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Oberammergau 2020: Munich, the Swiss Alps & Paris

with Paris extension

Duration: 11 or 13 days
Group size: 15-35

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

Explore the vibrant cultures of Germany, Switzerland, and France on this one-of-a-kind journey. Start in Munich before making your way through the snowcapped Alps to visit Lucerne, a charming lakeside city. Head through the Alsace Region before ending your trip in dreamy Paris. 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

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

Included highlights

Nymphenburg Palace
Passion Play in Oberammergau
Neuschwanstein Castle
Lake Lucerne
Petite France

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Munich today.

Munich2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Munich

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Germany! 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 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 4: 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 5: Lucerne via Neuschwanstein & Liechtenstein

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 6: Sightseeing tour of Lucerne

Included meal: Breakfast

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)

Strasbourg2 nights

Day 7: Strasbourg via Bern

Included meal: Breakfast

Before crossing the border into France, make a stop in the Swiss capital of Bern for a sightseeing tour.

• Cross the Aare River and head to the iconic Bern Bear Park, home to a community of brown bears

• Stroll through the UNESCO-recognized Old Town, making your way past the Cathedral of Bern

Then continue on to Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace region.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Strasbourg

Included meal: Breakfast

Explore Strasbourg on a guided sightseeing tour with a local guide. Then, take to the river for a short cruise.

• Make your way through the Grande Île neighborhood, passing by Place Gutenberg, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and Palais Rohan, known as a miniature Versailles

• Continue your tour by boat, taking in the Petite France neighborhood from the water with views of Barrage Vauban and Ponts Couvert

Spend a free afternoon in Strasbourg or add an excursion.

Alsace Wine Tasting & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Paris2 nights

Day 9: Transfer to Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

Take the high-speed TGV train through the French countryside to Paris. Spend a free evening in the city or add an excursion.

Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Paris

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A guided tour introduces you to the architecture, scenery, and history of the City of Light’s many neighborhoods, called arrondissements.

• Drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées to view the Arc de Triomphe

• Pass Pont Neuf and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the Seine River

• See the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier opera house, and Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square

• Marvel at the iconic architecture of the Louvre and Hôtel des Invalides

Spend a free afternoon in Paris or add an excursion. This evening, say goodbye to your group at a farewell dinner.

Versailles Palace & Gardens

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your tour in Paris.

Extension to Paris

Ah, Paris, the city of life, love and light. From the Eiffel Tower to the Mona Lisa, from the bustling Champs-Élysées to the winding streets of Montmartre, you'll find magic, romance and history as you sip a café au lait, stroll manicured parks and watch the sun set over the Seine.

Paris2 nights

Day 11: Free day in Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Paris or add an excursion.

Luxembourg Gardens & Notre-Dame Cathedral

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 12: Free day in Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Paris or add an excursion.

Monet & the Landscapes of Giverny

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 13: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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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 Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and France. 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 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, as well as getting in and out of trains.
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 Munich and depart from Paris. 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.
A high-speed TGV train ride from Strasbourg to Paris is included in the price of your tour.
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

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.
For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.

Electricity & air conditioning

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. 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 euro in Germany and France, 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.