Discover Switzerland, Austria, & Bavaria – With Oktoberfest

Overnight flight from Washington-Dulles Airport. Roundtrip transfers from Johnstown to Washington-Dulles Airport are included.

Arrive in Bern, Switzerland’s charming capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its cobblestone streets and medieval architecture, Bern feels beautifully preserved in time. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring local cuisine.

Travel to Habkern, a postcard-perfect mountain village near Interlaken. Visit a local workshop to learn how the alphorn is crafted and enjoy a yodeling demonstration led by a professional performer. Cap off the experience with a fondue lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Bern for a leisurely afternoon.

Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Bern with a local guide. Highlights include the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens, and the soaring Gothic cathedral that crowns Old Town’s skyline. The afternoon is free to explore independently. Perhaps you’ll take a ride on the Gurtenbahn funicular, climbing Gurten Mountain to an altitude of 2,574 feet (858 meters) for sweeping views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Set out for Lucerne, often called the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Join a guided walking tour of Altstadt, featuring the covered Chapel Bridge, the famous Water Tower, the Renaissance-style Town Hall, and the Lion Monument, carved from natural rock to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard. Enjoy your free time exploring this magnificent city, or perhaps join an optional tour to the legendary Mount Pilatus. Return to Bern this evening for dinner at one of the city’s renowned restaurants.

En route to Innsbruck, make your way through Liechtenstein, the world’s smallest German-speaking country and the only European country to lie entirely within the Alps. Spend some time in Vaduz, strolling through the charming old quarter and along the pedestrian-friendly Stadtle, referred to as “small town” by the locals. Upon arrival in Innsbruck, it’s your choice! Join a guided walk highlighting Innsbruck’s history and landmarks, including Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the Hofburg, and the “Golden Roof” -OR- you may embark on a tour to the Nordkette, Innsbruck’s stunning mountain range, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking alpine views and experience the dramatic scenery that rises directly from the heart of the city.

Travel through scenic countryside to Salzburg. Discover the city on a walking tour featuring Mirabell Gardens, the quaint Getreidegasse (Mozart’s birthplace), and other highlights of this Baroque jewel. Enjoy lunch at a legendary 1,200-year-old St. Peter’s Restaurant, the oldest in Austria and still owned by the monks. Enjoy time in the afternoon at leisure before returning to Innsbruck.

Cross into Bavaria to tour Linderhof Palace, the only palace — out of three — that King Ludwig II lived to see completed. With an expert guide, explore its lavish interiors inspired by Versailles. Continue to Ettal Abbey* — a Benedictine monastery founded in 1330, where you’ll tour the Basilica and enjoy a brewery visit with tastings. Return to Innsbruck and delight in a Tyrolean folklore show hosted by a well-known local musical family.**

Travel to Munich to experience Oktoberfest, the world-famous folk festival dating back to the 1800s. Today, the celebration draws visitors from around the globe and features lively music, traditional costumes, savory Bavarian cuisine, amusement rides, and millions of liters of beer. In your reserved tent, raise a toast to a fun-filled day of drinks, games, and time spent with friendly locals.

Tour comes to an end in Munich. Fly home from Munich.