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Start the new year in three of Europe’s most dynamic Alpine countries.
Germany, Switzerland, and Austria have something for everyone. Start by admiring Heidelberg’s Gothic spires and savoring decadent Black Forest cake. Then, raise a toast on New Year’s Eve in Lucerne, where pristine lake and mountain views serve as the ideal backdrop for your celebrations. Later, dive into musical history, learn about past royalty, and admire striking Art Nouveau architecture in the Austrian capital.
Your tour package includes
12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
6 dinners with beer or wine, including a celebratory New Year’s Eve dinner with Champagne toast
9 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
New Year’s Eve in Lucerne
Heidelberg Castle
The Black Forest
Kapellbrücke
Nymphenburg Palace
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An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day 2: Arrival in Frankfurt & transfer to the Heidelberg Region
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Germany! Transfer to the Heidelberg region and settle in to your hotel. Then, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Heidelberg
Included meal: Breakfast
Immerse yourself in the romantic cityscapes and Baroque architecture of Heidelberg on a guided tour.
Wander through Heidelberg’s elegant Market Square in the city’s Old Town
Explore the grounds of Heidelberg University, the oldest university in Germany
Take a funicular ride to the city’s rose-colored hilltop castle for panoramic views of the Old Bridge and the Rhine River below
Swiss Alps2 nights
Day 4: Rhine Falls, the Black Forest & New Year’s Eve celebration
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
On the way to Switzerland, journey to thundering Rhine Falls and through the Black Forest, the setting for many of the Grimm Brothers’ famous fairytales.
Then, continue on to the Swiss Alps to ring in the new year with your fellow travelers at a special dinner where you’ll enjoy a Champagne toast.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Lucerne
Included meal: Breakfast
Get an up-close look at the lakeside city of Lucerne, Switzerland’s idyllic Alpine town, on a guided sightseeing tour.
View the Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives in Paris during the French Revolution
Pass hand-painted facades that line the cobbled streets of the Old Town
Cross the medieval Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge spanning the Reuss River, and view the Water Tower
See the Jesuit Church, the first large Baroque building of its kind to be built north of the Alps in Switzerland
Spend a free afternoon in the Swiss Alps. Then, opt to watch tonight’s fireworks display along Lucerne’s waterfront.
Austrian Alps1 night
Day 6: Austrian Alps via Liechtenstein & Innsbruck
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Cross into Liechtenstein, a tiny Alpine principality dating back to the Holy Roman Empire.
Visit the capital of Vaduz
Pass the royal family’s hilltop castle, still in use as a royal residence
Continue on to Innsbruck, site of two winter Olympic Games, where you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour.
See the famed Golden Roof and the City Tower in Innsbruck’s historic Old Town
Pass the Hofburg, a former Hapsburg imperial palace, and walk into its cobblestoned courtyard
Enter the Baroque Cathedral of St. James
Then, travel to the Austrian Alps and sit down for an included dinner.
Munich2 nights
Day 7: Transfer to Munich
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Head into the mountains of Bavaria making stops along the way to Munich.
Make a photo stop at Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairy-tale retreat of “Mad” King Ludwig II
Revel in scenic views of the Alps as you relax during free time for lunch in the town below Neuschwanstein
Enter a Bavarian castle with a close connection to King Ludwig II for a guided tour
Please note: Castle entrance may be Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, or Linderhof depending on departure and booking availability.
Then, continue on to Munich and sit down for an included dinner.
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Munich
Included meal: Breakfast
Get to know the Bavarian capital on a guided tour.
Travel past the Englischer Garten and fashionable Schwabing district
Enter the Nymphenburg Palace, the Baroque home to past Bavarian royalty
Walk from Odeonsplatz through the Hofgarten to view the Residenz, once home to the Wittelsbach dukes of Bavaria
Explore Marienplatz, Munich’s medieval heart, and see the famed Glockenspiel
Enjoy a free afternoon in Munich or add an excursion.
Dachau
From $55 per person
Salzburg2 nights
Day 9: Transfer to Salzburg & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Head to Salzburg, Austria, a city famed for its churches and musical history. There, a local guide leads you on a walking tour of the Old Town.
View the University of Salzburg and the churchyard of St. Peter
See the Kapitelplatz, Residenzplatz, and Alter Markt in the city’s Old Town
Pass through scenery from the beloved film "The Sound of Music"
Enter the 17th-century Salzburg Cathedral, built in the Baroque style
Sit down for an included dinner.
Day 10: Free day in Salzburg
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Salzburg or add excursions.
Mozart Concert & Dinner
From $149 per person
Berchtesgaden: Salt Mines & Village Visit
From $79 per person
Vienna3 nights
Day 11: Vienna via Melk Abbey
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel east through the Danube basin en route to Vienna.
Stop in Melk for a guided tour of the town’s Baroque abbey, which is situated on rock overlooking the Danube River
Explore its Baroque pavilion, library, and chapel
Continue on to Vienna and make a photo stop at Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo Hapsburg home
Please note: On some departures the photo stop at Schönbrunn Palace will be replaced with entrance to Schönbrunn Palace on day 12 depending on the day of the week.
