Germany's Berlin, Bamberg, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle and Oberammergau
Austria's Salzburg and “Salzkammergut” Lake District.
11 days/10 nights
Suggested post tour excursion to Vienna.
Please inquire about pricing
Austria's Salzburg and “Salzkammergut” Lake District.
11 days/10 nights
Suggested post tour excursion to Vienna.
Please inquire about pricing
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Please join Tour Director Sandy Gregory for this wonderful adventure through Germany and Austria, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience with our Concierge Travel Services.
Suggested time to travel: March to May, October and November. October will be crowded with Octoberfest. December. |
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The Best of Germany and Austria Tour:
2 nights Berlin 2 nights Bamberg 3 nights Munich 3 nights Salzburg Suggested excursion to: • Vienna |
DAY 1: ARRIVE BERLIN. YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS! |
Arrive Berlin Airport. Your greeter and private driver be waiting for you outside of baggage claim to take you to your hotel.
Willkommen in Berlin!
Check in is usually at 2:00, so after lunch (not included), we will have a walking orientation to the city until your rooms will be ready and you can enjoy the afternoon, relax and freshen up for our Included Dinner.
Included Welcome Dinner
Overnight in Berlin, 2 nights with breakfast
Willkommen in Berlin!
Check in is usually at 2:00, so after lunch (not included), we will have a walking orientation to the city until your rooms will be ready and you can enjoy the afternoon, relax and freshen up for our Included Dinner.
Included Welcome Dinner
Overnight in Berlin, 2 nights with breakfast
DAY 2: A DAY IN BERLIN |
This morning, we'll meet our local guide in the lobby of the hotel and venture out for a private tour of Berlin. Berlin is a big city so it will be both a driving and walking tour. We'll cover the great boulevards Kurfürstendamm and Unter den Linden, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building, the seat of the German parliament. You’ll learn about the sites of the Third Reich and visit the Holocaust Memorial, discover how the division of the city was a consequence of WWII and how the Cold War affected the Germans. Of course, you will also visit Checkpoint Charlie and the last remaining pieces of the Berlin Wall. This tour will help you be better able to “see” the invisible layers of this most remarkable city and imagine what may be in store in the 21st century.
You’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy Berlin at your leisure. Your Tour Director, of course, will have suggestions for what you can do today.
Overnight in Berlin
You’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy Berlin at your leisure. Your Tour Director, of course, will have suggestions for what you can do today.
Overnight in Berlin
DAY 3: ON TO BAMBERG |
This morning, we'll transfer to the train station and take the 2.5 hour train to Bamberg. We'll arrive at lunchtime, which will give us the rest of the day to explore this lovely city.
Our 4-star-superior hotel in Bamberg offers elegant accommodation next to the banks of the old Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal. It offers free high-speed WiFi and is a short walk from the UNESCO-listed Old Town district.
Narrow alleys, cozy corners, medieval and baroque building fronts, plus a distinct romantic flair - Bamberg is a unique work of art. Endowed with one of Europe’s largest intact old town centers, Bamberg has the magic of the past hanging in the air, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Today, Bamberg is a lively arts and cultural center with a thousand year old history, a long tradition of beer brewing and the buzzing atmosphere of a city full of life and street cafés and small antiques shops.
After lunch (not included) we'll enjoy a private tour of the city.
Included dinner in Bamberg.
Overnight in Bamberg, 2 nights with breakfast.
Our 4-star-superior hotel in Bamberg offers elegant accommodation next to the banks of the old Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal. It offers free high-speed WiFi and is a short walk from the UNESCO-listed Old Town district.
Narrow alleys, cozy corners, medieval and baroque building fronts, plus a distinct romantic flair - Bamberg is a unique work of art. Endowed with one of Europe’s largest intact old town centers, Bamberg has the magic of the past hanging in the air, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Today, Bamberg is a lively arts and cultural center with a thousand year old history, a long tradition of beer brewing and the buzzing atmosphere of a city full of life and street cafés and small antiques shops.
After lunch (not included) we'll enjoy a private tour of the city.
Included dinner in Bamberg.
Overnight in Bamberg, 2 nights with breakfast.
DAY 4: A DAY IN BAMBERG |
Today is your day to enjoy this walkable town at your leisure.
