Germany, Austria, Switzerland Tour

15-day tour of Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Munich, Tyrol, Salzburg, Innsbruck,Vaduz in Liechtenstein; Lucerne, Zurich, the Rhine Falls, the Black Forest, Heidelberg and Rudesheim

Tour Description
Travel to the land of fairy tale villages, medieval castles, pristine lakes and stunning alpine vistas. Multiple-night stays in six endearing towns allow for in-depth local experiences including SOUND OF MUSIC sights in and around Salzburg.

Included Features


Meals - In addition to any meals you may be served during your flights to and from Europe, the tour price includes 13 breakfasts and 9 dinners during the land portion of the tour.

Accommodations

Superior Tourist Class (3-star) and First Class (4-star) hotels are carefully selected for comfort, cleanliness and character . All rooms have a private bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower or bathtub. Free Wi-Fi is available at the hotels, with only a rare exception. Our tours feature a balance of modern city hotels and family-run village hotels with European atmosphere accompanied by genuine hospitality.

Dinners

The included dinners follow a fixed menu. We work closely with the hotels/restaurants to provide a variety of dishes throughout the tour. The number of included dinners is noted on the introductory page of each tour.

Breakfast Daily

Breakfasts are commonly served buffet style at your hotel, with a selection of rolls, butter, jam, cheese, cold cuts, coffee, tea, milk and juice. Breakfast buffets usually also include one or more other items such as cereal, pastries, fruit, yogurt, eggs, and/or local breakfast foods .

Tour Manager

An experienced representative will accompany the tour and handle all the arrangements for the full European duration. Generally, the Tour Manager who greets you upon arrival in Europe will be the same Tour Manager who will accompany you throughout your entire tour. All our Tour Managers pride themselves on many years of experience, having traveled extensively in the regions covered on our tours. All reside in Europe and are multi-lingual with a fluency in English. Each is trained for the particular tours he or she will escort and is recertified for our tours annually. Our Tour Managers get to know you, dig deep to find answers to your questions, and add their personal touch to turn your tour into the "vacation of a lifetime."

Personal Assistive Listening System (P.A.L.S.)

A lightweight, hands-free assistive listening system (including a receiver with a lanyard and an earbud) is provided to each traveler to allow for convenient and clear reception of tour manager commentary during guided walks. Specially designed ear pieces are available to accommodate hearing aids.

Baggage Handling

Baggage handling at hotels is provided for one suitcase per person, with a maximum of 62 linear inches and a maximum of 50 lbs. For more details, see "How often will I need to carry my own luggage?" and " Baggage Allowances".

Tips for Included Services

The tour price includes tips for all aspects of the tour that are pre-arranged by Image Tours, such as hotels, restaurants and other services. Tips for the tour manager and motor coach driver are not included. For tipping guidelines, refer to "Are Tips for the Tour Manager & Driver Included?".

Land Transportation

A deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach will provide transportation throughout Europe in accordance with the itinerary. Image Tours requires that the motor coaches used for our tours must be state-of-the-art models of no older than five years; one of the toughest standards in the European tour business. Although our motor coaches are government rated for standard class seating of up to 53 passengers, we provide comfort-class seating for a maximum of 46 passengers on the majority of our tours, providing extra leg room and greater comfort. Daily seat rotation allows you to view Europe's spectacular scenery from all angles. Our motor coach drivers are selected by meeting our high standards for experience, courtesy and professionalism. They not only possess outstanding driving skills with safety as their number one priority, but also take pride in keeping the motor coach comfortable and clean throughout your tour.

Airport Transfers

One scheduled group airport transfer is hosted by the tour manager on Day 2 and again on the last day of the tour. The transfer time is based on the scheduled flight times of passengers who have purchased the complete Tour & Air Inclusive package from Image Tours. For details, see 'Are Airport Transfers Included?'.

Confirmation Packet

Approximately one month after Image Tours receives your completed Reservation Application and deposit, you will receive a Confirmation Packet consisting of reservation verification and our highly informative TOUROCLOPEDIA® trip preparation booklet, with travel tips and other information to help you get ready for your tour of Europe.

Trip Documents

At least one week prior to the tour departure date, you will receive a Trip Documents Packet. This contains preparation reminders, departure day travel tips, arrival instructions, flight information, overnight schedule (with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of hotels), foreign currency information, luggage tags and a name tag.

