Day 1: Arrive in St. Goar
St.
Goar, our scenic Rhine river home base, is a convenient train connection away
from Frankfurt's airport. Meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel for a "Welcome to
Germany" get-together. After introductions, we'll take an evening walk through
the town and enjoy dinner together. Overnight at Hotel in St. Goar .
Day 2: The Rhine River
Today you will begin your day by exploring a brooding
castle with a commanding view, then cruise the Rhine River, passing
spectacularly situated castles and vineyards. We'll tour the delightful village
of Bacharach with a local guide and then return to St. Goar, where you'll have
free time to stroll the cobbled streets. Dinner together. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: To Baden-Baden via Mosel River
Today you will take the scenic route to Baden-Baden, via
the Mosel River and tour the mighty Burg Eltz Castle. After lunch, we'll visit
historic Trier, Germany's oldest city with its best Roman ruins. Overnight at
Hotel in autobahn in Baden-Baden
Day 4:Baden-Baden
Today you will be free for touring the casino; we'll have
the rest of the day and evening free to 'do the spa,' wander along the shaded
riverside promenade, and/or hike to viewpoints above the town. The curative
mineral waters and elegant surroundings have soothed the rich and famous for
years. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5: To French Switzerland via Black Forest
Today we will explore the Black Forest this morning,
stopping to visit a fascinating open air museum with demonstrations of
traditional village life. Our day ends in French Switzerland, in the serene
lakefront village of Murten. Dinner together at our hotel. Overnight at Hotel in
Murten.
Day 6: All day in French Switzerland
Today you will enjoy a tour to the lake-hugging 13th
century castle, Château Chillon, and then hop aboard a lake steamer (spring and
summer tours) for a cruise on Lake Geneva. We'll meander back through farms and
vineyards to Murten, taking time to explore this land of wine, cheese and joie
de vivre.Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7: To Berner Oberland
Today begins with a drive past a parade of finely carved
chalets and traditional villages. We'll end our day in the nearby mountain
lovers' paradise of the Berner Oberland and eat dinner together. Overnight at
Heidi in the cliff-top town in Murren.
Day 8: Free day in Berner Oberland
Today you will have all day free for a riverside stroll
through the glacier-carved Lauterbrunnen Valley, or hike the high meadows amidst
the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains-the most beautiful chunk of the Swiss Alps.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Munich
It's a scenic, all-day drive across the border into
southern Germany and the underbars Bavarian countryside, taking time to enjoy
the pristine mountain and lake scenery before we arrive in Munich, Bavaria's
vibrant capital. Overnight at Hotel.
Note: September tours will have lots of time to see all the
sights and excitement within Munich, but may sleep in a nearby village.
Day 10: Munich
After an informative walking tour with a local guide,
you'll have the rest of the day to stroll the lively heart of Germany's most
livable city, to admire its many museums, or to rent a bike and appreciate how
much fun two wheels can be. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11: Salzburg via Neuschwanstein
This morning we'll head south to Neuschwanstein, "Mad King"
Ludwig's fairy-tale castle. After touring this famous folly, we should have just
enough time for one of Europe's great cheap thrills: a slide down a luge course
(weather and season permitting). Then we'll head for Austria and arrive in
Salzburg in time for an orientation walk through the perfectly preserved
historic center. Overnight at Hotel in Salzburg.
Day 12: Salzburg
After a morning walking tour, you'll have the rest of the
day and evening free. You can wander Salzburg's magnificent gardens, walk in
Mozart's (and Julie Andrews') footsteps through the old town, pedal a rented
bike into the countryside, or just relax with a cup of coffee and an incredibly
rich pastry. Remember, this is "Sound of Music" country - there's nearly always
an evening concert (or frothy beer garden!).Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13: Austria's Lake District
Today we make our way to tiny Hall statt, located in the
heart of Austria's idyllic Salzkammergut Lake District. Enjoy a free afternoon
communing with Mother Nature on foot or by boat, or explore a salt mine on your
own. Overnight at peacefully in the postcard-pretty, lakeside village of
Hallstatt.
Day 14: Vienna
It's back to the city today as we head east to Austria's
magnificent capital of Vienna, stopping en route to visit sobering Mauthausen,
the Nazi concentration camp. We'll also tour the opulent Schönbrunn Palace,
Austria's rival to Versailles.
Day 15: Vienna
Today we will start our day with a walking tour of this
refined and graceful city. The rest of the day is free to explore more of
Vienna's highlights, such as its grand opera house, world-class museums, or cozy
coffee houses. As it's our last night together, we'll enjoy a farewell Viennese
feast. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 16: Return Home
Today you will have a flight towards your own Destination.