Bamberg is an interesting combination of fabulous things: history, shopping, jovial beer drinking and eating. One of the main attractions is its many hilltop beer gardens. The city is proud of its beer brewing heritage. This town of 70,000 people boasts 9 breweries brewing 50 unique beers. Brewing and consuming beer is a part of the city’s history. Each brewery has an archway in the middle called a schwemm. In the past, carts carrying barrels of beer to and from the brewery would pass through this archway. Now the schwemms are used as a corridor between the front door of the building and the door to the tavern. All have a window for patrons to buy beer to go, or to buy beer and drink it in the corridor. Che Bella will provide you with our Brewery walk.
Overnight in Bamberg.
Bamberg is an interesting combination of fabulous things: history, shopping, jovial beer drinking and eating. One of the main attractions is its many hilltop beer gardens. The city is proud of its beer brewing heritage. This town of 70,000 people boasts 9 breweries brewing 50 unique beers. Brewing and consuming beer is a part of the city’s history. Each brewery has an archway in the middle called a schwemm. In the past, carts carrying barrels of beer to and from the brewery would pass through this archway. Now the schwemms are used as a corridor between the front door of the building and the door to the tavern. All have a window for patrons to buy beer to go, or to buy beer and drink it in the corridor. Che Bella will provide you with our Brewery walk.
Overnight in Bamberg.
DAY 5: TO MUNICH |
It's Christmas in summer!
Departing early this morning, we’ll wiggle through the mountains about 1.5 hours to our first stop in Seiffen, the center of the wooden toy industry, including the famous Nutcracker and Christmas decorations. We’ll have plenty of time for lunch, to shop for treasures and enjoy some time watching the local artisans.
We'll continue on our drive with a stop in Nuremberg, famous for its medieval walls and ancient castle, gingerbread cookies, toy manufacturing, Gothic churches, and of course, beer and bratwurst. The city dates back to the year 1050 and for 500 years it was the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The National Socialists made Nürnberg the unofficial capital of their empire, which became known as the Third Reich. In January 1945, 90% of the old city of Nürnberg was destroyed, then rebuilt to look like the original, but there are also modern buildings. We'll enjoy an afternoon walking tour, including the city’s historic center, ending at the Hauptmarkt main square, where there are many Christmas shops. We’ll spend some time here for at your leisure before we continue on to Munich.
After we check in to our hotel, your Tour Director will give you an orientation to the city on the way to our Included Bavarian Evening.
Included dinner in Munich.
Overnight in Munich, 3 night with breakfast
Departing early this morning, we’ll wiggle through the mountains about 1.5 hours to our first stop in Seiffen, the center of the wooden toy industry, including the famous Nutcracker and Christmas decorations. We’ll have plenty of time for lunch, to shop for treasures and enjoy some time watching the local artisans.
We'll continue on our drive with a stop in Nuremberg, famous for its medieval walls and ancient castle, gingerbread cookies, toy manufacturing, Gothic churches, and of course, beer and bratwurst. The city dates back to the year 1050 and for 500 years it was the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The National Socialists made Nürnberg the unofficial capital of their empire, which became known as the Third Reich. In January 1945, 90% of the old city of Nürnberg was destroyed, then rebuilt to look like the original, but there are also modern buildings. We'll enjoy an afternoon walking tour, including the city’s historic center, ending at the Hauptmarkt main square, where there are many Christmas shops. We’ll spend some time here for at your leisure before we continue on to Munich.
After we check in to our hotel, your Tour Director will give you an orientation to the city on the way to our Included Bavarian Evening.
Included dinner in Munich.
Overnight in Munich, 3 night with breakfast
DAY 6: A DAY IN MUNICH |
This morning you set off to meet your guide for A private tour of Munich’s highlights. The tour will today will be a hefty 5 hours, and we’ll enjoy a late lunchtime (not included) at the famous Vikualienmarkt, the oldest open food market in Munich, where you can enjoy the local delicacies at your leisure, with the rest of the afternoon to enjoy on you own.
Overnight in Munich.
Inquire about one of our Dig a Little Deeper private optional tour excursions below. Pricing will be based on the number of participants. Click on the + below for details.
Overnight in Munich.
Inquire about one of our Dig a Little Deeper private optional tour excursions below. Pricing will be based on the number of participants. Click on the + below for details.
NEW! Dig a Little Deeper Series
Afternoon cooking class and dinner. A charming Bavarian chef welcomes you with a sparkling aperitif in a modern cooking school in the heart of Munich. You will learn the very best recipes from Bavaria and Together you will cook traditional dishes you find on the menu of every inn and restaurant in Munich.