Call (508) 881-8242 for more information or to book today! Mention code 4497295

Tour Operator
Image Tours
Duration
15 Days
Escorted
Escorted - Yes
DayDestinationDescription
Day 1Overnight Flight to EuropeOvernight flight to Europe.
Refer to "Preparing for your Departure" in your Trip Documents for easy check-in procedures. Take time to relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.
Day 2FrankfurtGERMANY . . Arrival at Frankfurt Airport - Franconian Wine Region.
Upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport, clear passport control and collect your luggage in baggage claim. Refer to your "Arrival Instructions" page in your Final Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Then, settle back in your comfortable motor coach for a ride through the Main River Valley on the way to your hotel in the Franconian Wine Region. After check-in, freshen up and relax before the "Welcome to Europe/Get-acquainted" dinner at the hotel. (Dinner)
Day 3Franconian Wine RegionGERMANY . . Nuremberg - Rothenburg - Franconian Wine Region.
Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history and charm of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here, and after his fall, Nuremberg was chosen as the site of the famous War Trials. For further information, visit the Documentation Centre at the sight of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds (£6 admission fee). If you prefer a lighter subject, enter the Toy Museum (£6 admission fee), celebrating Nuremberg's tradition as the "city of toys." Spend the afternoon in the enchanting, medieval village of Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber. When you see the well-preserved walls, cobblestone streets, distinctive inns, and whimsical Christmas shop of Kathe Wohlfahrt's Weihnachtsdorf, it feels as if you are walking into a fairy tale. Return to your hotel for an authentic German dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4FilzmoosGERMANY . . Munich & AUSTRIA . . Filzmoos.
Travel to the Bavarian capital of Munich for a panoramic city tour, including views of the Olympic Village, the Bohemian district of Schwabing, and the Konigsplatz. Enjoy free time in the pedestrian-only Old Town where modern department stores have been skillfully grafted amidst historic buildings. The focal point, on the Marienplatz, is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). After lunch, as you cross the border into Austria and drive through the province of Salzburg, admire the mountain-fed rivers and flower-laden meadows. Arrive in the village of Filzmoos and enjoy Austrian hospitality during dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5Salzburg & FilzmoosAUSTRIA . . Salzburg & Filzmoos.
The entire day focuses on the province of Salzburg with special attention to the sights made famous by the "Sound of Music." Visit Mondsee (to see the church where they filmed the wedding of Maria and Captain Von Trapp). In the city of Salzburg, stop at the gazebo (used to film Liesl singing "16 going on 17") and at Mirabell Gardens (where several "Do Re Mi" scenes were filmed). The walking tour includes Saint Peter's Abbey & Cemetery (where, in the movie, the Von Trapp Family hides from the Nazis) and the Residenz Square (where Maria sings "I Have Confidence in Me"). Spend the afternoon shopping in the charming pedestrian-only area of the Old Town, exploring the Salzburg High Fortress, or visiting Mozart's Birthplace (£11 admission fee). After an independent dinner, return to your hotel in Filzmoos. (Breakfast)
Day 6FilzmoosAUSTRIA . . Filzmoos.
The day is at your leisure. Choose from an abundance of mountain paths for an exhilarating hike or bike ride with awe-inspiring panoramas. Or, simply relax in your Austrian village amidst the boundless splendor of the Alps. This afternoon, your tour manager will invite you for an optional Eagle's Nest excursion to Hitler's former mountain hideaway. Rejoin your group for a traditional Austrian dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7Tyrolean VillageAUSTRIA . . Innsbruck - Tyrolean Village.
Admire the glorious scenery during your drive to Innsbruck, capital of Tyrol. The Golden Roof, the symbol of Innsbruck, is decorated with 2657 copper shingles. Completed in 1500, Maximillian l had this covered balcony built to celebrate his wedding, and used it as a royal box to view the entertainment in the square below. You will have time to shop for the famed Swarovski Crystal and to explore the old city center with the Maria Theresien Boulevard, Triumphal Arch and the exquisite Imperial Church. A short distance from Innsbruck lies the Tyrolean Village where you will spend the next two nights in a chalet-style hotel. Choose a local restaurant for your independent dinner or join the optional Tyrolean Show & Dinner excursion for a light-hearted presentation of Austrian folklore, music and dancing. (Breakfast)
