Exploring the Alpine Countries Austria - Germany - Switzerland

What's Included

• Danube River Cruise

  Cruise along the legendary Danube River.

• Vienna Performance

  Enjoy a performance by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more, in Vienna.

• Dinner in Lucerne

  Savor a dinner of local Swiss specialties in Lucerne.

• Black Forest Cake

  Dine on Black Forest Cake in the region it originated from.

• Guided Tour of Vienna

  Come to know Vienna during a locally guided tour that showcases its architectural marvels.

• Tour of Linderhof Palace

  Tour Linderhof Palace, the only palace that King Ludwig II lived to see completed.

• Freiburg Exploration

  Explore Freiburg with a local guide, including its Gothic cathedral and Bächle.

• Lucerne Walking Tour

  Set out on a scenic walking tour of Lucerne, including a stroll through its romantic Old Town.

What's Not Included

• Optional Excursion to Mount Pilatus

  The optional excursion to Mount Pilatus is not included and may be cancelled due to maintenance work or inclement weather.
  
  

• Lunch in Zurich

  Lunch in Zurich is not included during the free time provided.
  
  

Experiences

Cruise along the legendary Danube River.Enjoy a performance by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more, in Vienna.

Options

Lucerne: Mount Pilatus Enjoy the splendor of pure nature while gliding over a clear landscape in panoramic gondolas and spectacular cable cars. Ascend Pilatus via a unique excursion on the steepest railway of the world with a gradient of 48%. Upon arrival at the top, soak in the magnificent Alpine view from 7,000 feet above sea level. During leisure time at the summit, stroll the walkway for views from a different vantage point, or enjoy Swiss culinary delights on your own in one of the various restaurants (lunch is not included). Return back down the mountain by panoramic gondola for yet another bird’s eye view. Duration approximately 3 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

In the off-season (November to mid-May) the cogwheel train is unavailable and both the ascent and descent will be by panorama gondolas and aerial cableway. The option may be cancelled due to maintenance work or inclement weather.
Highest elevation: 7,000 feet.

Lucerne: Mount Pilatus Enjoy the splendor of pure nature while gliding over a clear landscape in panoramic gondolas and spectacular cable cars. Ascend Pilatus via a unique excursion on the steepest railway of the world with a gradient of 48%. Upon arrival at the top, soak in the magnificent Alpine view from 7,000 feet above sea level. During leisure time at the summit, stroll the walkway for views from a different vantage point, or enjoy Swiss culinary delights on your own in one of the various restaurants (lunch is not included). Return back down the mountain by panoramic gondola for yet another bird’s eye view. Duration approximately 3 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

In the off-season (November to mid-May) the cogwheel train is unavailable and both the ascent and descent will be by panorama gondolas and aerial cableway. The option may be cancelled due to maintenance work or inclement weather.
Highest elevation: 7,000 feet.

Salzburg: Eagle's Nest A captivating place in history awaits you today as you travel to the Eagle's Nest - Hitler's former private refuge, built as a teahouse for his 50th birthday. Upon reaching the town of Obersalzberg, you will board specially designed coaches for the adventurous and breathtaking ride along the steep rock walls and gorges which lead to the base of the Kehlstein. A large brass elevator will carry you up the final 365 feet into the Eagle's Nest. From here, you are sure to enjoy the spectacular views in every direction. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

This option is available during the months of May - October only.

Culinaries

Savor a dinner of local Swiss specialties in Lucerne.Dine on Black Forest Cake in the region it originated from.

Must See

Come to know Vienna and its incredible Schonbrunn Palace.Discover the capital of the Bavaria region, Munich.Spend two nights in the beautiful city of Salzburg.

Choice Highlights

Vienna This is the capital city of Austria, located on the Danube, with a population of over 2 million in the metro area. It is known as the “City of Music” because of the numerous famous composers who have lived and worked here, such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, and also as the “City of Dreams” as it was home to Sigmund Freud. Some of its primary sights are Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Vienna is also known for its coffee houses and restaurants.

Schonbrunn Palace This Vienna palace was a summer residence of the Holy Roman Emperors beginning in the 17th century, and is the most-visited site in Austria. Emperor Maximillian II bought the property for a hunting preserve, and it was remodeled by Empress Maria Theresa in the mid 18th century. On the grounds are an orangerie, a palm house, a French garden designed by a student of the designer of the gardens at Versailles in France, an English garden and a large park. Concerts are often held here with music of Mozart and others.

Classical Concert In Vienna, Austria’s "capital of classical music," enjoy an after-dinner performance of opera and ballet to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more. Vienna is a major destination for classical music lovers because of the many composers who hail from the city or flocked there to establish their musical careers through the 19th century.

Danube Cruise The cruise travels through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO site running 25 miles from Melk to Krems in Lower Austria. The valley has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is a famous wine region. There are no bridges across the Danube in the valley, so ferries are the only way to cross, and the area has kept its character thanks to that. The town of Durnstein in the valley is where Duke Leopold held King Richard Lionheart of England captive.

