Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
Your Alpine adventure starts today as you head out to experience three distinct Alpine cultures across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, moving from royal palaces to charming mountain towns.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Imperial Riding School Autograph Collection)
- Day 2
Vienna
You'll arrive in Vienna, Austria's elegant capital built by the Habsburg Empire and shaped by classical composers. Spend the day checking out the city at your own pace, then meet up with your group this evening for a welcome dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Imperial Riding School Autograph Collection)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner with fellow travelers
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Vienna's cobblestone streets and elegant architecture
- Day 3
Vienna
Start with a local guide at the magnificent 17th-century Schönbrunn Palace, then take a panoramic city tour and guided walk through architectural highlights from Hofburg to St. Stephen's Cathedral. The afternoon is free to wander around, and this evening features opera singers and ballet dancers performing the works of Strauss, Mozart, and more.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Salzburg City Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace (17th-century, 1,440+ rooms)
- Panoramic city tour of Vienna
- Guided walk of architectural marvels from Hofburg to St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Evening performance by opera singers and ballet dancers featuring music of Strauss, Mozart, and more
Optional Activities
- Visit one of Vienna's many museums
- Independent exploration of Vienna's avenues
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Hofburg Palace St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 4
Vienna to Salzburg
Travel through the Austrian countryside and cruise along the Danube River, one of Europe's most popular waterways. You'll continue to Salzburg, the City of Music, where lush gardens and old-world charm await, then have dinner at a local Austrian restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Austrian cuisine at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Salzburg City Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Danube River
- Dinner of Austrian cuisine at a local restaurant
Landmarks Danube River 
- Day 5
Salzburg
Pick your morning option: either a leisurely walking tour through Salzburg's Old Town or a Sound of Music city tour featuring iconic film locations from the movie. Spend your afternoon exploring on your own, or consider an optional trip to the Eagle's Nest if you want something different.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Alte Post)
Included Activities
- Choice of morning tour: leisurely walking tour of Old Town OR Sound of Music city tour featuring film locations
Optional Activities
- Eagle's Nest excursion - Hitler's former private refuge with specially designed coaches along steep rock walls and gorges, brass elevator ascent of 365 feet, spectacular panoramic views - $85.00 pp
- Independent afternoon exploration of Salzburg
Landmarks Salzburg Old Town - Day 6
Salzburg to Oberammergau
Travel through the Bavarian Alps toward Munich, Bavaria's most visited city. Upon arrival, choose between a panoramic tour of the National Theater or a visit to the lavish Treasury of the Munich Residence, both ending with the Rathaus Glockenspiel at Marienplatz. After that, you'll head to Oberammergau, known for its 380-year tradition of producing a Passion Play every 10 years, where you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Alte Post)
Included Activities
- Choice of Munich tour: panoramic tour highlighting National Theater of Bavaria and Marienplatz Rathaus Glockenspiel OR visit to lavish Treasury of Munich Residence with viewing of Rathaus Glockenspiel
Landmarks National Theater of Bavaria Munich Residence Marienplatz 
- Day 7
Oberammergau
You'll tour Linderhof Palace with an expert guide, the only one of King Ludwig II's three palaces he actually lived to see completed. The tour takes you through extraordinary halls modeled after Versailles. Along the route, you'll stop for a view of Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany's most photographed castle and the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle, sitting dramatically on a distant hillside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hofgut Sternen)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Linderhof Palace with expert guide through halls modeled after Versailles
- Stop for iconic view of Neuschwanstein Castle
Landmarks Linderhof Palace Neuschwanstein Castle 
- Day 8
Oberammergau to Black Forest
Head to the heart of the Black Forest, a region known for artisans who create authentic cuckoo clocks and Hummels figurines. By evening, you'll try the region's famous Black Forest cake with tree-studded mountains as your backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Black Forest cake in the region it originated from)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hofgut Sternen)
Included Activities
- Black Forest cake tasting with mountain backdrop
Optional Activities
- Visit artisan cuckoo clock and Hummel makers in the Black Forest region
Landmarks Black Forest 
- Day 9
Black Forest to Freiburg to Zurich
Board a train and travel to Freiburg, a vibrant medieval city in southwest Germany's Black Forest. A local guide will take you through the Gothic cathedral and Bächle, the narrow channels with flowing water that once served as the town's water supply. Before heading back to your hotel, stop at Lake Titisee for a scenic boat ride to see the Black Forest from a different angle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Astoria)
Included Activities
- Train journey to Freiburg
- Guided exploration of Freiburg with local guide
- Visit to Freiburg's Gothic cathedral
- Visit to Bächle (narrow water channels)
- Short boat ride on Lake Titisee
Landmarks Freiburg Cathedral Lake Titisee - Day 10
Zurich to Lucerne
You'll enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest before arriving in Zurich, Switzerland's luxurious cultural center and global banking hub. A local guide leads a walking tour of the city, then you'll have free time for lunch on your own. Later, head to Lucerne, the Swiss Paradise on the Lake, and take a scenic walking tour including a walk through the charming Old Town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Astoria)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Zurich with local guide
- Scenic walking tour of Lucerne including Old Town
Optional Activities
- Independent lunch in Zurich
Landmarks Lucerne Old Town 
- Day 11
Lucerne
The day is yours to relax or independently explore Lucerne at your own pace. If you want something more active, consider an optional excursion to Mount Pilatus, taking the world's steepest railway up to 7,000 feet for panoramic views. This evening, you'll gather with your group for a farewell dinner featuring local Swiss specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner featuring local Swiss specialties)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner featuring local Swiss specialties
Optional Activities
- Mount Pilatus excursion - ascend on the world's steepest railway (48% gradient) via panoramic gondolas and cable cars, enjoy 7,000-foot Alpine views, optional Swiss culinary options at summit restaurants (lunch not included), return via panoramic gondola - $95.00 pp
- Independent exploration of Lucerne
Landmarks Mount Pilatus - Day 12
Departure
Say goodbye to the Alps today as your tour through Austria, Germany, and Switzerland comes to a close.
