Itinerary

Day 1 USA - Frankfurt

We depart SA for Frankfurt. Cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 2 Frankfurt

Arrived in Frankfurt in the morning, be met and have an orientation tour including the Romerplatze begins. Then we transfer to our hotel for overnight accommodation.

• Includes Dinner

Day 3 Frankfurt - Wurzburg - Munich

After breakfast, we depart for the Baroque town of Wurzburg, a gateway to the fabled Romantic Road. Admire this photogenic town including its rebuilt St. Kilian Cathedral, Old Main Bridge and City Hall, and snap photos of the restored Wurzburg Residenz, the castle overlooking its rooftops. Then, continue to the Bavarian capital of Munich, known for its imposing squares and monuments, and annual Oktoberfest beer festival. If time allows, take a city tour to see landmarks including the Old Town Hall at the Marienplatz and onion-domed Cathedral Church of Our Dear Lady. Tonight, enjoy a German Pork Knuckle Dinner, feasting on this delicious local specialty.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Munich - Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen - Salzburg, Austria

Today starts with a sightseeing tour of Munich if time prevented it yesterday, followed by a drive to the Romantic Road's southernmost point, the town of Fussen. Soak in the views of hilltop Neuschwanstein Castle*, a fairytale-like ensemble of towers and spires set against the white-capped Alps. Built in the 19th century by “mad” King Ludwig II, the castle inspired Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Afterward, continue through gorgeous countryside to Austria and Mozart's home town of Salzburg. Here, perhaps take our optional tour to the historic Bad Dürrnberg Salt Mines that brought wealth to Salzburg in medieval times. Ride a train into the salt tunnels, cruise on the salt lake, and learn about the trade before returning to Salzburg.

• Includes Breakfast

Day 5 Salzburg - Ljubljana, Slovenia 

Today, fall in love with Baroque Salzburg, Austria's “Sound of Music” city. Visit the ornamental Mirabell Gardens, home to the staircase where Maria and the Von Trapp children sang “Do-Re-Mi!”, and admire the Mirabell Palace, both sights immortalized in the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Afterward, explore Salzburg's charming Old Town. Enjoy free time to look round, perhaps enjoying the panoramic views from the Hohensalzburg Fortress or visiting the townhouse where Wolfgang Mozart was born, now a museum. Alternatively, perhaps join our optional excursion to St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang in Austria's spectacular Lake district. Later, leave Salzburg and travel to Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6  Ljubljana - Postojna - Plitvice, Croatia 

Sometimes known as the “Much Loved City,” olden Ljubljana never fails to delight. Flanked by snow-tipped mountains, the quaint city overflows with bridges, monuments and Baroque architecture. Enjoy an orientation tour to see highlights including medieval Ljubljana Castle, and the Old Town where you tour the City Hall, Robba Fountain, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Main Square and the Tromostovje “Triple Bridge.” Then, continue to the Postojna Cave*, the world's biggest known karst cave network. Descend underground into the chambers filled with stalagmites and stalactites, before returning to the surface and traveling to Croatia and spending the night at Plitvice.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 Plitvice 16 Lakes National Park - Budapest, Hungary

Today, visit Plitvice National Park*, a UNESCO-listed reserve famed for its glorious, interlinked lakes, mountains, waterfalls and forests, all awash with flora and fauna. As you discover this glorious park, watch for some of the 126 species of wild birds that make it their home. Having explored here, continue to the Hungarian capital of Budapest, arriving in time to relax and savor a Traditional Hungarian Dinner accompanied by musical entertainment.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Vienna, Austria

Budapest takes its name from two cities — Buda and Pest — each divided by the Danube River. Today, discover this magnificent city and its colorful culture on a sightseeing tour. View the fanciful turrets of the Fisherman's Bastion*, and see Matthias Church*, the Parliament Building, and Royal Palace, otherwise known as Buda Castle. Afterward, join a Danube River Cruise* to glide along the famous river to Pest. Here, board a coach to see Heroes' Square, with its vast monument to the Magyar chieftains who settled here in the 9th century. Then, continue to Vienna, and enjoy time free in Austria's capital, known as the “City of Music”. Shop for souvenirs, relax at one of its grand coffee houses or explore St Stephen's Church. This evening, perhaps join us for an optional Mozart Concert.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinneer

Day 9 Vienna - Prague, Czech Republic

Today, admire the architectural treasures of Vienna on a city tour. Visit the 18th-century Schonbrunn Palace*, once the summer residence of the Hapsburgs and see its gardens, statuary and Gloriette belvedere. Enjoy a drive around Vienna's sights, including the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse Boulevard, City Hall, Parliament Building and Hofburg Palace before continuing to Prague, the Czech Republic capital.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 Prague

1,000-year-old Prague boasts a medley of historical buildings, churches, cobbled lanes and magnificent squares, all crowned by Prague Castle. Today, get acquainted with this beautiful city on a sightseeing tour around the palaces, churches and gardens of Prague Castle* including its Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral*. Cross statue-lined Charles Bridge to Old Town Square to see its splendid Astronomical Clock and explore the atmospheric Jewish Quarter, before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Be sure to cap your sightseeing with an optional cruise on the Vltava River, seeing highlights such as Prague Castle and Charles Bridge from the different perspective of the water.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 Prague - Karlovy Vary - Frankfurt, German

Start today by traveling through West Bohemia to the spa town of Karlovy Vary. The ideal spot for winding down your adventure, this handsome town is named after Holy Roman Emperor Charles (Karl) IV, who reputedly discovered its springs in 1358. Enjoy a walking tour and learn how the springs' much-vaulted healing powers have been used to treat ailments for centuries. Afterward, return to Frankfurt and reflect on your vacation with your fellow travelers at a Farewell Dinner this evening.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 Frankfurt - USA

Transfer to Frankfurt airport and cherish the memories of your tour on your US-bound return flight.

Includes Breakfast