Germany - Austria - Switzerland
Extensive 16 Day Alpine Explorer
Frankfurt – Nuremberg – Dachau – Neuschwanstein – Berchtesgaden - Salzburg - Vienna – Innsbruck - Salzburg – Lucerne – Freiburg – Heidelberg – Rudesheim – Rhine River Cruise

Day 1  We arrange flights from your gateway to Frankfurt, Germany.

Day 2  Afternoon arrival to Frankfurt airport We are welcomed by our tour escort and transfer to our hotel in Rothenberg which is one of the finest medieval towns in Germany. It seems virtually unchanged since the sixteenth century. Located on a steep promontory above the winding Tauber, the town prospered during the Middle Ages but suffered greatly during the Thirty Years' War and never recovered its former importance. As a result, the architecture has kept its 16th century appearance. At Whitsuntide each year there is a festival commemorating the noble mayor, who saved his town by drinking a three-quart jug of wine in a single swallow. This impressed the commander of the enemies and the town was spared. Walk the old city walls or visit the Museum of Medieval Justice with its torture chambers.

Day 3  Breakfast at the hotel and depart to Nuremberg, partly along the Romantic Road. In medieval times, Nuremberg was both a commercial metropolis and a center of arts. The Meistersingers of the fourteenth century lived here, as did the great German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. A lot of medieval buildings were destroyed in the last war but most have been beautifully reconstructed. Towering over the city is the Kaiserburg dating back to 1050. Don't miss a visit to the famous "Handwerkerhof" located at the town wall in front of the Main Station, where we see Nürnberg artisans perform their craftworks. After a little free time in Nuremberg’s old town proceed to Fuerth.

Day 4  Depart for Munich, originally a village founded by Benedictine Monks. We visit Nymphenburg castle, and the Deutsche Museum, the largest technical museum in the world.

Day 5 Visit the Dachau Memorial Site. Two hours are allocated to visit the Memorial Site before watching the film. On March 22, 1933, the first German concentration camp was set up near DACHAU on the grounds of a former ammunition factory. Political opponents, Jews, clergymen and so-called "undesirable elements" were to be isolated here as enemies of the National-Socialist regime. In 1937, the camp originally planned for 5000 persons proved to be too small. The prisoners had to build a larger camp, which was completed in 1938. The camp office files show a total of more than 206,000 prisoners, registered between 1933 and 1945. In addition, many prisoners were taken to Dachau without being registered. Sadly, the exact figures will never be known.

Day 6 Breakfast at our hotel and we depart for Garmisch-Partenkirchen for our included Zugspitze excursion. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a lively town in an incomparable mountain setting at the foot of Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze. Enjoy a ride with the cable car to the summit with its breathtaking views. Depart for Neuschwansteinwith an stop in Oberammergau en route. Continue to incredible Neuschwanstein where we tour the castle. The world famous Neuschwanstein castle was constructed by Ludwig II in honor of Richard Wagner, the musician King Ludwig admired most. The castle was meant to be a setting for Richard Wagner's opera "The Ring of the Nibelungen". Actually, Ludwig II spent only 170 days in his castle, he died in 1886 - before the constructions of the castle was finished. This is the original model for the castle in Disneyland.

Day 7  On to Salzburg stopping at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines for a tour. The exploitation of the Salt Mines started in 1517 and brought prosperity to a region formerly very poor. The tour, in miner's overalls, includes a trip through the galleries in a small train, a vertiginous 34m (112ft) scramble down to the salt caves, the crossing by raft of an illuminated underground lake, and a documentary film show on salt extraction. A room arranged as a salt museum exhibits the machinery. Mid-afternoon we arrive in Salzburg, Mozart´s birthplace, is a delight from the first sight of the outline of the Hohensalzburg, the symbol of the power of the prince-archbishops. The fortress rises over the roofs and belfries of the town, through which flow the waters of the Salzach River. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Salzburg with the fortress Hohensalzburg.

