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Oberammergau 2020: Austria, Germany & Switzerland

with Rhine Valley extension

Duration: 14 or 16 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 14

Experience a centuries-old tradition in the heart of Bavaria.

Explore the vibrant cultures of Hungary, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland on this one-of-a-kind journey. From dynamic Budapest, make your way through the Austrian countryside to visit the cities of Vienna and Salzburg. Then, continue on to lively Munich and end your trip in the charming lakeside city of Lucerne. In Oberammergau, watch history come to life during the Passion Play, a local performance that only happens once every ten years.

Your tour package includes

12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
1 lunch
6 three-course dinners
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Hungarian Parliament Building
Schönbrunn Palace
Salzburg Cathedral
Nymphenburg Palace
Passion Play in Oberammergau

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Budapest today.

Budapest2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Budapest

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Hungary! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in. Later, gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Budapest

Included meal: Breakfast

Discover the major landmarks of both Buda and Pest in the city that straddles east and west.

• Trace this nation’s stormy history at Heroes’ Square

• Tour the lavishly decorated 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

Spend a free afternoon in Budapest or add an excursion.

Wine Cellar Dinner & Unicum Liqueur Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Vienna3 nights

Day 4: Vienna via Szentendre

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel west through the Danube basin en route to Vienna.

• Make a stop in the small, charming town of Szentendre, home of chocolates, cafes, parks, and pastries.

• Stop to view Visegrad Castle and Esztergom Basilica, before crossing the Austrian border (stops are weather dependent)

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Vienna

Included meal: Breakfast

Get transported back to the Age of Empires on a guided tour of Vienna.

• Enter Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo Hapsburg home with impressive gardens

• Travel down the Ringstrasse, Vienna’s tree-lined thoroughfare

• See the Parliament building, the Vienna State Opera, and the grand Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg’s winter residence

Spend a free afternoon in Vienna or add an excursion.

Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 6: Free day in Vienna

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Vienna or add an excursion.

Danube River Cruise & Bratislava

Excursion (additional cost)

Salzburg2 nights

Day 7: Salzburg via Melk

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way through the Austrian countryside to stop in Melk for a guided tour of the town’s Baroque abbey. Then, continue your drive on to Salzburg.

Day 8: Free day in Salzburg

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Salzburg or add an excursion.

Eagle's Nest & Salt Mines

Excursion (additional cost)

Munich2 nights

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Salzburg & travel to Munich

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Discover Salzburg, a city famed for its churches and musical history, where 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

• Enter Salzburg Cathedral and the home where Mozart was born

• Pass through scenery from The Sound of Music

• Take a funicular ride up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress

After, travel to Munich, Germany.

Day 10: 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

Spend a free afternoon in Munich or add an excursion.

Dachau

Excursion (additional cost)

Oberammergau1 night

Day 11: Passion Play

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Head to Oberammergau and attend the 42nd performance of the world-famous Passion Play.

• Experience the storytelling and portrayal of the Old and New Testament that has taken place once a decade since 1634

• Enjoy the unforgettable open-air performance put on by the residents of the Bavarian town

Lucerne2 nights

Day 12: Lucerne via Neuschwanstein & Liechtenstein

Included meal: Breakfast

On your way to Lucerne, stop to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and tour the fairy-tale retreat of “Mad” King Ludwig II with a local guide.

• Walk or take a ride in a shuttle bus up the hill

• Take time to explore its stalactite grotto, artifacts, and murals

After, travel into Liechtenstein, a tiny Alpine principality dating back to the Holy Roman Empire.

• Visit the capital, Vaduz, and pass the royal family’s hilltop castle, still in use as a royal residence

• Enjoy free time in the town and be sure to get your passport stamped

Then, continue on to Lucerne, Switzerland.

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Lucerne

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Get an up-close look at Lucerne, Switzerland’s idyllic Alpine town, on a guided sightseeing tour.

• Pass hand-painted facades along the cobbled streets of the Old Town

• View the Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives in Paris during the French Revolution

• See the Jesuit Church, the first large Baroque building of its kind to be built in Switzerland north of the Alps

Spend a free afternoon in Lucerne or add an excursion.

Mount Pilatus

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Zurich airport to board your flight home or extend your tour in the Rhine Valley.

Extension to Rhine Valley

See the Middle Ages come to life along the Rhine Valley.

Rhine Valley2 nights

Day 14: Sightseeing tour of Heidelberg

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to Heidelberg this morning and take a guided sightseeing tour to immerse yourself in the city’s romantic views and Baroque architecture.

• 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

Day 15: Free day in Rhine Valley

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Rhine Valley or add an excursion.

Rhine River Cruise & Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 16: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Frankfurt airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.4 average

A Unique Experience

04/14/2011 by 4th time traveler DWALLACE43

This was a terrific tour. They were all places I had not been before and were well worth the time. Prague, the city of Spires, was my favorite. It had not been bombed during the war and that meant the old buidings are still standing as they were. Really neat! Budapest is lovely and has lots of bridg...

Read more +

Oberammergau. Vienna, Budapest & Prague

08/10/2010 by 5th time traveler KDeLozier1

I sure wish Go Ahead could control the weather, because I know that they would do a fabulous job! Every thing under your control was wonderful. Our guide was wonderful, and the city guides were some of the best we've had. It was just HOT the entire time we were there!

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

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.

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

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits Hungary, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. 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 one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with a 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.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Budapest and depart from Zurich (or Frankfurt on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tourswill 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 is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers 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.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
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](https://www.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 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.

Cuisine

Hungary claims goulash as its national dish, but also is known for excellent salamis, cheeses, nut-flavored pancakes, freshwater fish, and preserved fruits.
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.
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.

Electricity & air conditioning

All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two small, round pins. You may also use a Type J plug with three small pins in Switzerland.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

All destinations visited on this tour are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the Hungarian forint in Hungary, the euro in Austria and Germany, and the Swiss franc in Switzerland.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s 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.

Tipping

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 $7USD 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.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.