GERMANY- AUSTRIA- SWITZERLAND - FRANCE
July 16 - 27, 2012
$4099 airfare included from JFK
$2749 + you purchase your own airfare
Munich - Salzburg - Neuschwanstein - Colmar -
Freiburg -
Swiss Alps - Montreaux - Burgundy - Paris
This tour begins with a quick look at Munich's famed city center and a two night stay in Salzburg. A visit to Neuschwanstein Castle and nearby Reutte rounds out the third day of the tour. We will play hopscotch on the Rhine River visiting Freiburg and Colmar. Then, head to Switzerland for my favorite alpine village experience in the beautiful Lauterbrunnen valley. After two nights in Switzerland, we board the "Golden Pass" train for an excursion through the Alps to Montreaux. Later, travel to the heart of Burgundian wine country and set up for a night in Beaune, France. Finally, you will have three days to explore Paris, the City of Light.
Monday, July 16, 2012: Travel accross the Atlantic to Munich on a regularly scheduled flight from New York JFK International Airport.
Tuesday, July 17: Munich and Salzburg— After airport formalities, head directly to Munich’s bustling city center. Enjoy a brief orientation walking tour followed by some free time to explore a bit on your own. Later, hop on the bus and head to Salzburg. Enjoy dinner at your hotel. Sleep in Salzburg 2 nights.
Wednesday, July 18: Salzburg — We’ll begin the day by tracing the steps of Maria and the children on our very own Sound of Music Tour. Back in Salzburg, you will have a free afternoon to do some exploring on your own. This evening, we’ll cap off the day with dinner at the Augustiner Braühaus, a huge outdoor beer garden in the hills overlooking the city.
Thursday, July 19: Neuschwanstein Castle — Today, we will head west into the scenic mountains of Bavaria. You will have most of the afternoon to explore Schloss Neuschwanstein, the fairy-tale fantasy castle of Bavaria’s King Ludwig II. You’ll recognize it as Walt Disney’s model for “Cinderella’s Castle.” Later, we will drive back across the border and set up in Reutte, Austria for the evening. Here, enjoy dinner featuring fresh Austrian cuisine in a traditional guesthouse setting. Sleep 1 night in Reutte.
Friday, July 20: Hopscotching the Rhine — The lands flanking the Rhine River have traded hands between France and Germany for centuries. Today, you will experience two towns, one on either side of the Rhine. We will begin by exploring Freiburg, Germany, with a small city-center and filled with medieval cobbled lanes, a huge Gothic Cathedral, and plenty of charm. After lunch, cross the Rhine and set up for the night in Colmar, a quaint little French village. Sleep 1 night in Colmar.
Saturday, July 21: Switzerland — The beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps and is filled with waterfalls, glaciers, and cowbells. After checking into the hotel, you’ll have the remainder of the afternoon to settle in. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Swiss dinner at the hotel. Sleep 2 nights in Lauterbrunnen.
Sunday, July 22: Enjoy the mountains! You may want to hike or ride a lift to a mountain summit, or even play in the snow. The hills are filled with alpine villages, shops, restaurants, hiking trails, and mountain lifts. Return to your hotel for dinner by 7:30 p.m.
Monday, July 23: Beaune — After breakfast, we’ll board our bus and drive to Burgundy for a look at "small-town" France. Beaune is a delightful village with plenty of trendy shops, local ambiance, and sidewalk cafes. We will take a walking tour of the town center, and then you'll have the afternoon free to do some exploring on your own. Enjoy a peaceful after-dinner stroll into the famous vineyards of the Cote d' Or. Sleep 1 night in Beaune.
Tuesday, July 24: Beaune to Paris — Enjoy a leisurely drive through the famous vineyards of Burgundy, visiting quaint Saulieu and historic Vezelay. Later, after settling in at our Paris hotel, enjoy a walking tour lacing together some of Paris's quaint and characteristic neighborhoods. Finally, enjoy a fantastic meal and a scenic cruise tour along the Seine River. Sleep in Paris 3 nights.
Wednesday, July 25: Paris — The Latin Quarter and Notre Dame Cathedral top the list for our touring today. The afternoon is all for you. Shopping on the Champs Élysées, another museum visit, or simply sitting at a café and enjoying life. We'll meet for a sunset picnic on the Champ du Mars or dinner at a restaurant, followed by a trip up the Eiffel Tower.
T
hursday, July 26: Paris — This morning, we will visit the Louvre Museum for at look at what some consider to be the world’s best collection of art. After lunch, enjoy a visit to the Sacré Coeur, Montmartre, and the Pigalle neighborhood, followed by a grand farewell dinner.
Friday, July 27: Fly Home — Your tour ends today. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the New York JFK airport.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST?
- Roundtrip flights from New York JFK Airport.
-Transportation by comfortable tour bus from your arrival airport to your departure airport in Europe.
· Enjoy an amazing travel experience laced with cultural insights, good food, unique destinations, and plenty of educational content.
· An Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history and culture of Europe.
--Twin/Double accommodations each night in clean and safe European-style hotels with private bath.
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All breakfasts and either lunch or dinner daily.
· Amazing dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. You can expect fine regional fare, and plenty of it at all our dining experiences.
- All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers and hotel staff.
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Full time services of a travel-savvy Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of Europe.
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Emergency medical insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage loss or damage insurance, and limited tour cancellation insurance (a $100 value).
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-David McGuffin's Exploring Europe Tour information covering the major sights and destinations visited on this tour itinerary.
· · All tours and admissions to the following cultural and sightseeing venues: Orientation and walking tour of Freiburg and Colmar ▪ Two days in the Swiss Alps filled with alpine villages, hiking, grand mountain vistas and more ▪ Beaune walking tour ▪ Seine River Cruise ▪ Eiffel Tower admission ▪ Louvre Museum entrance ▪ Paris historic center walking tour ▪ Montemarte/Pigalle walking tour ▪ and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change).
- Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that will not change for any reason.
- Credit Card payments accepted
