Outdoor Exploration of Austria: Luxury Countryside Tour

We are a family of seven, ages 17-63, and Zicasso’s travel company created an incredible 12-day trip for us all to Switzerland and Austria. There were a lot of transportation logistics, tickets, hotel and dining reservations, and intricate details that they seamlessly pulled together for us. Having our own (and the same) driver for the duration of the trip was an incredible perk.

We traveled to Zurich, Grindelwald, Zermatt, Lucerne, Salzburg, and Hallstatt. We had a wonderful time, thanks to their detailed planning, itinerary, and attention to important details, including one traveler with celiac disease/special dietary needs.

Don't miss paragliding and the Via Ferrata in Murren, Switzerland, and the Fräulein Maria bike tour in Salzburg!

The planning and organization for our trip to Germany and Austria was expertly handled by Zicasso's travel partner. We could not have asked for a better trip. 

We gathered our adult children and friends together to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the Old World. In and around Munich, we saw Neuschwanstein and many of the city's beautifully ornate churches. We also visited the Christmas markets and beer halls, and ate way to much fabulous German food. 

Our agent contracted private guides in Munich and Salzburg. These guides were superior. They had detailed knowledge of the area, its history, and people. 

We spent Christmas in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is a lovely, magical town in the shadow of Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze. On Christmas Day, I took the cable car up the mountain and the sights from the top were tremendous. On the day we were there, we could see 230km in all directions. Of course, when in the Alps, you must ski, so we visited Hintertux for a day of skiing and glacier exploration.  

Then we went to Salzburg to explore the sites of Mozart's birthplace, but there is so much more to the town than that. The town has over 1,000 years of history and the people there could not have been more hospitable. 

From there, we went back to Munich to celebrate New Year at Tollwood. 

Thank you, and a special thanks to our travel team for all the planning that went into the trip. It was pleasantly unforgettable. And I cannot forget our guides. The guides in Munich and Salzburg were excellent – extremely knowledgeable, personable, and always there when needed. I cannot wait to go back, and when I do, I will be planning our trip through your company.

Our three-week winter escapade to France, Switzerland, and Austria was nothing short of a magical journey through some of the most enchanting winter wonderlands Europe has to offer. From the romance of horse-drawn carriage rides to the charm of bustling Christmas markets, every moment was incredible.

France: A Parisian Winter Dream

We began our adventure in Paris, the City of Lights, which becomes even more captivating during the winter. The Eiffel Tower sparkled against the night sky and Paris offered a blend of elegance and festive cheer that set the perfect tone for the rest of our trip.

Another highlight was our visit to Colmar, a charming Alsace town that felt like stepping into a storybook. Its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and magical Christmas market made it an unforgettable experience, with festive lights and holiday spirit around every corner.

Switzerland: A Snow-Capped Wonderland

Next, we ventured to Switzerland, where the true magic of winter revealed itself. The highlight was our trip to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe." The journey up was as breathtaking as the destination itself, with panoramic views of snow-draped peaks and charming alpine villages. Once at Jungfraujoch, we were mesmerized by the endless expanse of snow and ice.

Equally unforgettable was our visit to First Mountain. The crisp air, thrilling walk, and ziplining added an adventurous touch. The view from the suspension bridge, with the mountains stretching endlessly into the horizon, was a sight that will forever be etched in our memories.

We also had the thrill of dog sledding near the Matterhorn. Gliding across snowy trails with a team of eager huskies was an exhilarating and unique way to experience the majestic mountain landscapes.

Austria: A Symphony of Tradition and Festivity

Our final stop was Austria, where the Christmas spirit was alive in every corner. The Vienna Christmas Market was a dream come true, with its illuminated stalls offering everything from handcrafted ornaments to mouthwatering strudels and mulled wine. Salzburg, with its Baroque architecture and snow-dusted rooftops, felt like stepping into a fairy tale. We also attended a classical music performance that added a touch of cultural richness to our holiday.

