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Modern cities, medieval towns and all the sights in between make this Best of Germany and Austria experience one you'll remember. Beyond the beauty of the Rhine and Wachau, you'll explore Vienna's musical treasures, Alpine landscapes and the castle of a shy king.
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Travel Style - Regional Explorer
Gain the insights into the diversity of two or more countries.
Embrace centuries-old heritage charm and modern style in the vibrant city of Frankfurt, our springboard for a delightful exploration of the best of Germany and Austria. Spend your day exploring the Altstadt and soaking up the atmosphere of a bygone era, before meeting your Travel Director for an orientation of the medieval Römerplatz and dynamic financial district. Later, we join our fellow travellers for a memorable Welcome Reception to launch our journey through the heart of Europe.
The legend of Lorelei kick-starts our morning as we board a leisurely cruise along the mighty Rhine past castles and vineyard-clad hills. We stop to Connect With Locals over a Be My Guest lunch and hear tales of knights and feuding lords and ladies in a 13th-century castle perched high above the Rhine valley. Continuing to the cultural capital of the Rhineland, we view the spectacular Gothic spires of Cologne Cathedral. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the city's great artistic treasures and historic town squares.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 3
Journey By High-Speed Train to Berlin
This morning, we board a high-speed train to historic Berlin, whose once-turbulent history has shaped its rebirth as the charismatic capital of Germany. Join a Local Specialist for an exploration of 'East meets West' and delve into the story behind their reunification. See the imposing Brandenburg Gate, the Tiergarten, Unter den Linden and the Reichstag building, with its famous glass dome. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hampton by Hilton City Centre Alexanderplatz
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Berlin by Twilight with Dinner
Come along for a fun night of hearty food, wine, beer and music before we drive through the city as the sun goes down and the landmarks of this impressive German Capital illuminate.
Adult Price: €60.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 4
Uncover Berlin’s Secrets
Ascend the Berlin TV Tower for spectacular 360° views of the city from the Berlin TV Tower. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city on your own. Perhaps see the remnants of the Berlin Wall, visit the infamous Checkpoint Charlie or enjoy an Optional Experience to the District of Potsdam, the former Prussian royal seat.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Berlin's Secret Past Revealed
Uncover secrets of Berlin’s past with your Local Specialist on a guided tour of the city. View the Holocaust Memorial, touch a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, see the site of Checkpoint Charlie, and learn more about Berlin’s WWII and Cold War past.
Adult Price: €32.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Bridges, Lakes & Prussian Royalty
On the western outskirts of Berlin, we'll explore the area around Wannsee & Potsdam with our Local Specialist and discover the varied historical events and sights in this part of Germany. We stop on the shores of the Wannsee lake which was the setting for the infamous 1942 Wannsee Conference to plan the “Final Solution”. Continuing past harbours and houses we cross Glienicke Bridge, better known as the Spy Bridge from the Cold War era, and onto the beautiful and extensive gardens of Fredrick the Great’s summer palace Sanssouci, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To complete our journey across the centuries, we dine lakeside in a former royal hunting lodge and enjoy regional specialties in a charming setting.
Adult Price: €70.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
Onwards to Rothenburg
Celebrate beauty through your admiration of art and architecture in beautiful Würzburg, where you will see the Prince-Bishops' residence and Marienberg Fortress, on the banks of the Main. Continue to Rothenburg and dine tonight in your hotel. Your Stays With Stories accommodation this evening is the historic Prinzhotel, built in the traditional half-timbered style lying within the 15th-century fortified town walls.
This morning, we embark on an orientation walk through the medieval centre of Rothenburg, seemingly frozen in time and encircled by a fortified town wall that remains intact after centuries. Travelling south through picture-perfect landscapes of Bavaria, we arrive in Munich. We check into our Stays With Stories accommodation, the Arabella Sheraton Munich which once saw Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop and Freddie Mercury belt out tunes in the then-hotel basement recording studio. Famous producer Giorgio Moroder founded a recording studio here in the early 1970s until the noise of the nearby subway trains forced the music to continue elsewhere.
