Escape to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
This 15-day custom tailored tour takes you through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where you can walk along half-timbered homes and dramatic storybook castles. Cuckoo clocks chime the hour and cobbled streets lead to the gilded rooftops and marvelous medieval monuments. Immerse yourself in the majesty of opulent palaces and old churches surrounded by the fascinating scenery of the Alps.
Customizable Itinerary
Frankfurt – The City of Frankfurt
Your plane will ascend into the contemporary architecture of Frankfurt, a city that embodies modernity with glinting skyscrapers made of glass, steel, and concrete. The city holds the title of Germany’s most important commercial and economic center, with a skyline dominated by high-rises in the banking district. Your private transfer will meet you at the baggage claim of the Frankfurt Airport and escort you to the beautiful heart of Romerberg, which is Frankfurt’s old town center. The Justice Fountain stands at the center of the oddly shaped square adorned by the goddess Justitia watching passersby.
What's Included:
Munich – Drive to Medieval Rothenburg
Munich – Tour of Linderhof Castle
Vienna – Musical Tour in Salzburg
Vienna – Austria’s Capital City
Villach – Lipizzaner Stallion Stud Farm
Innsbruck – Drive along the Dolomites
St. Moritz – Swiss Engadine Valley
Lugano – Cruise along the Water
Zermatt – The Swiss Alps
Zermatt – A Day at Your Leisure
Lucerne – The Lower Rhone Valley
Lucerne – The City of Lucerne
Frankfurt – Schaffhausen and the Black Forest
Frankfurt – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the walkways around the Gorner Gorge near the town of Zermatt to find glacial waters and an incredible view of the Matterhorn peak
- Witness the Golden Roof of Innsbruck, home to the 15th-century Tyrolean sovereigns
- Enjoy the dramatic mountains, shimmering waters, and emerald trees while touring the scenic Lake District of Switzerland and Italy
- Traverse the covered bridges and medieval streets of Lucerne, brimming with preserved historic paintings and elaborate myths
- Visit the charming capital city of Bern to witness the merging of historical and contemporary streets overlooking the Aare River
- Stroll through the home town of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the city of Salzburg, set beneath the towering peaks of the Dolomites
- Explore the remarkable grounds of the Schonbrunn Palace, residence of Hapsburg royalty
- Marvel at the marble statues and elaborate décor of the Tomb and Museum of Emperor Maximilian I
- Relish the cultural beauty and religious artwork of the Karlskirche church in Vienna
- Cruise along the tranquil waters of Lake Maggiore to visit the opulent villas and gorgeous estate gardens of the scattered island
Detailed Description
Take time to experience the mountains and plains, lakes and villages of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria during your 15-day tour that fully encompasses the Alps. You will arrive at the Frankfurt Airport, and your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim to escort you into the heart of a city. Next day, you will travel along the Romantic road to the medieval city of Rothenburg, home to picturesque walls and cobbled streets. Stroll along the windy lanes and rising spires before you reach the Bavarian capital city of Munich.
Continue as your guide leads you on a remarkable tour of Germany’s “Secret Capital.” Visit the Olympic Stadium and tour Old Town to find highlights of city’s medieval and contemporary history, including the squares that once held Nazi rallies. Take a historic drive and travel across the mountains to Salzburg, Austria. Stroll the cobbled streets that were home to Mozart and follow in the footsteps of the Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music. Continue along the Danube River to reach Austria’s capital of Vienna. Your guide will lead you on an engaging half-day tour of the city to visit the State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
You will have time to venture to Bratislava to visit the medieval capital of Slovakia in the afternoon. The next day, you will journey to the outskirts of Vienna to visit Schonbrunn Palace to view the opulence of the Hapsburg family. Visit the Lipizzaner Stallion Stud Farm in Piber before settling in the quiet village of Villach. Cross the Italian border the following day to visit the ski resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Drive along the stunning Brenner Pass to Innsbruck and enjoy the medieval lanes and the remarkable architecture of the Golden Roof. Continue with your exploration of the winding roads of the mountains with the trails and white stone houses of St. Moritz.
