Germany, Austria & Italy

Day 1 • Depart Halifax
Our European adventure takes us on a trans-Atlantic flight from Halifax Stanfield International Airport to Munich, Germany. 

Day 2 • Munich, Germany (Lunch)
Upon arrival in Munich, we clear customs and then meet a local guide and driver. Our tour begins at Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, were we pay our respects for those imprisoned there as we visit the exhibits and movie. Next, we continue into the heart of Munich, Bavaria’s Big Apple, for lunch at the world’s most famous tavern - the Hofbräuhaus. After our delicious meal, we have a guided tour of the city, including the Olympic grounds, the historic Glockenspiel, the English Gardens, and the pedestrian zone. Later we check in at our hotel and have the remainder of the day free to explore more or recover from jetlag. 

Day 3 • Salzburg, Austria (Breakfast, Lunch)
After our plentiful breakfast, we make our way to Salzburg, well-known as the setting for the “Sound of Music” film and the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Enroute, we stop in a small lakeside town for a cruise on Lake Chiemsee, lunch, and a visit of the Fraueninsel (Women’s Island). On arrival in Salzburg, we stop at the Augustiner-Bräu for tour of the brewery started by Augustinan monks around 500 years ago. After a taste of their refreshing and popular malt beverage, we meet our local guide for an orientation tour of the city. We stroll through Old Salzburg, with picturesque Mirabell Gardens, to reach the Getreidegasse. We walk past Mozart’s birth house, visit St Peter’s Cemetery and see the catacombs. We have the remainder of the day free to relax in this beautiful city, trying local pastries, coffee and other delights. Dinner is on our own. 

Day 4 • Berchtesgaden, Germany (Breakfast, Dinner)
Another fantastic day of mystical scenery awaits! First, we embark on an unforgettable voyage on the Königsee (the King’s Lake). We can listen to nature and a world-famous echo, feel the breeze in our face, and appreciate a peaceful timeout as we float past the breathtaking beauty surrounding us. Near the site of the former Nazi retreat in the mountains, Obersalzberg, we board a smaller bus and traverse narrow roads up the Kehlstein Mountain. Our trip continues with a walk through a tunnel into the mountain and ends with an elevator ride to the summit. We arrive in the tea house known as the “Eagle’s Nest,” which was presented as a birthday gift to Adolf Hitler in 1933. The view on a clear day is magnificent! 

Day 5 • Berchtesgaden, Germany (Breakfast)
Today we don miner’s gear, slide down into the depths of the alps to explore the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines. We’ll learn about 500 years of salt mining including “wet mining” and be amazed at the secrets hidden 300 meters below the floor of the valley. Now, it is time to take a schnapps break as we stop at Grassl’s Gentian Schnapps Distillery, distilled here since 1692. Today around 35 different herbal and fruit spirits and liqueurs are produced, and we can take a tour to see the historic equipment, and sample before buying! We spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the viewpoints and vistas in this National Park area, which is famous for its gorges, waterfalls, flowering mountain meadow, rugged peaks, and untouched nature. B
Note: those who wish may hike the Almbach Gorge – even at only 3 kms, it will challenge hikers with its rocky paths and uphills…but the scenery is worth it! Others may choose to stay in Berchtesgaden for some leisurely shopping, walking and exploring on their own.

Day 6 • Innsbruck, Austria (Breakfast)
After a hearty breakfast, we drive to Innsbruck, Austria, the capital of Austria’s state of Tyrol. Nestled amidst majestic peaks, it is known as a destination for outdoor sports. We have a tour of Innsbruck, including the Wilten Basilica, the Golden Roof and Court Church and see why imperial elegance meets well with natural beauty. Our next stop is at the Bergisel Ski Jump, which stands proudly over its Olympic city…after a quick elevator ride to the top, we will be amazed by the architecture and views. While at the top, we pause for cake and coffee and ponder the daring of the athletes who have jumped off the ramp. We have the remainder of the day free for shopping at Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store or other amusements. 

Day 7 • Merano, Italy (Breakfast, Dinner)
We make our way further south and cross into Italian Tyrol to Merano in the heart of the Italian alps. Life is a little slower here and we have time to stop and smell the roses and other lovely flowers as we meander through the area. Merano is known for its spas, art nouveau buildings, elegant, terraced gardens and alpine views. We take a cable car to the top one of the nearby peaks for a view that cannot be missed. Later we check in at our resort hotel and have dinner together. 

Day 8 • Merano, Italy (Breakfast)
After breakfast we have a full day’s excursion to the Italian Lakes region to explore Lake Garda and enjoy its temperate climate and crystal-clear water. Highlights of our day include the Olive Oil Museum in Cisano, Rocca Scaligero, a fortress in Sirmione with magnificent harbor views, and a wine tasting in Bardolino. In the late afternoon, we return to Merano for dinner on our own. 

Day 9 • Garmisch Area, Germany (Breakfast, Dinner)
This morning we drive in the direction of Garmisch and stop in Füssen where we visit and tour Neuschwanstein Castle, the most famous of King Ludwig’s royal castles. Perched majestically on a mountainside, this was his fantasy of a medieval fortress and is often referred to as the “Disney Castle.” We also stop at the Pilgrimage Church of Wies (the Wieskirche), an important rococo church built in the 1740s and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oval church is colorful, cheerful and well preserved and sits in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley. We check in and have dinner together at the hotel. 

Day 10 • Garmisch Area, Germany (Breakfast)
We enjoy a relaxed day in the area enjoying the Bavarian ambiance. We have options to visit nearby attractions including nearby Lake Eib at the base of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain (or go up by cable car) and other amazing sights. 

Day 11 • Munich, Germany (Breakfast, Dinner)
Our first stop today is in Andechs, a miniature Bavaria, sandwiched between two large German lakes. We visit the hilltop Benedictine monastery and church and learn of this ancient pilgrimage site and its sacred relics. After a tour, we visit the monastery brewery, one of the last to be run by a religious community and partake in lunch and a tasting of beer that has matured into a “pleasure for body and soul”. Proceeds from our visit help the monks achieve certain financial goals which help fund various activities like helping the homeless in Munich. We spend our final afternoon in Munich with free time for last minute shopping, dinner on our own, and Oktoberfest!. 

Day 12 • Return to Halifax (Breakfast)
Regretfully, it is now time to say Auf Wiederseh’n (Goodbye) and transfer to the airport. We return home, however, with memories of historic towns and sites, breathtaking alpine landscapes, Italian hospitality, and a wealth of new friends. Welcome home!