Dachau Concentration Camp. 2.5 hour tour + transportation. Dachau was Germany’s first concentration camp - opened immediately after Hitler’s rise to power, just outside Dachau, near Munich. Explore the remaining buildings and reconstructions and learn more about the biographies of former prisoners. Maintained as a memorial, this visit at Dachau will provide an insight into this tragic period in history. Your price includes your guide, who will pick you up at your hotel, train tickets and the admissions to Dachau.
Dachau Concentration Camp. 2.5 hour tour + transportation. Dachau was Germany’s first concentration camp - opened immediately after Hitler’s rise to power, just outside Dachau, near Munich. Explore the remaining buildings and reconstructions and learn more about the biographies of former prisoners. Maintained as a memorial, this visit at Dachau will provide an insight into this tragic period in history. Your price includes your guide, who will pick you up at your hotel, train tickets and the admissions to Dachau.
DAY 7: CRAZY KING LUDWIG AND OBERAMMERGAU |
After a relaxed morning we head to Bavaria’s most famous landmark, world reknowned Neuschwanstein Castle, built by the eccentric King Ludwig II of Bavaria. This iconic structure, perfectly perched at the base of the Alps, is Ludwig’s late 19th century tribute to the early medieval age of knights and to Richard Wagner’s operas. Perched majestically over the Lech river valley at the edge of the Alps, Neuschwanstein is an eternal testament to the power of imagination.
We’ll then head to Oberammergau, the picturesque little village known for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play and local woodworking artisans. You'll have time at your leisure for strolling, shopping, and of course lunch.
On the way to back to Munich we'll stop for a refreshing visit to the beautiful hilltop monastery at Andechs. Known as the Holy Mountain but maybe better known for its beer, Andechs is a pilgrimage destination for spiritual seekers and beer aficionados alike.
Tonight: Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Munich.
We’ll then head to Oberammergau, the picturesque little village known for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play and local woodworking artisans. You'll have time at your leisure for strolling, shopping, and of course lunch.
On the way to back to Munich we'll stop for a refreshing visit to the beautiful hilltop monastery at Andechs. Known as the Holy Mountain but maybe better known for its beer, Andechs is a pilgrimage destination for spiritual seekers and beer aficionados alike.
Tonight: Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Munich.
DAY 8: EAGLES NEST AND SALZBURG |
Pretty villages with flower boxed windows and balconies; glacial lakes nestled in the border fingers of the Alps; pastureland and forests flowing over the rolling moraines of the alpine foothills: Bavaria is one of those places with an almost mythological reputation, and our tour today explores the Bavarian Way of Life.
This morning you depart Munich heading south through the countryside that was made famous in the film, “The Sound of Music”. The first stop will be Hitlers hideaway, known as Eagles Nest. During our time at the Eagles Nest, will also visit the Documentation Center. “ Dokumentation Obersalzberg” is a museum in the Obersalzberg resort near Berchtesgaden, where we’ll learn how this mountainside retreat was used by Nazi leaders, especially Hitler who regularly vacationed in this area beginning in 1928. Your guide will give you an informative tour of this and the Berchtesgaden area before finishing the drive to Salzburg.
Included dinner. Tonight we dine at the oldest restaurant in Eastern Europe, Salzburg’s number one address for great food served with a generous helping of culture.
Overnight in Salzburg, 2 nights with breakfast
This morning you depart Munich heading south through the countryside that was made famous in the film, “The Sound of Music”. The first stop will be Hitlers hideaway, known as Eagles Nest. During our time at the Eagles Nest, will also visit the Documentation Center. “ Dokumentation Obersalzberg” is a museum in the Obersalzberg resort near Berchtesgaden, where we’ll learn how this mountainside retreat was used by Nazi leaders, especially Hitler who regularly vacationed in this area beginning in 1928. Your guide will give you an informative tour of this and the Berchtesgaden area before finishing the drive to Salzburg.
Included dinner. Tonight we dine at the oldest restaurant in Eastern Europe, Salzburg’s number one address for great food served with a generous helping of culture.
Overnight in Salzburg, 2 nights with breakfast
DAY 9: A DAY IN SALZBURG |
This morning you will meet your city guide and embark on a private city tour. After a nice lunch (not included) you will visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress and to Leopoldskron & Hellbrunn known for the Sound of Music.
You’ll have the rest of the day and evening to explore Salzburg at your leisure.
Overnight in Salzburg.
You’ll have the rest of the day and evening to explore Salzburg at your leisure.
Overnight in Salzburg.
