Tour Highlights

• Bavaria's Capital of Munich
• Maria Teresa's Imperial City of Innsbruck
• Magical City of Salzburg
• Visit the amazing Swarovski Crystal World
• Spectacular Linderhof Palace
• Traditional Tyrolean Folklore Plus Much More

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – UNITED STATES/EN ROUTE
Depart today on the scheduled flight traveling en route to Munich, Germany. Dinner and breakfast will be served during our flight according to airline schedules. (I)

Day 2 – MUNICH/SEEFELD
We’ll arrive in Munich this morning where we are met by our English-speaking Tour Escort and directed to our waiting motor coach. Then travel into Austria to the alpine resort village of Seefeld, a veritable mountain paradise combining unspoiled Tyrolean charm with modern facilities. (I, D)

Day 3 – SEEFELD (Innsbruck)
Today we embark on a marvelous journey through the Alps to the city of Innsbruck “The Pearl of the Alps”. Our introduction to Innsbruck will show us the Wilten Basilica, one of the finest Rococo churches in the northern Tyrol, the Triumphal Arch which marks the beginning of the Maria-Theresien-Strasse. Once in the Old Town we’ll see the 15th and 16th century houses, the Old Town Hall and Belfry, and the Little Golden Roof, a charming structure built by Friedrich the Penniless to end jokes about his poverty. This evening we travel into the Alps for a delightful dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 4 – SEEFELD (Munich)
Today we travel to Munich the capital city of Bavaria and the heart of artistic Germany. Cheerful and vivacious, boasting magnificent architecture from Bavaria’s royal past and we’ll experience it all with a visit to the Marienplatz to see its beautiful New City Hall with chimes displaying a medieval tournament and dance, the Karolinenplatz with its Obelisk, and the Koenigsplatz surrounded by buildings such as the Glyptothek and the State Gallery. The afternoon is at leisure in Munich to enjoy this beautiful city, perhaps to enjoy an afternoon luncheon at the Hofbrauhaus. (B) For travel during the last two weeks of September, Munich’s famous Oktoberfest will be visited.

Day 5 – SEEFELD
Today is at leisure to enjoy and explore Seefeld with its quaint shops, beautiful scenery, and delightful mountain walks. Or if you prefer an optional tour will be offered taking us into Germany and the towering Bavarian Alps of picturesque Berchtesgaden. Then we travel over a daringly engineered mountain road and by elevator to the Kehlsteinhaus – Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, named by the Allied forces. From here there is a magnificent view of the surrounding Alps and a spectacular view of the lovely Konigsee. (B)

Day 6 – SEEFLED (Fairytale Bavaria)
Southern Bavaria is the focus of our excursion today…we’ll travel by way of the twin villages of Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the Passion Play village of Oberammergau where we will have a chance to see the woodcarvers at work and purchase their beautiful woodcarvings. Next we enjoy a guided visit to Linderhof Palace, set in a forest in the midst of the Ammergau Mountains is perhaps the most interesting of the castles built towards the end of the 19th century by “Mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Parterres, terraces and magnificent fountains embellish the park, and the palace itself is sumptuously decorated. Then we will visit the Monastery of Ettal where Benedictine Monks have been preparing their special liqueurs for centuries. (B, D)

Day 7 – SEEFELD (Salzburg)
An amazing day is in store as we visit magical Salzburg – Mozart’s birthplace and setting for the film “The Sound of Music”. The city’s charm is apparent in the picturesque streets full of wrought iron signs, noble architecture and highly decorated fountains. We will begin with a sightseeing tour in the grounds of Mirabell Palace and the Mozart Conservatoire, before crossing over into the Old Town. Here we’ll see the 15th century Altes Rathaus and take in the sites along the romantic Getreidgasse, where we’ll also find Mozart’s birthplace, now a museum with many of his early manuscripts and instruments. We’ll also see the Collegiate Church and the Franciscan Church as we make our way to the Residence Square, home to the medieval bishops’ residence. Nearby we’ll visit Salzburg Cathedral and then pass St. Peter’s Abbey, seen so frequently in the “Sound of Music. Time at leisure in Salzburg before returning to Seefeld. (B)

Day 8 – SEEFELD (Tyrol)
Today we explore the beauty of the Austrian Tyrol. Our first destination is the medieval town of Hall, once the mining center of the Hapsburg Empire. Here we’ll visit the fascinating Old Town and stop off at the famous mint where everyone will have the opportunity to strike their own commemorative coin. Next we visit an Austrian kitchen, where we learn how the Austrian’s make that fabulous Apple Strudel, and a delicious treat for us. Our last destination will be in the village of Wattens where we visit the famous Swarovski Crystal World with its subterranean Chambers of Wonder presenting an exhibition, celebrating crystal as an art term in vision, sound and aroma.

Tonight a delicious dinner of Tyrolean specialties and wine is followed by the jolly, colorful entertainment of a traditional Tyrolean folklore show. Local boys and girls clad in “lederhosen’ and pretty “dirndls” will sing and yodel for us while performing the famous thigh-slapping dance known as “Schuhplattler”. You will love this festive evening of folklore, music and dancing. (B, D)

Day 9 – SEEFELD/UNITED STATES
This morning we depart Seefeld and return to Munich International Airport where we board our transatlantic flight for the beginning of our journey home. (B, I)

* * * Welcome Home * * *
I = In-flight Meal B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner