Compare Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria - With Oberammergau, Classic Group by Insight Vacations vs Swiss Highlands & Bavarian Alps 2023 by Tauck
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| Trip |
Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria - With Oberammergau, Classic Group
by
Insight Vacations
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 12 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 5,150 | $ 5,490 |
| Price Per Day | $ 429 | $ 686 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes | N/A |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | From the famed beer taverns of Munich to the scenic vistas aboard the Glacier Express, this 11-day tour will delight and awe. In Switzerland, a funicular transports you from the scenic shores of Lake Lucerne to a mountaintop Stanserhorn Dinner, at the roof of Europe. Enjoy a delicious meal at 6,000 feet, with stunning views from the Drehrestaurant Rondorama, which slowly rotates to ensure you don’t miss a thing. In Austria, explore Vienna with a unique Insight Choice to tour the many treasures contained within the Schönbrunn Palace, or a stroll through the immense grounds and gardens—with unique insights from a Local Expert. Explore the quaint village of Oberammergau as it springs into action for the once in a decade Passion Play with included premium tickets to the world famous performance. |
Our 8-day Bern to Munich journey, begins in Switzerland, where you'll visit the capital city of Bern, St. Gallen and the Bernese Oberland, and the Lake Constance region; in Germany, explore Munich and the Bavarian Alps... |
Day 1: Welcome to Fun-Loving Munich
Transfers to your hotel leave Munich airport at 10:00 and 13:00. Join your Travel Director at 15:30 for an orientation tour of the city. See the Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz. Join your fellow guests for a drink and enjoy a pleasant Welcome Dinner at Donisl restaurant.
Munich Marriott Hotel.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Jewels of Munich
In the morning, visit Nymphenburg Palace and join a Local Expert to explore the beautiful Baroque gardens. Then step inside to admire the interiors and artworks of this vast residence, one of the largest Palaces in Europe. Continue to the site of the 1972 Olympic Games for a visit to BMW Welt. See the worldwide headquarters of this Bavarian icon and enjoy the exhibition. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Bavaria's capital city. Perhaps visit one of its many art galleries and museums, or relax and enjoy a coffee in the delightful Marienplatz?
Munich Marriott Hotel.
Breakfast
Day 3: The City of Mozart and on to Vienna
Continue across the Austrian border to Salzburg, 'alive with the sound of music'. Join your Local Expert, who will show you the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace, Residenzplatz, the city's imposing fortress, the immense cathedral in the Old Town and Mozart’s birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.Visit Mozart's birthplace. Enjoy a pianoforte demonstration and examine letters, memorabilia, and musical instruments of the great composer. Continue to the Austrian capital of Vienna.
InterContinental Vienna.
Breakfast
Day 4: Vienna and the Habsburgs
Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Choose to join a private tour of Maria Theresa's magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Be transported to a time of opulence and extravagance, as you marvel at the intricacies of gilded Rococo frames, frescoed ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Alternatively, join an exclusive MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop and support the visually impaired community. Dancing in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, will be a unique experience for all your senses. Then see the city's many highlights, including St. Charles' Church, the Hofburg Palace, Parliament and State Opera House. This evening, enjoy a Dine-Around experience from your choice of specially selected restaurants.
InterContinental Vienna.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: Sleepy Austrian Byways to Villach
Take a delightful drive through undiscovered Austria. Climb the dramatic Semmering Pass and stop in Kindberg with its colourful maypole. Continue south to the border to arrive in historic Villach.
Voco Hotel, Villach
Breakfast
Day 6: Pass the Dolomites to Innsbruck and Oberammergau
Pass the magnificent Dolomites as your journey continues through the High Alps to arrive at mountain-ringed Innsbruck. An orientation of Innsbruck shows you the 14th century houses of the old town, the impressive Imperial Palace and the delightful Golden Roof. Then continue north to Oberammergau, situated in the heart of the Bavarian Alps and home of the Passion Play since 1634.
Oberammergau and surrounding villages.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: The Passion Play Relaxed Start
After a morning at leisure in charming Oberammergau, take your premium reserved seats to witness the world famous Passion Play, re-enacting the last days of Christ on earth. After a break for dinner in a local restaurant, the captivating performance continues into the evening.
Oberammergau and surrounding villages.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Through the Alps to Switzerland
Continue to Switzerland, driving along the beautiful Engadine Valley and on to the chic Alpine resort of St Moritz. Enjoy the marvellous scenery and fresh air or browse in the elegant boutiques. Another option is a ride on-board the Bernina Express.
Crystal Hotel, St Moritz., Hotel Steffani, St Moritz.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: All aboard the Glacier Express and on to Lucerne
Embark on an iconic train journey onboard the Glacier Express, as you take in vistas of ice-capped mountains, stone-built villages and lush meadows. Ascend through the spiral tunnels of the Albula Pass and cross the Landwasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at Andermatt. Continue north, following the staggering Schollenen Gorge through William Tell country, to lovely lakeside Lucerne, one of Europe’s most popular cities set on the banks of Lake Lucerne. Join your Travel Director to see the sorrowful sculpture of the dying lion, cut out of a limestone cliff to commemorate the Swiss Guards who died at the Battle of the Tuileries.
