DAY 1: Start of tour in Munich
![Start of tour in Munich]()
Welcome to the first day of this Scenic Europe tour! Arrive in Munich and meet with your tour leader at the hotel this morning. Once the group is checked in, the travel adventures begin! Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Munich - a city that combines a sense of age-old tradition, folklore and a certain cosiness with sleek, modern aesthetics and high-powered industry. Tonight, get to know your new travel companions over dinner at a traditional Bavarian beer hall!
Experiences
Orientation tour of Munich: Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Munich and visit top sights including Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Residenz, Viktualienmarkt and Kaufingerstraße.
Visit a German Beer Hall: To celebrate the first night of tour, visit a traditional German Beer Hall for the quintessential German experience. Sample German beer, along with traditional German cuisine including bratwurst and sauerkraut. Prost!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Bento Inn Munich Messe
DAY 2: Munich - Neuschwanstein Castle - Innsbruck
![Munich - Neuschwanstein Castle - Innsbruck]()
Let's hit the road! Today’s first stop is Neuschwanstein Castle, a stunning 19th-century hilltop castle built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, and the inspiration for the famous Disneyland castle. Look forward to a guided tour of the castle and some free time to get plenty of beautiful pictures. Then, cross the border into Innsbruck, Austria. Home to Austria's third-largest student population, Innsbruck offers a large selection of vibrant bars and beer gardens to enjoy tonight. Alternatively, choose to join the Tyrolean Folk Evening for some authentic Austrian cuisine and traditional Tyrolean music and dance.
Experiences
Tour of Neuschwanstein Castle: Enter the incredible Neuschwanstein Castle and enjoy a tour of this magical structure! This spectacular castle looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale - which incidentally isn't far from the truth. Neuschwanstein Castle served as the inspiration for the famous Disneyland castle!
Visit Innsbruck: Arrive in this charming Austrian city, and embark on an orientation tour. Innsbruck is known for its imperial and modern architecture with the town square and its famous Goldenes Dachi (Golden Roof) among its highlights. This is where the modern urban environment meets the natural outdoors.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hwest Hotel Hall Innsbruck
Optional Excursions
- Tyrol Folk Evening & Dinner i €60
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 3: Innsbruck - Vaduz - Lucerne - Swiss Alps
![Innsbruck - Vaduz - Lucerne - Swiss Alps]()
Today’s first stop is the Alpine principality of Liechtenstein, the sixth-smallest country in the world. Stopping in the capital Vaduz, take some time to stroll around, grab lunch and enjoy the scenery. Next up, head into Switzerland and the city of Lucerne. Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader and admire this beautiful city adorned with covered bridges (including the famous Chapel Bridge), brightly-coloured houses and delightful waterfront promenades. Tonight’s accommodation is in Interlaken. Settle in for the evening and prepare for a full day of adventure tomorrow!
Experiences
Visit Vaduz: Visit Liechtenstein, the smallest yet richest German-speaking country and the only one to lie entirely within the Alps. Admire the fabulous mountain views and enjoy a lunch stop in the capital Vaduz. There will be time to eat, shop and see the Vaduz Castle which overlooks the capital. The castle is a palace and official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein.
Orientation walk of Lucerne city centre: Your tour leader will walk with the group through the centre of Lucerne and point out some of the highlights, such as the Lion Monument, Church of St Leodegar and the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge).
Scenic mountain drive: Look forward to spectacular views as the tour drives through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
The Bear Inn Wilderswil
DAY 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day
![Swiss Alps: Free Day]()
Enjoy a free day in the Swiss Alps! Today offers the option of joining an excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! The train journey itself is unforgettable, as it winds through some of the most picturesque mountain scenery in Switzerland. The final stretch of the train ride literally travels through the mountain and the view from the top is nothing short of spectacular! At this height, there's year-round snow, so having snowball fights and building snowmen is possible even in the height of summer. This is a truly unforgettable adventure! Back on the ground, why not warm up with an optional Swiss fondue dinner tonight?
