11 Days - Germany, Austria & Switzerland

About the destination: Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its Word-class museums, beautiful parks, the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration and architecture. The beautiful public buildings and monuments are testaments to the imperial aspirations of the Wittelsbach family, rulers of Bavaria from the 12th to the 20th century. Although it was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall (Neues Rathaus). An odd mix of proud traditionalism and avant-garde culture will keep you interested and active and the town does stay up until all hours, with its many students and earthly Bavarian joie de vivre.

About the destination: Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, lies at the border of Austria and Germany. The Salzach River separated Salzburg’s old and new towns. The old town is impressive and concentrated. It centres around the broad Residenzplatz, and is largely a pedestrian zone. The relatively new town centres around Mirabellplatz and Markartplatz. Salzburg’s impressive hills rise straight out of the old town. The most conspicuous hilltop fortification is the Hohensalzburg, build over the centuries on an ancient Celtic and Roman site, and now the largest fully preserved medieval castle in Europe. For splendour of another sort visit the Schloss Mirabell and its Gardens, located right next to the Salzach River and the Mozarteum University of Music and Arts. The castle was built by an archbishop for his beloved courtesan. You can wander around extravagant rose and flower gardens and marvel at the stone dwarves in the Zwerglgarten. To learn about Mozart and his life, go to his Geburtshaus, Mozart's birth house. The street itself is worth a look, the guild signs and painted wall decorations are much as they were at the time Mozart’s birth. The house exhibits pictures, letters, and stage sets for the various operas Mozart wrote. Protected by forested mountains, Salzburg is a city of enchantment whose voice is expressed in some of the world’s most sublime music, composed by favourite son, Mozart. The age that produced the unrivalled musical genius of Mozart also built the beautiful castles and churches of Salzburg, and spawned a love of music that lives on today in Salzburg’s countless concert series and annual summer festival.

About the destination: Zell am See is the administrative capital of the Zell am See District in the Austrian state of Salzburg. Whenever you come to Zell am See it is always a special holiday experience, no matter if it is summer or winter. A place to enjoy the lakes, mountains and everlasting ice at the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. The vast Zell am See-Kaprun skiing area is perfectly suited for professional skiers / snowboarders and beginners alike. The skiing season in Zell am See-Kaprun starts early autumn and extends into early summer. The well-developed cycling paths in the Salzburg holiday region are highly suitable for families and cyclists that enjoy travelling at a comfortable pace. You will find numerous inns and cafes on the wayside to cover your refreshment needs. One of the best places for a relaxing spa day in Zell am See-Kaprun is the modern “Taunern Spa“ located close to mount Kitzsteinhorn or one of many Wellnes & SPA hotels where you can choose from a wide range of beauty and wellness treatments. In Zell am See you can also practice others activities, like hiking, play golf, aviation or shopping.

About the destination: Innsbruck, provincial capital of Tyrol and fifth largest city in Austria, is the country’s centre of winter activities and occasionally of the world’s alpine interest, having hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice. The Nordkette cable car and an extensive network of mountain paths radiate from Innsbruck, making the stunning surrounding Alps equally accessible for winter skiers and summer hikers. The Altstad is the centre of Innsbruck, and the Goldenes Dachl, Golden Roof, is both the centre of the Altstad and the city’s emblem. The building from the 15th century, is a mixture of Gothic and Baroque, and of course has a golden roof. The frescoes in the interior show scenes from the aristocrat's life of that time. All of the decorations on the current structure are carefully executed replicas. The original reliefs are on permanent display in the Tyrolean State Museum, also known as the Tiroler Landesmuseum. Housed in the building is the Golden Roof Museum which has an exhibition about Emperor Maximilian I and his times, as well as the history of Innsbruck's emblem. Lovers of the Gothic art shouldn’t miss the Tiroler Landesmuseum, its collection includes beautifully coloured, delicately etched stained glass windows, a few altars and paintings and an array of modern works. Maria-Theresien Strasse is Innsbruck's main street and a wonderful place to stroll around or sit at one of the side cafes and watch people go by. At one end there is the Triumphal arch which leads to the old town. Maria-Theresien Strasse is a lovely pedestrian area, with pavement cafés, Baroque architecture, restaurants, and views of the stunning mountains. Innsbruck offers a fairly unique winter holiday proposition, mixing gorgeous mountain scenery with architectural grandeur, and big city buzz with hundreds of shops, restaurants and funky bars.

About the destination: Interlaken, nestled between the emerald lakes of Thun and Brienz and framed by the snow‑capped peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular alpine gateways. The town itself is compact and walkable, with a charming mix of traditional chalets, grand hotels, and lively cafés. Höhematte Park, the wide green meadow at its heart, offers postcard‑perfect views of the mountains and is often dotted with colorful paragliders drifting down from the surrounding hillsides. Outdoor enthusiasts will find Interlaken an ideal base for adventure. In summer, it’s a hub for hiking, paragliding, canyoning, rafting and mountain biking, with routes and difficulty levels suitable for both beginners and experienced thrill‑seekers. The lakes invite visitors to swim, sail, kayak, or join scenic cruises that glide past picturesque villages and medieval castles. In winter, nearby ski resorts such as Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren are easily reachable by train or cable car, offering slopes, sledging runs and winter hiking trails. Interlaken is also the starting point for some of Switzerland’s most iconic mountain excursions. The cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch – “Top of Europe” – takes you to Europe’s highest railway station, with access to glaciers, ice sculptures, and panoramic viewing platforms. Alternatively, Harder Kulm, the local mountain, is just a short funicular ride away and rewards visitors with stunning sunset views over the lakes and the Jungfrau massif. Other popular day trips include Lauterbrunnen Valley with its 72 waterfalls and the car‑free village of Mürren. Despite its popularity with tourists, Interlaken still offers quieter corners and local flavor. Wander through Unterseen’s old town for traditional architecture and cozy restaurants, or browse local shops for Swiss watches, chocolate and handmade souvenirs. With excellent rail connections to Bern, Lucerne and beyond, Interlaken works equally well as a single destination or as a central stop on a wider Swiss itinerary.

About the destination: Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its Word-class museums, beautiful parks, the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration and architecture. The beautiful public buildings and monuments are testaments to the imperial aspirations of the Wittelsbach family, rulers of Bavaria from the 12th to the 20th century. Although it was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall (Neues Rathaus). An odd mix of proud traditionalism and avant-garde culture will keep you interested and active and the town does stay up until all hours, with its many students and earthly Bavarian joie de vivre.