Day 8Tyrolean VillageAUSTRIA . . Tyrolean Village near Innsbruck.
The peaceful villages, tucked in the valleys around Innsbruck are the perfect location for a relaxing day. Frescoed and flower-adorned chalets create an idyllic atmosphere as you walk through town. Viewed from an outdoor cafe or along one of the numerous hiking paths, the Tyrolean Alps present breathtaking scenery. For further exploration, trams and trains offer easy and direct transportation between the villages and Innsbruck. Another choice is the full-day optional Neuschwanstein & Linderhof excursion. At the end of the day, return to your Tyrolean hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9Swiss AlpsLIECHTENSTEIN . . Vaduz & SWITZERLAND . . Swiss Alps.
Depending on the weather, depart Austria by way of the Arlberg Pass or through the engineering masterpiece of the Arlberg Tunnel. Your destination is Vaduz, in the tiny principality of Liechtenstein. Following a leisurely visit, cross the border into Switzerland and continue through the Swiss Alps where you will spend the next two nights amidst a setting of mountains and lakes. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10Swiss AlpsSWITZERLAND . . Stans - Lucerne - Swiss Alps.
Begin the day with a stop in the old village of Stans, located at the foot of the mountains. Bring your camera if you decide to take the optional Swiss Mountain excursion, during which you will enjoy some of the most incredible alpine vistas. A few miles further along the lake lies Lucerne. You will have a full afternoon to discover Lucerne's covered bridges and many other special treasures. Before returning to your hotel for dinner, your tour manager will offer an optional Swiss Lake Boat Ride excursion. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11Black ForestSWITZERLAND . . Zurich - Schaffhausen Rhine Falls & GERMANY . . Black Forest.
After your Swiss breakfast, travel north to the vibrant and culturally rich city of Zurich, known as one of the world's financial centers. Your next stop is the impressive and powerful Rhine River Falls, near the town of Schaffhausen. Here, an extended visit allows time for lunch and an opportunity to see the falls by boat (approximately £10.00) or from viewing platforms accessible by paths and stairways. Your journey will then return you to Germany to spend two nights in the renowned Black Forest. During an independent dinner, become better acquainted with this scenic and convivial region. (Breakfast)
Day 12Black ForestGERMANY . . Black Forest.
Escape modern life and behold the natural beauty in the rustic villages nestled between the thickly wooded mountains. The landscape and history of the Black Forest comes to life while visiting some of the region's treasured highlights such as the waterfall of Triberg, the Schwarzwaldmuseum (Black Forest Museum), and a local artisan's clock shop. This is your chance to examine authentic hand-carved and hand-detailed Black Forest cuckoo clocks. At the end of the day, return to your hotel for an included dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 13RudesheimGERMANY. . Heidelberg - Rudesheim.
Winding past peaceful villages and farm houses you depart the Black Forest on the way to historic Heidelberg, situated in the Neckar Valley. This famous university town is immortalized in the operetta "The Student Prince." Walk through the Old Town or take the funicular (£7.00) for a close-up look at the ruins of Heidelberg's red sandstone castle. Continue to your hotel in Rudesheim. Located amongst the vineyards of the Rhine wine region, Rudesheim is known for its festive atmosphere. An independent dinner presents the chance to try Federweisser (feather wine) with Zwiebelkuchen (onion cake) while experiencing Rudesheim's tradition of live music and merriment. (Breakfast)
Day 14RudesheimGERMANY . . Rudesheim.
A full day in Rudesheim provides the opportunity to walk along the picturesque Rhine River promenade and the enchanting Drosselgasse, the main shopping street. You may also wish to join the optional Rhine Cruise & Cable Car excursion presenting magnificent views of the Rhine River Valley. During tonight's "Farewell Dinner" at the hotel, celebrate the highlights of your journey. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 15Daytime flight back to U.S.ADaytime flight back to U.S.A.
Transfer to the Frankfurt Airport for the return flight home. (Breakfast)
Dates/Pricing

Click Quote or call us to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
09/23/2024Quote
Disclaimer

The above departures reflect Land-Only per person pricing and TWIN pricing is based upon double occupancy. Any early booking discounts available will be reflected in the summary price after you pick your departure date, your accommodation type, and any additional options in the following steps. Please choose a departure date to continue pricing the tour.