Flights from the USA to Munich, Germany

We will depart in the afternoon for our flight to Munich, Germany. After we arrive we will board our coach and make the short trip to Salzburg, Austria (185 km. approx. 3h) and settle in for a relaxing three-night stay in this charming, elegant city.  After check-in, you will have some time to rest after the long journey and familiarize yourself with the surrounding areas.  We will have a group dinner at Restaurant Sternbrau.

Salzburg

After breakfast, we will tour Mozart’s birthplace, stroll the Getreidegasse, as well as sites from the movie, the Sound of Music.  In the afternoon we will visit the Hohensalzburg for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside, visit the stunning cathedrals in the city’s center, and have free time for strolling and soaking in the ambience of this picture perfect town. Group dinner at Restaurant Sternbrau.

Salzburg

This morning we will drive into the mountains outside the city for a tour of the salt mines which have given the city its name.  We will then visit the lovely town of Berchtesgaden for free time and lunch.  In the afternoon, we will go to Kehlstein (Eagle’s Nest), Hitler’s retreat during World War II.  In the evening, we will have free time for strolling in Salzburg as you search for a dirndl or lederhosen, or perhaps just enjoy a bosna and some chocolate. Group dinner at Restaurant Sternbrau.

Salzurg - Venice

We will depart Salzburg early so that we will arrive in Venice in time for an unforgettable introduction to this fascinating city.  This will be our longest travel day, but we will break it up with a lunch stop in the delightful city of Villach on the Drava River.  Off the beaten path and little visited by tourists, this city has well-preserved Gothic and Baroque churches as well as delightful outdoor cafes and shops.  We will then continue on to Venice.  After checking into our hotel, we will board a vaporetto for the trip into the heart of the city where we will have dinner and a romantic evening gondola ride—and possible kiss under the Bridge of Sighs.  We will then have some free time in Piazza San Marcos to listen to the “orchestras” and enjoy a gelato! Board private boat back to the Tronchetto Bus Terminal and return to the hotel. 

Venice, Italy

Venice was known as the “Queen of the Seas” during the Renaissance.  This unique city is built on a sprawling archipelago for 117 islands and is traversed by more than 150 canals.  During the morning, we will visit the Doge’s Palace and the Cathedral.  We will also have the opportunity to ride an elevator up the Campanile for a wonderful view of the city (optional) and will also enjoy a glass-blowing demonstration.  In the afternoon there will be free time for shopping or a vaporetto ride to the Lido for fun in the sun. Board private boat back to the Tronchetto Bus Terminal and return to the hotel.  Group dinner at the hotel.

Venice - Florence

As we reach the mid-point in our adventure, we will settle in for a relaxing three night stay in the marvelous city of Florence.  On our drive to Florence, we will stop for lunch in Bologna and have the opportunity to visit the cathedral there—one of the largest in the world.  Then we will travel on to the incomparable city of Florence.  Primarily because of the patronage of the wealthy Medici family, Florence became the liveliest and most creative city in Europe during the Middle Ages.  We will be thrilled with the artistic beauty of the city.  Treasures of every kind abound—from the breathtaking architecture of the Pitti Palace and the Duomo to the charming simplicity of the Ponte Vecchio.  We will spend our time in Florence seeing masterpieces of Western art, eating gelato, and enjoying the charming atmosphere of this historic wonder. Group dinner at the hotel.

Florence

We will begin our day with a walking tour of the city and will visit St. Croix, the Duomo and the Baptistry.  Begun in the 13th century and completed 140 years later, the cathedral has a green, rose and white marble façade.  Brunelleschi’s red-tiled dome is a distinctive feature of the city.  At the baptistery we will see Ghiberti’s marvelous three-dimensional bronze doors depicting Bible stories and known throughout the world as the “Gates of Paradise.”  The afternoon will be free for shopping and exploring. Group dinner at the hotel.

Florence

In the morning we will visit the Academia, home of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David.  We will then visit the chapel and tombs of the Medici family—also featuring the work of Michelangelo.  After free time for lunch, we will go to the Uffizi gallery, located in a Renaissance Palace designed by Vasari, where we will admire great collections of paintings and sculpture by widely recognized artists—particularly Botticelli, Massaccio, and Piero della Francesca. Group dinner at the hotel.

Florence to Milan

We will depart Florence and travel west to the coast and the city of Pisa where we will see the famous leaning tower.  After free time for lunch, we will continue our journey north to Milan.  The second largest city in Italy, Milan is the economic heart of Italy and is an international commercial center and, because of its location, has been for hundreds of years. Upon arrival in Milan, we will visit the Church of Santa Maria della Grazie before arriving at the hotel.  Group dinner at the hotel.

Milan

During our morning visit to Santa Maria della Grazie, we will see Leonardo’s Last Supper.  We will then travel to the center of the city and visit the famous white-marble Cathedral of Milan.  It has 135 pinnacles and more than 200 statues.  After seeing the interior, you will have the chance to stroll on the roof of this great building.  We will take a short walk to the famous La Scala Opera House and have free time for strolling and shopping in the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele and surrounding areas exploring Milan on your own.  Group dinner at the hotel.

Milan - Lucerene

Today we will travel from Italy to Switzerland and into the beautiful mountain country surrounding Lucerne.  No longer simply circling the Alps, we will be in them!  We will have a lunch stop in  Lugano and enjoy the stunningly picturesque lake country on the border between Switzerland and Italy.  After arriving in Lucerne, we will visit the Kapelbrucke, Spreuerbrucke, the Lion Monument and Old Town. After check-in, we will have a group dinner at the hotel.

Lucerne

During our morning drive to Brienz, we will bask in the glorious scenery and take a relaxing boat ride to Interlaken.  We will take the cable car to Gurtshalp and continue by local train to Murren from where you will enjoy stunning views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and will have some free time for lunch.  Make the way back to Murren by local train and cable car and continue to Lauterbrunnen.  Afternoon visit to the majestic and powerful Trammelbach Falls. Keep your eyes open and maybe you will spot a rare Edelweiss as we journey through the mountains.  We will drive back to our hotel in Lucerne, where we will have our group dinner.   

Lucerne - Bavaria

Leaving Lucerne, we will journey into the Tyrol region and settle into a beautiful winter resort town where we will stay for the last three days of our adventure.  We will take the exciting cable car ride up the Zugsptize, Germany’s highest peak.

Bavaria

Today we will visit Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles.  These were the residences of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.  An eccentric recluse, Ludwig depleted the treasury of his country building extravagant castles and died in mysterious circumstances. Neuschwanstein seems unreal in its romantic Alpine setting and Linderhof is certainly the most elaborate “hunting lodge” you will ever see!  In the afternoon we will visit the fabulous Rococo Weiskirche—it looks somewhat plain and simple on the outside, but just wait until you see the interior. 

Oberammergau Passion Play

We will travel early to Oberammergau, a delightful town that has been home to skilled wood carvers since the 12th century.  There are many interesting things to see in this quaint town. Scenes from the scriptures and from fairy tales are painted on the walls of buildings.  We will attend the marvelous Passion Play, which has been performed by the town’s inhabitants every ten years since 1634—when the thirty years war and the deadly bubonic plague killed almost half the population of Germany.  The people of Oberammergau vowed to produce this play each decade if they could be spared.  They were, and here we are 350 years later! 

Bavaria - Munich - USA

Bidding a fond farewell to Europe and the Alps, we will travel by coach to Munich and then board our flights back to the USA.