelers as well (www.allianztravelinsurance.com)
=> Here is an online list of the 10 Best Travel Insurance Companies for 2025
Once you have purchased your travel insurance, please let us know the company name and policy number you have with them.
If you don't have a policy already and don’t want to use the one offered an the WeTravel check-out pager here or through your airline, feel free to CLICK HERE to purchase insurance through our affiliate company, World Nomads*.
(*PLEASE NOTE: We do not represent World Nomads. As an affiliate, we receive a small commission when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. This is information only and not a requirement to buy travel insurance through this company.)
Should you cancel less than 14 days of booking and greater than 120 days before the trip, you get a 100% refund of total cost minus a $150 admin fee.
Should you cancel after 14 days of booking and up to 120 days before the trip you will get a 50% refund of total cost minus the $150 admin fee.
Once we are within 120 days of the trip starting there are no refunds.
Note: should you find someone to fill your spot, we can transfer your balance to them minus the $150 fee. Should you become sick or have other health or family-related issues, it’s highly likely the required travel insurance would kick in and reimburse you so be sure and check with your provider.
It is the responsibility of the trip attendee to reach out in the event of a cancellation and make their payments on time. We reserve the right to hold payments according to the cancellation policy above to pay our vendors to make this trip happen.
By making a deposit you agree to above terms of service and cancellation policy.
Liability:
We exercise care in the selection of reputable travel service providers but we are not ourselves a provider of travel services and have no control over, or liability for, the services provided by third parties.
In no event do we accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise, for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers over whom we have no direct control, force majeure or any other event which is beyond our control or which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part. We also do not accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise, for consequential loss (meaning indirect loss, loss of revenue, loss of reputation, loss of profits, loss of actual or anticipated savings, lost opportunities, including opportunities to enter into arrangements with third parties or loss or damage in connection with claims against you by third parties) howsoever caused in connection with your booking.
Risks of Travel and Release:
We assume no responsibility for and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions on the part of any other party not under our control or any acts of God, unsafe conditions, terrorism, health hazards including pandemics, illness, weather hazards, or the suitability for a disabled person of any portion of any trip. We have no special knowledge of dangers during travel or at destinations. For information related to such dangers, we recommend going to the State Department travel website at travel.state.gov, click on "Find International travel Information" then click on "Country Information", and fill in the name of the destination country.
For medical and health information, we recommend going to the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov/travel, then click on "Destinations" and scroll to the name of the destination country. It is your personal decision to travel, and you are doing so with full knowledge of current travel recommendations and travel restrictions with regards to the risks of COVID-19. YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL OF THESE RISKS AND DANGERS, AND YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREE TO FOREVER RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD US, AND OUR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, GUIDES, GROUP LEADERS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTIONS, SUITS, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF ANY AND EVERY KIND AND NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH YOU NOW HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER ARISE OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE RISKS AND Dangers.
The Munich Française (Munich Quadrille) is a traditional ballroom dance that originated in the 19th century. Closely related to the Quadrille Franicaise, the Munich Française is a sequence dance performed in pairs arranged in a square or set. The Munich version developed its own local character, combining the elegance of French ballroom culture with Bavarian charm.
The dance consists of several figures, usually performed in a fixed order, which require coordination, precision, and a sense of rhythm among all dancers in the set. While it was once a highlight of formal balls in Munich’s high society, today the Munich Française is preserved as part of cultural heritage and is occasionally revived at historical dance events and traditional festivities.
CLICK HERE to view the Fledermaus Quadrille (aka, the French Quadrille) from the YouTube page
All travelers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return. Some countries also require a machine-readable passport and/or unstamped available pages.
When assisting with an international travel booking, we will assume that all travelers on the booking have a valid passport. If this is not the case, you must let us know. It is important to ensure you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities. Any fines, penalties, payments, delay or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility.
Information about Passport/VISA requirements for Croatia can be found HERE
======== NEW EUROPEAN VISA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR FALL, 2026 =======
=> TRAVEL TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU):
While the EU does NOT currently have a Visa requirement for USA & Canadian citizens, they will be implementing one in the Fall of 2026. It will be called ETIAS (short for "European Information and Authorization System"). We will update this site as soon as we have more information to share. For other nationalities, be sure to check your country requirements for travel to the EU.
CLICK HERE to view the official ETIAS website:
=> TRAVEL TO THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK):
For anyone visiting the UK during your travels, it's important to know that starting Jan 8th, 2026, they do require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if you are doing anything more than directly connecting to flights through the airport.
The Electronic Travel Authorization functions as a digital pre-clearance system, similar to the U.S. ESTA program used for visa-waiver travelers entering the United States.
U.S. passport holders must obtain an ETA before traveling to any part of the U.K., including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the U.K.’s British Overseas Territories.
The ETA, once approved, is valid for two years (or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first) and for multiple trips. It costs £16 (about $22) for each passenger, adults and children alike.
WHO NEEDS A UNITED KINGDOM ETA:
U.S. citizens must apply for an ETA if they are traveling to or transiting through the U.K. and do not already hold a U.K. visa, a British or Irish passport or legal residency in the U.K. or the Republic of Ireland. Travelers who already require a visa to enter the U.K. under existing rules will continue to need a visa and should not apply for an ETA.
The rules clearly state that travelers do not need an ETA if they are transiting through a U.K. airport and will not pass through border control. However, if they pass through border control, they need the ETA.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications must be submitted online through the U.K. government’s official website or via the U.K. ETA app, available on Google Play and the App Store. The U.K. government notes that most people currently receive a decision automatically within minutes. However, they still recommended allowing three working days to be on the safe side.
The following is a tentative schedule for Ball-Fest in Bavaria. Please note that any of these activities may change as new opportunities for dance or adventure present themselves. We will keep you updated here and by email once you have registered.
Sun, Feb 1:
12:00pm: Welcome & Introduction @ NH Collection München Bavaria Hotel; walk to the Vintage Club
1:00-2:00pm: Dance workshop #1 (Vintage Club)
2:15-3:15pm: Dance workshop #2 (Vintage Club)
3:30-6:00: Individual hotel check-in (as needed); Group coffee, tea, cake & Introductions at nearby cafe (location TBA)
6:00pm: Walk to Hofbrau Haus
6:30: Group Welcome Dinner at Hofbrau Haus (included)
8:00-11:15 (optional): Boogie Party at Vintage Club
Mon, Feb 2:
8:30am: Breakfast
10:00am-12:00pm: Dance class #3 (Vintage Club)
12:00-2:00pm: Lunch together at: TBA
2:00-4:00pm: City walking tour with dance breaks
Evening Dance: TBA
Tues, Feb 3:
8:30am: Breakfast
Free Morning
11:30am-12:30pm: lunch at ALEX Munchen (Rotkreuzplatz 8, 80634 Munchen)
12:45-1:45pm: Dance class #4 (Vintage Club)
2:00-3:00pm: Dance class #5; Learn the Munchener Francais Quadrille
Evening Dance: TBA (possible Folkdance night)
Wed, Feb 4:
8:30am: Breakfast
9:30am: Neuschwanstein Day Trip (bring lunch)
Hohenschwangau castle tour
Fussen for dinner
Home late by train
Thur, Feb 5:
8:30am: Breakfast
10:00am-12pm: Dance class #6 (Vintage Club)
12:00-2:00pm: Lunch together TBA
Evening Dance: Blues Verschworung TBA
Fri, Feb 6:
8:30am: Breakfast
10-12pm: Dance class #7 (Vintage Club)
Afternoon FREE
6:00pm Group Dinner
8:00pm: Gaudeamus Ball: Deutsches Theater München, Schwanthalerstraße 13, 80336 München:
Sat, Feb 7:
8:30am: Breakfast
Morning Free
2:30-4:30pm: (optional) Trip to Munich Thermal baths
6:00pm Group Farewell Dinner (included)
8:00pm: The Gauklerball (Kunstlerhaus) “1001 Arabian Nights”
Sun, Feb 8: Check out of hotel at 12:00pm
(Optional for those staying)
-> Rosenberg Swing Dance
-> Teatime Tango at Vintage Club (3:30-6:30pm)
-> Swing at Vintage Club (7:30-11:15pm)
POST BALL-FEST ACTIVITIES (Optional):
Mon-Wed (Feb 9-11): Can visit Innsbruck, Salzburg, Regensburg, etc
Thur-Mon (Feb 12-16): Rock That Swing - A fabulous festival of all different forms of Swing Dance here in Munich (Blues, Lindy, Shag, Boogie-Woogie, Balboa, etc) with amazing shows. You can register for classes during the day or just for the evening dances & shows at night. Sat & Sun at the Deutches Theater are superb! Details, registration, and ticket purchases can be found at https://www.rockthatswing.com
"Rock That Swing" is a fabulous 5-day music and dance festival in Munich celebrating all different forms of Americana blues and jazz dance (Blues, Lindy Hop, Shag, Boogie Woogie, Balboa, etc). It is the largest of it's kind in the world with over 75 teachers, 16 bands, and numerous teaching tracks for classes.
You can register for classes during the day, attend the evening dances and shows at night, or do a mixture of both. That being said, the Saturday & Sunday shows at the Deutches Theater are superb! (highly recommended)
Details, registration, and ticket purchases can be found at https://www.rockthatswing.com
