Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Vienna, Austria's stately capital city. Built by the Habsburg Empire and amplified by classical composers, Vienna exudes an old-world charm that can be found in its cobblestone streets and elegant architecture.
This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner in the city. (D) Stay: Intercontinental Hotel Wien (2 Nights)
Come to know Vienna this morning during a locally guided tour that showcases its architectural marvels. Visit the 17th-century Schönbrunn Palace, containing more than 1,440 rooms, and see the impressive St. Stephen's Cathedral. The afternoon is yours. Enjoy free time to explore the avenues of Vienna or perhaps visit one of its many museums.
In the evening, enjoy a performance by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more. (B)
Journey through the countryside before taking a cruise along the Danube, one of Europe's most renowned waterways. Continue to Salzburg, the “City of Music,” and find lush gardens and old-world charm. Dine on Austrian cuisine at a local restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Arcotel Castellani (2 Nights)
Choose how you spend your morning because it's your choice! Discover Salzburg on a leisurely paced walking tour of the Old Town -OR- feel like you've joined the Von Trapp family on a city tour featuring iconic film locations from The Sound of Music. No matter how you choose to spend the morning, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the beloved town on your own. (B)
Look out upon the Bavarian Alps en route to the most popular Bavaria city, Munich.
Upon arrival, it's your choice! Take a panoramic tour of Munich, highlighting the National Theater of Bavaria and much more -OR- visit the lavish Treasury of the Munich Residence. Both choices end with a viewing of the Rathaus – Glockenspiel chiming at Marienplatz.
Continue on to Oberammergau, renowned for its 380-year tradition of producing a Passion Play every 10 years, and your home for the next two nights. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Alte Post (2 Nights)
Tour Linderhof Palace, the only palace - out of three - that King Ludwig II lived to see completed. Walk the extraordinary halls that were modeled after Versailles with an expert guide and bask in the luxury of past royals.
Later, fairytales become reality during a picture stop of Bavaria's most famous castle, King Ludwig's third palace, Neuschwanstein. Regarded as the most photographed castle in Germany it was the inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty. On your way back to Oberammergau, stop by a woodcarving studio and learn all about this intricate craft and local tradition. (B)
You're off to the heart of the Black Forest, a region famous for artisans who create authentic cuckoo clocks and Hummels. End your day trying the region's famous black forest cake with the tree-studded mountains as your backdrop. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Hofgut Sternen (2 Nights)
This morning, hop on the train and journey to Freiburg, a vibrant city in southwest Germany's Black Forest region. With a local guide by your side, explore Freiburg, a city with a rich medieval flare including its Gothic cathedral at the center of town and Bächle -- narrow channels with flowing water alongside the roads that once acted as a water supply for the town. Before returning to your hotel, stop at Lake Titisee and enjoy a short boat ride to take in the Black Forest scenery from a different perspective. (B/D)
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest region before arriving to Zurich, Switzerland's luxurious cultural hotspot, also known as a global leader in banking and finance. Join a local guide for a tour of the city on foot, and then enjoy some free time to have lunch on your own in Zurich. After, head to Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Upon arrival, set out on a scenic walking tour of the city, including a stroll through its romantic Old Town. (B) Stay: Radisson Blu Hotel (2 Nights)
The day is yours to relax or independently explore the best of Lucerne. Perhaps you will embark on an optional excursion to Mount Pilatus, ascending the world's steepest railway on a panoramic gondola to the summit.
Tonight, come together with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner featuring local specialties and toast the end of a wonderful trip. (B/D)
Wish the Alps goodbye as your tour comes to a close today. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Cruise along the legendary Danube River.
- Enjoy a performance by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more, in Vienna.
- Visit a woodcarving studio in the quaint village of Oberammergau.
- Come to know Vienna and its incredible Schönbrunn Palace.
- Discover the capital of the Bavaria region, Munich.
- Spend two nights in the beautiful city of Salzburg.
- Savor a dinner of local Swiss specialties in Lucerne.
- Dine on Black Forest Cake in the region it originated from.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Lucerne.
- Enjoy the splendor of pure nature while gliding over a clear landscape in panoramic gondolas and spectacular cable cars. Ascend Pilatus via a unique excursion on the steepest railway of the world with a gradient of 48%. Upon arrival at the top, soak in the magnificent Alpine view from 7,000 feet above sea level. During leisure time at the summit, stroll the walkway for views from a different vantage point, or enjoy Swiss culinary delights on your own in one of the various restaurants (lunch is not included). Return back down the mountain by panoramic gondola for yet another bird’s eye view. Duration approximately 3 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. In the off-season (November to mid-May), the cogwheel train is unavailable and both the ascent and descent will be by panorama gondolas and aerial cableway. The option may be cancelled due to maintenance work or inclement weather. Highest elevation: 7,000 feet.
- Location: Salzburg.
- A captivating place in history awaits you today as you travel to the Eagle's Nest - Hitler's former private refuge, built as a teahouse for his 50th birthday. Upon reaching the town of Obersalzberg, you will board specially designed coaches for the adventurous and breathtaking ride along the steep rock walls and gorges which lead to the base of the Kehlstein. A large brass elevator will carry you up the final 365 feet into the Eagle's Nest. From here, you are sure to enjoy the spectacular views in every direction. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option is available during the months of May - October only.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI.
- Guests departing from Australia & New Zealand can choose to prepay gratuities for their Tour Manager, driver(s), cruise staff when applicable, and local guides including those on optional tours. Gratuities for airport transfers, Tour Extensions, and any services not purchased through Collette are the responsibility of the traveler. In select cases where partner cruise lines automatically charge gratuities for cruise staff to traveler staterooms, Collette does not collect or distribute crew tips on behalf of the traveler. Transportation is not included
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Availability
USD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
