Join us in the footsteps of the Hapsburgs as we visit Munich (the former Kingdom of Bavaria), Vienna (the storied capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), and the resplendent Baroque city of Prague. We will also visit Salzburg, the pre-war home of Maria von Trapp of the Sound of Music.
On this unforgettable pilgrimage, you will experience Gothic splendor, Imperial majesty, Alpine beauty, and some of the world's most delicious beers. Indulging in the Bavarian culinary arts, we will enjoy a festive German dinner at the most famous beer-hall in Germany, the famed Hofbräuhaus.
Depart today on board your overnight transatlantic flights to Prague, arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment.
Upon arrival in Prague, we will meet our pilgrimage escort and driver at the airport exit where they will escort us to our deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach. We will then transfer to our hotel for check-in. There will be time to rest and unpack. The first activity as a group will be our festive group welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Prague. (D)
After breakfast at our hotel we will set out for our first full day of sightseeing, exploring all the best that Prague has to offer. Highlights will include Hradcany Castle, the mighty St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Castle, St. George’s Basilica, and the well-known church of Our Lady Victorious, better known as the location of the famous Infant of Prague, a miraculous statue that draws countless pilgrims from every corner of the globe. Our visit will include a stop in the gift shop. After lunch on our own, we will cross the historic Charles Bridge, exploring the Old Town and Market Square. Our walking tour will take us to see the ”Astronomical Clock,” Wenceslas Square, and the old Jewish Quarter known as Josefov. Last but not least, we will take a tour of the popular Czech Beer Museum. Group dinner at our hotel and overnight in Prague. (B, D)
Following breakfast at our hotel we will check out and depart on the picturesque drive to Vienna. On the way we will stop in the enchanting Czech town of Brno, the old Moravian capital. Here we will enjoy a quiet lunch on our own and a short break for sightseeing with time to admire the famous mix of architecture. We will take a stroll past the Old Town Hall to see the “dragon” and the Tugendhat Villa, built in the 1920s, a pioneering prototype of modern architecture. Next we continue to Vienna where we will check-in to our hotel and enjoy a heavenly Austrian dinner. Be sure to try the local beer. Overnight in Vienna. (B, D)
Beginning the day with breakfast we will set out for a full day of sightseeing in Vienna. Our morning will include a panoramic tour of the famous ring, a street that forms a half circle around the oldest and most beautiful part of the city. We will take a leisurely stroll through Old Town, walking past the prestigious old University and Opera House. We will pass the city’s major monuments, including the Donner Fountain and the gardens of the Belvedere Palace. We will also see from the exterior some of the finest buildings of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, including the Hofburg Palace (former home of the Habsburg dynasty), the Albertina, the Spanish Riding School, and of course the famous Cathedral of St. Stephen, completed in 1578. We will also visit the Kaisergruft, the Imperial tombs of the Habsburgs at the Capuchins’ Crypt. After lunch on our own, we will tour the world-renowned Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg Emperors. The tour will include the exquisite gardens. We will end our day with a special group dinner in a typical heuriger wine tavern, served with local wine and traditional music. Overnight in Vienna. (B, D)
Breakfast at our hotel and check-out, with a scenic bus ride through the Alps to Salzburg, a musical capital of the world, the birthplace of Mozart, best remembered by many as the backdrop for the Sound of Music. On the way we will visit Melk Abbey, founded in 1089 and still thriving today. The Abbey stands on a rocky hill overlooking the Danube River, a Baroque masterpiece that is a must see. Lunch (included). We will continue our drive to Salzburg, checking into our hotel and enjoying a pleasant dinner. Overnight in Salzburg. (B, L, D)
After breakfast at our hotel we will enjoy a relaxed walking tour of Salzburg, one of our most favorite cities in the world. Our walk will include the Mirabell Gardens. Crossing the Salzach River, we will enjoy a gondola ride to Hohensalzburg Fortress for an incredible panoramic view of the city. We will also visit the famous Salzburg Cathedral, renowned for its choral music and organs. In addition, we will pass by Mozart’s house, the Festpielhaus (the opera house and home of the Salzburg Festival every summer) and Residenzplatz, a particularly splendid plaza in the heart of the historic district of Salzburg. We will also see Residenzbrunnen, a Baroque piazza with the biggest Baroque fountain in Central Europe. Lunch on our own in this enchanting neighborhood with time for shopping. Afternoon guided tour and beer tasting at the Stiegl Brewpub. Stiegl is one of Austria’s largest privately owned breweries and has been brewing for over 530 years. Dinner at our hotel and overnight in Salzburg. (B, D)
With breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart through the mountains to the historic Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) of the Second World War. This is one of the most interesting sites in the world, built on a mountaintop for the dreaded dictator Hitler, it was liberated by American forces in 1945 and has been preserved as a restaurant with breathtaking views. Lunch (included). Next we will continue our drive to Munich, the Bavarian capital. Hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight in Munich. (B, L, D)
Following our traditional Bavarian breakfast, we will set out on a walking tour of the grand city of Munich. All the best highlights will be covered, including the Marienplatz, with the world famous “Glockenspiel” and the Gothic Renaissance gem known as Frauenkirche Cathedral, the most familiar landmark of Munich. We will continue our leisurely stroll atop the winding, cobbled streets to see the Town Hall and the Asamkirche, one of the most important examples of Late Baroque architecture, built from 1733-1746. Our stroll will include the Feldherrnhalle, a charming loggia in Florentine style, and the beautiful street known as the Ludwigstrasse, one of the city’s four royal avenues. We will admire the great Siegestor, a triumphal arch and peace memorial. Next we will see the Residenz, the largest city palace in Germany, once home to the Kings of Bavaria. Finally, we will visit the Hofgarten, an enchanted court garden popular with locals as well as tourists. Lunch on our own. The afternoon is free for sightseeing, exploring, and shopping. Relax and enjoy the local scene. Why not try a local beer? We will regroup for a relaxed dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Munich. (B, D)
Following breakfast we will drive through the mountains, enjoying exquisite views of the countryside. We will visit the village of Schwangau and the fairytale castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria known as Neuschwanstein. This is one of the most enchanting castles in the world where countless tourists visit every year. Our visit will include a guided tour of the inside of the castle, catching a rare glimpse of how royalty lived in the nineteenth century. Lunch on our own. Return to Munich with free time for packing. We will gather in the evening for our final farewell dinner at the most famous tavern in Munich, known as the Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. Enjoy this wonderful experience, with world renowned beer, food, and music. Overnight in Munich. (B, D)
Following breakfast, with fresh memories of our time together, we check-out of our hotel, board our motorcoach, and transfer to the airport for our return flights home. (B)