To top it off, we enjoyed a cozy, horse-drawn carriage ride through a picturesque Austrian village. Wrapped in warm blankets, we listened to the rhythmic clopping of hooves as we glided past snow-covered chalets and twinkling lights – a truly enchanting experience!

The entire trip was a seamless blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and festive joy. Each destination brought its own unique charm, leaving us with unforgettable memories of twinkling lights, snowy peaks, and the warm glow of holiday cheer. Winter in Europe is truly a season to behold and this journey was nothing short of spectacular.

Our Zicasso travel representative made sure every small detail was organized and even double-checked the drivers, tours, etc, in advance. This is the perfect travel company and we will surely use them again! Our agents communicated with us throughout the trip to ensure everything was flawless! Thank you for the most magical holiday ever! We shall cherish these memories forever.

Zicasso’s tour company did an extraordinary job ensuring that all pickups, guides, and tickets were done correctly and executed on time! The food tour in Vienna was fabulous for the information we learned about the city and country. Job well done!

We were disappointed in a number of areas. We asked that no areas/tours be suggested where we find lots of tourists transported by bus. Unfortunately, that's what happened.

Lake Garda is just one big tourist trap. We had a private boat but the 'captain' was very disappointing as he gave very little background and just dropped us off at two stops which were almost impossible to navigate because of the people and frankly there was nothing interesting to see unless you like shops catering to tourists.

We had private guides pretty much every day of the trip. We were looking for the guides to give us tips for special places to visit. A couple of them did provide some good tips, but for the most part it was just more history, churches, etc.

In Trieste, we were at a lovely hotel but were immediately warned by the guide to watch our phones, purses and warned that gangs were active in the area of the hotel. The hotel was located so far from the water that we never saw it and the guide never took us there. We were in a 'gritty' part of the city. The next day we had a full day private tour and honestly we spent more time riding in the car than doing anything interesting. Too much time was spent on the history of the city in spite of us stating to the tour company this wasn't our desire. Good concise overviews were our desire.

Our accommodations were labeled as boutique accommodations. Still trying to figure out how our hotel in Udine was labeled a boutique when a bus full of bicycle riders descended both nights and cleared out the breakfast buffet each morning. Not to mention the buffet was very substandard.

The hotel in Innsbruck had Mozart as a guest so it was old. Adequate yes, but hardly what one would term charming. The reception area was essentially a desk in a busy hallway. Rooms were dated but clean and large.

We chose Zicasso because we had used them (another travel company within the Zicasso umbrella) previously. On that trip we had accommodations in a former castle with a Michelin star restaurant. Very charming to say the least. We also stayed on Lake Como. Beautiful hotel on the water. The Italian Prime minister had a dinner at the hotel which gives you an idea of the quality. Our Lake Garda accommodations were very nice but located about four blocks from the water in a residential area. The contrast between the two trips is stunning.

Some of the fault lies with us as we failed to drill down enough and relied on the tour company to have heard our desires and put us in wonderful accommodations, Let me say that the hotel in Vienna was perfect-location, rooms, breakfast, etc. So, there were home runs but without going into further detail other accommodations were questionable.

During the trip planning phase I found the tour company to be very responsive to all requests for information.

What a wonderful trip we had! Everything was planned out so very well. The two tour guides we had were exemplary and we enjoyed those days immensely. Most of the hotels were great, with terrific locations. The suggestions of activities offered for each place were spot-on. We especially loved the string quartet concert in Salzburg.

The communication of Zicasso's travel company was really good. I always felt they were right there to help when I needed it, which I definitely did one early morning. The train passes at the hotel in Lucerne had not been sent to them, but somebody got them to me in 20 minutes. Crisis averted.

We were not thrilled when we got to Vienna and found the Pride Festival was in full swing. It really made getting around the city a challenge. If I’d known that, I probably would’ve stayed an extra day in another city to avoid that.

Thanks for all you did to make this trip for our family so memorable.