Grand Tour Of Austria & Oberammergau 2010

Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 - ARRIVAL IN MUNICH, GERMANY. 
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to see some of Munich. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 3 - MUNICH-LAKE CHIEMSEE-SALZBURG. 
Sometimes dubbed Germany’s “Secret Capital,” Munich is a captivating mix of traditional Bavarian charm and modern chic, a city simply bursting with Gemütlichkeit—a jovial atmosphere typified by its famous beer halls and breweries. Today, enjoy an included orientation drive of this magnificent city with stops to admire its splendid Marienplatz Square, Old and New Town Halls, and the twin-towered gothic Frauenkirche. This afternoon, journey to beautiful Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, before continuing to Mozart’s charming birthplace of Salzburg. (B,D)

Day 4 - SALZBURG-MELK-VIENNA. 
Immortalized as the film location of The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a feast for the eyes with its charming streets, palaces, and churches set beneath an imposing 11th-century castle. Take a fascinating tour of the city this morning, ambling through its historic center to marvel at its magnificent Domplatz Cathedral, Residenzplatz, Festival Hall, and medieval Getreidegasse, the cobbled street housing the building where Mozart was born, which is now a museum. Perhaps even sample one of Salzburg’s famous Mozartkugel chocolates. This afternoon, on the way to Vienna, stop at the 1,000-year-old Melk Abbey, where there’s time to soak up the splendors of this building standing high on a hill above the Danube. From here, follow the banks of the Danube through the stunning Wachau Valley, passing rich vineyards, fairytale castles, and villages such as Dürnstein, where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Arrive in Vienna, Austria’s glittering capital, in the late afternoon for a 2-night stay. (B)

Day 5 - VIENNA. 
Once the seat of the mighty Habsburg Empire and home to Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart, Vienna blends ornate baroque architecture with an irresistible musical heritage—you can almost hear the strains of classical music as you stroll its streets. There’s much to enthrall you today: admire the fabulous State Opera House, Hofburg Palace, and Parliament House amidst other monuments before visiting the superb 12th-century St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Later, why not try some of Vienna’s heavenly Sachertorte at a traditional coffee house or enjoy a horse-drawn Fiaker carriage ride? This afternoon, don’t miss the optional excursion to the exquisite Schönbrunn Palace. Surrounded by glorious gardens and once home to Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Maria Theresa, this breathtaking palace is best known for its Hall of Mirrors, where Mozart once played, and the spectacular ceiling frescoes of its Great Gallery. Tonight, experience an optional world-class classical concert at the Hofburg Palace. (B)

Day 6 - VIENNA-SEMMERING PASS-GRAZ. 
Sit back and soak up the stunning mountain scenery of the Styrian Alps this morning as you cross famed Semmering Pass towards Graz, Austria’s second-largest city. This afternoon, why not join the optional guided tour to savor the many charms of this historic city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to six universities. Admire its quaint, narrow cobbled streets and alleyways, impressive castle, and medieval main square, the Hauptplatz, with its famous painted Gemaltes Haus covered with frescoes of Roman gods. (B,D)

Day 7 - GRAZ-GROSSGLOCKNER PASS-KITZBÜHEL-INNSBRUCK. 
This morning, more scenic wonders await with your journey through pretty Klagenfurt and around Lake Worth to the Grossglockner Pass. This breathtaking pass is the highest in Austria and one of the most spectacular in Europe, with thrilling views of 12,460-foot Grossglockner Mountain, lush dairy pastures, and picturesque villages. Once through the pass, continue on to the lakeside resort of Zell am See in the heart of wonderful Hohe Tauern National Park. From there, on to the picture-book medieval town of Kitzbühel with its classic Tyrolean chalets and beautiful cobbled center dating back to the 9th century. Later, travel to Innsbruck, the capital of Austria’s wondrous Tyrol, for an overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 8 - INNSBRUCK-OBERAMMERGAU AREA. 
Surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, the Tyrolean capital is undoubtedly one of Austria’s prettiest cities. This morning, enjoy an orientation drive followed by time at leisure with an opportunity to explore the charms of Innsbruck and delve into its delightful streets. Admire the resplendent Golden Roof, a 15th century, gold-and-copper roofed balcony built to provide Emperor Maximilian I with a royal box for viewing tournaments in the square below, and marvel at the handsome Hofburg Palace. Alternatively, enjoy some last-minute Austrian souvenir shopping, maybe snapping up me of those legendary Swarovski crystal, which was first produced in the nearby town of Wattens. This afternoon bid farewell to beautiful Innsbruck as you leave for the Oberammergau area. (B,D)

Day 9 - THE PASSION PLAY IN OBERAMMERGAU. 
This morning time to relax or to explore on your own. The quaint alpine resort of Oberammergau enjoys an idyllic location and is world renowned for its spectacular Passion Play, which is performed by its inhabitants every 10 years. The play begins in the afternoon and continues into the evening, with a break for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - OBERAMMERGAU AREA-MUNICH. 
Leave Upper Bavaria as you head back to the Munich area for overnight. The afternoon is free to explore independently. (B)

Day 11
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

• Visits to Munich, Lake Chiemsee, Melk Abbey, Graz, Zell am See, Kitzbühel, Innsbruck, Oberammergau
• Passion Play
• Danube River, Styrian Alps, Grossglockner Pass, Inn Valley

This vacation is a wonderful way to experience the best Austria has to offer. The tour starts in the Bavarian capital, Munich, with an orientation tour and stops to admire Marienplatz Square, Old and New Town Halls, and the twin-towered gothic Frauenkirche. After a stop at Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, it’s on to Austria and Mozart’s Salzburg. Take a fascinating tour of Salzburg and marvel at its magnificent Domplatz Cathedral, Residenzplatz, Festival Hall, and medieval Getreidegasse, the cobbled street housing the building where Mozart was born. Continue to the 1,000-year-old abbey of Melk before enjoying a scenic drive passing vineyards and castles along the banks of the Danube. Spend two nights in wonderful Vienna, Austria’s capital, with a city sightseeing tour and time to indulge in that Sachertorte, listen to a waltz, or visit the splendors of the Habsburg palaces, such as Schönbrunn Palace, home to Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Maria Theresa. Marvel at the alpine scenery in Styria before arriving in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then on to the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck, via spectacular and unspoiled scenery of the Hohe Tauern National Park and Grossglockner, the highest pass in Austria with thrilling views of Grossglockner Mountain, lush dairy pastures, and picturesque villages. Your Austria trip ends back in Munich in time for a beer and then it’s Auf Wiedersehen! What an unforgettable vacation exploring the splendors of Austria’s cities, history, and scenery!

Travel to Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps. Surrounded by majestic mountains and picturesque meadows, Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play performed by locals just once a decade to fulfill the town’s promise to God in exchange for protection from the Black Death. Seeing the Passion Play is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you don’t want to miss, and you get to see it on this vacation!

• Local Guides for city sightseeing in Salzburg, Vienna
• 9 buffet breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (1), 5 dinners (D)

Munich: Econtel (ST)
Salzburg: Austria Trend Airportcenter (F)
Vienna: Sachsengang (ST) at Gross Enzersdorf or Bellevue (F)
Graz: Ibis (ST)
Innsbruck: Dollinger (ST)
Oberammergau Area: To be determined

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive tour prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the tour origination city, we are able to offer the land portion of the package or tour, at the price quoted.