Stroll through the heart of Munich this morning, visiting Marienplatz with both its new and old City Halls. See the magical Glockenspiel that delights visitors throughout the day with its re-enactment of 16th-century tales. Spend the rest of the day on your own, exploring the city's Baroque palaces and vibrant markets, or embrace the Bavarian region's rich beer brewing heritage at one of Munich's many beer halls.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Bavarian Evening
A great evening dining in the local atmosphere of a typical Bavarian restaurant. Enjoy traditional Bavarian food and sample some of Munich’s best beer – Prost!
Adult Price: €62.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
The Dachau Memorial Site
Our Local Specialist will provide insight into Germany’s first concentration camp, opened immediately after Hitler’s rise to power, just outside Dachau. We'll learn about the camp, now maintained as a memorial, and the part it played in this tragic period in history. (On occasion, audio guides will be provided instead of a Local Specialist).
Adult Price: €33.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
Admire Neuschwanstein Castle and on to Innsbruck
Indulge in a world of fantasy and fables during your visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, built as a retreat for King Ludwig II to retire from public life. Wind your way through the countryside, climbing higher into the Bavarian Alps bound for Innsbruck, where you'll spend the next two nights. This evening, dinner is served at your hotel.
This morning, you'll embark on a short orientation tour that includes views of the Old Town, Hofburg Palace and the ornate Golden Roof, built to commemorate the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I. Spend your free time exploring Innsbruck's iconic sites and delving into Tyrol's complex history and culture, or simply relax and admire this dazzling city with its magnificent Alpine backdrop. Next, admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store. You could consider joining a traditional dinner and Tyrolean folklore show this evening.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Tyrolean Evening With Dinner
You’ll enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Tyrolean cuisine before a lively folklore show, where singers, dancers and musicians dressed in national costume provide an evening of entertainment and fun. Drinks are included.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Grand Alpine Tour
A scenic train ride through the Tyrolean Alps with our Local Specialist takes us to the glamorous ski-resort of Seefeld. Here we'll enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through spectacular scenery and taste some of the local schnapps. Later, we see the Olympic Ski Jump and marvel at the landscape of the beautiful Inn Valley as it stretches below us.
Adult Price: €62.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 10
Venture to Salzburg
Travel to Salzburg where spires and domes rise in the shadow of Hohensalzburg Castle, one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe. Join a Local Specialist for a fascinating walking tour of a city that featured in 'The Sound of Music'. View Mozart's birthplace and family house in Getreidegasse, and the Domplatz dominated by Salzburg Cathedral. This evening, we dine at our hotel.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Austria Trend Europa
In Berchtesgaden National Park, we'll drive with our Local Specialist past farmhouses and picturesque villages, as we ascend the Obersalzberg. We'll then transfer to special buses for the second leg of the journey, on a spectacular road that's been blasted out of the mountain side. Finally, we'll take an elevator to the Eagle's Nest, intended as a mountain retreat for Hitler and his inner circle. Once at the top, we'll learn its fascinating history and take in awe-inspiring views of the surrounding mountain peaks, whilst enjoying a local refreshment! This optional is weather dependent and subject to seasonal closures, therefore it may not be available on all departures.
Adult Price: €63.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 11
Through the Wachau Valley to Vienna
Scenic landscapes provide a beautiful backdrop for our drive past Lake Mondsee to the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley. Sloping vineyards line the Danube from Melk Abbey to Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner and subsequently found by Blondel, his faithful minstrel. This afternoon, we arrive in the imperial capital of Vienna. We'll check in to your Stays With Stories accommodation, the Hilton Danube Waterfront, a renovated grain silo built in 1916, on the shores of the Danube. We have the evening at leisure to enjoy the sounds of the 'City of Music' or consider an evening of Viennese classical music.
Join us for a scenic tour with our Local Specialist in the Bavarian Alps to Berchtesgaden, within sight of Hitler's Bavarian Redoubt. Via the Hohenringstrasse, we'll ascend 5,000 ft along one of the most beautiful mountain roads of Europe.
Adult Price: €36.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Lake and Mountain Tour
Today, with our Local Specialist, we'll marvel at the Alpine beauty of the Salzburg lake district, with its 76 glacier lakes and picturesque towns like Sankt Gilgen. We'll also have the chance to see some of the major backdrops for the film "The Sound of Music".