Travel to Lugano, Switzerland for a stop in Lake Como, Italy along the way. Enjoy the quiet grandeur of the lakeside town before you arrive in Lugano and delight in a scenic boat cruise along the sparkling water. Drive next to Lake Maggiore and take a boat to visit the speckled islands that brim with opulent villas. Continue through the Simplon Pass to the Swiss Valais and take the train from Tasch to the enchanting town of Zermatt, located at the base of the Matterhorn Mountain. Take a day to discover the beauty in and around Zermatt. Relish a scenic gondola ride to the peak of Gornergrat Mountain or delight in a hike along the numerous trails in the alpine foothills and nearby gorge.
Continue and make your way to the capital city of Bern in the lower Rhone Valley. Stroll along the quiet streets of Old Town and the unusual grounds of Bear Park to see the towering Jungfrau massif in Interlaken before you arrive at the vibrant town of Lucerne. Next day, your guide will lead you on an exciting tour of Lucerne’s famous monuments, from the Chapel Bridge to the Lion Monument. Move on to make your way back to Frankfurt with a stop at Schaffhausen before you cross the border into Germany to witness Rhine Falls. Travel through the famous Black Forest, and enjoy the small towns along the way. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel on your last day and escort you to the Frankfurt Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$5,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 1248 reviews
Our trip with Zicasso's tour company was beyond exceptional. The itinerary was exactly what we asked for and the activities included were perfect for our group. We gave the tour company the information on the type of trip we would like and everything was top-notch. The hotels were incredible and our driver was absolutely the best. He was extremely flexible, always on time, and his vehicle was impeccable.
We received communication throughout the planning process and whenever we asked a question, the response was very timely. After the initial planning phase, we received updates and information from our travel designer, who was wonderful. The company's attention to detail allowed us to relax and enjoy our vacation. We had no issues whatsoever at any time during the trip with reservations, tickets, and vouchers. He even noticed that one voucher for a particular day had the wrong guest's birth date and he contacted me, as well as the hotel, so they could print the correct voucher.
The question is not if we will plan another trip with them, it is when. Don't hesitate to book a trip. As we say in the south, this tour company is a well-oiled machine.
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We had a truly fantastic and memorable trip! Zicasso's trip planner and her team planned it impeccably for us!
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The planning was superb! All details were expertly described in the provided itinerary and easily followed. Any necessary changes that were required along the way were quickly and professionally handled by the Zicasso travel company's personnel! Our travel expert very carefully included all of my requests and made many useful suggestions in the planning of the tour.
The company could not have been better. The guides and drivers who were selected by them for our itinerary were excellent. Also, we had the privilege of traveling for a few days with a company member as driver and guide. He was "the best" and extremely accommodating.
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With the help of Zicasso, my wife and I experienced a once-in-a-lifetime 17-day tour of the major cities in Switzerland and Austria. The trip was exactly what we wanted it to be.
We initially spoke with our travel expert before the trip and came up with a great plan and schedule. Then Zicasso made it all happen flawlessly. The trip enabled us to see and do everything we wanted to, while remaining relaxing. The accommodations were better than expected.
Zicasso always had knowledgeable staff available to answer a question anytime, They provided excellent information to keep us happy and healthy, and the personal tours and events were beyond what we had hoped they would be. It was as though we had friends and family in the travel industry. My wife and I will use them exclusively from this point forward. Six out of five stars!
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We had a fantastic experience with Zicasso's travel company! The hotels recommended were superb and all details were handled. The in-country representative was also outstanding. We loved each of the private tours arranged for us (Rome, Lake Como). The transfers were professional, on time, and with simply lovely people. Thank you!!!
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The trip was great and the coordination for trains, transfers to and from hotels, and the airport provided by Zicasso's trip planner was perfect. We enjoyed the variety of each city and the hotel locations were perfect for our needs. We also appreciated the private tours, with extraordinary local tour guides. It was a first-rate trip overall.
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