Alpine Countries - Switzerland, Austria & Germany
October 1, 2026 - 9 Days
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Europe on this 9-day tour of the Alpine Countries: Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Experience the scenic beauty of the Golden Pass Panoramic Train, taste authentic Swiss cheese in Gruyères, explore charming cities like Bern, Lucerne, Innsbruck, and Salzburg, and tour the royal Linderhof Palace in Bavaria. With four nights in Innsbruck and three in Bern, plus enriching cultural experiences like a Tyrolean folklore show and a visit to Swarovski Crystal World, this tour is a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and local flavor. Optional 3-night Vienna extension available.
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3 Night Stay in Bern, Switzerland
Bern City Tour
Gruyères & Cheese Making Demonstration
Golden Pass Panoramic Train Ride
Montreux & Gstaad
Lucerne Walking Tour
Chapel Bridge of Lucerne
4 Night Stay In Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck Walking Tour
Hofburg & Golden Roof
Swarovski Crystal World
Salzburg Guided Tour
Mirabelle Gardens
St. Peters Restaurant
Bavaria & Tour Linderhof Palace
Tyrolean Folklore Show
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Roundtrip Air From - MSP
Air Departure Taxes, Fuel, Fees
7-Nights First Class Hotel Accommodations
11 Meals: 7 Breakfast - 1 Lunch - 3 Dinner
Professional Tour Director
Motorcoach Transportation
Admissions & Sightseeing per Itinerary
Roundtrip Hotel Transfers
Baggage Handling at Hotels - *one checked bag per person
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Day 1: Overnight Flight to Europe
Depart on your overnight flight. Discover the serene beauty of Switzerland, the crown jewel of Europe and explore Austria, Germany and Bavaria featuring a three-night stay in Bern and a four-nights in Innsbruck.
Day 2: Arrive Zurich - Bern, Switzerland
Arrive in Zurich, meet your Tour Director and travel to Bern, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour, led by a local guide, featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens and the Gothic cathedral which dominates Old Town's skyline. The cobbled Old Town section dates back 500 years. Later, check into your hotel for a three-night stay. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner.
Overnight: BernDay 3: Bern - Gruyères - Montreux - Golden Pass Panorama Train Ride - Gstaad
Travel to Gruyères and enjoy a cheese making demonstration with an opportunity to sample the famous cheese produced here. Next, sit back, relax and enjoy some of the most awe-inspiring Alpine views in Europe with a ride on the Golden Pass Panoramic Train from Montreux to Gstaad. This legendary train ride connects central Switzerland and Lake Geneva. We depart from Monrteux, as the train ascends through vineyards and country estates and travels along the glimmering lake.
This scenic train journey takes you past weathered timber chalets, towering peaks and breathtaking scenery. Arrive in Gstaad with some free time to shop, explore and enjoy the delightful ambiance of this world-famous Alpine ski resort with its traditional wood chalets. Return to Bern with the evening at leisure.
Overnight: BernDay 4: Bern - Lucerne - Bern
Following breakfast, travel to Lucerne. While a thoroughly modern, culturally rich city, lakeside Lucerne retains much of its Old-World charm and a strong sense of its 800 year-old history, as you'll see for yourself on a guided walking tour. See the famous Chapel Bridge dating back to 1333, the Water Tower which served as a prison, the Renaissance-style Town Hall, the Jesuit Church and the Lion Monument Lowendenkmal), carved to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard. Free time in beautiful Lucerne to shop and explore on your own. Surrounded by an Alpine panorama, perhaps a stroll over its medieval covered wooden bridges and see the many Renaissance and Baroque fountains that dot the city. Maybe discover the many wonderful galleries, shops and cafés. Return to Bern later today. Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant.
Overnight: BernDay 5: Bern - Innsbruck Austria
Today we depart Bern and travel through Liechtenstein, Europe's fourth-smallest country located entirely within the Alps and known for its medieval castles, alpine landscapes and picturesque villages. Later arrive in Innsbruck and meet your local guide and enjoy a walking tour to learn about the city's culture and history. See Maria-Theresien Strasse (Maria Theresien Street), a glorious remnant of the city's baroque past, dating back 700 years. Now a pedestrian promenade, the street, which is located outside Old Town and lined with palaces once owned by the city's aristocracy, as well as cafes, shops and landmarks. Also, see the Hofburg and the
"Golden Roof" before checking into your Innsbruck hotel for a four-night stay. The evening is at leisure.
