Germany, Austria & Switzerland Tour
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Overview
Highlights
- Visit the Documentation Centre at the sight of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds
- Visit Mondsee to see the church where they filmed the wedding of Maria and Captain Von Trapp
- Explore the Salzburg High Fortress or visiting Mozart’s Birthplace
- Explore the old city center with the Maria Theresien Boulevard, Triumphal Arch and the exquisite Imperial Church
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Accommodation: Superior Tourist Class (3-star) and First Class (4-star) hotels
- Meals: The included dinners follow a fixed menu;
- Breakfast Daily: Breakfasts are commonly served buffet style at your hotel
- Tips for all aspects of the tour that are pre-arranged by Image Tours, such as hotels, restaurants and other services.
- Sound of Music sights in Salzburg
Itinerary
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.
Meals: Dinner
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...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
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 inform...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
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 Königsplatz. Enjoy free time in the pedestrian-only Old Town where modern departm...
Meals: Breakfast
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...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
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 afte...
Meals: Breakfast
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 wed...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
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 café or alon...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
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, cros...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
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 alpin...
Meals: Breakfast
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 ...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
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 highlight...
Meals: Breakfast
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 ...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
A full day in Rüdesheim 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 excur...
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the Frankfurt Airport for the return flight home.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Image Tours.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Image Tours Reviews & Ratings
Our Tour Guide was Ron Lazet and he was wonderful and very knowledgeable
In May of 2016 we did the Heart of Europe Grand Tour which started in Amsterdam and ended in London. Both my husband and i had a wonderful time and saw sites we may ...
2 wonderful weeks touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Image Tours
Just got back from 2 wonderful weeks touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Image Tours. I researched European tours for months and am so happy I chose Image....
Other Image Tours Reviews
First trip to Europe and London
I would have to say that everything we experienced on our Heart of Europe Grand to include London tour was wonderful. We were always looking forward to the next cou...
Image Tours provided an outstanding tour experience
Image Tours provided an outstanding tour of Scandinavia and the Baltics. Our tour guide, Richard Munning, was terrific. Richard is very knowledgeable of each countr...
Image Tours and the Heart of Europe Tour
Image Tours made my Heart of Europe tour very worthwhile and enjoyable. It was non-stop from the time we got up for breakfast until we hit the pillow that night. T...
Tour Operator
A Tradition of Excellence Since 1939
Roelof Postmaa, Sr., an educator in The Netherlands, founded Image Tours in 1939 in Amsterdam. He began taking his students and their parents on trips as a hobby. Recognizing people’s need for guidance in planning their travels, Mr. Postmaa developed a successful business hosting tours throughout Europe. He firmly believed that travel broadens one’s horizon and enriches one’s mind.
Mr. Postmaa’s son, Roelof Jr., began assisting his father in the family business while still in high school. Roelof Jr. opened an office in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1960 and began offering the company’s signature HEART OF EUROPE ® tour to groups such as fraternal organizations, employee associations, churches, school choirs, orchestras, and marching bands.
In 1986, the company began partnering with travel agencies to offer their escorted Europe tours to the general public, thereby becoming firmly established throughout the United States. Today, Image Tours is led by Monique Kasmauskis, the daughter of Roelof Jr., and her husband, Mike. They, along with all the Image Tours associates, are dedicated to providing Superior Value with a Personal Touch. Thanks to this dedication, Image is often praised by both travelers and travel agents for courteous service, meticulous traveler preparation, and flawless execution of its tours.
Our Company Started in Amsterdam
Seventy-nine years ago, a Dutch high school teacher and sports coach by the name of Roelof Postmaa took his senior class on a trip to France. The students had a wonderful time and more trips followed. Then, the parents of students asked Mr. Postmaa to organize a trip for them. These early beginnings seeded the tour operating business now known as Image Tours Inc..
Image Tours in the U.S.A.
In 1960 Mr. Postmaa’s son, Roelof (Rudy) Postmaa Jr. opened an office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the purpose of offering affordable European tours to American travelers. In 2002, Rudy transferred the management of Image Tours to his daughter and son-in-law, Monique and Mike Kasmauskis.
Superior Value with a Personal Touch
From the very beginning, the goal of Image Tours has been to provide "Superior Value with a Personal Touch." We have always remained loyal to this objective and continue to make every possible effort to provide a comfortable and gratifying travel experience at an affordable price. Our meticulous selection of hotels and service providers translates into the highest quality at the lowest price. In addition, we guarantee the Tour price at time of deposit and the Tour & Air inclusive price at time of final payment.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Tips for the tour manager and motor coach driver are not included.
Transportation & flights
13 Breakfasts and 9 Dinners
Extended Tour:
Post-Tour Extension
Do you need more time in the Rhine River Valley or would you like to see a little more of Germany? Image Tours can request an extended stay at the Tour Hotel in Rüdesheim. An independent transfer to the Frankfurt airport can be arranged through the hotel and costs approximately € 80 for 2 people. Hotel taxes and daily breakfasts are included
Optional Excursions:
Eagle's Nest, from Filzmoos, US $65
Visit Hitler's former hideaway, known as the Eagle's Nest. Departing from Berchtesgaden, Germany, a mountain bus takes you on a breathtaking drive up a steep, winding road. An elevator, built into the mountain, brings you to the top from where you will have panoramic views over Austria and Germany. Operation of this excursion is subject to favorable weather conditions. In the case of halted bus operation, we will substitute a visit to the Obersalzburg Documentation Center.
Neuschwanstein & Linderhof, From Tyrolean Village, Us $80
Visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, inspiration for the Disney castle. A 30-minute walk up hill and a 45-minute tour scaling several winding staircases with over 300 steps, is rewarded by a fascinating look at the castle's intriguing design. In the late afternoon, tour the extravagant French rococo interior of the Linderhof Palace. (Maximum elevation 4,000 feet)
Rhine Cruise & Cable Car, From Rüdesheim, Us $60
Cruise past medieval fortresses, enchanting villages and hillside vineyards along the Rhine River, followed by a guided tour of the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. End the day with a cable car ride up to the Niederwald Monument, affording beautiful views of the Rhine River Valley.
Swiss Lake Boat Ride, From Lucerne, Us $45
Board a steamer for a scenic ride on Lake Lucerne. The lake borders four cantons (states) of Switzerland and, for this reason, is also known as Vierwaldstättersee (Lake of the Four Forest Cantons). Your cruise will provide splendid views of the surroundings, comprised at mountain cliffs rising up to 5,000 feet and gorgeous lakeside resort homes.
Walking Expectations: An average of three miles per day
Highest Elevation: When the weather is nice, tours may take the Gerlos Pass (4921 feet) or the Arlberg Pass (5883 feet). Hotels in Austria and Switzerland are located as high as 3500 feet
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