There's no city like Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and Alpine setting of the Sound of Music. Wander Salzburg's Old Town alleys and be captivated by Germany's medieval castles on this 14-day tour that highlights some of Europe's most romantic cities and regions, as well as its festive Christmas markets. 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Heidelberg Region

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Frankfurt aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Heidelberg Region

A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport in Frankfurt after you clear customs and then assists you with the transfer to your hotel in the Heidelberg region. The rest of the day is free to relax. Meet your fellow travelers at an included dinner this evening.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Heidelberg Region

On your guided tour of Heidelberg, view the Renaissance grandeur of the city’s rose-colored, hilltop castle. Returning to the town center, see the grounds of the oldest university in Germany, dating back to 1386, and the elegant market square. With free time this afternoon, enjoy a stroll along the River Neckar or join an optional Riesling Winetasting and Dinner where you’ll sample 6 of the regions wines and enjoy a 3-course homemade meal.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Heidelberg Castle

$65 USD

Riesling Wine Tasting Join a trip to one of Heidelberg’s finest vineyards to sample six varieties of local white wines pressed from the area’s famous Riesling grapes. A dinner of local specialties will also be served.

Day 4 - Lucerne

Journey to the thundering Rhine Falls and through the Black Forest, the darkly mysterious setting for many of the Grimm brothers’ fairy tales. Cross later into Switzerland to arrive in Lucerne. Dinner is included this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5 - Lucerne

A professional local guide acquaints you with the Alpine town. Stroll down narrow streets and across the Kapellbrücke, a covered bridge whose history dates back to medieval days. The murals lining its walls are nearly identical to those painted in the 14th century. Be on the lookout for the colorful hand-painted façades along the cobbled streets of the Old Town. You’ll also view the captivating Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), a sandstone statue commemorating the Swiss Guards slain in the 1792 Paris storming of the Tuileries. This afternoon, join an optional excursion up nearby Mount Pilatus (seasonal) via cable car for gorgeous views of the surrounding Alps.
Included meals: breakfast

$89 USD

Mount Pilatus This scenic excursion begins with a cruise along Lake Lucerne aboard an authentic steamer. Then ascend the 7,000-foot summit of Mount Pilatus, on the world’s steepest cog-wheel railway, where the views of the Alps are stunning. Please note: The cruise and cog railway only run from mid-May through October. During the winter months, the excursion includes the gondola ride only.

Day 6 - Innsbruck

Leaving Lucerne, travel into Liechtenstein, a tiny Alpine principality dating back to the Holy Roman Empire. Pass the royal family’s hilltop castle, stillin use as a royal residence, as you visit Liechtenstein’s capital, Vaduz. Next, return to Austria, arriving later in the day in Innsbruck. Site of two winter Olympics and capital of the Austrian Tyrol, Innsbruck is a mix of centuries-old royal splendor and modern allure. On a guided tour, you’ll see the Golden Roof with its 2,657 gold shingles and the Triumphbogen, built during the imperial Hapsburg reign to commemorate a royal marriage. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 7 - Munich

Departing Innsbruck this morning, return to Germany. You’ll journey through the mountains of Bavaria to Neuschwanstein, retreat of “Mad” King Ludwig. View the castle’s turrets and towers as you approach along winding roads. Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle was modeled on this same fairy-tale design. As you tour the castle, you’ll see many examples of the young king’s eclectic tastes. Within its chambers are a stalactite grotto, artifacts of all kinds and murals depicting his favorite scenes from Wagnerian operas. Arrive later in Munich and enjoy an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Neuschwanstein

Day 8 - Munich

On this morning’s city tour, a local guide introduces you to the landmarks of the cosmopolitan Bavarian capital. Follow the stately Ludwigstrasse, designed in Italian style and home to the famed University and National Academy. Pass through the Schwabing district, a favorite of students and artists, and on to the Olympic complex. Admire Nymphenburg Palace, the summer palace of the Bavarian kings, and stop in Marienplatz, the heart of Munich, to see the famous Glockenspiel. Your Tour Director will then introduce you to the sights and sounds of the Munich Christmas Markets. This afternoon is free for your to explore Munich, or you might consider joining an optional excursion to the former concentration camp of Dachau, now a memorial museum.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Nymphenburg Palace