Included Meals
Accommodationi
The Bear Inn Wilderswil
Optional Excursions
- Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe i €195
- Swiss Fondue Dinner i €40
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 5: Swiss Alps - Lake Como - Italian Lake District
![Swiss Alps - Lake Como - Italian Lake District]()
Today, leave the Swiss Alps and travel onward to Italy's Lake District, stopping at famous Lake Como. An enormous expanse of water fringed by picturesque scattered villages, it's perhaps not surprising that one of the villages, Laglio, is where George Clooney has a luxurious villa! The afternoon is free to explore the Italian Lake District. Sample local food, go for a stroll or just find a comfortable spot to marvel at the incredible views. This is the epicentre of La Dolce Vita! Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel tonight.
Experiences
Explore Lake Como: This is one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations visited on the tour! This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore this area famous for its dramatic scenery and luxury resorts.
Spend a night in the Italian Lake District: Enjoy an overnight stay in the Italian Lake District – one of Europe’s most beautiful settings. Make sure the camera batteries are fully charged!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Stazione
Hotel Lovere Resort & Spa
DAY 6: Italian Lake District - Pisa - Florence - Tuscany
![Italian Lake District - Pisa - Florence - Tuscany]()
Indulge in some serious sightseeing today! First, travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance! See top attractions on an orientation tour with your tour leader, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the replica statue of David! Then, look forward to an included lunch at a local restaurant before attending a leather and gold workshop. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore. Up next, head to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, a true icon of Italy. Be sure to snap some fun pictures of the tower! Finally, travel to tonight’s accommodation in Montecatini, a stunning Tuscan spa town. Settle in for the night or choose to see more of Montecatini with tonight’s optional excursion.
Experiences
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa: This is your chance to see the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower!
Orientation tour of Florence: Learn more about Florence on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David.
Tuscan lunch in Florence: Sample authentic Tuscan cuisine with lunch at a local restaurant in Florence.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio
Optional Excursions
- An Evening in Montecatini i €45
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 7: Tuscany - Verona - Venice
![Tuscany - Verona - Venice]()
Today’s first stop is Verona, the city where Shakespeare set his immortal tragedy, Romeo and Juliet! Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader before enjoying free time to further explore. Then, it’s on to Venice! This unique city straddles 118 islands and is known for its canals, gondolas, Venetian masks, piazzas, art, and traditional glass and lace making. On arrival, your tour leader will escort the group on an orientation walking tour of the city. Then, watch a fascinating glass-blowing demonstration and admire local Venetian crafts. Tonight, don't miss the opportunity to explore Venice the traditional way - from the canals on an optional gondola ride or water taxi!
Experiences
Visit Verona: Embark on an orientation tour and take a walk around the city which provided the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Absorb the ambience of the city, and even seek out Juliet’s balcony where Romeo reportedly wooed his lover!
Orientation tour of Venice: Enter the heart of this unique floating city with your tour leader for an orientation tour. See top sights including St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Venezia
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Russott Hotel
Hotel San Giuliano
Optional Excursions
- Venice Gondola Ride i €25
- Venice Water Taxi i €25
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 8: Venice - Dolomites - Andechs Monastery - Munich
![Venice - Dolomites - Andechs Monastery - Munich]()
Depart Venice this morning as the tour winds its way back to Munich, taking in some epic sights on a drive through the Dolomite National Park. Enjoy a comfort stop at Lago di Landro, a shimmering lake which boasts dazzling scenery. The next stop is the monastery town of Andechs, something of an undiscovered Alpine gem, and a totally unique feature of our Scenic Europe tour! Take the chance to eat a hearty lunch in Andechs, enjoying the countryside views before returning to Munich for the final night of the tour.
Experiences
Scenic drive through the Dolomite National Park: During this magnificent drive through one of Europe's most beautiful Alpine landscapes, stop at Lago di Landro for a chance to really appreciate the surrounding countryside - and take a few photos!
Visit the Monastery Town of Andechs: Andechs monastery is the ideal place to stop for lunch. Here, take the opportunity to sample some hearty German fare such as eisbein (pork knuckle)!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Bento Inn Munich Messe
DAY 9: End of tour in Munich
![End of tour in Munich]()
The tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Expat Explore hopes you've had an unforgettable time exploring some of Europe's most beautiful sights, we've certainly enjoyed sharing these amazing sights with you! Don't forget to exchange details with your fellow travellers before you make your onward journey.