Munich - Salzburg - Innsbruck - Zürich
Escorted 14-Day / 13-Night European Tour
Highlights:
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Munich, Germany
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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
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Hohenschwangau Castle
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Linderhof Palace, Germany
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Salzburg, Austria
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Innsbruck, Austria
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Verwall Alps, Austria
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Vaduz, Liechtenstein
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Zürich, Switzerland
Day 1: Arrival In Munich, Germany / Historic City Tour
We will pick you up at the Munich airport. You will take a 3-hour walking tour through the historical city of Munich. With your experienced guide, you will see top landmarks and discover the stories behind incredible sights such as the Glockenspiel, the Hofbräuhaus (the world’s most famous beer hall), Frauenkirche, Viktualienmarkt (a famous outdoor market), and the Munich Residenz. You also see the New and Old Town Hall, the National Theater, the Feldherrnhalle (Memorial to Bavarian Generals), St. Jakobsplatz, and the Church of St. Peter. You will learn the real origins of Oktoberfest and the history of beer gardens in Germany. After a day of touring the city, you will have dinner at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus. Then, after dinner will be your free time to relax or go out for drinks at one of the local German pubs.
Day 2: Munich, Germany / Munich Residenz, Hofbräu Brewery
After breakfast, you will take a tour of the Hofbräu Brewery in Munich. Here, you will learn interesting facts about Hofbräu beer and its production process. You will experience the raw materials of brewing, visit the brewhouse and fermentation cellar, and learn about the processes involved in filling and storage. Afterward, we will enjoy a hearty Bavarian lunch in the Brewpub. After lunch, you will take a tour of the Munich Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. The complex of buildings contains ten courtyards and displays 130 rooms. You will tour the Treasury, displayed with jewels, goldsmith's work, enamels, crystal objects, and ivories as the result of centuries of avid collecting by the rulers of Bavaria.
Day 3: Munich, Germany / Nymphenburg Palace & Park
After breakfast, spend the day at Nymphenburg Palace and Park. Built between 1664 and 1675, the Nymphenburg served as the primary summer residence for the former rulers of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach. The palace and the park are among the most famous attractions in Munich. The baroque facades comprise an overall width of almost 700 meters. Some of the rooms are still in their original baroque decorations. At a later stage, its Rococo and neoclassical elements were added. The palace was also home to King Ludwig II, the eccentric ruler of Bavaria, who commissioned the construction of Neuschwanstein Castle. While here, you will visit the palace, the Marstallmuseum (carriages and sleighs), the Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain, and the park palaces (Amalienburg, Brandenburg, Pagodenburg, Magdalenenklause). Later in the evening, you will enjoy dinner, and the rest of the evening will be yours to relax.
Day 4: Munich, Germany / BMW Welt & Museum
After breakfast, you will take an auto factory tour at the BMW Plant in Munich. You will be part of the Premium Tour and experience the entire world of BMW, featuring highlights from the BMW Museum, the BMW Plant, and BMW Welt. The first stop of the BMW Premium Tour is the BMW Museum. Here you are treated to a fascinating and innovative presentation of the BMW company, brand, and product history. Discover 125 valuable exhibits spanning over 100 years of BMW history. The museum shows BMW's technical development throughout the company's history. It contains engines, turbines, motorcycles, and aircraft. Next, at the BMW Plant, you can watch how passion and precision come together in the manufacture of each vehicle. Follow the manufacturing process of a BMW car, from the body shop to the paint shop. Your tour ends with a walkabout through BMW Welt. Gain insight into the building’s unique architecture and the sophisticated vehicle collection area, where cars are delivered to customers from around the world. You will later enjoy dinner at a local German restaurant.
Day 5: Salzburg, Austria / Historic City Tour
The day will start with breakfast at the hotel in Berlin. You will travel approximately 2 hours to the city of Salzburg, Austria. You will explore the historic town of Salzburg on a 2-hour walking tour. An experienced guide will tell stories behind the city's architectural gems and famous residents, such as the Von Trapp family and Mozart. You will pass the Salzburg Cathedral, St Peter’s Monastery, Mozart House, and the Mirabell Palace & Gardens, where scenes from ‘The Sound of Music’ were filmed. You will also explore the Baroque Old Town, dotted with stunning cathedrals and churches. Later in the evening, you will enjoy dinner and the rest of the evening will be yours to relax.
