Romantic Germany & Picturesque Switzerland

This tour takes you to historic German castles and the impressive Swiss Alps. Discover historic treasures and delightful attractions as you explore these two countries. Gourmet travellers can indulge in delicacies such as fine German beer, delectable Swiss cheeses and scrumptious chocolates.

TRAVELOGUE

Day 1: Frankfurt
Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Frankfurt. Accommodation in Frankfurt.

Day 2: Frankfurt - Heidelberg - Freiburg (290 km/180 mi)
In the morning you travel to Heidelberg to visit the famous castle, followed by a sightseeing tour of the city. Heidelberg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. Our next destination is Freiburg. Accommodation in Freiburg.

Day 3: Freiburg - Lake Titi - Lindau - Füssen (280 km/175 mi)
After breakfast you enjoy a sightseeing tour of Freiburg, the famous Kaiserstuhl vineyards and the beautiful Freiburg Cathedral, known for having “the most beautiful church tower in all of Christianity”. Next we travel to Lake Titi in the Black Forest. After a short stop, we continue to the small island of Lindau in Lake Constance. Accommodation in Füssen.

Day 4: Neuschwanstein - Oberammergau - Ettal Abbey - Garmisch Partenkirchen (70 km/45 mi)
In the morning we visit Neuschwanstein Castle, built by Ludwig II, also known as the “mad king”. In the afternoon you travel to Oberammergau, famous for its Passion play. Then we visit the impressive Benedictine Abbey in Ettal. Our final destination today is the resort town of Garmisch Partenkirchen. Germany‘s highest mountain peak, Zugspitze (2.962 m/9700 ft) towers over the village below. Accommodation in Garmisch.

Day 5: Garmisch Partenkirchen - Linderhof - Munich (130 km/80 mi)
The morning is free to explore at your leisure. As an optional excursion you can ascend to the top of Zugspitze. In the afternoon we travel to Munich and visit Linderhof castle, one of the 3 castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Accommodation in Munich.

Day 6: Munich
After breakfast you visit the lovely gardens of the Nymphenburg summer palace, followed by a city tour. Highlights include the Marienplatz, Frauenkirche and the elegant Maximilianstrasse boulevard. The afternoon is free to spend at your leisure. Save your appetite for this evening‘s “Bavarian Night” at the famous “Hofbräuhaus” restaurant, a celebration with folk music and traditional Bavarian dinner buffet. Accommodation in Munich.

Day 7: Munich - Zurich (320 km/198 mi)
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Zurich. Accommodation in Zurich.

Day 8: Zurich
In the morning you enjoy a sightseeing tour of Zurich and its main monuments. Take in the sweeping views of the Alps and Lake Zurich from the Höhenstrasse. We will stop briefly in Rapperswil, the quaint city of roses. You will return to Zurich by boat, enjoying a lovely cruise on Lake Zurich (no guide). Arrival at Zürich-Bürkliplatz. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in Zurich.

Day 9: Zurich - Luzern - Mount Titlis - Interlaken (170 km/105 mi)
Departure for Luzern. Short sightseeing tour and free time to explore on your own. At noon we travel to Engelberg. Take the Rotair cable car to the top of Mount Titlis and the glacier. From an elevation of 3.020 m (9800 ft), visitors enjoy spectacular views of the Central Alps. In the afternoon you visit the lakeside town of Brienz and admire its unique woodcarving artisans. Our final destination today is Interlaken, at the foot of Mount Jungfrau. Accommodation in Zurich.

Day 10: Interlaken - Bern - Gruyeres - Geneva (250 km/155 mi)
As we leave Interlaken we follow the shore of Lake Thun to Bern, set on the Aare River with spectacular views of the Alps. We stop for a brief sightseeing tour and then continue to Gruyeres, a picturesque town with an impressive medieval castle. Accommodation in Geneva.

Day 11: Geneva - Montreux - Zermatt (240 km/150 mi)
In the morning you enjoy a sightseeing tour of Geneva and visit the town’s lovely lakeside parks, the cathedral and the European UN headquarters. Next we travel to Lausanne and Montreux. Along the way we pass the magnificent Chillon castle. Free time to explore Montreux. In the afternoon you visit the Rodano river valley as far as Täsch. From here you continue by narrow gauge train to Zermatt, a picturesque town nestled at the foot of mighty Mount Matterhorn. Accomodation in Zermatt.

Day 12: Zermatt - Paso Nufenen - Lugano (220 km/136 mi)
In the morning you are free to explore at your leisure. Undertake an optional excursion to the top of Mount Gornegrat (not included). In the afternoon you return to Täsch where you board the bus for a spectacular drive over the Nufenen mountain pass to Lugano, the Italian part of Switzerland. Accommodation in Lugano.

Day 13: Lugano - Lake Como - St. Moritz (180 km/111 mi)
This morning we travel to Italy’s gorgeous Lake Como. We hug the shore of the lake via Menaggio to Chiavenna in the Beggaglia valley. At Castasegna we cross the border back into Switzerland and travel to the famous ski resort of St. Moritz. Accomodation in St.Moritz.

Day 14: St. Moritz - Vaduz - Zurich (240 km/136 mi)
In the morning you travel over the Fluela pass via Davos to reach Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. Free time to explore this charming city on your own. In the afternoon we return to Zurich. Along the way we stop for a short visit at Toggenburg to admire the traditional picturesque houses. Arrival in Zurich around 5 pm. End of tour program.

During holidays, conferences and special events, accomodation may only be available outside the city. Excursions and tours are usually not affected by these events.

THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES:

Transportation by car, minivan or bus during the entire tour

English-speaking tour guide during the entire tour (driver-guide for groups with less than 8 persons)

Transfer from Frankfurt airport to your hotel

Accommodation in a double room at 4-star hotels

Daily buffet breakfast

Porter service at the hotels (1 suitcase per person)

Visits and excursions as listed in the program

“Bavarian Night“ with folk music and typical regional buffet dinner

Admission to Heidelberg, Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles