Indulge yourself on this scrumptious 9-day getaway. Begin in Munich with guided sightseeing and a special dinner at a local beer garden. Next up: the Bavarian Alps and King Ludwig’s magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle, then Innsbruck in the Tyrolean Mountains, Sound of Music Salzburg, and a stop at the Dallman Confectionery Shop to help prepare the perfect apple strudel. In Vienna, see the sights and ride the giant Ferris wheel while savoring coffee and Sachertorte. Continue to Krems for a scenic Danube cruise and a stop in Melk before returning to Munich for the conclusion of your exciting vacation.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Munich, Germany
Time to rest or to start exploring the Bavarian capital. This evening meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3 Munich
Sightseeing with a Local Guide of Germany’s “secret capital” includes the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, MARIENPLATZ with the Old and New Town Hall, and the gothic Frauenkirche. Afternoon at leisure. This evening you are treated to a special dinner of regional specialties at a local beer garden. (BB,D)

Day 4 Munich–Neuschwanstein
Drive into the garden-like landscapes of the Bavarian Alps and visit King Ludwig’s magnificent NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE. On to Innsbruck in the Tyrolean Mountains. Enjoy a pleasant walk through the quaint medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF. In the afternoon, take the scenic route to Sound of Music Salzburg. (BB,D)

Day 5 Salzburg
A pleasant stroll with a Local Guide takes you through the historic center. Admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, and the monumental Domplatz. Also visit MOZART’S BIRTHPLACE in the charming Getreidegasse. Drive to the DALLMANN CONFECTIONERY SHOP in St. Gilgen to take part in a seminar and help prepare the perfect apple strudel. After you’ve successfully completed your “work,” you will be able to taste your creations and will even receive a diploma. Balance of the day at leisure in Salzburg. (BB)

Day 6 Salzburg–Vienna
Morning drive to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing with vistas of Prater Park Ferris Wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then, drive along the Ringstrasse, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the famous Heldenplatz and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. Lastly, take a ride on the GIANT FERRIS WHEEL while enjoying a coffee and a piece of Vienna’s famous Sachertorte. An optional excursion to the wine village of Grinzing is a possibility tonight. (BB)

Day 7 Vienna
A whole day at leisure and lots to do! Perhaps take an optional excursion to Schцnbrunn Palace is available. Tonight, why not take in an operetta concert in one of Vienna’s elegant concert halls? (BB)

Day 8 Vienna–Munich, Germany
The final touches to a lovely vacation. Drive to Krems and enjoy a leisurely DANUBE CRUISE along the most scenic section of the river. Next, drive to Melk Austria, where you rejoin the highway for a smooth return to Munich. Enjoy a farewell dinner and afterward, as a fitting finale to a week well spent, why not try a stein of beer at the Hofbrauhaus? (BB,D)

Day 9 Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)