Alpine Paradise: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
12 Days
On this vacation, spend two weeks exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes in-depth. With just the right mix of exciting tours and leisure time planned in, this perfectly-paced itinerary will begin in Munich. Continuing from Bavaria into Austria, you’ll be greeted by a Mecca of classical music, amazing Alpine views and pinot noir wines. Then travel into Switzerland, a country whose dramatic and picturesque landscape is unparalleled. With lakes, mountains, delicious food, charming villages and expert sightseeing, spend two lively weeks in picture-perfect, Alpine paradises.
Highlights
-
Lunch at former Nazi retreat "Eagle's Nest" with spectacular Alpine views
-
Enjoy a "Sound of Music" Film Locations Tour in Salzburg
-
Special Dinner in Salzburg Served With Austrian Wines
-
Mount Pilatus Tour by Cog Train, Aerial Gondola and Cruise on Lake Lucerne
Itinerary Details
International Arrival
Group Transfer by Private Coach to the Hotel
4 Nights
Munich
Included activities
Day 1: Arrival in Munich
Welcome to Munich, Bavaria's political and cultural capital. The local assistant will meet your group in the terminal's arrivals hall assist them with their transfer to the hotel by luxury private coach. Please note that if your group arrives before the hotel's official check-in time, they can store your baggage at the reception. There will be plenty of time until the evening for your group to begin exploring Munich, a city famed for its fantastic cultural attractions. During this time, guests can visit the beautiful Englischer Garten, explore Munich's impressive BMW World, or explore the Deutsches Museum, the world's largest museum of science and technology. Depending on your group's flight arrival time and interests, we can arrange a guided tour to any of the aforementioned attractions. In the evening, guests will sample authentic Bavarian specialties at the welcome dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
Day 2: Munich
After breakfast in the hotel, guests will meet the local guide for a full-day tour of Munich, which will include transportation by coach and some walking. There will be plenty of time for lunch and shopping at central locations during the day. Later in the afternoon, the tour will finish back at the hotel, with the rest of the evening at leisure.
Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Munich
On this day-long guided tour, your group will discover Munich's famous attractions including Peterskirche (St Peter's Church), which is the oldest church in Munich. At the open-air food market, Viktualienmarkt, located in the heart of town, they will find traditional Bavarian delicacies and fresh local produce. Guests will visit the Isartor Gate, one of the four main gates of the medieval city walls, and Munich's Marienplatz, which has served as the city's main square for almost 900 years. If your group arrives at 11:00 am, they can also enjoy the iconic Glockenspiel's life-size figurines perform high atop the New Town Hall (Rathaus). The tour will also take participants inside the Schloss Nymphenburg, the former summer residence of Munich's ruling Wittelsbach family and one of the most beautiful palaces in all of Europe.
Day 3: Munich
After breakfast in the hotel, your group will travel south by private coach to the garden-like landscape of the Bavarian Alps, to visit the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Guided by an expert, they will discover the history of the castle and visit Oberammergau nearby for shopping and exploration. Afterward, they will return to Munch by private coach and, a short rest later, savor a group dinner at a local Bavarian restaurant.
Guided Tour of Neuschwanstein Castle and Visit to Oberammergau
Hidden in the seclusion of the mountains, Ludwig II built one of his many dream castles: Neuschwanstein. On this tour, your group will explore inside the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle, the fanciful folly of Mad King Ludwig. This stunning castle was also an inspiration to Walt Disney in his design of Cinderella's castle in all of the Disney parks. Afterward, you'll continue to the lovely town of Oberammergau, famed for being the site of the Passion Play that is performed once every 10 years. Enjoy some free time for shopping and exploring the charming town before returning to Munich in time for dinner.
Day 4: Munich
After breakfast, your group will travel north by private coach to Dachau to learn more about Germany's World War II history and the infamous concentration camps used by the Nazi regime. This is a sombre occasion, and the tour will offer guests insights into Germany's turbulent past and the journey since then. In the afternoon, they will return to Munich by private coach. The rest of the day is free, so your group members can squeeze in one remaining visit on their last day in Bavaria.