DAY 10. A DAY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT |
Today we're off for the day to the beautiful Lake District of Salzburg to enjoy a private tour of the Salzkammergut, the most beautiful region of Austria. We'll begin with the Fuschlsee, where the opening scenes of The Sound of Music were shot. Then, the village of St. Gilgen on the banks of Lake Wolfgangsee. Our day will end back in Salzburg.
Farewell Dinner.
Overnight in Salzburg.
Farewell Dinner.
Overnight in Salzburg.
DAY 11. TRANSFERS TO THE SALZBURG AIRPORT FOR FLIGHTS OUT OR ON TO THE NEXT PART OF YOUR JOURNEY |
Included transfers the Salzburg airport or on to the next part of your journey.
ADD AN OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO VIENNA
Day 1. To Vienna. You will transfer to the Salzburg train station to take the high-speed train to Vienna. You will be transferred to the hotel, an elegant and modern 5-star property situated right in the city center on the famous Ringstrabe Boulevard, near the Opera. After you check your bags, you'll embark with your private guide on a private 3-hour walking tour of the city center.
Your evening will begin with an included wine tasting of the best and oldest Austrian wines in one of the oldest Baroque buildings in Vienna. The cellar, built in 1701, has been a famous meeting place for artists, Viennese people and visitors from all over the world. Afterward, we'll head to included dinner.
Day 2+. A Day(s) at your leisure in Vienna. We can help you set up an experience to:
• Visit Schönbrunn Palace, the stunning summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, is an excellent place to learn about the Habsburgs, their impact on European history...and their odd chins. During this 2.5-hour Schönbrunn Palace tour we'll join a local historian for an in-depth exploration of this crown jewel of Imperial Austria. Along the way we'll acquire a solid understanding of how the Habsburg dynasty evolved and discover the hidden stories behind its gilded details and ornate furnishings.
• Counterpoint and Music in Vienna. Vienna and music are inseparable. The passion for music in Vienna guided and nurtured Western music since the 17th century, and has attracted some of the greatest musicians and composers that have ever lived to the city: Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and dozens upon dozens of others. On this Vienna Opera tour with a local historian, we’ll visit sites associated with the major figures of music history, learning how music has shaped Viennese society and tracing the roots of beloved classical music traditions which are still practiced today.
• Explore Vienna's vibrant art scene. Vienna's museums provide endless artistic delights, from the permanent collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which includes works by Titian, Peter Paul Rubens and Albrecht Dürer, to The Kiss by Gustave Kimpt, one of the world’s most famous paintings, which you will find at the Belvedere.
• Experience Vienna's unique coffee culture. Two particularly popular drinks at Vienna’s cafés are the verlängerter (espresso with hot water) and melange, which is like a Viennese-style cappuccino.
• See the famous Lipizzaner horses in action at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School.
Day 3. Flights out of Vienna.
Your evening will begin with an included wine tasting of the best and oldest Austrian wines in one of the oldest Baroque buildings in Vienna. The cellar, built in 1701, has been a famous meeting place for artists, Viennese people and visitors from all over the world. Afterward, we'll head to included dinner.
Day 2+. A Day(s) at your leisure in Vienna. We can help you set up an experience to:
• Visit Schönbrunn Palace, the stunning summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, is an excellent place to learn about the Habsburgs, their impact on European history...and their odd chins. During this 2.5-hour Schönbrunn Palace tour we'll join a local historian for an in-depth exploration of this crown jewel of Imperial Austria. Along the way we'll acquire a solid understanding of how the Habsburg dynasty evolved and discover the hidden stories behind its gilded details and ornate furnishings.
• Counterpoint and Music in Vienna. Vienna and music are inseparable. The passion for music in Vienna guided and nurtured Western music since the 17th century, and has attracted some of the greatest musicians and composers that have ever lived to the city: Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and dozens upon dozens of others. On this Vienna Opera tour with a local historian, we’ll visit sites associated with the major figures of music history, learning how music has shaped Viennese society and tracing the roots of beloved classical music traditions which are still practiced today.
• Explore Vienna's vibrant art scene. Vienna's museums provide endless artistic delights, from the permanent collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which includes works by Titian, Peter Paul Rubens and Albrecht Dürer, to The Kiss by Gustave Kimpt, one of the world’s most famous paintings, which you will find at the Belvedere.
• Experience Vienna's unique coffee culture. Two particularly popular drinks at Vienna’s cafés are the verlängerter (espresso with hot water) and melange, which is like a Viennese-style cappuccino.
• See the famous Lipizzaner horses in action at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School.
Day 3. Flights out of Vienna.