A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. Instead of going to the main bus depot (as many unsuspecting tourists do, youll actually need to go to Engelbert-Weis-Weg (street) and look for Bus Stall J. Loved the Castle tour, cogwheel train, and gondola! Our Tour Programs THE BEST OF SWITZERLAND Breathtaking Switzerland! Go deep underground into 450 year old Salt Mines (Salz= Salt in German) and even slide down a mining chute! We have been in Gimmelwald in late May and had to stop hikes due to the snow and weve been there in September when we had to scurry back to the lodge as the fog and snow came barreling in unexpectantly! What an experience -- having lunch and a beer outside next to the river is Switzerland with the view of the mountains. They are marked well, just be mindful when boarding. Learned a lot and the views were great. I gave detailed comments on the evaluation I left with the tour manager, tooo much bus time very poor hotel location in bern. THE TRIP WAS WONDERFUL! Mount Pilatus, and funicular to the top of the mountain in Innsbruck are must sees. possibilities for holidays. Dinner: While in Switzerland, this is a great time to nibble on some of their famous dishes, such as raclette or fondue. I did not enjoy my time at Oberammergau There was nothing I could eat unless I sat down at a restaurant. My favorite things; Taking the cog train up MT Pilatus, Lucerne, seeing the country side within the Alps, doing something local; learning how to make apple strudel, seeing Neuschwanstein Castle OMG beautiful, seeing the ski jump in Innsbrook. Therefore, if you are going to Lauterbrunnen or Gimmelwald, be sure to be on the first half of the train. Once you've found the perfect Collette tour, your local travel agent can assist you in making reservations. Today, we are going to venture to Berchtesgaden. Loved the cities and countryside visited, a most memorable trip. Youll be face to face with the stunning Alps. [This post may contain affiliate links where we earn a small commission. The best time to go to Switzerland - Lonely Planet Step on guides were good. I feel that everyone came away with their own special memory. Bavaria day with countryside and Oberammergau. A Cornucopia of Delights in Austria, Germany & Switzerland. I suggest: Need more help nailing down your itinerary? Loved the musical variety group near the end of the tour. Europe. Everything else was great. It's hard to read the name. The most memorable part of the trip for me was the last night. I would have liked more time in Oberramagau. It was fun to learn so much. The tour is well organized and extremely informative. History of each place as we went through. Spend a day exploring Salzburg's historic past and charming old town. I would not have changed a thing except for my transfer ride from my house to the airport JFK. Walk from the fortress to the Augustiener Brauhaus. Before leaving, stop at any local Backerei (Bakery) and grab yourself some freshly made sandwiches, pretzels, pastries, or really just ANYTHING (because you know it will all be delicious!) Austria & Switzerland Tours and Travel Packages | Collette Switzerland can be quite expensive. Consume smooth milk chocolate in the foothills of the Swiss Alps. This South Germany Itinerary does its best at showing you some of the best that Bavaria has to offer. Copyright 2023 Trafalgar. The big question here is Train Vs. I loved our tour guide. I am still digesting the memories. The hills are alive with the sound of music, the aroma of strudel, and the taste of schnitzel. Using careful planning, consideration of your travelers goals, and this guide, it is simple to identify the best escorted rail vacation for your group tour. Really enjoyed the Seefeld cottage tour, the train to Gstadt, Oberammergaucould have spent more time theresuggest deleting the church and castle before. Glimpse into the cheese production of Gruyres and sample these dairy delights. Saw parts of Switzerland we could never see on our own. You can spend the day taking the boat rides, walking along the stunning lake, eating traditional Bavarian food at the foot of a mountain, and more. GoldenPass Panoramic. Please select a date below for more details. Loved Switzerland! 9 reviews Ask a Question Switzerland 7 days 4.4 (9) Start and end in Zurich In-depth Cultural Family Group Fully Guided Tour Operator: Europamundo Max group size: 50 Age range: 1 to 99 Operated in: English Tour id: 134742 From US $1,288 Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 11 September 2023 Select departure date and travellers Walk in the footsteps of the greatest composers and allow the soft melodies of classical music to lull you into a time gone by. or Excuse me in my Know Before You Go: Visiting Germany, The reality though is that in all three of these locations, you will be able to get by with English just fine. I found the attitude of the people in all 3 countries to be mostly unfriendly, at times rude, and dismissive. Rooms temperature uncomfortable because systems not finished My husband said that he saw some people glaring at us and appearing to laugh at all of the old Americans. Superb service at the hotel. Our latest vacation brochure is now available. Now that you are going to one of the most beautiful places in the world (no, I am not overselling this!) There were so many people crowded into the airport, it was wall to wall people and very hard to find where we were supposed to be. Make sure you spend time