$29 USD

Dachau Once a typical German village, Dachau served as one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Today, the camp is a Holocaust memorial museum and serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Day 9 - Salzburg

Leaving Munich this morning, cross the border into Austria and continue to the charming city of Salzburg. An included sightseeing tour takes you to Salzburg’s Renaissance cathedral and through the lovely churchyard of the Franciscans. You’ll see several sights familiar from The Sound of Music, as well as the abbey where a real-life Maria von Trapp took her vows. Then stop in Getreidegasse for a tour of the Mozart House. Dinner is included this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Mozart House

Day 10 - Salzburg

Discover more of Salzburg on your own today. Stroll down Getreidegasse, a long, narrow street running parallel to the river in the center of town, with lots of shops that are famous for their old-style signs. This evening, enjoy an optional Mozrt Concert and a traditional Austrian meal.
Included meals: breakfast

$109 USD

Mozart Concert & Dinner As one of the greatest musical masters of the 18th century, Mozart composed over 600 works in his short life. Tonight, listen to Mozart’s intricately composed music and most treasured masterpieces during a special concert between your delicious dinner courses.

Day 11 - Vienna

On your way to the Austrian capital today, stop first in Melk, where you will have a guided tour of the town’s Baroque monastery, an architectural wonder perched high atop a cliff. Continue your drive through scenic Austrian countryside to Vienna, the city of the waltz. After you settle in, your Tour Director will lead you to the magical Christmas Markets, which are sure to warm your heart and gladden your spirit. The afternoon is yours to peruse the wares at each stall. Be sure to taste the Gluhwein, a hot mulled wine that will keep you warm as you search for the perfect presents.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Melk Monastery

Day 12 - Vienna

Included this morning is a comprehensive tour of Vienna, led by a professional local guide. Highlights include the Opera House, the majestic monuments of the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg, once the hub of Imperial power. Your Tour Director leads a sight-seeing tour of the Christmas Markets and then your afternoon is free to continue browsing. Or you could choose to take a stroll through the Stadtpark or a horse-drawn carriage ride to St. Stephan’s Cathedral. This evening, opt to attend our Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening. At this optional evening event, you’ll take a ride on the Prater Ferris Wheel and dine at a local restaurant where you’ll enjoy wine made by the people serving dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$99 USD

Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening Take a ride on Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel, which offers a one-of-a-kind view of the city. Then enjoy a scenic drive to the picturesque village of Grinzing. At dinner in Grizing, savor a traditional Austrian “Heurigen” cuisine in a cozy Old World setting, along with wine served by the very people who made it.

Day 13 - Vienna

Spend the day at your leisure. You might wish to take a stroll through Vienna’s pedestrian zone, stopping at the Hotel Sacher for a taste of its world-famous Sachertorte, or view the elegant Lipizzaner horses in the Spanish Riding School. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Bratislava for a guided tour of the Slovakian capital. Stroll along cobblestone streets in the shadow of Brastislavsky Hrad, the hilltop 18th-century castle overlooking Old Town. Visit St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Gothic church where Austro-Hungarian royals were once crowned. A Farewell Dinner with your group is included this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

$89 USD

Bratislava Walk through Bratislava’s Old Town on a guided tour of the Slovakian capital. Stroll along cobblestone streets in the shadow of Brastislavsky Hrad, the hilltop 18th-century castle overlooking Old Town. Then tour the famous Hall of Mirrors inside the pink baroque Primates’ Palace, where Napoleon and the Austrian emperor signed the Pressburg peace treaty. Please note: Depending on the day of the week, you may visit St. Martins Coordination Church instead.

Day 14 - Vienna

Continue on our tour extension to Budapest. Otherwise, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)