11 Days Oberammergau: Circle Munich, Austria, Switzerland
Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Highlights include Herrenchiemsee Palace, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Zurich, Black Forest, Neuschwanstein, Munich

DAY 1: Arrival Munich (Germany), to Chiemsee

Upon our arrival in Munich you will meet your tour director and board your private, de-luxe motor coach. Travel to your first hotel, is situated at the beautiful Bavarian Lake Chiemsee. Time to relax and enjoy a for a first walk before you meet for your Welcome dinner. Overnight: Lake Chiemsee

DAY 2: Herrenchiemsee Palace, to Salzburg

Start your tour of Bavaria with one of the most beautiful palaces of Europe: King Ludwig’s Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee. Modeled on Versailles, this palace was built as a “Temple of Fame” for King Louis XIV of France, whom the Bavarian monarch fervently admired. The highlights of the large state rooms are the State Staircase, the State Bedroom and the Great Hall of Mirrors. The king’s own rooms were in the intimate Small Apartment, designed in the French rococo style. You will have a guided tour of the palace and time for an enjoyable walk through the gardens. Continue to your hotel in Salzburg later in the afternoon. Overnight: Salzburg

DAY 3 Salzburg (Austria)

A day in the town of Mozart and music is waiting for us! A pleasant stroll with a local guide takes us through the historical center. Among the many pretty town houses and mansions we see Mirabell Gardens, the festival hall and Mozart’s birthplace in Getreidegasse. We will hear the bells of the great Glockenspiel Tower, performed to a melody of Mozart. The remainder of the day gives time for own excursions, shopping, a good time in a café, or a visit in one of the museums. In the afternoon you may want to join the group on a short excursion to Sound Of Music sites like Hellbrunn Palace. Overnight: Salzburg

DAY 4 Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Innsbruck

As you travel along the Austrian Alps you will stop at a place which opens the mystery of the mountains like no other. The Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds) are a one-of-its-kind display of the world’s most wonderful crystal. In the Chambers of Wonder, internationally recognized artists, designers, and architects have interpreted crystal in their own ways. 16 show rooms were created, each of which has a different thematic focus. On to Innsbruck in the afternoon where we explore the capital of Tyrol with a local guide. The historic center is a wonderful mix of medieval history, grand architecture from the Kaiser’s time, combined with some modern elements – and surrounded by the panorama of the Alps. Dinner and overnight in Innsbruck. 

DAY 5 Lucerne (Switzerland)

Today you cross into Switzerland where you visit the charming Swiss town of Lucerne. Your afternoon begins with a brief walking tour to view the City Walls and famous covered wooden bridges. The Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) is a symbol of Lucerne and a much photographed site. It originally dates back to the 14th century. Close by is the Spreuerbrucke (Spreuer Bridge), dating from 1408. We will also see “The dying Lion of Lucerne”, one of the world’s most famous monuments. It was carved out of natural rock in memory of the heroic deaths of the Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792. Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world. Overnight: Lucerne

DAY 6 Pilatus Peak

A very relaxing and joyful day is waiting for you as we explore one of the nicest Alpine peaks. The day starts with a steamer boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. After arrival on the other side we take the 1889 built,world’s steepest cogwheel train up to Pilatus peak at 6,949 feet. Prepare for wind and snow, and (hopefully, if weather permits) a spectacular view over the mountains in central Switzerland. There will be time for walks or to enjoy a rest in one of the restaurants before we make our way downhill again. We will glide down on the other side of the mountain in modern aerial cableways where we meet our motor coach at the valley station for our way back to the hotel in Lucerne. Overnight: Lucerne

DAY 7 Zurich, Lake Constance

Continue on to the city of Zurich today where you will meet up with your local expert guide. Among the sites to see is the Grossmünster cathedral (where the Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwingli was a pastor) stroll through the historic Altstadt (old city), and the boats at Limmat river. In the afternoon you head to Lake Constance to visit the botanical gardens of Mainau Island. Mainau offers year-round beauty with 45 hectare of impressive gardens, dining and shopping. The themed gardens include a Rhododendron Slope, Italian Rose Garden, Dahlia Garden and Hydrangea Path, Herbaceous Garden. The walk with a local expert offers an insight into the work of Count Lennart Bernadotte’s family, the owners of Mainau. Overnight: Lake Constance.

DAY 8 Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles

You could not travel the magical sights of Europe without visiting the world’s best known fairytale castle. On your way today is Neuschwanstein Castle, built by Bavarian King Ludwig. It is one of the most photographed locations in the world and the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle that we all know so well. You will tour the castle and to see the architectural fairytale for yourselves. Next on your list is Hohenschwangau Castle, another residential castle of the Bavarian kings, just opposite of Neuschwanstein. Our hotel will not be far from the castles in the Bavarian Alps. Overnight: Schwangau

DAY 9 Oberammergau

This is the day where you enjoy the original Passion Play, held every ten years, and performed by the inhabitants of Oberammergau. You will have a short drive in the morning, check in to your hotel, and enjoy a lunch before the passion play starts in the afternoon. Dinner will be included in a break of the performance. Overnight: Oberammergau or neighboring village.

DAY 10 Munich

For your last day in Europe what better way to spend it than in the beautiful city of Munich. A short drive on the German Autobahn wil bring you to the capital of Bavaria. Meet a local guide for a tour of the city. Our Farewell dinner will be in a typical Bavarian beer garden with live brass band music tonight. Overnight: Munich vicinity.

DAY 11 Departure

Our motor coach takes us on a last short drive to Munich Airport for our homebound flight.

Included

Motor Coach & Tour Director

  • Private de-luxe motor coach from/to Munich Airport
  • Road taxes, bus miles, bus parking included.
  • Experienced tour directors

Lodging & Meals

  • 10 nights in good, selected, charming 4**** star Hotels at Lake Chiemsee, in Salzburg (2x), Innsbruck, Lucerne (2x), at Lake Constance, Neuschwanstein vicinity, (Oberammergau, included in ticket arrangement), Munich
  • All rooms with private shower/ bathroom
  • Breakfast every morning
  • 10 Dinners in hotels and restaurants as indicated in itinerary

Guides & Sightseeing:

  • Herrenchiemsee Palace: Guided tour, boat to Palace island included
  • Salzburg: Tour of town and churches with two local guides
  • Salzburg: Excursion to Hellbrunn palace (outside/ garden visit)
  • Innsbruck: Admission to Swarovski Kristallwelten Wattens
  • Innsbruck: Tour of town with two local guides
  • Lucerne: Tour of town with three local guides
  • Lucerne: “Golden Pass” round trip via boat, cog rail, and cable car to Pilatus peak (6,949 ft.)
  • Zurich: Tour of town with three local guides
  • Lake Constance: Visit at Mainau Island botanical gardens
  • Neuschwanstein: Guided tour of Castle
  • Hohenschwangau: Guided tour of Castle
  • Munich: City tour with two local guides
  • All local tours with selected, English speaking guides
  • All local and federal taxes included