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From the famed beer taverns of Munich to the Disney-inspiring turrets of Neuschwanstein Castle among the Alps, this 12-day tour will delight and awe. In Switzerland, a funicular transports you from the scenic shores of Lake Lucerne to a mountaintop Stanserhorn Dinner, at the roof of Europe. Enjoy a delicious meal at 6,000 feet, with stunning views from the Drehrestaurant Rondorama, which slowly rotates to ensure you don’t miss a thing. A journey aboard the Glacier Express offers vistas of ice capped mountains, dramatic valleys and frozen waterfalls.
Locations Visited
Vienna, Melk, Mondsee, Salzburg, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Oberammergau, Innsbruck, Saint Moritz, Andermatt, Lucerne, Stanserhorn, Zürich, Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Countries Visited
Austria, Germany, Switzerland
Travel Style
Country Roads
Accommodations
11
nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Itinerary
COLLAPSE ALLEXPAND ALL
Day 1
Welcome to Vienna
Welcome to Vienna, the imperial capital of Austria and once home to Freud, Mozart and Beethoven. Enjoy your afternoon before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation
InterContinental Vienna
Meals
Dinner
Highlights
Vienna Dinner
Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a drink, followed by a pleasant dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2
Vienna and the Habsburgs
Join your Local Expert on a private tour of Maria Theresa's magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Be transported to a time of opulence and extravagance, as you marvel at the intricacies of gilded rococo frames, frescoed ceilings and crystal chandeliers. See the city's many highlights, including St. Charles' Church, the Hofburg Palace, Parliament and State Opera House.
Accommodation
InterContinental Vienna
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Vienna Orientation
During your orientation led by your Travel Director, travel along the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
Vienna Schönbrunn Palace Tour
A guided exploration of Schönbrunn Palace will have all your senses tingling. Stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames where Mozart performed as a child prodigy.
Day 3
On to Salzburg
A shortdrivethroughwonderfulAustriancountrysideleadsustoSalzburg. En route, visit Melk Abbey and Mondsee's Basilica St. Michael, easily recognizable due to its appearance in The 'Sound of Music'.
Accommodation
ARCOTEL Castellani Salzburg
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Visit Melk Abbey
Visit Melk Abbey where the Benedictine monks have been living and working since 1089.
Day 4
The City of Mozart
Join your Local Expert, who will show you the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace, Residenzplatz, the city's imposing fortress, and the immense cathedral in the Old Town. Visit Mozart's birthplace where you will enjoy a pianoforte demonstration and examine letters, memorabilia and musical instruments of the great composer. In the evening, relish the authentic experience of Farm-to-Table dining.
Accommodation
ARCOTEL Castellani Salzburg
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Experience a Musical Demonstration at Mozart's Birthplace in Salzburg
Visit the house where Mozart was born in 1756. Enjoy a pianoforte demonstration and examine letters, memorabilia, and musical instruments of the great composer, plus a fascinating collection of portraits.
Salzburg City Tour
Join your Local Expert to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' You will also see the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
Day 5
Salzburg to Munich
This morning, board a boat to explore the sites of picturesque Herrenchiemesee. Visit the palace and the Fraueninsel. Enjoy time at leisure in the gardens over lunch before continuing by boat to Gstadt. Journey by coach to Munich, home of the world-famous Oktoberfest. This evening, revel in a truly Bavarian experience as you dine at a local beer hall.
Accommodation
Munich Marriott Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 6
Explore Munich and Dachau
Enjoy an orientation of Munich's sites including the university, Victory Arch and the Marienplatz, where crowds gather at the Town Hall to watch the antics of the Glockenspiel. Afterwards, explore with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Local Expert for a culinary walking tour in the city centre. Alternatively, visit the Munich Residenz, Germany's largest inner-city palace and former seat of Bavarian royalty. Travel to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site for a moment of commemoration and remembrance. Reflect on the weighty history that marks the site and observe the importance of its preservation.
Accommodation
Munich Marriott Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Munich Residenz Visit
Visit the Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria.
Munich Culinary Walking Tour
Embark on a culinary walking tour in the heart of the city.
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Visit
Experience a powerful and moving visit to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial site with a Local Expert.
Day 7
On to Innsbruck
Embark on an exciting visit to Neuschwanstein Castle (subject to availability), bristling with turrets and pinnacles, built as a retreat for the wildly eccentric King Ludwig II. See the extravagantly decorated apartments, including the Throne Room and Lohengrin courtyard. Continue to Oberammergau, home of the Passion Play since 1634. See the immense theatre and admire the colourful painted chalets before driving on to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck, set in a valley of snow-capped mountain peaks. This evening, for your Dine-Around experience, choose from a fantastic selection of restaurants.
Accommodation
Hotel Innsbruck
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
Visit the archetypal fairy-tale castle that allegedly inspired many of Walt Disney's castles. Led by a local historian, walk through the magnificent halls, take in the lavish decoration and enjoy spectacular views.
Oberammergau Orientation
Explore the town and see the theatre where the Passion Play has been performed since 1634.
