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.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Heidelberg Region

Board an overnight flight to Germany.

Day 2 - Heidelberg Region

Meet your Go Ahead representative after you land in Frankfurt. Then transfer to the Heidelberg Region and meet the rest of your group at an included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Heidelberg Region

A professional guide shows you the sights of medieval Heidelberg, including the rose-colored castle, the cobbled Marktplatz and renowned Heidelberg University. Afterwards, join an optional Riesling wine tasting. (B)

$65 USD

Riesling Wine Tasting Join a trip to one of Heidelberg’s finest vineyards to sample local white wines pressed from the area’s famous Riesling grapes.

Day 4 - Lucerne

Stop by the Rhine Falls and through the Black Forest on today’s transfer to Lucerne, where dinner is included. (B, D)

Day 5 - Lucerne

On your guided tour of Lucerne, view the poignant sandstone Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), and cross the River Reuss on one of its medieval covered bridges. This afternoon, opt to ascend Mount Pilatus via cable car for panoramic views of the surrounding Alps. (B

$79 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.

Day 6 - Innsbruck

Leaving Lucerne, travel through the principality of Liechtenstein before arriving in Innsbruck later. A local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Innsbruck, city of the Hapsburg empire and site of two Winter Olympics. (B, D)

Day 7 - Munich

Cross into Bavarian Germany and visit the mountaintop castle of Neuschwanstein, 19th-century retreat of the eccentric young King Ludwig II. Arrive later in Munich. (B, D)

Day 8 - Munich

On your sightseeing tour of Munich, pass the Residenz and visit Nymphenburg Palace. Then stop in Marienplatz, the heart of the city, to view the whimsical Glockenspiel. Your tour director will then introduce you to the music and merriment of the Munich Christmas Markets, which are sure to warm any heart and gladden every spirit. Enjoy browsing the stalls this afternoon, or join an optional excursion to the former concentration camp site at Dachau. (B)

$29 USD

Dachau Dachau served as one of the most notorious concentration camps during World War II. Today the camp is a Holocaust memorial museum .

Day 9 - Salzburg

Journey on to Salzburg today in time for a guided tour in the afternoon. See the Renaissance cathedral, the Franciscan churchyard and many settings from The Sound of Music. Pay tribute to one of Salzburg’s most famous citizens during a visit to the Mozart House. (B, D)

Day 10 - Salzburg

Spend a free day in Salzburg or join an optional excursion to the mountain village of Berchtesgaden, where you’ll also visit Eagle’s Nest, a mountaintop lodge used by the Nazis during World War II. Later today, opt for a Mozart concert and dinner. (B)

$139 USD

Berchtesgaden & the Eagle's Nest Explore the Bavarian Alps where you'll visit the 450-year old salt mines and the Eagle's Nest, which served as a lookout point for World War II troops.

$75 USD

Mozart Concert Tonight, experience some of Mozart's most treasured masterpieces during a special concert, followed by dinner in one of Vienna's fine restaurants.

Day 11 - Vienna

En route to the Austrian capital, drive through the scenic Austrian countryside to Melk for a guided tour of the imposing, 11th-century, golden-hued abbey. After you arrive in Vienna and settle in, your tour director will lead you to the magical Christmas Markets, sure to rival the ones in Munich in size, scope and spirit. The afternoon is yours to continue perusing 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 to bring home. Tonight, rejoin your group to display your finds and to enjoy an included dinner. (B, D)

Day 12 - Vienna

Travel along the elegant streets of the “Ring” on today’s guided tour of Vienna. Pass by Vienna’s Opera House and the Hofburg, once the hub of imperial power. (B)

Day 13 - Vienna

Spend a free day in Vienna today. Also offered is an optional full-day excursion to Bratislava for a guided tour of the Slovakian capital. This evening, savor a traditional meal at an optional Heurigen dinner. (B)

$109 USD

Bratislava Take a guided tour of Slovakia's capital where you'll visit the famous Hall of Mirrors and the Old Town.

$89 USD

Heurigen Evening Drive down Vienna's "Ring," an area of wide boulevards, then continue to the scenic village of Grinzing for a traditional Austrian dinner.

Day 14 - Vienna

Board your flight home, or continue to Budapest on our tour extension. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

This itinerary includes the following countries: Austria, Switzerland, Germany, the principality of Liechtenstein (on transfer), and the Czech Republic (on extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to “Wine, Waltzes & Oktoberfest.” Be aware of high-altitude conditions in the region. The elevation of Mount Pilatus is 7,000 feet. It is advisable to check with your health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Frankfurt and depart from Vienna (or Prague on tour extension). Included transportation on “Wine, Waltzes & Oktoberfest” is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the main cities by public transportation.

Munich’s transportation system (MVV) is top-notch, an all-inclusive combination of trams, buses, U-bahn and S-bahn. Purchase tickets based on time of validity from newspaper stands, vending machines or the drivers. Most of the major attractions lie within the inner-city blue zone.

Vienna has one of Europe’s most efficient transportation systems. You can purchase tickets in singles or in bulk for S-bahn (above ground), U-bahn (underground), tram and bus lines. The waiting time for trains and subways is usually no more than five to 10 minutes.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Currency

The euro (in Austria and Germany) and the Swiss franc (and the Czech crown on extension) are the currencies you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take credit cards, ATM/bank cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2 per person per day for your driver and $4 to $6 per person per day for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend $1 per local guide.