Bavarian Traditions and Majestic Salzburg 11 Days
Fly into Vienna and we'll do our first two nights here. We want to show you the best of everything cultural, classic music, art, delightful coffee houses, the best bars and bistrots for schnitzel, a local brew, a Wiener Cafe and much, much more. After Vienna, we're doing the Wachau - wine region par excellence, we'll see two Castles suspended in the hills above the Danube and then we're on to Salzburg, the Home of Music and the birthplace of one Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We're going to get the best views over the town and river from the famous Hohensalzburg castle, we'll have time to amble and meander the streets of this very romantic and quaint city that boasts a tremendous amount of culture and fantastic dining establishments. The old town is a paradise for photographers. We're now close to the German border and in the Alpine region so we're off to Berchesgaden, Dachau and Munich exploring the history of the rise of fascism in Germany after WW1 and what many consider overly punitive conditions imposed by the French, British and a myriad of other nations on the country, leading to the rise of Hitler and the NSDAP. We'll do a walking tour of Munich to understand the history of this Catholic City, and try to understand why is it that Bavarians don't see themselves as being the same as the rest of Germany. Bavarian identity is an interesting one. Munich is one of Germany's largest and most sophisticated cities with every building in the centre you look at a treat for the eye. The Frauenkirche, the Rathaus with Glockenspielen, the excellent food, the vista to the Alps, the BMW musuem of automobiles and motorbikes, the Deutsches Mueusm of Science, the English Gardens and much, much more.
Experience the pure air, the tranquility, the effortless charm and simple sophistication of Southern Germany and Austria. By the way, yes we will be visiting the fairytale castle of "Mad" King Ludwig, Neuschwanstein!
Itinerary and Specifics
Highlights:
- Visit Mad King Ludwig's Fairytale Castle Newschwanstein
- See Castles perhced above the Danube
- Fall for the romantic tones of classical music in Vienna
- Have best coffee and cakes in the Austrian Capital
- Take in the stunning mountain scenery of the German and Austrian Alps
- Inhale the fresh air of Bavaria and soak up the Alpine atmosphere
- Taste the best beers in the world
- Learn about German and Austrian history
- See Dachau, the first concentration camp
- Enjoy the culture of Vienna, Europe's most culturally wealthy city - art galleries, museums and stunning buildings
Included:
- 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Expert driver/guide
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
- Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels
Not included:
- Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination
- Gratuities - minimum recommended $10 per person per day
- Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
- Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at Vienna International Airport. Meet and Greet followed by a transfer to your central hotel in the Austrian capital. Meet the local guide for a short orientation around your hotel. You'll get maps and any questions you might have will be answered. Acclimatise and get ready for an action packed tomorrow.
Day 2
Panoramic city tour in the vehicle - see all the Royal sights, the City Hall, Boulevards, Museumsquartier, Imperial buildings and the famous Danube. We'll also see the Schonbrun Palace and gardens. Free time this evening to explore the beautiful city centre and try some great food.
Day 3
Today is a day where you'll be enjoying the musuems and galleries (most of them are free). As Vienna is Europe's must cultured city, you could easily spend a week doing this, but we think a day is enough for anyone. Tonight there's a classical music performance if you are interested.
Day 4
We're off to the Wachau to see Castles perched above the Danube and do some wine tasting - Austria has some incredible wines (our favourite is Gruner Veltliner, a superb white). One night here.
Day 5
We're off to Salzburg for two nights. Visit the Hohensalzburg Castle, have a coffee and pastry in the best cafe in town after your exertion and enjoy the delights of the old town.
Day 6
We'll do a Mozart themed walking tour, after all he was born here. The rest of the day after the three hour experience is yours to ramble along the river, explore some more of the musuems and galleries. In the evening, there's excellent dining options and usually live musical performances of the great maestro's work.
Day 7
Today has us leave Salzburg, the best city in Europe to visit apparently, and on towards Germany. We'll stop in Berchesgaden for two reasons - number one it's a particularly beautiful Alpine town with a special character and secondly we will go the top of a mountain to see Hitler's residence called the Kehlsteinhaus or "The Eagle's Nest," a present he received from the NSDAP on his 50th birthday. The views are spectactular and it's an interesting visit. Tonight we're in Munich for four nights
Day 8
Panoramic city tour followed by a walking tour exploring the Nazi past of the city and the Beer Hall Putsch. Learn more about the fallout from WW1, the Freikorps, militia, socialism and communism and why Munich was such a central place for the growth of ideas in the early twentieth century. See some of the most beatiful buildings in Europe and ask the guide any questions about the Protest Reformation in Germany, beer, food and daily life here.
Day 9
Today is yours. We recommend you explore the English Gardens, the Deutsches Musuem, the FrauenKirche, the Rathaus old town hall, try some local food and drink (usally pork and beer, of very high quality). Tonight we can arrange for you to see a Bavarian show if you wish. We enjoyed it - lederhosen, drndl, log cutting, yodling, folk songs. There's so much to see and do in Munich.
Day 10
We will drive to Dachau outside the city in the morning to see the infamous concentration camp. Explore the history, learn of the horror and understand why history must never be repeated. We will also see one of the world's most beautiful castles today - Neuschwanstein, built for Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria.
Back to the city and the later afternoon and evening are yours.
Day 11
All good things must come to an end and today we bring you to departures for your flight home from Munich or on to another trip you're taking with us. We know you'll have enjoyed our itinerary, this is a spectacularly beautiful area with so much culture and charm. This is Central Europe at its best.