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Vienna
Included meal: Breakfast
Get transported back to the Age of Empires on a guided tour of Vienna.
Step inside Belvedere Palace, home to the world's largest collection of paintings by artist Gustav Klimt, and admire the palace's impressive gardens
Travel down the Ringstrasse, passing the Parliament building, Vienna State Opera, and Kunsthistorisches Museum
See the grand Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg’s preferred winter residence
Enjoy a free evening in Vienna or add an excursion.
Please note: Belvedere Palace will be replaced with Schönbrunn Palace if the guided sightseeing falls on a Monday.
Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening
From $115 per person
Day 13: Free day in Vienna
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Enjoy a free day in Vienna or add an excursion. Later, celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner.
Hofburg Palace & the Spanish Riding School
From $109 per person
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to Budapest, Hungary.
Extension to Budapest
Continue along the Danube to the Hungarian capital, a merger of two towns called Buda and Pest. Follow your local guide on a sightseeing tour through this peaceful and progressive metropolis.
Budapest2 nights
Day 14: Transfer to Budapest & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel to Budapest today, then discover the major landmarks of both sides of the city—Buda and Pest—with a local guide.
Trace this nation’s stormy history at Heroes' Square
Tour the lavishly decorated interior of the Hungarian Parliament Building
Cross the Danube and ascend Castle Hill
Take in the breathtaking views from Fisherman’s Bastion
Visit the medieval Matthias Church, once the site of Hapsburg coronations
Enjoy a free evening in Budapest.
Day 15: Free day in Budapest
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Budapest or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Budapest Bath & Spa Visit
From $85 per person
Flight Home
Day 16: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
A great trip! It was a wonderful balance of learning and just having fun with an amazingly diverse group of people from so many different backgrounds and experiences that somehow managed to come together and create a community.
5.0 star rating
Europe 2022
12/29/22 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous
Had great experience. Lala our tour guide was amazing. Should be able to provide access to the app to everyone in our group.
We were required to take a COVID test. However the results were not verified by EF. If it’s not important then why bother.
Lunches and dinners did not have any variety. They...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 1/30/23
Thank you for your review. We are sorry to hear th...
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5.0 star rating
New Years Eve Lucerne: Austria/Switzerland/Germany
12/29/22 by 1st-time traveler Anne
This was my honeymoon trip. It did not disappoint. Everything was perfectly planned. Hotels were very nice. I have dietary restrictions that were taken care of thanks to our tour guide, LaLa.
Speaking of LaLa, she is the reason I believe our trip was so pleasant. She had everything under control a...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 1/30/23
Thank you so much for your review. We are honored ...
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Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Leonardo Mannheim City Center
This comfortable hotel is located in the Mannheim city center. Guests enjoy a pool, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find Schloss Mannheim, ...
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Hotel Bellevue-Terminus
This urban hotel is located in Engelberg. Guests enjoy a restaurant, cafe, and lounge. Nearby, you’ll find Engelberg Abbey, Eugenisee Lake, and views ...
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Hotel Innsbruck
This historic hotel is located in central Innsbruck. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, spa, and restaurant and bar. Nearby, you’ll find the downtown shoppi...
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Holiday Inn Munich City Centre
This centrally-located hotel is located in the heart of Munich. Guests enjoy the fitness center, Finnish style sauna, and an on-site restaurant. Nearb...
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Arcotel Castellani
This contemporary hotel is located in Salzburg city center. Guests enjoy the large garden, fitness center, and restaurant. Nearby, you'll find the Sal...
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MAXX by Steigenberger Hotel Vienna
This convenient hotel is located in the city center of Vienna, Austria. Guests enjoy the fitness area, on-site bar and restaurant, and spa. Nearby you...
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Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center
This historic hotel is located in Budapest’s city center. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a lobby bar. Nearby, you'll find the Hungarian Nat...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
This tour visits Germany, Switzerland, and Austria (plus Liechtenstein and Hungary on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2024, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code WW8.
You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills or stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Frankfurt and depart from Vienna (or Budapest on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Winters in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are generally cold. To ensure you’re comfortable for outdoor sightseeing and celebrations, we recommend packing a coat, hat and gloves, as well as rainwear.
We also suggest packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes, sneakers, or winter boots is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code WW8.
German food is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.
Swiss food is varied and sophisticated, and some popular dishes include sausages, breaded veal fillets, freshwater fish, and cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette. Be sure to try Swiss chocolate, which is among the world’s finest.
Austria is known for its savory Wiener schnitzel and excellent wild trout, carp, and crayfish. Save room for dessert—especially the strudels of fruit and nuts and elegant chocolate cakes, such as the world-famous Sachertorte.
On the tour extension, Hungary claims goulash as its national dish, but also is known for excellent salamis, cheeses, nut-flavored pancakes, freshwater fish, and preserved fruits.
All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Your hotels on this tour may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the euro in Germany and Austria and the Swiss franc in Switzerland (plus the Hungarian forint on the tour extension).
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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