Day 8  Vienna, the city of the waltz and home to many famous composers - Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler and Johann Strauss are the most celebrated. In Vienna, Lehar and his contemporaries created the sparkling genre of the operetta; and Schönberg went far beyond traditional structures in his twelve-tone creations. In Vienna there is always a wide choice of performances to attend and music to hear: from the State Opera and the Philharmonic to operetta and musical, from waltzes and the songs of the wine gardens to jazz and pop. We check into our hotel with dinner at the hotel.

Day 9  Breakfast is at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Vienna, including Schönbrunn Palace, the Hundertwasser House and St. Stephen's cathedral. In the afternoon we visit the Hofburg with dinner at our hotel.

Day 10 We have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Innsbruck, Austria. Innsbruck is located in the heart of the Alps, a beautiful setting. The city centre with its triumphal arch, fine mansions and churches offers a lot to see. Stroll along the Maria Theresien Strasse and visit the Little Golden Roof, the Golden Dachl. On arrival in the late afternoon explore Innsbruck. Afterwards check into our hotel in Axams, a mountain resort near Innsbruck.

Day 11  Breakfast at the hotel and depart for Lucerne, Switzerland Lucerne, once a simple fishermen's village the town is today a cultural and economic centre of the area. Lucerne is located beautifully at the north west end of Lake Lucerne. The old town's access by water was guarded by covered wooden bridges, eg. the Kapellbrücke. Beautiful sites we see are the Spreuerbrücke, an old wooden bridge with lovely painted panels and a little chapel in the middle (built in 1568), the Hirschenplatz (stag-square) and the Weinmarkt (wine market). Engelberg is a mountain resort about 20 km from Lucerne. Dinner at our hotel.

Day 12  Breakfast at the hotel and we explore Lucerne's historical city center on a fascinating guided walk. Optionally we can take a tour up Mount Titlis and enjoy the breathtaking view. Return to Engelberg for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13  Breakfast at the hotel and depart for Freiburg with sightseeing stops en route as time permits.  Freiburg is famous for its Gothic Minster, one of the most beautiful churches in Germany. Surrounding the Minster is the Münsterplatz, a square lined with many fine old houses such as the Gothic Kaufhaus. Throughout the old city centre you will discover little canals, "The Bächle". Check into our hotel with dinner at a restaurant in town followed by a stroll through charming Freiburg.

Day 14  Breakfast at the hotel and depart for Heidelberg. On the way, enjoy riding through the Black Forest and visiting a Cuckoo Clock factory. Heidelberg, a town like from an operetta is renowned throughout the world for its romantic beauty. Certainly the setting is unsurpassed, with the ruins of the rose tinted castle rising high above the towers and turrets of a Renaissance town. Heidelberg is the home town of the oldest German university, which has celebrated its 6th centenary only a couple of years ago. Stroll along the lively Main Street (Hauptstraße) with the town hall, the impressive Renaissance mansion called "Hotel Zum Ritter" and the typical student pubs and restaurants. We enjoy a tour through the castle of Heidelberg.

Day 15 Travel to Rüdesheim am Rhein, which lies at the southern end of the Rhine Gorge. Rudesheim is famous for its wine growing tradition. We walk through this typical small village with half-timbered houses. A hike up to the Niederwald Memorial, will afford us beautiful views of the Rhine valley. Embark on a cruise of the Rhine with a ship of Bingen-Rüdesheimer Line from St. Goarshausen to Rüdesheim. The romantic Rhine Valley features many castles, fortresses and the Loreley Rock, nestled on hills along the river. The many vineyards and picturesque villages invite us to stay. This afternoon we arrive back in Rüdesheim, and we transfer to our hotel.

Day 16 Early breakfast at the hotel is followed by 9:00AM visit to the Music Instrument Museum. Transfer to Frankfurt International airport for the flight home.

Please call for a customized program and prices.