Germany, Switzerland, Austria with Prague PreTour

We arrive at Munich airport and meet our driver and guide. We
travel to Dachau, a town just outside of Munich. Our visit to the
Concentration Camp Memorial includes a film in English, an
informative historical account of the camp’s history and plenty of
time to walk the grounds on our own. Later, we continue to
Munich, Bavaria’s friendly capital city. Our leader acquaints us
with the pedestrian zone around the Marienplatz, the main square
in front of the new town hall. There is time to do some sightseeing
and shopping before checking in at our hotel. Dinner tonight is at
a local “bräuhaus” a traditional Munich restaurant/beerhall. Maritim München or similar

Today, we discover other Munich sites by taking a locally guided
tour that includes many highlights such as the grounds of
Nymphenburg Palace, the elegant Maximillian Straße and the
1972 Olympic Grounds. Our tour ends at the Marienplatz where
we watch the Glockenspiel play in the tower of the Neues Rathaus.
The rest of the day is ours to shop along the mile-long pedestrian
zone, get a bite to eat at the nearby Viktualien Market or visit one
of a number of fine museums. Dinner is on our own tonight so
some may wish to visit Munich’s Hofbräuhaus for dinner, singing
and live entertainment. Maritim München or similar

Our first stop today is in Berchtesgaden, where we don miners’
apparel and descend into a salt mine for an unforgettable tour.
Afterwards, we continue to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, a chalet built at
the top of the Kehlstein mountain. On a clear day, the site affords
beautiful views of the Alps. Next, we travel to Salzburg, Austria,
which is famous for being Mozart’s birthplace and the backdrop
for “The Sound of Music.” We enjoy some free time to explore the
narrow winding streets of the old city before dinner. Hotel Astoria or similar

Today a local guide joins us for a walking tour of Salzburg. We
see the magnificent Cathedral, the Getreidegasse, the city’s quaint
shopping area, a photo stop at Mozart’s birth house and a walkthrough at St. Peter’s Cemetery. After time for lunch, we enjoy an
excursion to the Salzkammergut. With its beautiful mountains
and alpine lakes, it is an immensely popular vacation destination
for many Austrians. After exploring some of the lakes and sites,
we return to Salzburg for a treat - dinner and a concert in the
Stiftskeller St. Peter! It is the perfect setting to enjoy delicious
Austrian food and the music of Mozart. Hotel Astoria or similar

Departing Austria, we return to Germany as we drive through the
Bavarian countryside to the Wieskirche. This “Church in the
Meadow” is a fine example of Rococo architecture. Next, we take
a short drive to Füssen to visit Palace Neuschwanstein. One of
three palaces built by Bavaria’s King Ludwig II, Walt Disney used
it as the model for his Fantasyland Castle. Finally, we pass by
Germany’s highest mountain and arrive in GarmischPartenkirchen, an alpine valley surrounded by the foothills of the
alps, for a two-night stay. TBD

We enjoy a relaxed morning in Oberammergau, admiring the
bright frescoes that adorn many of the homes and businesses,
perhaps shopping for a souvenir woodcarving for which the village
is famous. After included lunch, we attend Part One of the Passion
Play, the legacy of a vow made by the Oberammergauers in 1633
to enact the Passion story. Due to the ravages of the Thirty Years
War, the plague had taken its toll in lives. But many of the people
were spared, and the following year, 1634, the first Passion Play
Salzburg Rothenburg ob der Tauber
was performed on a stage set up in the cemetery. After dinner we
attend Part Two. TBD

Today’s drive is filled with breathtaking mountain scenery as we
travel over mountain passes to the Bernese Oberland area of
Switzerland. Our first stop is in Vaduz, the capital of the small
principality of Liechtenstein. We also spend time in lovely
Lucerne to enjoy a late lunch and see the poignant Lion
Monument that pays tribute to the Swiss mercenaries who lost
their lives defending the kings of France. There is time to explore
this beautiful city, including taking a walk across the famous
wooden Chapel Bridge, or shopping for Swiss Chocolate, before
continuing to our hotel in Sarnen. Grand Hotel Giessbach or similar

This morning we drive to view the Trümmelbachfälle, several
waterfalls within a mountain that drain nearby glaciers. The raw
power and beauty of the falls have attracted tourists for decades.
Afterwards, we take an excursion up into the heart of the Swiss
Alps. We start by riding a cogwheel train to the small car-free
town of Wengen, where we have some time to explore before
taking a gondola up to the ridge of the nearby mountain. From
there it’s an easy and leisurely hike to Kleine Scheidegg. Our hike
affords breathtaking vistas of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
peaks, as well as views of the tiny villages in the valley. At Kleine
Scheidegg, we have time for lunch before taking a train down to
Grindelwald where there’s an opportunity to shop or simply relax
at one of the many outdoor cafés. This evening’s entertainment
features a Swiss folklore show at our hotel. Grand Hotel Giessbach or similar

Departing Switzerland, we travel via Lake Constance and southern
Bavaria to the medieval walled city of Rothenburg ob der
Tauber. Upon our arrival, we visit St. James Church and see the
famous altar created by the renowned woodcarver, Tilman
Riemenschneider. The rest of the afternoon is ours to explore the
cobblestone streets and ramparts and admire the half-timbered
buildings that make us feel as if we have stepped back in time.
After dinner, we learn more about life in medieval times as we
accompany the night watchman on a guided tour of the town. Akzent Schranne or similar

Our final day in Europe features a cruise on the mighty Rhine
River. We leave Rothenburg and travel to Rüdesheim where we
board a boat and enjoy time on one of Europe’s most important
waterways. Along the way, we hear about the history of the many
castle ruins and vineyards that dot the hillside along the river.
After our cruise, we transfer to our hotel and have some time for
last minute shopping in the Getreidegasse before dinner. Tonight,
we celebrate our last evening in Europe with a farewell dinner
and a tasting of the region’s fine Rhine wines. Ringhotel Central or similar

Sadly, we say “Auf Wiedersehen” to Europe as we transfer to the
Frankfurt Airport for our return flight to the United States. We take
with us memories of exciting cities, peaceful villages, great
entertainment, and beautiful, unforgettable scenery.