This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Travel with Collette Tours
✓ Discover storybook castles and opulent palaces and stunning Alpine vistas
✓ Explore Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
✓ Visit Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
✓ Take a cruise along the legendary Danube
✓ Stroll the quaint streets of Salzburg, the "City of Music"
✓ Spend a night in the heart of the Black Forest
✓ Visit Oberammergau, famous for the Passion Play and expert woodcarvers
✓ See the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle
✓ Enjoy a scenic train ride aboard the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
✓ Spend two nights in Zermatt, an Alpine village at the foot of the Matterhorn
✓ Explore the heart of Europe
✓ 11 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
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. Following your meal, enjoy a performance by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more.
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.
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. Step into another time with dinner at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter’s Restaurant. Home to aged stone walls and sleek wooden ceilings, St. Peter’s is the oldest restaurant in Austria and is still owned by monks.
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.
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 Augsburg, renowned for its ancient architecture, and your home for the next two 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. Return to Augsburg for an evening at leisure.
You’re off to the heart of the Black Forest, a region famous for artisans who create authentic cuckoo clocks and Hummels. On your way, get a taste of local flavors at a German winery. Enjoy a tour before sampling the vintages and looking out over the rows of vines and nearby Lake Constance. End your day amongst the tree-studded mountains of the Black Forest.
Welcome to Switzerland! Take in your surroundings at the resort town of Montreux, located on serene Lake Geneva. Later, enjoy a short train ride aboard the scenic Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. Travel to Zermatt – a relaxing car-free village in the Swiss Alps. Take a stroll and breathe in the fresh Alpine air.
All of Zermatt is at your fingertips. Spend the day however you’d like – perhaps you will set out on an optional guided hike through the Swiss Alps, passing by rugged peaks and verdant foliage on a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Travel alongside glaciers, crystal-clear rivers, and snowcapped mountains as you venture through the spectacular scenery of the Grimsel Pass. Your destination is 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
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.
Wish the Alps goodbye as your tour comes to a close today.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request:
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost
Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 50 people depending on your selected holiday.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
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