Adult Price: €39.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Dinner And Viennese Concert
A wonderful evening of all things Viennese! Enjoy a superb dinner with drinks, followed by a concert of Viennese classical music. With your 'A Class' tickets, you will experience works by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed in a classic, sumptuous setting. Should you decide to cancel the optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.
Adult Price: €103.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 12
Hofburg Palace and More in Vienna
Explore the splendour of Vienna at the exquisite Hofburg Palace, the former winter residence of the Habsburg Dynasty - one of the highlights of your guided sightseeing tour of Vienna with a Local Specialist. Enjoy views of the grand State Opera House and Ringstrasse, a beautiful sweeping boulevard built in the 19th century to replace the city walls. Admire the ornate, colourful roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the city's most beloved icons, before spending the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant to celebrate a beautiful sojourn through Germany and Austria.
The Imperial Summer Palace of Schönbrunn offers an amazing journey through the centuries of Habsburg rule. It is perfectly preserved and richly decorated with treasures from around the globe. Each room has a story to tell, so of course, you’ll have a Local Specialist to bring it to life and to make the most of your time. This optional involves reservations and entrance prepayments. Should you decide to cancel the optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.
Adult Price: €47.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 13
Farewell Vienna
We bid farewell to our companions at the end of a wonderful holiday. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 3
Berlin by Twilight with Dinner
Come along for a fun night of hearty food, wine, beer and music before we drive through the city as the sun goes down and the landmarks of this impressive German Capital illuminate.
Adult Price: €60.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Berlin's Secret Past Revealed
Uncover secrets of Berlin’s past with your Local Specialist on a guided tour of the city. View the Holocaust Memorial, touch a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, see the site of Checkpoint Charlie, and learn more about Berlin’s WWII and Cold War past.
Adult Price: €32.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Bridges, Lakes & Prussian Royalty
On the western outskirts of Berlin, we'll explore the area around Wannsee & Potsdam with our Local Specialist and discover the varied historical events and sights in this part of Germany. We stop on the shores of the Wannsee lake which was the setting for the infamous 1942 Wannsee Conference to plan the “Final Solution”. Continuing past harbours and houses we cross Glienicke Bridge, better known as the Spy Bridge from the Cold War era, and onto the beautiful and extensive gardens of Fredrick the Great’s summer palace Sanssouci, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To complete our journey across the centuries, we dine lakeside in a former royal hunting lodge and enjoy regional specialties in a charming setting.
Adult Price: €70.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
Bavarian Evening
A great evening dining in the local atmosphere of a typical Bavarian restaurant. Enjoy traditional Bavarian food and sample some of Munich’s best beer – Prost!
Adult Price: €62.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
The Dachau Memorial Site
Our Local Specialist will provide insight into Germany’s first concentration camp, opened immediately after Hitler’s rise to power, just outside Dachau. We'll learn about the camp, now maintained as a memorial, and the part it played in this tragic period in history. (On occasion, audio guides will be provided instead of a Local Specialist).
Adult Price: €33.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 9
Tyrolean Evening With Dinner
You’ll enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Tyrolean cuisine before a lively folklore show, where singers, dancers and musicians dressed in national costume provide an evening of entertainment and fun. Drinks are included.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 9
Grand Alpine Tour
A scenic train ride through the Tyrolean Alps with our Local Specialist takes us to the glamorous ski-resort of Seefeld. Here we'll enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through spectacular scenery and taste some of the local schnapps. Later, we see the Olympic Ski Jump and marvel at the landscape of the beautiful Inn Valley as it stretches below us.
Adult Price: €62.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 10
Eagle’s Nest Tour And Bavarian Alps
In Berchtesgaden National Park, we'll drive with our Local Specialist past farmhouses and picturesque villages, as we ascend the Obersalzberg. We'll then transfer to special buses for the second leg of the journey, on a spectacular road that's been blasted out of the mountain side. Finally, we'll take an elevator to the Eagle's Nest, intended as a mountain retreat for Hitler and his inner circle. Once at the top, we'll learn its fascinating history and take in awe-inspiring views of the surrounding mountain peaks, whilst enjoying a local refreshment! This optional is weather dependent and subject to seasonal closures, therefore it may not be available on all departures.
