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| Aug 31 to Sep 15 |
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| Sep 02 to Sep 17 |
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| Sep 07 to Sep 22 |
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| Sep 14 to Sep 29 |
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| Sep 16 to Oct 01 |
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Walking Key
Light = Two to four miles of mostly level walking.
Moderate = Four to six miles and/or up and down hills and/or some stairs.
Strenuous = Six to ten miles, lots of stairs, uneven terrain.
Best of Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 16 Days
$3,895 + air • 24-28 people • Begins in St. Goar and ends in Vienna
We've put together the ultimate Germany, Austria and Switzerland travel adventure — where mountains, Mozart, onion domes, hot springs, fresh air, and frothy beer mugs all come together in a totally yodel-y Germanic travel fest.
Near Munich, you'll marvel at "Mad" King Ludwig's outrageous Neuschwanstein Castle. In Salzburg, you can climb the fortress, sing "doe a deer" where the Trapp family kids did, and enjoy listening to Mozart in his birthplace. In Vienna, you can tour the magnificent opera and immerse yourself in the café scene. And in teeny lakeside Hallstatt you'll stay in peaceful surroundings that mainstream tours can only dream of.
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Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 0: Depart USA
Remember, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you depart the USA.
Day 1: Welcome to the Rhine Valley
The scenic Rhine River is a convenient 90-minute train connection away from Frankfurt's airport. We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel for a "Welcome to Germany" get together. Then we'll take an evening walk through town and enjoy dinner together. Sleep in or near St. Goar (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Day 2: Castles and Cruising the Rhine
We'll begin our day exploring cliff-top Rheinfels Castle, before making our way to the half-timbered village of Bacharach. After a tour with a local guide, we'll cruise the Rhine River (weather permitting), passing picturesque castles and vineyards, and return to St. Goar in time to enjoy dinner together. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 3: Burg Eltz Castle and Roman Trier
We'll drive along the scenic Mosel River, stopping to tour the mighty Burg Eltz Castle. In the afternoon, we'll visit Germany's oldest city, pedestrian-friendly Trier. We'll sleep just over the hills in the old resort town of Baden-Baden (2 nights). Bus: 7 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 4: Hike or Soak in Baden-Baden
After touring Baden-Baden's casino, you'll have the rest of the day and evening free to 'do the spa' (with or without your swimsuit), wander along the shaded riverside promenade, or hike the surrounding hills. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 5: Black Forest and French Switzerland
We'll explore the Black Forest this morning, stopping to visit an open-air museum with demonstrations of traditional village life. Our day ends in the Swiss lakefront village of Murten, where we'll have dinner together and sleep (2 nights). Bus: 6 hrs. Walking: light.
Day 6: Swiss Lakes, Farms and Castles
We'll tour the lake-hugging 13th century castle, Château Chillon, then hop aboard a boat (spring and summer tours) for a cruise on Lake Geneva. We'll meander back through farms and vineyards to Murten. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 7: Above it all in the Berner Oberland
At the end of a chalet-dotted drive, we'll take a gondola lift up to the cliff-top village of Murren in the Berner Oberland, where we'll enjoy stunning views, eat dinner together and sleep (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 8: All Day to Hike in the Swiss Alps
The day is all yours. You may want to ride a gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hike down. Or just wander through the meadows and play Heidi. For more Alpine thrills, take narrow-gauge railways to trailheads near the majestic Eiger and Jungfrau peaks. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 9: Scenic Drive into Bavaria
Today we take time to enjoy the pristine mountain and lake scenery during our long drive to Bavaria. Sleep in or near Munich (2 nights). Bus: 7 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 10: All Day to Wander through Munich
After an informative walking tour, you'll have the rest of the day to stroll the lively heart of Germany's most livable city, to admire its many museums, or to rent a bike and appreciate how much fun two wheels can be. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 11: Neuschwanstein and the Luge
This morning we'll tour "Mad" King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle. Then we'll slide down a luge course (weather and season permitting), before heading into Austria. We'll begin our stay in Salzburg with an orientation walk through the historic center. Sleep in Salzburg (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 12: All Day to Explore Salzburg
After a morning walking tour, you'll have the rest of the day and evening free. You can wander Salzburg's magnificent gardens, walk in Mozart's footsteps through the old town, or pedal a rented bike into the countryside. This is "Sound of Music" country, so there's nearly always an evening concert. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 13: Austria's Lovely Lake District
Today we make our way to tiny Hallstatt, located in the heart of Austria's idyllic Salzkammergut Lake District. Enjoy a free afternoon communing with Mother Nature on foot or by boat, or explore a salt mine on your own. Sleep in the postcard-pretty lakeside village of Hallstatt (1 night). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 14: Lessons of History
Today we'll drive to Austria's magnificent capital of Vienna, stopping en route to visit sobering Mauthausen, the Nazi concentration camp. We'll also tour the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, Austria's rival to Versailles. Sleep in Vienna (2 nights). Bus: 6 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 15: All Day in Classy Vienna
We'll start our day with a walking tour of this refined, graceful city. The rest of the day is free to explore more of Vienna's highlights, such as its grand opera house, world-class museums, or cozy coffee houses. As it's our last night together, we'll enjoy a farewell Viennese feast. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 16: Tour over after breakfast
Extend your stay in elegant Vienna or regretfully say Auf Wiedersehen!
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
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Recommended reading and viewing list for this tour
Favorite tour memories from a recent alum:
"There were many WOW moments but the most spectacular has to be our time spent in Murren. The Swiss Alps peaks of Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger as seen from our hotel room, were incredibly beautiful day and night. The cable car ride up to Schilthorn caused my legs and stomach to wobble but oh my! how glorious! And I must say that all of the flower boxes, just loaded with magnificent flowers, in all three countries were also WOW!!"
— Nancy in Pittsford, NY
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