Dachau Concentration Camp and War Memorial Tour
Probably the most gruesome result of Hitler's rise to power was the building of the concentration extermination camps. One of the first of these was situated 9 miles to the northwest of Munich near Dachau. In 1965, a memorial to the victims was created, giving visitors a chance to learn of the atrocities prisoners were forced to suffer. On this tour, guests will watch the 22-minute orientation video and then explore the cells, barracks and gas chambers. The exhibition contains accounts of the prisoners' tragic experiences from the setting up of the camp until their liberation by US-forces in 1945. Afterwards your group will return to Munich in the private coach.
Transfer by Private Coach to Salzburg. En-Route Visit and Lunch at “Eagle’s Nest”.
2 Nights
Salzburg
Included activities
Day 5: Arrival in Salzburg
In the morning, your group will depart from Munich and travel along the incredibly scenic German Alpine Road with splendid views of the Bavarian Alps. Upon arrival to Berchtesgaden, they will board a special bus to travel to the mountain summit, the location of "Eagle's Nest," which was originally built as a teahouse for Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday. Here, guests will enjoy a short tour followed by lunch as they take in the spectacular views of the area. Afterward, your group will take a short drive over the Austrian border that leads to the city of Salzburg, which naturally is "alive with the sound of music." Upon arrival at the hotel, guests will have time to freshen up before the group dinner at a nearby Austrian restaurant, featuring regional specialties and Austrian wines.
Day 6: Salzburg
After breakfast in the hotel, your group will meet the local guide for a full-day tour of Salzburg, which will include transportation by coach and some walking. The tour will finish back at the hotel in the afternoon and guests will have the evening free to enjoy the sights and sounds of Salzburg. The last evening in Salzburg, it is the perfect opportunity to attend a Mozart Dinner Concert with live music in a restored hall. Guests can also choose to wander the vibrant Domplatz after dark, or stop by the Salzburg Marionette Theatre for a show.
Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Salzburg
This morning, your group will head off on an exciting, guided tour of scenic Salzburg, which includes transportation by coach as well as short walking excursions. As you explore the historic center of Mozart's hometown, the guide will point out the sights related to the "Sound of Music" film. Guests will visit the exquisite Mirabell Gardens, where the song "Do-Re-Mi" was filmed, the famous Horse Trough statue and the Great Festival House, designed in 1956 for the Salzburg Festival. Also included are visits to the Salzburg Cathedral and the historic Domplatz or Cathedral Square, and the impressive St. Peter's Churchyard. On Getreidegasse street, participants will have the chance to view the birthplace of Mozart. There will be free time for lunch, after which, guests will travel by private coach to the shores of Lake Mondsee, to see the famous church where the wedding of Maria and Captain Von Trapp was filmed for "Sound of Music". Guests will be transported back to the hotel afterward.
Transfer by Private Coach To Resort Town of St Moritz With en Route Lunch at Innsbruck
2 Nights
St Moritz
Included activities
Day 7: Arrival in St Moritz
From Salzburg, your group will travel by private coach to the beautiful Austrian town of Innsbruck, which hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. Upon arrival, a local guide will meet your group for a walking tour of followed by free time for lunch and shopping. Afterward, your group will re-board the coach and continue southwest into Switzerland. The final destination is the famed resort town of St Moritz, where guests will stop for the next two nights. Upon arrival, there will be free time to freshen up, followed by a group dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
Day 8: St Moritz
This day is completely free for your group to enjoy the resort town of St Moritz, located in the Engadine Valley. Your group may choose to simply unwind at their hotel and enjoy leisurely walks about town. If they are feeling more adventures, they could choose a short hike, based on their fitness level and interest, or visit the Olympia Bob Run to watch a bobsleigh competition in the afternoon. In town, the Segantini Museum houses a significant collection of works by artists Giovanni Segantini, while several charming restaurants offer delicious Swiss cuisine with magnificent of mountains and Lake Moritz. In the evening, guests might enjoy strolling the Via Serlas with its luxury boutiques and restaurants.
