Grasp the history and the culture of the countries that surround the Alps as the mountains rise over the sweeping plains, crystal clear lakes, and historical candy-colored villages. Your 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. Trails wind through the mountains, and paintings...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Frankfurt – Arrive in the Vibrant Contemporary 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 the Romerberg, Frankfurt’s old town center. The Justice Fountain stands at the center of the oddly shaped square adorned by the goddess Justitia watching passersby.
The first fountain was inaugurated in the 16th-century as a monument to the city’s image as a city of justice. The fountain’s current iteration came in the 17th-century and was made from red sandstone. It is the oldest fountain in the city and has trickled with water since the coronation of Emperor Matthias in 1612. The traditional half-timbered houses are reconstructions of the original 15th and 16th-century homes that once bordered the square. The district of Old Town welcomes you to Germany and provides a perfect introduction to your tour of the history and culture to come.
What's Included:
Day 2
Munich – Enjoy a Scenic Drive to Medieval Rothenburg en route to Munich
Day 3
Munich – Full Day Tour of the Bavarian Capital and Linderhof Castle
Day 4
Vienna – Venture to Salzburg for a Musical Tour before Arriving in Vienna
Day 5
Vienna – Enjoy a Half-Day Tour of Austria’s Illustrious Capital City
Day 6
Villach – Visit Schonbrunn Palace and Lipizzaner Stallion Stud Farm
Day 7
Innsbruck – Relish a Scenic Drive along the Dolomites and Tour Innsbruck
Day 8
St. Moritz – Discover the Charms of Swiss Engadine Valley and St. Moritz
Day 9
Lugano – Circle Famous Lake Como and Cruise along the Water at Lugano
Day 10
Zermatt – Revel in the Swiss Alps on the Train from Tasch to Zermatt
Day 11
Zermatt – Delight in a Day at Leisure in and around Zermatt
Day 12
Lucerne – Traverse the Lower Rhone Valley and the Brunig Pass
Day 13
Lucerne – Half-Day Guided Tour of the Historic City of Lucerne
Day 14
Frankfurt – Visit Schaffhausen and the Black Forest en route to Frankfurt
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
$8,200 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
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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