This 15-day custom tailored tour takes you through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where you can walk along half-timbered homes and dramatic storybook castles. Cuckoo clocks chime the hour and cobbled streets lead to the gilded rooftops and marvelous medieval monuments. Immerse yourself in the majesty of opulent palaces and old churches surrounded by the fascinating scenery of the Alps.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Frankfurt – The City of Frankfurt
Your plane will ascend into the contemporary architecture of Frankfurt, a city that embodies modernity with glinting skyscrapers made of glass, steel, and concrete. The city holds the title of Germany’s most important commercial and economic center, with a skyline dominated by high-rises in the banking district. Your private transfer will meet you at the baggage claim of the Frankfurt Airport and escort you to the beautiful heart of Romerberg, which is Frankfurt’s old town center. The Justice Fountain stands at the center of the oddly shaped square adorned by the goddess Justitia watching passersby.
What's Included:
Day 2
Munich – Drive to Medieval Rothenburg
Day 3
Munich – Tour of Linderhof Castle
Day 4
Vienna – Musical Tour in Salzburg
Day 5
Vienna – Austria’s Capital City
Day 6
Villach – Lipizzaner Stallion Stud Farm
Day 7
Innsbruck – Drive along the Dolomites
Day 8
St. Moritz – Swiss Engadine Valley
Day 9
Lugano – Cruise along the Water
Day 10
Zermatt – The Swiss Alps
Day 11
Zermatt – A Day at Your Leisure
Day 12
Lucerne – The Lower Rhone Valley
Day 13
Lucerne – The City of Lucerne
Day 14
Frankfurt – Schaffhausen and the Black Forest
Day 15
Frankfurt – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the walkways around the Gorner Gorge near the town of Zermatt to find glacial waters and an incredible view of the Matterhorn peak
- Witness the Golden Roof of Innsbruck, home to the 15th-century Tyrolean sovereigns
- Enjoy the dramatic mountains, shimmering waters, and emerald trees while touring the scenic Lake District of Switzerland and Italy
- Traverse the covered bridges and medieval streets of Lucerne, brimming with preserved historic paintings and elaborate myths
- Visit the charming capital city of Bern to witness the merging of historical and contemporary streets overlooking the Aare River
- Stroll through the home town of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the city of Salzburg, set beneath the towering peaks of the Dolomites
- Explore the remarkable grounds of the Schonbrunn Palace, residence of Hapsburg royalty
- Marvel at the marble statues and elaborate décor of the Tomb and Museum of Emperor Maximilian I
- Relish the cultural beauty and religious artwork of the Karlskirche church in Vienna
- Cruise along the tranquil waters of Lake Maggiore to visit the opulent villas and gorgeous estate gardens of the scattered island
Detailed Description
Take time to experience the mountains and plains, lakes and villages of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria during your 15-day tour that fully encompasses the Alps. You will arrive at the Frankfurt Airport, and your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim to escort you into the heart of a city. Next day, you will travel along the Romantic road to the medieval city of Rothenburg, home to picturesque walls and cobbled streets. Stroll along the windy lanes and rising spires before you reach the Bavarian capital city of Munich.
Continue as your guide leads you on a remarkable tour of Germany’s “Secret Capital.” Visit the Olympic Stadium and tour Old Town to find highlights of city’s medieval and contemporary history, including the squares that once held Nazi rallies. Take a historic drive and travel across the mountains to Salzburg, Austria. Stroll the cobbled streets that were home to Mozart and follow in the footsteps of the Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music. Continue along the Danube River to reach Austria’s capital of Vienna. Your guide will lead you on an engaging half-day tour of the city to visit the State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
You will have time to venture to Bratislava to visit the medieval capital of Slovakia in the afternoon. The next day, you will journey to the outskirts of Vienna to visit Schonbrunn Palace to view the opulence of the Hapsburg family. Visit the Lipizzaner Stallion Stud Farm in Piber before settling in the quiet village of Villach. Cross the Italian border the following day to visit the ski resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Drive along the stunning Brenner Pass to Innsbruck and enjoy the medieval lanes and the remarkable architecture of the Golden Roof. Continue with your exploration of the winding roads of the mountains with the trails and white stone houses of St. Moritz.
Travel to Lugano, Switzerland for a stop in Lake Como, Italy along the way. Enjoy the quiet grandeur of the lakeside town before you arrive in Lugano and delight in a scenic boat cruise along the sparkling water. Drive next to Lake Maggiore and take a boat to visit the speckled islands that brim with opulent villas. Continue through the Simplon Pass to the Swiss Valais and take the train from Tasch to the enchanting town of Zermatt, located at the base of the Matterhorn Mountain. Take a day to discover the beauty in and around Zermatt. Relish a scenic gondola ride to the peak of Gornergrat Mountain or delight in a hike along the numerous trails in the alpine foothills and nearby gorge.
Continue and make your way to the capital city of Bern in the lower Rhone Valley. Stroll along the quiet streets of Old Town and the unusual grounds of Bear Park to see the towering Jungfrau massif in Interlaken before you arrive at the vibrant town of Lucerne. Next day, your guide will lead you on an exciting tour of Lucerne’s famous monuments, from the Chapel Bridge to the Lion Monument. Move on to make your way back to Frankfurt with a stop at Schaffhausen before you cross the border into Germany to witness Rhine Falls. Travel through the famous Black Forest, and enjoy the small towns along the way. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel on your last day and escort you to the Frankfurt Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$7,400 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
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