Photo Itinerary: Days
1-4,
Day 1: Depart for Munich, Germany
Depart Atlanta, GA (or other pre-arranged gateway) for our overnight flight to Munich, Germany, arriving Sunday morning.
Day 2: Munich-Bavarian Alps-Salzburg, Austria
Upon our arrival in Munich, we will be greeted by a local guide for our trip aboard our private motor coach, through the Tyrolean Alps, as we make our way to Salzburg, Austria, our first night's destination. Our first stop is King Ludwig's gold and white rococo style castle, Linderhof, originally built to be a hunting lodge. (included tour and guide). The gardens adorning the castle are filled with statues and fountains. Inside, the King's bedroom is famous for the natural air conditioning, the Moorish kiosk with the peacock throne is a one of a kind, the Hall of Mirrors is a very special area of the castle as well as the Blue Grotto, where he would sail in private, while listening to his favorite composer, Wagner. Our next stop is Oberammagau, home of The Passion Play. We will have some time to look around at the homes painted with frescoes and look in some of the quaint shops, before heading on to Salzburg. Music is always in the air in Salzburg! Walk on the same cobble stoned streets, where so many famous composers walked and lived. History casts a spell on you; you cannot escape it! A pleasant stroll, with a local expert, on a 3 hour included tour, takes you through the historic center of Mozart’s hometown: admire exquisite Mirabell Gardens, the Horse Trough, the Great Festival Hall, St. Peter’s Churchyard, and the monumental Domplatz. Our orientation dinner tonight, (included) will be in a local restaurant in Salzburg. Day 3: Salzburg-Hohenschwangau, Germany
After check out this morning, we make our way to the small village of Schwangau, where we will stay overnight. Very few tours actually stay in this village, they usually just make a photo stop here. Schawngau is home to 2 of King Ludwig's castles, Hohenschwangau, where he grew up, and the world famous Neuschwanstein Castle. This is the castle that Disney used to create his fairytale castle in Orlando. We will travel by mini bus up to the castle, for our included entrance of this fascinating castle. This is a memory you will treasure for the rest of your life. Walk through the great halls, ballrooms, dinning rooms, and bedrooms of this magnificent castle. You can imagine being at a formal ball with ladies in their glamours gowns, and know they walked through these same halls as you will. Free time to walk through what I can only describe as a small magical forest, on the way to Hohenschwangau. You can almost sense the presence of knights of old, walking these same paths. There are tours available inside this castle also. Be sure and visit the shops in the small village, for special treasures to share with those at home. Day 4: Schawngau-Lichtenstein-Interlaken, Switzerland
After breakfast, we depart the Tyrolean Alps region, as we head toward the Swiss Alps. We will stop in world famous Vaduz, Lichtenstein, where we will have time for lunch (on own), and don't miss checking out the famous stamps of Lichtenstein. Sit in an outdoor cafe, and write post cards back home. Mid afternoon, we will arrive in Interlaken, Switzerland, our home for the next 3 nights, at The Post Hardermannli. I have been bringing groups to this precious rustic Swiss chalet style hotel for almost 20 years. See why everyone falls in love with its charm, the moment they enter. Free time to explore this fascinating village, with the spectacular vistas of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. Perhaps take a romantic horse and carriage ride around the area, find some treasures in the souvenir and gift shops, try your hand out at the Casino, take the funicular up to the top of the Hardermannli, or one of my favorites, just enjoy the beauty of the flowers, lawns and waterways of Interlaken. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants in Interlaken. After dinner, take a stroll downtown, the sights and sounds of night, transform this village into a quaint stroll back in time. Back at our hotel, enjoy a drink or cup of coffee by the fireplace.