Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria featuring Oktoberfest

Discover spectacular Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria on a tour featuring Munich's legendary Oktoberfest.

Arrive today in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. This UNESCO World Heritage site rests in the Swiss countryside. The cobbled Old Town section is so well preserved that residents who lived here 500 years ago would still find it familiar today. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring local cuisine.

Explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour, led by a local guide, passing by the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens and the gothic cathedral which dominates Old Town’s skyline. The remainder of the day is yours to explore independently. Perhaps you’ll take a ride in the red carriages of the Gurtenbahn funicular railway, climbing Gurten Mountain to an altitude of 2,574 feet (858 meters) for impressive views of Bern, the surrounding towns and mountains.

Today, visit Habkern, the small mountain village outside of Interlaken boasting classic postcard imagery of Switzerland. Enjoy a tour with a local workshop owner to learn how the alphorn is made and even entertain your musical side by playing one, and explore the world of yodeling through a professional demonstration — perhaps you’re a natural and never knew! Finish your afternoon with a fondue lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Bern. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

Set out for Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Enjoy a leisurely paced Altstadt (Old Town) walking tour, exploring the hidden treasures of this 800-year-old city such as the covered Chapel Bridge (1333); the famous Water Tower, which has served as a prison, watchtower and treasury; the Renaissance-style Town Hall; the baroque Jesuit Church; and the Lion Monument, carved from natural rock to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard. Spend the free afternoon in this magnificent city or perhaps join an optional tour to the legendary Mount Pilatus. Tonight, upon return to Bern, dine at one of Bern’s great restaurants.

En route to Innsbruck, make your way through Liechtenstein, the smallest German-speaking country in the world and the only country to lie entirely within the Alps. Spend some time in this tiny capital and wander the winding cobbled streets of Mitteldorf, Vaduz’s little old quarter and walk down Stadtle, the center of Vaduz, referred as “small town” by the locals Upon arrival in Innsbruck, it’s your choice! Select one of two leisurely walking tours: join a local guide as you discover the city’s history and culture while passing popular attractions including Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the Hofburg, and the “Golden Roof" -OR- you may embark on a tour focusing on Innsbruck’s unique architectural structures including its famous ski jump.

Travel through the picturesque Austrian countryside to Salzburg. Start your day in Salzburg with a walking tour featuring Mirabell Gardens (seen in The Sound of Music), the quaint Getreidegasse (birthplace of Mozart), and many other highlights of this beautiful city. After, enjoy a delightful lunch at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter’s Restaurant, the oldest in Austria and still owned by the monks. Enjoy time in the afternoon at leisure before returning to Innsbruck.

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. After, make your way to the Ettal Abbey* – a Benedictine monastery founded in 1330 by Louis IV. Here, you’ll tour the Basilica followed by a brewery tour complete with tastings. Next, return to Innsbruck. Later, experience the rich musical tradition of mountainous Austria during a Tyrolean folklore show hosted by a well-known local musical family.

Make your way to Munich for Oktoberfest, a traditional folk festival from the 1800s. Today, the festival draws people from all over the world and features lively music, savory cuisine, authentic costumes, amusement rides, and millions of beer liters served. In your reserved tent, toast to a fun-filled day of drinks, games, and friendly locals.

Your tour comes to an end in Munich.