Germany, Switzerland, and Italy

Visit the Bavarian village of Hohenschwangau and learn about Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood home of King Ludwig II, with views of Lake Alpsee and the surrounding Alps. Then enjoy a scenic hike toward Neuschwanstein Castle and pause at Queen Mary’s Bridge for an unforgettable photo stop of the fairytale fortress and mountain landscape.

Enjoy Bavarian- or Berlin-style sausage with traditional sides. Bavarian sausage is made from veal and pork back bacon, while the Berlin style features fried pork.

Join a licensed guide for a whirlwind look at Munich, from its medieval heart to modern landmarks. Stroll through Marienplatz to see the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel, framed by the twin towers of the Frauenkirche. Visit the Residenz, then explore Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Games, and step into BMW Welt to experience innovation and sleek design.

Dachau, the first of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps, became the model for thousands that followed. Now a memorial and museum, it honours the 206,000 prisoners held here from 1933 to 1945 and traces the rise of the Nazi party, pre-1930s anti-Semitism, and the lives of those imprisoned.

Explore Innsbruck’s Old Town (Altstadt), where clusters of white-stuccoed homes with rustic brown trim sit against a dramatic Alpine backdrop. At the centre of the cobblestone streets is the Golden Roof, its 2,657 copper shingles gleaming above the balcony where Emperor Maximilian I once stood with his beloved Bianca, vowing to remain together forever.

Discover Venice, a city built on more than 100 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic. Begin in St. Mark’s Square and tour St. Mark’s Basilica, completed in 1094 and home to the relics of Venice’s patron saint. Continue with a guided visit of the Gothic Doge’s Palace with its ornate arches before continuing to a glass-blowing demonstration, showcasing the centuries-old tradition of Venice’s most famous craft.

Explore Verona’s historic centre, where Roman, medieval, and Renaissance influences meet. Piazza delle Erbe, once the Roman forum, remains a lively gathering place with frescoed buildings and markets. The Verona Arena, a 1st-century BC amphitheatre, still hosts performances today, while the Castelvecchio Bridge spans the Adige River with scenic city views.

Explore Lucerne with your Tour Director, set against the Alps and green pastures. Walk the Old Town’s cobblestones to Chapel Bridge, a 14th-century wooden bridge decorated with murals, and see the Lion Monument, a sandstone tribute to Swiss Guards lost in 1792. Visit the ornate Jesuit Church and take in the charm of Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt Squares.

Experience the legends of William Tell, the Lion Monument, and the story of Swiss independence as history comes to life through vivid reenactments.

Scale snow-capped Mount Pilatus for sweeping views of Lucerne and the Alps. From May to mid-November, cruise Lake Alpnach before riding the world’s steepest cog railway; the rest of the year, ascend by cable car. At the summit, capture frame-worthy photos, and on clear days, enjoy vistas stretching up to 200 miles.

Join your Tour Director for a sightseeing tour of Heidelberg, a charming city surrounded by mountains, forests, and the Neckar River. Stroll through Market Square for views of Germany’s oldest university, then visit Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance landmarks north of the Alps. Learn about its turbulent history from the Thirty Years’ War to a lightning strike in 1764, and explore the castle courtyard to see the world’s largest wine barrel, a symbol of the city’s enduring spirit and charm.