Overnight: InnsbruckDay 6: Innsbruck - Swarovski Crystal World - Salzburg
Following breakfast, we visit the amazing Swarovski Crystal World (Swarovski Kristallwelton. See Swarovski Crystal turned into a living experience. Highlights are the Chambers of Wonder, the Crystal Cloud and the expansive garden. See how Internationally and nationally recognized artists, designers, and architects have interpreted crystal in their own unique ways. The fantasy world offers an unparalleled mixture of contemporary art, ancient history and fascinating nature.
Next, travel through the beautiful Austrian countryside en-route to Salzburg.
Arrive in Salzburg and enjoy a guided walking tour, see the birthplace of Mozart (Getreidegasse) and Mirabell Gardens (seen in The Sound of Music) and other highlights of this beautiful city. Enjoy lunch at St. Peter's Restaurant, the oldest in Europe since 803! Some free time in Salzburg for shopping and exploring on your own before returning to Innsbruck.
Overnight: InnsbruckDay 7: Innsbruck - Linderhof Palace - Bavaria Germany
Today we enjoy a tour of Linderhof Palace located in southwest Bavaria near the village of Ettal. It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig lI of Bavaria and the only one which was actually completed and that he lived in most of the time from 1876. Walk the halls that were modeled after Versailles with an expert guide and bask in the luxury of past royals. Return to Innsbruck and experience a musical tradition of Austria during a Tyrolean folklore show hosted by local musical family.
Overnight: InnsbruckDay 8: Innsbruck At Leisure - As You Wish
The day is free in Innsbruck to enjoy this beautiful city as you wish. Take a walk through the Old Town and shop at many of the city's stores or relax at one of the café: in this charming city. An optional tour will also be offered today. Tonight, a Farewell Dinner is included in a local restaurant in Innsbruck.
Overnight: InnsbruckDay 9: Innsbruck - Munich - Flight Home
Transfer to the Munich airport today for your flight home filled with memories of the Alpine Countries of Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
OPTIONAL 3-NIGHT VIENNA EXTENSION ITINERARY:
Day 9: Innsbruck - Vienna
Travel to Vienna today, Austria's capital and largest city and the former center of the Habsburg Empire, as well as the home for historical figures such as Freud, Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Later arrive at your hotel and check-in for a 3-night stay. The evening is at your leisure.
Overnight: ViennaDay 10: Vienna - Guided City Tour
Following breakfast, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Vienna with a local guide taking in the elegant boulevards, palaces, museums, opera house, and other impressive buildings built during the days when today's capital city of Austria was a grand Imperial city - the home base of the Habsburg family whose Austro Hungarian Empire ruled much of Europe. Visit the 12th-century St Stephen's Cathedral, standing at nearly 450-feet tall and its mosaic root The afternoon is free to explore on your own. This evening, dinner is included along with a classical music performance featuring the works of Austrian-born Mozart and Strauss. (B,D)
Overnight: Vienna
DAY 11: Vienna As You Wish
The entire day is free to spend as you wish. Maybe a visit to the legendary Schonbrunn Palace, former residence of the Habsburgs with more than 1,000 rooms. Perhaps spend the day exploring the museum at Belvedere Palace, home to Gustav Klimt's famous painting The Kiss. Spend some time in a Viennese café enjoying coffee and a slice of Sacher torte (chocolate cake) The day is yours to experience the Austrian culture and experience the best of this amazing capital city.
Overnight: ViennaDay 12: Vienna - Flight Home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home filled with memories of your Alpine Countries of Switzerland, Germany & Austria adventure. (B)
VIENNA EXTENSION: $1,250 pp dbl / +$600 Single supplement
Inclusions:
Three Nights Hotel Accommodations in Vienna (Hotel Astoria or Similar),
3 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner, Professional Tour Director Throughout, Deluxe Motorcoach, Guided Vienna City Tour, Sightseeing & Admissions per Itinerary.
Baggage Handling at Hotel & Airport Transfers.
*Extension must be booked with your initial tour deposit. Due to group air policies outbound air could be a different schedule than the rest of your group for Vienna extension passengers - 20 travelers minimum.
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2 Nights- Camden Court or Academy Plaza, Dublin
2 Nights- The Inn at Dromoland, Clayton Hotel, or Treacys Oakwood, Limerick or County Clare
2 Nights- Randles or Dromhall Hotel, Killarney
1 Night- Trim Castle Hotel or Dunboyne Castle Hotel, Dublin Area
*On some dates alternative hotels may be used
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With Booking Discount: $4549 pp double
Regular Rate: $4649 pp double
Single Supplement: $950