Salzburg The name of this city means “Salt Fortress” and it comes from the custom of taxing salt shipments down the Salzach River. It is the 4th largest city in Austria, and the capital of the state of Salzburg. The baroque Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city sits in a valley surrounded by the Alps. Mozart was born here in the 18th century, and the city was the setting for “The Sound of Music”. Salzburg became part of Austria in the early 19th century, given by Bavaria. Some of the important sights are the Salzburg Castle, Salzburg Cathedral, Mirabell Gardens, the birthplace of Mozart and sites associated with “The Sound of Music.”

Choices on Tour In Salzburg, discover the city on a leisurely-paced walking tour of the Old Town focused on its history -OR- feel like you’ve joined the Von Trapp family on a city tour featuring iconic film locations like Mirabell Gardens from The Sound of Music.



Classic Salzburg City Tour

Activity Level: 3

Guests should be able to walk for up to 2 hours and on uneven ground. This tour is entirely done on foot.



Sound of Music City Tour

Activity Level: 2

Guest should be able to walk for up to one hour at a time and navigate small inclines. This tour is a combination of walking and on a coach.





In Munich, you have two choices. The first is a panoramic city tour of Munich by coach, where you’ll see the National Theatre of Bavaria, the Feldherrnhalle where the Beer Hall Putsch was defeated, the Nazi Documentation Centre museum, the University of Munich, the massive Alte Pinakothek gallery, and the English Gardens. The second is a walking tour of the lavish Treasury of the Munich Residence, where you can explore the vaulted halls to see over a thousand priceless works of art in gold, precious gems, ivory, and more. No matter which choice you make, you’ll end your tour with a viewing of the intricate Rathaus-Glockenspiel chiming at noon.



Panoramic Munich City Tour

Activity Level: 1

Guests should be able to walk for 30 minutes on relatively flat ground.



Treasury of the Munich Residence and Residence Gardens

Activity Level: 3

Guests should be able to walk for 2 hours on relatively flat ground.

Munich This is the 3rd largest city in Germany and capital of Bavaria, population about 1.5 million in the city itself. It began as the site of a Benedictine monastery where the old city is today, and the name of the city comes from the word “monk”. It is famous today as the home of Oktoberfest and the Hofbrauhaus, the Glockenspiel clock in the Old Town Hall, its Christmas Market and the headquarters of BMW and Siemens. There are several universities there and it was the site of the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Oberammergau This German town of 5,100 people is located in the Bavarian Alps, very close to the Austrian border. It is most famous for the Passion Play, which takes place here every 10 years. It was first held in 1634 to give thanks for escaping the Bubonic Plague and is performed only by inhabitants of Oberammergau. Almost half of the villagers took part in the last play in 2010. The town is also known for traditional Alpine woodcarving and frescoes on house facades, so walking through the center is like being in a museum. Many shops sell examples of the woodcraft. During WWII, Messerschmitt aircraft were built here, partly in tunnels in the mountain behind the town. Now the German Army and the NATO School occupy the former Nazi barracks here.

Linderhof Palace Inspired by Versailles and built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1886, Linderhof Palace has a Baroque facade with rich Rococco ornamentation inside. The Palace is an excellent way to see the incomparable artistry of the era’s craftspeople. Look for such lush decorations as a carpet made of ostrich plumes, an ivory candelabra and a table top inlayed with lapis-lazuli, amethyst and chalcedony.

Black Forest This is a heavily forested mountain range in southwest Germany that lies east of the Rhine River and borders France on its west and Switzerland in the south. The highest peak in the 150 km-long (93 miles) region is about 1500 meters/4,900 feet, and there are several beautiful glacial lakes within the forest, such as Titisee and Feldsee. The famous spa town of Baden-Baden is in the northern part of the forest, and there are numerous hiking trails and driving circuits to visit the traditional villages. The Black Forest is known for wood-carving, especially in the manufacture of cuckoo clocks, and for foods like Black Forest ham and Black Forest Cherry cake.

Freiburg

Lucerne This city of 80,000 people is in north-central Switzerland in the canton of Lucerne and sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The town began with a Benedictine monastery in the 8th century and gained importance from its location on trade routes. The most famous sights in Lucerne are the wooden Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) across the Reuss River, the Hofkirche (Church of St. Leodegar) and the Swiss Museum of Transport. The city celebrates Carnival every year beginning the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. Mt Pilatus, with the world’s steepest cog railway, is visible from Lucerne.

Mode of Transport

Travel through the picturesque landscapes of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland by coach, with scenic drives and a cruise along the Danube River. Enjoy a train journey to Freiburg and a boat ride on Lake Titisee for a unique perspective of the Black Forest.

Accommodation

Stay in comfort at the Intercontinental Hotel Wien in Vienna, the Arcotel Castellani, and Hotel Alte Post in Salzburg, and the Hotel Hofgut Sternen in Oberammergau. Enjoy the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freiburg and experience Swiss hospitality in Lucerne.