Innsbruck Dine-Around evening
For your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of Innsbruck's vibrant restaurants. With drinks, a delicious 3-course dinner and Glühwein in abundance, your Dine-Around evening is a culinary experience not to be missed.
Day 8
Beautiful Innsbruck
Awake to the beautiful Alpine city of Innsbruck. A Local Expert will guide you through the city to see the 14th-century houses of the Old Town, the impressive Imperial Palace and the delightful Golden Roof. Visit a nearby ski jump, set against staggering mountain vistas. Meet one of the ski jumpers and observe a demonstration jump.
Accommodation
Hotel Innsbruck
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Ski Jump Visit
The host for your visit to the Bergisel Ski Jump is a local Ski Jumper who will show you a trick or two (weather permitting).
Innsbruck City Tour with LE
Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Local Expert, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture.
Day 9
The Engadine Valley and Chic St. Moritz
Take in the stunning views of the beautiful Engadine Valley, as you enter Switzerland headed for the chic Alpine resort of St. Moritz. Enjoy the town's marvellous scenery, fresh air and maybe visit its many museums or shop for souvenirs. Perhaps experience one of Europe's outstanding train journeys over the Bernina Pass.
Accommodation
Crystal Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
St Moritz Orientation
See the spa quarter and glacial lake of this charming alpine resort.
Day 10
All aboard the Glacier Express and on to Lucerne
Embark on an iconic train journey onboard the Glacier Express, taking in vistas of ice-capped mountains, stone-built villages and lush meadows. Ascend through the spiral tunnels of the Albula Pass and cross the Landwasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at Andermatt. Continue north, following the staggering Schöllenen Gorge through William Tell country. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a seasonal juice tasting. Onwards to Lucerne, join your Travel Director to see the sorrowful sculpture of the dying lion, cut out of a limestone cliff to commemorate the Swiss Guards who died at the Battle of the Tuileries.
Accommodation
Astoria Lucerne
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Glacier Express Scenic Train
Travel along the route of the world-famous Glacier Express, through looping tunnels and dizzying viaducts, in the scenic heart of the Swiss Alps, on a regional train fully powered by hydroelectricity.
Seasonal Juice Tasting in Stans
Taste a refreshing seasonal juice at a renovated Capuchin monastery producing sustainable crops from the alpine region. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Lucerne Orientation
See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
Day 11
Dinner at the ‘Roof of Europe’ in Stanserhorn
Enjoy the morning at your leisure, exploring the city's 14th-century covered wooden bridge, painted gables, old walls and watchtower of the medieval fortifications. Stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the Jesuit Church, or use your free time to shop. Later, head to the town of Stans, where you'll embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and cable car to the summit of the stunning Stanserhorn. On a clear day, enjoy views stretching as far as Alsace in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Here, amid true Alpine majesty, your journey literally peaks with an unforgettable dinner, hosted in Drehrestaurant Rondorama, located atop the mountain. Savour a glass of sparkling wine and admire the stunning panoramic views as the restaurant slowly rotates throughout the evening —ensuring you don't miss a thing.
Accommodation
Astoria Lucerne
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Stanserhorn Dinner
A spectacular journey by cable car and cogwheel railway takes you to the summit. Enjoy expansive mountain views over Lake Lucerne for your dinner. Fill your glass with wine and toast to newfound friends.
Visit Mount Stanserhorn Summit
Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
Day 12
Leave Lucerne for Zürich
Your Alpine adventures end this morning with a transfer to Zürich airport.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Summary
See Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, English Garden, Hofbräuhaus and Marienplatz in Munich • the church featured in ‘The Sound of Music' in Mondsee • Hofburg Imperial Residence and Opera House in Vienna • Old Town, Imperial Palace and Golden Roof in Innsbruck • St. Moritz • Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne.
What's Included
Vox Headsets
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Gratuities
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
Porterage
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Touchpoints
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Wifi
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Transport
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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Trip Notes:
A deposit of £100 must be paid at the time of booking.
International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
Travel to the USA and Canada often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of the itinerary.
Terms & Conditions:
Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy (twin room). Single room supplements are available.
'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts' or 'Last Minute Deals.' Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
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Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online, however, are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
*Temporary changes to standard terms and conditions apply to bookings until further notice. In accordance with travel restrictions imposed by government advisories worldwide, Insight Vacations has temporarily suspended all guided vacations across the globe for trips departing up and until 30 November 2020. For any new bookings being made, we are temporarily offering a fee waiver on the land portion of the trip until 30 days prior to departure should guests wish to change their dates or travel to a different destination. Airlines may have different policies and penalty charges, which are the guest’s responsibility. This applies to land bookings only and does not apply to group bookings. If the guest chooses a trip or departure that is more expensive than the original, they are responsible for the difference in price; if the trip or departure is less expensive than the original, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference. Please note guests are responsible for any airline penalties imposed due to trip changes and/or cancellations. View full details, along with terms and conditions here.
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the enclosed content. Insight Vacations cannot be held responsible for typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. Conditions apply. Policies are subject to change at any time.