Day 6: Salzburg, Austria / Berchtesgaden Salt Mine
After breakfast, you will tour the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. "White gold" has been mined at the Berchtesgaden salt mine without interruption since 1517. During the 1 hour tour, you will ride an underground train that covers a distance of some 1400 meters. The main attractions of the salt mine include 36 meters-long miners’ slides, a ride across "Mirror Lake", which is a subterranean salt lake, the "Salt Cathedral" and the "Magic Salt Room". Be sure to wear warm clothing as the temperatures inside the mine are a constant 53 degrees F(12 C). You will meet for dinner later in the evening and then have free time to stroll the streets of Salzburg.
Munich - Salzburg - Innsbruck - Zürich
14-Day Tour of Europe:
Cost: Adults / $5,995*
Students (ages 6-12) / $2,995
Children 5 and under / Free
*Children under the age of 12 are required to share a room with an accompanying adult. There is a maximum of two children per adult.
Prices are based on Double Adult Occupancy.
Single room supplement of $750
Private Tour Supplement of up to $1,000 per person, depending upon the tour requests and days.
The tour includes:
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Breakfast each morning.
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Dinner each evening with two free drinks (beer, wine, soda, juice, or water only).
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All ground transportation from flight arrival to departure.
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Tour in private auto/minibus, with transportation to and from all tours and restaurants on the itinerary.
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All accommodations are in a clean, comfortable hotel, bed & breakfast, or country inn. (German 3-5 star standards)
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Free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with European snacks, are available while traveling between cities and on tours.
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Entry and tour fees for all sights are mentioned in the itinerary.
The tour does NOT include:
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Airfare to Belgium and from Germany.
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Meals other than those indicated in the itinerary.
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Beverages other than those indicated in the itinerary.
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Free time transportation or sightseeing.
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Personal expenses for shopping, etc.
Optional tours:
We have carefully selected our tours to provide you with the must-see sites in a relaxed and enjoyable vacation experience. We understand that some people have different interests from others. We will try to accommodate special requests, such as customized tours, visits to historical sites, river cruises, or special dinners. Please feel free to contact us.
Day 7: Innsbruck, Austria / Historic Walking Tour
After breakfast, you will travel approximately 2.5 hours to the city of Innsbruck. You will see the sights of the Schloss Ambras, the Imperial Palace, Hofkirche, and St Jakob Cathedral. You will take a ride on the Nordkettenbahnen, a gondola lift that connects Innsbruck to the Nordkette, the southernmost mountain chain of the Karwendel mountains. After another busy day of sightseeing, enjoy dinner, and the rest of the evening will be yours to relax or enjoy an evening drink at a local café.
Day 8: Linderhof Palace
After breakfast, you will then travel approximately 1.5 hours to Linderhof Palace in Ettal. It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one that he lived to see completed. Ludwig was already familiar with the area around Linderhof from his youth, when he had accompanied his father, King Maximilian II, on hunting trips in the Bavarian Alps. When Ludwig II became King in 1864, he inherited the so-called King's Cottage from his father, and in 1869 began enlarging the building. Although Linderhof is much smaller than Versailles, it is evident that the palace of the French Sun King, Louis XIV (who was an idol for Ludwig), was its inspiration. The staircase is a reduction of the famous Ambassador's Staircase in Versailles. King Ludwig II was fascinated by the mystical world of the Orient and the romantic medieval age of chivalry, but above all by the splendor of the Bourbon court. At Linderhof, he set out to recreate the palace and gardens of Versailles, the magnificent former residence of the Sun King Louis XIV. Afterward, we will return to your hotel for dinner the rest of the day will be your free time.