Transfer by Private Coach to Lucerne. En Route Visit to Maienfeld and Vaduz
2 Nights
Lucerne
Included activities
Day 9: Arrival in Lucerne
This morning, your group will travel north by private coach to Maienfeld, the setting for the classic children's books about the character Heidi, by Johanna Spyri. The next stop is the historic town of Vaduz, where they will have time for lunch. Afterward, your group will board the coach once again and drive west to Lucerne. Nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne, this is one of the prettiest towns in Switzerland. After checking in at the hotel, guests will have free time to freshen up before the traditional Swiss Folklore Show in the evening, with traditional Swiss food accompanied by folk music, yodeling and yes - even alphorn blowing!
En Route Visit to Maienfeld and Vaduz
Maienfeld is a picturesque village associated with the beloved fictional character Heidi, created for children by author Johanna Spyri. The region is renowned not only for its alpine scenery, but also its delicious wines, as your group will discover during this short tour. A short walk leads to a collection of typical mountain houses, a village shop, and numerous goats which make up Heidi's village. Guests will also tour the authentic Heidi House before re-boarding the coach and proceeding to the historic town of Vaduz, the capital of the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein and home to the remarkable Vaduz Castle. Guests will have free time for lunch and shopping in the town before boarding the coach for Lucerne.
Day 10: Lucerne
After breakfast, your group will meet a local guide for a brief walking tour of the city of Lucerne, followed by a trip up Mount Pilatus. Combining the right amount of history, culture and stunning mountain scenery, the day also included a scenic boat ride on the vast lake, ringed by mountains. After the day's unforgettable adventures, the evening is free for guests to enjoy in Lucerne.
Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Lucerne
Your group will be met by the guide at the hotel and embark on a short tour of Lucerne. They will see several local attractions in this compact city, including the Kapellbrucke (covered Chapel Bridge), the Old Town Hall with its preserved Medieval architecture, and Stag Square surrounded by ornately decorated buildings. Your group will then embark on an unforgettable trip to the summit of Mount Pilatus, which offers views of the extraordinarily beautiful surroundings. This is the perfect opportunity to truly soak in the breathtaking beauty of Switzerland's mountains and lakes. Guests will view the scenery from several different vantage points: the lake steamer provides a 90-minute boat ride; the world's steepest cog railway will take them up to the top of the mountain, and a large aerial tramway connects to a modern 4-seat gondola for the ride back down to civilization. There are two hotels at the top where guests will have time to snap some inspiring photos and grab lunch with a view.
Transfer by Private Coach to Zurich
1 Night
Zurich
Included activities
Day 11: Arrival in Zurich
In the morning, your group will depart from Lucerne and travel north by private coach to Zurich, the beautiful financial hub of Switzerland. Here, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city's best attractions with an expert guide, visiting the charming Old Town and more. In the evening, your group will enjoy dinner in the hotel's restaurant with a chance to recount their many adventures and bid farewell to fellow travelers.
Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Zurich
Upon arrival in Zurich, a local guide will take your group on a guided tour of Zurich and its numerous impressive attractions. Guests will explore the medieval Old Town and the luxurious Bahnhofstrasse, the main downtown and one of the most luxurious shopping destinations in the world! They will also visit magnificent churches in the , the Fraumunster with its five stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall, and enjoy a photo stop at Lake Zurich. The tour will finish at the Lindt Chocolate Factory shop, the perfect place to buy last-minute souvenirs.
Day 12: Zurich
After breakfast, your group will be transferred by private coach to Zurich Airport for the return flight home.
Transfer by Private Coach to Zurich Airport
International Departure
Inclusions
Includes
- Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodations: Munich (4 nights) - Salzburg (2 nights) - St Moritz (2 nights) - Lucerne (2 nights) - Zurich (1 night)
- Meals: Daily breakfast, and lunch and dinner as specified
- Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
- English speaking assistants and guides
- Admission tickets as specified in the itinerary
Not Included
- Tips and personal expenses
- Visa and tourism charges
- Travel, health, and cancellation insurance