Day 1 – Munich
Welcome to Munich. The first day of the tour is your arrivals day. Meet your fellow travellers, and depending on what time you arrive, head into Munich and see the sights ahead of the start of your tour. A city that exhibits both prosperity and a certain amount of comfort and cosiness, Munich’s apparent contradictions will delight the avid explorer. Along with modern high-powered industry, designer shopping districts and sleek BMWs, you’ll find a wealth of cultural hotspots in Munich. Even with all its smart sophistication, Munich has a certain charm that visitors find irresistible. Tonight we’ll take you to a traditional German beer hall to get a taste of German culture. Dinner
Day 2 – Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, Oberammergau and Innsbruck
Today you're off to Innsbruck, stopping first at the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. With turrets soaring high above the surrounding woodland, this is a castle which will bring all those familiar fairy-tales to mind. you'll take a tour of the castle too, allowing you to get up close and personal to this outstanding European landmark. Following that you'll head to Oberammergau for a comfort stop. This town is famous for its passion play, which is re-enacted every 10 years in commemoration of the vow the town's citizens made in 1634. The story goes that the villagers vowed that if God spared them from the Bubonic Plague, they would re-enact the story of Christ's crucifixion. The play is now performed during every year ending with a zero. Next, you'll make our way to Innsbruck in nearby Austria. This is one of the few places in the world that really can lay claim to having something for everyone. It's not everywhere that offers extreme sports (thanks to the close proximity of the soaring Nordkette Alps), fascinating historical heritage courtesy of the legacy of the Habsburgs, and vibrant modern attractions too. This is where the modern urban environment meets the outdoors, with a space-age funicular taking up into the mountains in literally a matter of minutes. Once you arrive in the afternoon, you'll have dinner, after which your time is yours to explore this fascinating Austrian city. Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3 – Visit Salzburg and Vienna
From Innsbruck we head for the grandeur of Vienna, stopping on the way for a comfort stop in Salzburg. On arrival in Vienna you’ll take a driving tour of the city – which ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Few cities can show off such cultural and historical splendour and maintain a profile as an exciting, modern city, but Vienna does it well. Along with a musical past that includes luminaries like Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, and artworks by masters like Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka, Vienna has a buzzing modern culinary scene, cheerful, bustling pubs and bars, and a host of clubs and music venues in which to dance the night away. Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4 – Visit Budapest
Today you’re off to Budapest, the Hungarian capital. Blessed with natural beauty (it straddles the Danube River) as well as baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture, this is a city to behold. Get a good overview of it all with your Budapest driving tour when you arrive. Starting on the Pest side of the Danube, head across the river and stop at the Fisherman’s Bastion for spectacular views of the city and the river below. See the Houses of Parliament and drive along the river admiring the city. This afternoon is yours to enjoy the city as you please. Breakfast
Day 5 – Visit Bratislava and Prague
Today you're off to Prague, stopping on the way in Bratislava for a comfort stop. On arrival in Prague, you’ll take a walking tour of this incredible city, which since freeing itself from communism has joined other European jewels like Paris, Rome and Amsterdam to take its place as one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations. Famous for its art, architecture, cobbled lanes and ancient chapels, this is also home to some of Europe’s finest beer. The Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square is a ‘must see’ - the intricate puppetry and show which is performed on the hour, draws hundreds of people throughout the day and night. Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6 – Free day in Prague
The day is yours to treat yourself to the fairytale magic of Prague - often aptly described as the "Jewel in the Crown" of central Europe and maybe revisit some of the places you saw on yesterdays’ walking tour. The majestic Prague Castle, the famous Charles Bridge (you need to also see the views from the bridge at night - simply stunning...), the ‘Old Town’ and the Jewish Quarter. There is also a ‘Secret Garden’ which leads to a man-made grotto - see if you can find it! Prague's dramatic history is reflected in the beauty of the architecture of churches, opera houses, concert halls and parks. There are numerous beer halls in which to sample a local brew, and for those who wish to put your stamp on the city, why not visit legendary Lennon wall - a tribute to John Lennon and words of peace, which is added to on a daily basis by the thousands of visitors to the city. Did we mention ‘fairytale’ city earlier?...Maybe it is worth noting that Prague is the home of the "green fairy” – absinthe. Some say that Vincent Van Gogh’s love affair with absinthe is considered to be he most famed in history and a possible cause of his madness. Breakfast
Day 7 – Visit Nuremberg and Munich
On your way back to Munich, you'll stop at Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city. Famous for its dark beer and frenetic energy, you'll have a chance to look around before we make our way to Dachau Concentration Camp. In operation from 1933 to 1945, Dachau was a Nazi concentration camp which was responsible for the imprisonment of around 200 000 people, and the murder of over 40 000. You'll gain more of an understanding of this dark side of German history, and then finally make your way back to Munich. Tonight is your last night on tour, so be sure to make the most of it. Breakfast
Day 8 – Tour ends in Munich
Today your tour ends after breakfast.
