Exploring the Alpine Countries

From regal Austrian palaces to handcrafted German clocks and snowcapped Swiss Alps, set out to experience three Alpine cultures set amid postcard-worthy landscapes.

Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s stately capital city. Built by the Habsburg Empire and amplified by classical composers, Vienna exudes an old-world charm that can be found in its cobblestone streets and elegant architecture. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. This evening, meet your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner in the city.

Come to know Vienna this morning in the company of a local guide. Begin with a visit to the 17th-century Schönbrunn Palace, containing more than 1,440 rooms. Next, a panoramic city tour followed by a guided walk highlights views of the city’s architectural marvels from Hofburg to St. Stephen's Cathedral. The afternoon is yours. Enjoy free time to explore the avenues of Vienna or perhaps visit one of its many museums. In the evening, enjoy a performance by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more.

Journey through the countryside before taking a cruise along the Danube,* one of Europe’s most renowned waterways. Continue to Salzburg, the “City of Music,” and find lush gardens and old-world charm. Dine on Austrian cuisine at a local restaurant.

Choose how you spend your morning because <b>it’s your choice!</b> Discover Salzburg on a leisurely paced walking tour of the Old Town <b>-OR-</b> feel like you’ve joined the Von Trapp family on a city tour featuring some of the iconic film locations from <i>The Sound of Music</i>. No matter how you choose to spend the morning, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the beloved town on your own, or perhaps you’ll choose to join the optional tour to the Eagle’s Nest**.

Look out upon the Bavarian Alps en route to the most popular Bavarian city, Munich. Upon arrival, <b>it’s your choice!</b> Take a panoramic tour of Munich, highlighting the National Theatre of Bavaria and much more <b>-OR-</b> visit the lavish Treasury of the Munich Residence. Both choices end with a viewing of the Rathaus – Glockenspiel chiming at Marienplatz. Continue on to Oberammergau, renowned for its 380-year tradition of producing a Passion Play every 10 years, and your home for the next two nights.

Tour Linderhof Palace, the only palace out of three that King Ludwig II lived to see completed. Walk the extraordinary halls that were modelled after Versailles with an expert guide and bask in the luxury of past royals. Along the way, stop for an iconic view of Bavaria’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein, perched high on a hill in the distance. Regarded as the most photographed castle in Germany it was the inspiration for the castle in <i>Sleeping Beauty</i>.