Heartland of Europe

Tour Highlights

Three Nights in the Austrian Alps
Munch, Germany's World Famous Oktoberfest
Four Night Rhine River Cruise
Two Nights in the Switzerland's fabulous city of Lucerne
Complete sightseeing schedule

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – UNITED STATES/EN ROUTE
Depart on the scheduled transatlantic flight traveling en route to Munich, Germany. (I)

Day 2– MUNICH/SEEFELD
We arrive in Zurich this morning where we are met by our European Tour Escort who will remain with us throughout our tour. Leaving the airport we’ll travel south, crossing the Austrian border and drive over the Arlberg Pass, tracing the route of the Inn River Valley, to arrive in the Alpine resort of Seefeld. One of the most beautiful and sophisticated Tyrolean resorts, it is located on a sunny plateau above the Inn Valley and surrounded by the Karwendel and Wetterstein Mountain ranges. (I, D)

Day 3 – SEEFELD (Oktoberfest)
Today the beauty of the Alps will fade into the background as we depart Seefeld and 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, Munich is the center of the Bavarian zest for life that we’ll experience firsthand with an afternoon luncheon at the Oktoberfest. Celebrated at the “Wies’n” Fair Grounds, it is here where 10 huge festival tents of the seven Munich breweries welcome visitors from far and near with their lively brass bands, lederhosen and bright folk costumes. Here we have reserved seats to enjoy a traditional Oktoberfest lunch at the one of the tents. Late this afternoon we’ll depart Munich and return to Seefeld. (B, L)

Day 4 – SEEFELD
As few resorts can match Seefeld’s unique combination of traditional charm and modern amenities, today is at leisure. Browse the delightful shops in search of that perfect gift, relax with a quiet meadow and mountain walk, horse-drawn carriage ride, or chair lift and cable car journey into the surrounding Alps while enjoying one of Austria’s most beautiful mountain views. If you prefer, you may take part in optional excursion to Berchtesgaden and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. (B)

Day 5 – SEEFELD/STRASBOURG/RHINE RIVER CRUISE
We leave Seefeld this morning and travel across the German border and through the twin villages of Garmisch-Partenkirchen for a special visit to Linderhof Palace. The 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 in an intriguing mixture of Italian Renaissance and Baroque styles, with much ornamental detail of French influence. After our visit we’ll see the Passion Play village of Oberammergau and then continue over the autobahn en route to Strasbourg. In the early evening we’ll board the ms Symphonie embarkation on our Rhine River Cruise. (B, D)

Day 6 – RHINE RIVER CRUISE/STRASBOURG/KOBLENZ
This morning we’ll sail past the towns of Lauterbourg, Speyer and Mainz. The cruise continues toward Koblenz along the most beautiful part of the romantic Rhine. We will pass through the towns of Kaub, Oberwesel and Saint-Goar. Before berthing in Koblenz we will be able to see Stozenfels Castle. We will reach Koblenz around 6:00 p.m. where we visit Old Koblenz accompanied by our Hostess. The charming Old Town grouped around St. Castor’s Church (9th – 12th centuries) and the Church of our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche), from the 12th to the 15th centuries, has been very well restored over the last few years. It provides the setting for a pleasant stroll. The evening is free in Koblenz. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – RHINE RIVER CRUISE/KOBLENZ/RUDESHEIM
Depart Koblenz at 8:00 a.m. We will be sailing up the most beautiful part of the romantic Rhine between Koblenz and Rudesheim. We will be passing numerous castles, situated in famous vineyards, as well as the famous Lorelei Rock. Lunch is served on board. Our arrival in Rudesheim will be approximately 3:00 p.m. Before dinner is served on board this evening we’ll have time to explore this lovely village, and to take a chair lift ride to the Niederwald Monument for a wonderful view over the Rhine Valley. Afterward, you are free to enjoy the famous Drosselgasse with its numerous open-air bars and bands. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – RHINE RIVER CRUISE/SPEYER/MANNHEIM
Depart Rudesheim early this morning to sail back up the Rhine River to Speyer. Lunch is served on board. We will pass through the towns of Wiesbaden, Nierstein, Worms and Mannheim. We’ll visit Heidelberg and its castle. Tonight is spent in either Speyer or Mannheim. Enjoy dinner and our farewell evening on board the ship. In the late evening we’ll depart en route to Strasbourg. (B, L, D)

Day 9- RHINE RIVER CRUISE/LAKE LUCERNE
After breakfast on board we’ll arrive in Strasbourg around 9:00 a.m. After disembarkation we travel south over the autobahn, passing the international city of Basle where the countries of France, Germany and Switzerland meet. We’ll stop at the Swiss capital city of Berne for sightseeing of the city before traveling to the scenic resort of Interlaken and into the spectacular Lauterbrunnen Valley. This region of Switzerland is known as the “Bernese Oberland” and is famous for its wood carvings. After free time in Interlaken for shopping we travel over the spectacular Brunig Pass to Interlaken. (B)

Day 10 – LAKE LUCERNE
Today we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne that will show us the Spreuer Bridge, better known as the Mills Bridge, whose painted gables portray the “Dance of Death” commemorating a plague outbreak in the 17th century. Then we’ll walk across the Chapel Bridge adorned with 112 paintings on wood in the triangles formed by the roof beams that depict the history of Lucerne and Switzerland. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping – with its lakeshore setting and elegant quays, Lucerne is a beautiful city, and the cobbled streets and squares of its historic center will make for a wonderful visit. (B)

Day 11– LAKE LUCERNE/ZURICH/UNITED STATES
This morning we drive to Zurich Airport where our Tour Escort will assist us with check-in formalities at the beginning of our return journey home. (B, I)