The Illinois Woman’s Press Association, celebrating its 127th anniversary as a prominent media organization, will host a trip to Germany May 22 to 29, 2012.

German colleagues from the Journalistimnenbound, (League of Women Journalists) will meet the group at various locations throughout Germany to offer behind-the-scenes tours traditional tourist may not be privileged to experience.

The German League of Women Journalists, founded in 1987, has 500 members throughout Germany.

The invitation to IWPA stated, “We would like to share our culture and traditions, as well as our technologies and would like to give our colleagues from the U.S. some insights into the world of German media. We’d like to show you how we work and hold discussions about our mutual careers. We would also welcome learning from you about American media.”

The trip will include tours of Germany’s largest newspaper, television station, radio station and behind the scenes of Parliament. Lively conversation about differences and similarities in journalism in the two countries will be enhanced by dining and fun-loving German traditions.

The seven day trip, with escort Volker Viet, of Travel-Ways, includes Frankfort Airport transfers, ground transportation, six nights in four-star Maritum Hotels with portage of luggage, six buffet breakfasts, four three-course dinners, one pub dinner with entertainment in Berlin with unlimited drinks, one medieval banquet in Castle Aterbach, River Rhine cruise, entrances to Parliament Reichstag, Check point Charlie, and much more. Cities include Coblence, Cologne, Marienborn, Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg and Heidelberg.

Cost is $2,275, double occupancy, excluding airfare. Travel insurance will be available through Travel-Ways.

Contact IWPA travel chairman and historian, Marlene Cook, at MarWrites@aol.com for a complete itinerary and reservations.

German National Flag

Castle Aterbach

River Rhine

Checkpoint Charlie