just wandering in both the old and new town. Were told to expect more but sadly all we saw was shopping Alternatively, you may have booked a cheaper, round trip flight in and out of Munich. Tour guide and individual guides on tours where other guides were very good. I love the small town feel, despite it being a bigger city. Vienna's skyline. Train ride through the Alps. You can either hike it up to the top or take the Funicular. Alternatively, you can book a guided walking tour as well. The hotels were lovely. Pretty pathetic that I had to spend 3 hours in DC with weather related problems and couldn't fly direct to ATL. She went over the top for our group. Everywhere we went was incredibly rushed. Guess the train on our Alpine Lakes and Scenic Trains tour. This will take you to the parking area of the lake. In Germany and Austria, staying at guesthouses can be a fantastic experience. Aaaaaah..planning a Europe trip! Tour Highlights Itinerary Reviews Enhance Your Trip VIEW ALL About This Tour As always, Collette doesn't disappoint. Fill your camera roll with breathtaking scenery and your heart with adventure when you experience these top five things to do in Switzerlands Bernese Oberland. Vienna - 3 nights. and while yes, it is extremely touristy, it is an absolute must see in Bavaria! The best times to visit Austria - Lonely Planet Travel from Cologne or Bavaria in Germany into the dramatic Enjoyed tour and experience. We enjoyed the ski jump tour (architectural tour) and the rail and carriage rides to the small town to visit a farm. Kapellbrcke: Chapel Bridge is arguably one of the most famous photo spots in Lucerne. Great overall experience in very beautiful and friendly places. If that is the case, you will have to budget for about a 5.5 hour drive (and upwards of 9 hour train ride). In addition to the fables, falsettos, and tastes of two of Europe's most scenic countries, a symphony of sights awaits your arrival on this scenic tour of Austria and Switzerland. After your 3 Munich Days, you are going to head to Salzburg. Salzburg is in Austria, not Bavaria! But this is one of my favorite secrets of the Bayern Train Ticket; it actually covers Salzburg! 2. My journal records our experiences. The day trip to the Chateau and Montreaux. We went to Gstaad and stayed for 20 minutes. One of our most popular trips going to Austria and Switzerland, this incredible duo also delivers a visit to the little Liechtenstein capital. 15 day trip through Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia Pilatus. Alternatively, if you dont want to go to Neuschwanstein (why not!?) you have several options for what to do. You can read all about the best time to visit Germany here. Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that brings you to the end of your once in a lifetime, amazing, memorable, and STUNNING 10 day trip to Europe via Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. When we reached Geneva, we dropped off the car spent a few days before flying back home. Next is Gimmelwald. Finally, Grindelwald. Montreux on Lake Geneva was beautiful! From $2,999 $2,849 pp* Save up to $150 *Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy, tour inclusions and available options may vary based on departure date. 14-Day Austria and Switzerland Tour The two week all-inclusive tour of Austria and Switzerland travels round trip from Zurich. For more information: Golden Triangle with Ranthambore Luxury tours, TourRadar Recognizes Ben Sims and Will Anholt as Guides of the Year, Best 2 Week New Zealand Itineraries (with Reviews), Masai Mara Weather & Climate: All You Need to Know, Best 8 Rongai Route Tour Operators & Trekking Companies. You can easily book and read reviews of the salt mine tour here. Not to be confused with Gimmelwald, Grindelwald is on the OTHER side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Colorful The trains do run on time but the drawback is that we only had sometimes 5-7 minutes to change trains. So, if you are planning a Germany Austria Switzerland itinerary (10 days) then I totally can relate. Enjoyed trip and everything went as promised. Our guide also made suggestions for the best local restaurants for our purchased meals. ****** (our tour guide) set the stage perfectly before we entered the viewing area. . Time to explore on my own. Switzerland Guided Tour Packages | Insight Vacations Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria. At one restaurant we were so crowded that you could hardy move. Having the car for Neuschwanstein actually gives you quite a bit more flexibility in that day as well. It was stressful at times. The scenery was indescribable! Covering all seven continents, The world your way shows you how you can see the world with us. Seller of Travel Reg. Either way, once at the top you will be rewarded with magnificent views!!! This in and of itself is GORGEOUS! Neuschwanstein is so close to Austria! It made it hard to sleep and relax. Do a boat ride on Lake Lucerne. Very moving! My favorite experience was the tour of the castles, one in each country and my time in Montreux. beautifully. Allow for plenty of time for this walk, at least several hours, not including any time to stop for a bite to eat. While it is possible to get to by public transportation, a car is more convenient for this day trip. $2,821. She was very knowledgeable and made the coach rides interesting and entertaining. Journey through spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque cities as you experience three Alpine countries. From the Imperial heritage of Vienna to the car-free resort of Zermatt, discovering Austria and Switzerland by train is the easiest way to fall in love with this part of the world. The scenery of the area was, of course, spectacular. Inside the fortress itself, there is plenty to see. Switzerland tours packages often include journeys aboard the country's acclaimed scenic trains. Get to the heart of Central Europe. A sightseeing train that travels aboard Europe's highest rack railway, the Gornergrat Railway offers a . Living in Regensburg allows for plenty of day trips in Bavaria and full on vacations in Germany and Europe. Try the local beer St. Galler Klosterbrau in St. Gallen. Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates. While each Would do it again. Transfer to Vienna, the largest city in Austria. At the Berchtesgaden Hauptbahnhof, transfer buses to the 841 Jennerbahn, Schnau a. Knigssee. Meals were tasty and the accommodations were good. First trip to Europe and will fly into Frankfurt. Read my Driving in Germany Tips here! (I think I even heard him singing a long at one point. Departing from Munich airport was a nightmare. independent and escorted tours showcase these idiosyncrasies Wish we could have had a boat trip there. Delight in lunch at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter's Restaurant, Austria's oldest. Would highly recommend Collette and this tour. I also like Salzburg very much. Loved seeing Bern and Innsbruck and the side trips. To get to Lauterbrunnen from Lucerne, youll have to transfer at Interlaken Ost. Ride a horse and carriage through alpine forests, and spend hours adrift on idyllic lakes. The tour an average survey with emphasis on shopping However, take consolation in the fact that regardless of which way you take to get to Switzerland, your journey is going to be STUNNING. Tip: If you are using the Bavaria Train Ticket, it is only valid after 9am on weekdays (you can leave at any time on the weekends), so plan accordingly. Switzerland and Austria Tour | Grand European Travel Today, I recommend getting up as early as possible and taking the train (or driving) to Lauterbrunnen, which is the area where we are going to be topping off our once-in-a-lifetime trip. If youd rather have the tour to read as you walk (instead of downloading the free MP3), you can get it here. Spend a week seeing the best of one of Europe's most fascinating regions. They are: Are you planning on driving in Germany? Contact your hotel ahead of time to ask if they have parking available. Hotels centrally located Note: Austria requires a Vignette sticker when driving on all Autobahns (interstates). The former Nazi building is now just simply a converted restaurant. Theres always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelerswhile still getting up close and personal to the experiences youve been dreaming of. Switzerland and Austria From $3,795 Find this price Available Dates Easy Quote Your itinerary Dates & prices Reviews From $3,795 Available Dates Chat Now Your itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Trip Year 2023 2024 13 Day Tour to Zurich, Salzburg, Vienna, Innsbruck and Zermatt Travel 13 days, 4 countries and 14 cities Accommodation 12 nights Meals Even if you arent a Sound of Music fan (or, like my husband, and has never even seen it.I mean, how is that even possible!?!?) We really value your feedback, please be open an honest. The path will end at my absolute favorite beer hall of all time: the Augustiner Bru Kloster Mlln. Favorite memorable experience was at the mountain top overlooking the city of Innsbruck. Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher. [This post may contain affiliate links where we earn a small commission. It would have been nice to have seen the castle in Germany and not just view it from afar. Dinner provided throughout the tour were very good. I was disappointed that we did not visit the Neuschwanstein Castle and it was just a photo shop. This next part is probably going to be the most difficult to figure out and the longest journey of your trip. Therefore, if you can work in an early September trip (summer tourists are back home, local schools have just restarted) then you might just hit the sweet spot of still good weather and fewer tourists! Best of Alps: A Road trip through Austria and Switzerland Our tour guide was personable, pleasant and very knowledgeable. The language Collette uses is very misleading. Learning to leave a keycard in the slot for room electricity and A/C helped. Austria is a hidden gem that shouldn't be missed when traveling in Europe. Hotel were great. We literally stopped on the side of the road for a photo op with Neuschawnstein Castle instead of actually receiving a tour. You'll travel around the majestic Alps visiting Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lichtenstein, Lucerne, St. Moritz, and Zermatt. Tak' a cup o' kindness and ring in the New Year in style. This was a highlight of our time in Lucerne. I will not use Chris Limo again. Youll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour, LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELER REVIEWS, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I want to travel in a maximum group size of up to: Copyright TourRadar. Start your day off with a Sound of Music Tour. The Swiss Alps, the Austrian Alps, the beautiful weather, no rain the entire trip.