Day 9: Hohenschwangau Castle And Neuschwanstein Castle
After breakfast, you will travel approximately 45 minutes to the village of Schwangau. Our first castle tour of the day will be the Hohenschwangau Castle. The existence of the Hohenschwangau was documented in the 12th century. Until 1535, it remained in the possession of the Knights of Schwangau. Due to successive wars over the centuries, the castle was left in ruins. Crown Prince Maximilian of Bavaria had the ruins of Schwanstein Castle reconstructed according to the original neo-Gothic style from 1832 to 1836. The yellow Gothic castle is where King Ludwig II spent his childhood. Afterward, you will take a 40-minute walk or a horse-drawn wagon up to Neuschwanstein Castle, also known as "the castle of the fairy-tale king". This is the most popular castle in Europe, and possibly the world, attracting over 1.5 million visitors annually. Although it appears medieval, Neuschwanstein was built between 1869 and 1886. Only a third of the castle’s interior was finished by the time of Ludwig’s mysterious death nearby in Lake Starnberg in 1886, at the age of 41. After touring both castles, you will walk to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings. You will enjoy a unique exhibition that takes you on a journey through time, exploring the history of the Wittelsbach dynasty and its Bavarian Kings. You will experience the history of King Ludwig II and his family in the authentic vicinity of the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Precious objects, fascinating stories, and interactive media stations will provide you with an extraordinary insight into the history of the former Royal Family. Afterward, you will enjoy dinner and then have free time to walk the magical streets below the overlooking castles.
Day 10: Verwall Alps & Vaduz, Liechtenstein
After breakfast, we will travel for 1.5 hours to the Verwall Alps area. The name is supposed to derive from the Roman term "Val bel", which means "beautiful valley". The valley is surrounded by mountains of the Hoher Riffler (3,168 m), the Kuchenspitze (3,148 m), the Küchlspitze (3,147 m), the Blankahorn (3,129 m), the Seeköpfe (3,061 m), the Patteriol (3,056 m), the Samnaunspitze (3,039 m), and the Kleiner Riffler (3,014 m). Snowfall can remain on the tops of these mountains through late summer.
After a short stop for photos and lunch, you will continue to Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Switzerland borders Liechtenstein to the west & south and Austria to the east & north. It is the 5th smallest country in the world, with an area of just over 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and a population of 38,749. You will visit the Liechtenstein National Museum, the Postal Museum, and the Main Square. You will take a leisurely walk up to the Vaduz Castle and view Vaduz and the Rhine Valley. The castle was first built some 700 years ago, but since 1712 it has been in the possession of the Prince of Liechtenstein. Since 1938, it has been the residence of the prince’s family, so it is not open to the public. Later in the evening, you will enjoy dinner, and the rest of the evening will be yours to relax or find that perfect cup of coffee at a nearby café.
Day 11: Zurich, Switzerland / Historic City Tour / Boat Tour
After breakfast, you will then travel approximately 1.5 hours to Zurich. Known worldwide for its cheese and wine, Zurich is a hub for modern arts, music, and street parades. With the snow-covered Alps, a picturesque Old Town, hundreds of art galleries, and an exuberant nightlife, there are endless things to do in Zurich. Your day will begin with a 1.5-hour walk through the city center of Zurich. An experienced guide will take you throughout the downtown to view the landmarks of Old Town, Paradeplatz Square, Fraumünster Church, and Lindenhofplatz Historical Site. You will hear stories about war, the revolution, and the Reformation. You will visit the historical sights and learn the importance of each. Later in the day, you will take a boat ride around beautiful Lake Zurich. You will meet in the evening and enjoy dinner, and the rest of the evening will be yours to stroll the streets of Zurich.
Day 12: Zürich, Switzerland / Lindt Museum / Museum of Art
After breakfast, you will visit some of the most popular museums in Zurich. You will first visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum, the Museum of Art (Kunsthaus), the Museum Rietberg, the Swiss National Museum, and the National Museum (Landesmuseum). There are also the Zoological Museum, the Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), and the FIFA World Soccer Museum that you can visit. Later in the evening, you will enjoy dinner, and the rest of the evening will be yours to relax.
Day 13: Zürich, Switzerland / Zoo
After breakfast, you will spend the day at the Zurich Zoo known as one of the best zoos in the world. While there, you will visit the habitats of the zoo. The exhibits replicate the animals’ natural habitats as closely as possible. The habitats are the mountainous cloud forest, wetlands and marine ecosystems, the highlands, deciduous and dry forest, the seacoast, savanna and grassland, settlement area (farms and houses), tropical rainforest, and desert and steppe. Later in the evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner and the rest of the evening will be yours to relax.
Day 14: Zürich, Switzerland
You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then we will be happy to take you to the airport for your departure or you can continue your vacation in Europe.