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast
Day 10: Dinner at the ‘Roof of Europe’ in Stanserhorn Relaxed Start
Enjoy the morning at your leisure to explore the city's 14th century covered wooden bridges, painted gables, old walls and watchtowers of the medieval fortifications. Stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the Jesuit Church, or use your free time to shop. Later, head to the town of Stans where you'll embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and cable car, to the summit of the stunning Stanserhorn. On a clear day, there are views as far as Alsace in France and the Black Forest in Germany.Here amid true Alpine majesty, your journey literally peaks with an unforgettable Celebration Dinner, hosted in Drehrestaurant Rondorama, located atop the mountain. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and admire the stunning panoramic views as the restaurant slowly rotates throughout the evening, ensuring you don't miss a thing.
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 11: Leave Lucerne for Zürich
Your Alpine adventures end this morning, with a transfer to Zürich airport arriving at 08:00.
Breakfast
Day 1 Arrive Zurich / Bern
Tour Begins: 6:00 PM, Bellevue Palace Bern. A transfer is included from Zurich Airport to the Bellevue Palace Bern, a jewel of Art Nouveau architecture ideally located in the historic heart of this UNESCO World Heritage City amidst stunning Alpine views. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight, inspiring with Swiss flair.
MEALS : D
LODGING : Bellevue Palace Bern
PORTOFCALL : Bern, Switzerland
Day 2 Beauty, Bears and Brains in Bern
A garden of delights awaits your discovery on a drive to the flower-filled Rosengarten and the famous Bear Park, Bärenpark. Long a symbol of the city and its namesake, bears have been a draw in Bern since the 1500s when they were first put on display as entertainment for its residents. You'll see bears featured on the town emblem and flag and in the park you'll explore this morning, where a family of brown bears live in an enclosed riverside setting. Join a local guide on a walk through the rose gardens and bear park, followed by a stroll past the Einstein House, where Albert Einstein developed his Theory of Relativity, to the Bern History Museum; take a guided visit of the Einstein Museum located inside.
MEALS : B
LODGING : Bellevue Palace Bern
PORTOFCALL : Bern, Switzerland
Day 3 Habsburg Castle & The Abbey Library
Drive to the Emmental region this morning for a day of Swiss traditions. Experience a taste of local life on visit to the Craftman's Village in Wasen, see a Swiss sumo-like wrestling demonstration at the "Schwingen" club in Affoltern and joins us for an interactive cheese-making tour in Emmental, highlighted by a tasty lunch. Continue to Lucerne for an orientation tour of Old Town and free time before returning to Bern.
MEALS : B, L
LODGING : Bellevue Palace Bern
Day 4 Alpine Highs In Appenzell
The imperial legacy of the Habsburgs comes alive today when you meet the Habsburgs during a Tauck Exclusive lunch at medieval Habsburg Castle, one of the most influential royal houses in Europe during the Middle Ages. Next it's on to a chocolate making adventure that indulges your sweet tooth with a taste of this coveted Swiss specialty, made in mechanized Swiss chocolate factories since 1819. Your destination tonight is the cobblestoned town of St. Gallen, renowned for its textiles and its lavish Abbey District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided tour of the library includes a walk through town, a visit and demonstration at the textile museum and a visit to the Abbey Library of Saint Gall, considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Dinner tonight is at leisure at your hotel.
MEALS : B
LODGING : Einstein St. Gallen
PORTOFCALL : Appenzell, Switzerland
Day 5 Oberammergau's Passion Play
Drive to Appenzell for a day of scenic delights. Ride a cable car up towering Santis Peak for views of mountains and cliff-top chalets that will take your breath away, then spend the afternoon exploring the sights in the town's car-free center. Boasting a quintessential fairy-tale setting, the old town invites with colorful wooden buildings, frescoed and flowered, with old-fashioned signage that takes you back in time. Return to St. Gallen for dinner.
MEALS : B
LODGING : Einstein St. Gallen
PORTOFCALL : Oberammergau, Germany
Day 6 A Palace & Royal Carriages in Munich
A morning drive to the village of Oberammergau is highlighted by a stop and guided visit of the Passion Play Theater. Once every ten years, as each new decade begins, some 2,000 local residents of Oberammergau join forces to perform the Passionsspiele (Passion Play), a dramatic re-creation of Jesus Christ's last days on Earth. First produced nearly four centuries ago, the Passion Play has become a beloved highlight of every decade. Journey along the scenic Yellow Roads to Germany to Munich for a two-night stay. Enjoy guided city sightseeing this afternoon. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Dine in your choice of hotel restaurants tonight.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Bayerischer Hof
PORTOFCALL : Munich, Germany
Day 7 Dachau & Munich as You Wish
Depart for Dachau this morning, where the first of Germany's infamous Nazi concentration camps opened in 1933 and was used as a model for others that followed. Your visit to the memorial site will be a poignant one that provides historical context to an unimaginable time. Enjoy time at leisure to experience Munich as you wish. Your day ends with a farewell dinner at an iconic city restaurant that serves up a feast of regional fare.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Hotel Bayerischer Hof
PORTOFCALL : Munich, Germany
Day 8 Journey Home
Tour Ends: Munich. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Bayerischer Hof hotel to Munich's Franz Josef Strauss International Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Munich, Germany
