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Day 01: North America
/ Europe. Overnight Flight from USA to Munich
Day 02: Munich.
Upon arrival in Munich, you’ll be met by your tour manager who’ll remain
with you throughout your stay. Board your private motor coach for the
 journey
into Munich, the capital of Bavaria. This glamorous city has many
impressive sights such as the neo-Gothic town hall, the Olympic Grounds,
the Nymphenburg Palace – the Baroque residence of the Bavarian Kings and
the church named “Frauenkirche” with it’s distinctive onion-topped
towers. After time for lunch (not included) your next stop is to Dachau
Concentration Camp, the first of its kind that was built shortly after
the Nazis came to power in 1933. The history of this tragic and moving
place is documented in a museum with a reconstructed barracks and
crematorium. This evening we’ll join together for a welcome dinner and
discuss the days ahead. Overnight Munich (BD)
Day 03: Munich.
After breakfast, we’ll drive through the scenic Bavarian countryside and
visit two of the provinces most famous and delightful castles,
Linderhof and Neuschwanstein. Time is spent looking around these fairy
tale castles of King Ludwig II and learning about their history. Another
highlight of today is a visit to the town of Oberammergau, scene of the
unique passion play that happens once every ten years. There is an
interesting exhibition that explains the tradition behind this
spectacular play. You return to Munich where dinner will be taken at the
hotel. Overnight Munich (BD)
Day 04: Munich / Zurich.
Depart Munich after breakfast and head to the southern Black Forest
region of Germany. A wonderful scenic journey awaits you as you travel
via the picturesque region of Lake Constance, rich in history and which
boasts the largest lake in Germany and the third largest lake in Europe.
Time permitting, lunch and a little free time in the old town before
continuing via Schaffhausen and the famous Rhine Falls to our next
overnight in Zurich. Check-in at the hotel followed by dinner this
evening in the hotel. Overnight Zurich (BD)
 Day
05: Zurich / Innsbruck. Before leaving Zurich,
we’ll spend the morning in the company of a local guide who’ll show you
the major sights of Switzerland’s largest city. See the Zwingli’s famous
church, the Grossmunster Cathedral and the Fraumunster church with
stained glass windows by Chagrall to name just a few. Of special
interest today will be to the Limmat River, site of the execution by
drowning of Felix Manz. Continue then to the small Principality of
Liechtenstein. In the capital, Vaduz, you are free to wander around and
admire this friendly town. The Prince’s 12th century castle, that he
still inhabits, overlooks the city and has an impressive exterior with
round bastions at the north west and south west corners. Your scenic
journey will then take you to Innsbruck – capital of the Tyrol region.
Famous for the “Golden Roof”, you will have time to wander around this
picturesque Austrian village with its imposing architecture and mountain
backdrop before meeting again for dinner. Overnight Innsbruck (BD)
Day 06: Wattens / Salzburg.
Your day begins in nearby Wattens with a visit to the Swarovski Crystal
Factory. Here you will have the opportunity to view literally hundreds
of thousands of crystal in a dazzling display of light and color and of
course have the chance to buy your very own. Continue then across the
German border to Lake Chiemsee, the largest lake in Bavaria, to King
Ludwig’s largest creation, Herrenchiemsee Castle. In the centre of the
lake, on Herrenchiemsee Island, the king decided to make a replica of
Versailles (near Paris, France), but it was never finished. What exits
today is still very impressive, with French gardens, a big hall of
mirrors and a stateroom where classical concerts are held. Our journey
ends today in perhaps one of the most beautiful and historic cities in
Europe and of course the birthplace of Mozart – Salzburg. Overnight
Salzburg (BD)
Day 07: Salzburg.
This morning a local guide accompanies you on a tour of Salzburg, home
of “the Sound of Music”. Salzburg is rich in cultural and historical
monuments such as the Archbishop’s Palace built in 1595 and where Mozart
gave many performances and the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Your morning tour
is concluded with a relaxing stroll through the lovely Mirabell Gardens.
Mirabell Palace is a place of great beauty. The palace gardens are
equally delightful and were designed by Fischer von Erlach in 1690. Some
of the gardens key features include sculptures, the maze and hedge
theatre. For those that wish, there is the lesser-visited Hellbrunn
Palace that is exceptionally beautiful (entrance not included). The
Palace’s imposing elegance is enhanced by it’s spacious parklands,
famous trick fountains and the skill of the architect Santino Solari
that all ensure that your visit to Hellbrunn is an unforgettable
experience. Overnight Salzburg (BD)
Day 08: Berchtesgaden / Salzburg.
A full day is spent visiting the area around Berchtesgaden, an area of
beautiful alpine scenery. You start by going into the Berchtesgaden Salt
Mine. Here you take a train into the mountain and a boat across an
underground lake to learn about this precious commodity. After free time
to have lunch and absorb the amazing scenery, you then go higher up in
the mountains to Kehlstein, site of Adolf Hitler’s alpine retreat, the
Eagle’s Nest. This evening dinner is enjoyed together back in Salzburg.
Overnight Salzburg (BD)
Day 09: Salsburg / Vienna.
Leaving Salzburg today, we’ll head to the magnificent baroque Melk Abbey
where we’ll enjoy a guided visit. Formerly a Benedictine Monastery often
associated with Umberto Ecco’s book, The Name of the Rose, Melk has been
a spiritual and cultural centre of the country for more than 1000 years.
During a visit to the abbey, in addition to the imperial rooms one can
see the Marble Hall and library, masterworks of baroque room design with
famous frescoes by Paul Troger, as well as the terrace with a wonderful
view of the Danube scenery and the western facade of the abbey church.
Time permitting, we’ll conclude our tour with a Danube cruise along the
Wachau, perhaps the most beautiful part of the Danube and part of the
World Heritage List. Our final destination is Vienna where we stay for
the next 3 nights. Overnight Vienna (BD)
Day 10: Vienna.
Your day starts with a tour of enchanting Vienna with a local
guide. There are many elegant buildings to admire in the city that are
reminders of Vienna’s grand and imperial past. The city’s old town has
numerous aristocratic mansions, baroque churches and the cathedral,
Stephansdom. You will also see the Hofburg Palace, the Hasburg’s main
residence during their 600-year rule and the Belvedere Palace,
commissioned in 1713 by Prince Eugene of Savoy to be his summer
residence. One of the key historical places is the Schonbrunn Palace
completed in 1750 and home of Maria Theresia. Here you’ll enjoy a tour
through the exquisite staterooms with gracious décor. The remainder of
the day you are free to pursue your own interests in the city before
dinner is served. Overnight Vienna (BD)
Day 11: Vienna.
Today we have arranged a delightful excursion to Vienna Woods, former
hunting ground of the Hapsburg Princes. The lovely drive winds up
through Vienna Woods, past Liechtenstein Castle to a panoramic viewpoint
across the city. Later you will visit the moving memorial Chapel in
Mayerling, (scene of a royal scandal in 1889, where Prince Rudolf is
said to have murdered his mistress Maria and then took his own life as
his father Franz Josef I condemned their love). Onwards then to
Heiligenkreuz Monastery, where Maria was hastily buried. Return to
Vienna for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps sample some aromatic coffee
in one of the traditional Viennese coffee house’s or go in search of
that perfect souvenir to take home! This evening we’ll meet up for a
special farewell dinner including traditional folklore, food and wine!
Overnight Vienna (BD)
Day 12: Vienna / U.S.A.
All too soon, your trip has come to an end. Time to transfer to the
airport for your flight home (B.) |