Adult Price: €63.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 11
Berchtesgaden and Hohenringstrasse Excursion
Join us for a scenic tour with our Local Specialist in the Bavarian Alps to Berchtesgaden, within sight of Hitler's Bavarian Redoubt. Via the Hohenringstrasse, we'll ascend 5,000 ft along one of the most beautiful mountain roads of Europe.
Adult Price: €36.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 11
Lake and Mountain Tour
Today, with our Local Specialist, we'll marvel at the Alpine beauty of the Salzburg lake district, with its 76 glacier lakes and picturesque towns like Sankt Gilgen. We'll also have the chance to see some of the major backdrops for the film "The Sound of Music".
Adult Price: €39.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 11
Dinner And Viennese Concert
A wonderful evening of all things Viennese! Enjoy a superb dinner with drinks, followed by a concert of Viennese classical music. With your 'A Class' tickets, you will experience works by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed in a classic, sumptuous setting. Should you decide to cancel the optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.
Adult Price: €103.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 12
Schönbrunn Palace And Gardens
The Imperial Summer Palace of Schönbrunn offers an amazing journey through the centuries of Habsburg rule. It is perfectly preserved and richly decorated with treasures from around the globe. Each room has a story to tell, so of course, you’ll have a Local Specialist to bring it to life and to make the most of your time. This optional involves reservations and entrance prepayments. Should you decide to cancel the optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.
Adult Price: €47.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Enjoy a banquet Be My Guest lunch and stories of knights and feuding lords in a fairy-tale 13th-century castle perched high above the Rhine Valley. (Day 2)
Stays with Stories
Step into 15th-century Germany at the Prinzhotel, built in the traditional half-timbered style and ideally located within the city's famous fortified town walls. (Day 5)
The Arabella Sheraton Munich once saw Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop, Freddie Mercury and other musical legends belt out record breaking tunes in the then-hotel basement recording studio. (Day 6)
Step into this unique establishment on the banks of the Danube and discover a building that has undergone a makeover from its previous life as a grain silo since the early 1900s. (Day 11)
Sightseeing highlights
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Explore Berlin, Salzburg and Vienna with a Local Specialist
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Discover Frankfurt, Cologne, Würzburg, Rothenburg, Munich and Innsbruck
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Visit the Berlin TV Tower, Neuschwanstein Castle and Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Innsbruck
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View Cologne Cathedral, the Golden Roof in Innsbruck, Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg, Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna
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See the Lorelei Rock, the Marienberg Fortress and the Prince-Bishops' residence in Würzburg and Melk Abbey
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Porterage is included at train stations.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Rail service is reserved in standard class.
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High-speed train ticket between Cologne and Berlin.
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Handcrafted Highlights
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Best of Germany and Austria Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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4
Plan to be on the bus a long time along with hopping hotels after one night. We did stay two nights in the same hotel a few times. Unfortunately- due to a mechanical issue we did not get to see the Eagles Nest. A lot of Hitler.
Great Director- Michael Thomas & Great Bus Driver- Wolfgang! Tour was a lot of being on the bus. 3/5 specialist tour people were great but other two ok. Would of gave a 41/2 star if I could of. Over all Great trip
The travel agent Debra DelMastro was very professional and set us up with an excellent vacation so informative and a pleasure to deal with we have used her for many years of all our travel needs we She went above and beyond with all her help with giving us a wonderful vacation. highly recommend her. She is so worldly and with all her travel experiences. Thanks again for her being on your team. We look forward to our next vacation. Micheal Thomas as the travel director was very professional and informative went above and beyond a please to have with us for a wonderful vacation The buss driver Wolfgang was a very professional driver and made our trip a pleasure. He was very professional. Thanks again! Most sincerely Alan and Sylvie Delmastro
Accommodations great, itinerary great. Tour director OK, sometimes she gave incorrect information or was not available for questions. Coach driver great.
Loved the trip but we were celebrating our 30 yr wedding anniversary and nothing was said or done for that. When you fill out forms it asked you if you were celebrating anything and we marked it there also. When we went to Italy our director mentioned our 25th wedding anniversary and gave us a special dessert and sang to us. Nothing big but it was acknowledged.
Service and itinerary were outstanding. Michael Thomas our guide was informative, supportive and helped make the customer service part of our trip awesome.
Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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