NEW ITINERARY!
Bavaria and Alpine Europe
Oct. 1* to Oct. 14
$2,999 + air, per person based on double-occupancy. $400 deposit per person necessary to reserve your spot!
Airfare not included.
Optional Single Supplement: $800
*It’s necessary to arrive in Germany by the evening of Sep. 30
14 Days and Nights. 20 Spaces Available!
Price Includes: Hotels in the heart of the places you came to see; all in-Europe transportation (large and comfortable private bus with professional driver); admission to all sights visited by the group (that’s pretty much all of them!); breakfasts and select group lunches/dinners; two travel guides who’ve done the planning, reserving, and organizing, and who will lead the group, provide walking tours, take photos, lend advice, manage the schedule, check-in at hotels, and pay the bills.
If you’ve always wanted to experience some of the BEST of EUROPE, but just weren’t sure where to start, how to go about it, or what to see – this is the tour for you! These locations and activities have been specifically chosen for their stunning beauty, historical significance, and ability to delight!
In this BAVARIA and ALPINE EUROPE tour, you’ll experience medieval ramparts, inspiring architecture, colorful villages, rich history, and soaring alpine peaks, while visiting parts of five beautiful European countries! We begin in the modern banking capital of Europe – Frankfurt, Germany. From there we’ll travel to the German fortified town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber where you’ll feel you’ve traveled back in time to the Middle Ages. Next, we’ll go deep into the heart of Bavaria with a stop in Munich to celebrate the world-famous Oktoberfest. Filled with “oom-pah” charm and natural beauty we’ll spend several days exploring other Bavarian sights such as Neuschwanstein Castle, gilded baroque churches, a miniature palace, natural wonders, and the storybook town of Oberammergau. As we venture further south, we’ll enjoy the stunning region of Tyrol in Austria, including the beautiful city of Innsbruck, before crossing into Italy amidst the towering Dolomite peaks. We’ll spend two days and nights surrounded by jagged peaks, grassy meadows, and a delightful mixture of Austrian and Italian culture. Next, we’ll drop down from the mountains to spend a day in the Lombard city of Bergamo where we’ll explore narrow cobbled lanes threaded throughout classic Italian architecture and surrounded by a Venetian wall. That evening we’ll check into our hotel on the banks of Lake Maggiore, nestled along the southern slopes of the Italian Alps. As we say “ciao, Italia” we’ll yodel our way up to the village of Zermatt, Switzerland, which clusters around the base of the mighty Matterhorn peak! After taking in this most famous of mountaintops, we’ll head for the “Valley of the Waterfalls” in the Berner Oberland region at the heart of Switzerland. Here we’ll be fully immersed in a dreamlike setting of Swiss chalets, glacier-capped peaks, clanging cowbells, and happy hikers. Before bidding farewell to our Swiss adventure, we’ll visit the charming national capital of Bern with its turquoise river and medieval stone architecture. Next, as mountain peaks transform into rolling hills, we’ll find ourselves in the Alsace region of France. Here, the radiant fall colors will warm our hearts as we travel amongst tended vineyards and fairytale villages. Our last stop will be the French city of Strasbourg, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful. Half-timbered architecture and a towering gothic cathedral will add to the richness of our Old-World experience. Finally, our journey will conclude back in Frankfurt as we marvel at the places we’ve been. This adventure through some of Europe’s most beautiful and fascinating locations offers an eye-popping variety of famous sights, grand cities, small towns, rural charm, and a heaping helping of gorgeous Alpine locales!
Below is a short summary of highlighted places and activities. Not all sights or activities are listed – that would just be too long to describe! All planned activities are subject to change.
Day 0
Arrival in Germany – Frankfurt
We’ll all need to be in Frankfurt by Sep. 30. On that night we have reservations at a hotel where we’ll meet and prepare to begin our adventure first thing in the morning! To chase away the jetlag, explore the nearby Old Town with its classic German architecture, historic church, and plazas with open-air markets. Sleep in Frankfurt, one night.
Day 1
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
After meeting our fellow travelers and boarding our private bus, we’ll head for the Romantic Road of Germany’s Franconian heartland. Attractions and Activities: Stay within the walls of the Medieval marvel of Rothenburg ob der Tauber! This is one of Europe’s greatest preserved medieval cities. Completely surrounded by ramparts, this is storybook Germany at its best! Sleep in Rothenburg, Germany, 1 night.
Day 2
Munich and Oktoberfest
Attractions and Activities: Munich, the beautiful capital of Bavaria, always offers the quintessential German experience… and we’ll be visiting during Oktoberfest! Grab a pretzel and join in the oom-pah fun! Sleep just outside Munich in Berg, Germany, 1 night.
Days 3, 4, 5
Beautiful Bavaria!
Attractions and Activities: Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, the pilgrimage church of Wies, the charming village of Oberammergau, and other delights of Southern Germany! Sleep in Oberammergau, Germany, 3 nights.
Days 6, 7
Tyrol and the Italian Alps
Attractions and Activities: Travel through Austria with a stop in Innsbruck before heading even higher into the Alps as we adventure into Italy and the jagged Dolomite peaks! See beautiful Alpine towns and spectacular hiking vistas! Sleep in Castelrotto, Italy, 2 nights.
Day 8
Lombardy, Italy
Attractions and Activities: In lovely Lombardy we’ll enjoy a Mediterranean climate and visit the classic old Italian town of Bergamo, surrounded by Venetian walls. Then we’ll travel to beautiful Baveno, to spend the night on the shores of Lago Maggiore. This is a region world-famous for its beauty and laid-back lifestyle. Sleep in Baveno, Italy, 1 night.
Days 9, 10, 11
Majestic Switzerland
Attractions and Activities: Visit the exclusive Swiss mountain-town of Zermatt and the mighty Matterhorn! Then we’ll settle into the “Valley of the Waterfalls” to soak in the amazing (yet real) Swiss landscape of your dreams! Hiking, gondola rides, relaxing, and amazing vistas are on tap! Sleep in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, 3 nights.
Day 12
The Fairytale Land of Alsace, France
Attractions and Activities: Descend from the mountains with a stop in the Swiss capital of Bern, then into the rolling hills and vineyards of Eastern France. We’ll visit colorful and traditional villages beneath brooding castle ruins. This is a region where French and German cultures combine to create a place all its own. Sleep in Kaysersberg-Vignoble, France, 1 night.
Day 13
Strasbourg
Before returning to Germany, we’ll stop in the French city of Strasbourg to explore its cobbled streets, stone bridges, and magnificent cathedral. This evening we’ll arrive once again in Frankfurt, bubbling over with memories of the amazing places we’ve been and experiences we’ll always treasure! Sleep in Frankfurt, Germany, 1 night.
Day 14
Frankfurt
After breakfast, our tour concludes. The nearby airport is one of Europe’s busiest and offers many flights home. Your guides can assist with transportation connections (many choose to team up with fellow travelers and share a van ride to the airport). For those desiring to extend their stay in Europe, Frankfurt can connect you to just about any destination you desire via train, rental car, or air.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US! WE’D LOVE TO SHARE THIS ADVENTURE WITH YOU!
$2,999 + air, per person based on double-occupancy ($400 deposit per person necessary to reserve your spot)!