Splendors of Austria, Germany & Switzerland Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
Nourish your senses as you walk along classic wine trails and listen to the music of some of the world’s most celebrated composers. Travel through the splendors of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland on a custom tailored tour and immerse yourself in luxury and culture, chocolate and marzipan, fairytale castles and snowcapped mountains. Baroque palaces tower above cobblestone streets as half-timbered buildings hide chic, contemporary restaurants. Stained glass windows in historical churches glow as illustriously as the famed artworks tucked inside opulent museums. Feast on the sounds, sights, textures, and flavors that create an unforgettable private journey for your senses.
Customizable Itinerary
Vienna – Arrive in the Contemporary and Imperial City of Vienna, Austria
The corners of Vienna brim with impressive contemporary museums, chic restaurants, and imperial splendor from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Your flight lands at the Vienna airport, and your private transfer awaits your arrival. You will be escorted into the heart of the city to find historical streets that wind around the elaborate architecture of the State Opera House. The city has a deep connection with music, and operatic and ballet performances are staged hundreds of times each year. The current opera house was erected in the 19th-century in the style of Early French Renaissance.
A grand staircase leads to the first floor, known as the Schwind Foyer, named after the opulent paintings that depict scenes from famous operas. Students and artists fill the numerous coffee houses of the city and indulge on crispy, sweet pastries as they espouse their latest theories. The old and new combine for a delightful display of the city’s proud history and its optimistic future. Settle in the luxury of your centrally located hotel and embrace the beauty of Vienna.
What's Included:
Vienna – Full Day Private Tour of Vienna’s Museums and Monuments
Vienna – Half-Day Cultural Tour of Vienna’s Quarters and Restaurants
Salzburg – Transfer to Salzburg and Visit the Hallein Salt Mine en route
Salzburg – Enjoy a Full Day Private Tour of Salzburg’s Charming Streets
Munich – Visit Neuschwanstein Castle before Arriving in Munich, Germany
Munich – Delight in a Full Day Private Tour of the Bavarian Capital City
Baden-Baden – Venture to the Celebrated Spa Town of Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden – Relish an Excursion to the French Wine Region of Alsace
Zurich – Travel to Zurich, Switzerland, and Visit the City of Basel en route
Zurich – Explore the Fascinating Sites of Zurich on a Private Half-Day Tour
Lausanne – Visit the Capital City of Bern before Arriving in Lausanne
Lausanne – Revel in a Full Day Tour In and Around Lausanne
Lausanne – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in the unique flavors of the landscape with visits to the cherished wine regions Alsace, on the French border, and Lavaux, near the Swiss Alps
- Venture deep into the heart of the Austrian mountains while touring the world’s oldest salt mine
- Witness the graceful allure of the imperial Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna
- Discover the fairytale edifice and inspiring frescoes of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany
- Enjoy the electric atmosphere of a traditional German beer hall in Munich, home to liter steins and mesmerizing music
- Sink into the relaxing, healing waters of Baden-Baden with a tranquil spa treatment in the historic baths
- Witness the elaborate artwork of Austrian masters in the Leopold Museum and along Museums Quartier
- View one of the largest collection of French Impressionist artwork in the world to find a stunning array of Monet’s large water lily pieces
- Absorb the culture and heritage of the Swiss Alps in Bern, host to a collection of museums providing insight into the region’s past that informs its present
- Relish the pleasures of private tour guides who specialize in catering each tour to your interests
- Immerse yourself in the comforts of luxurious accommodation located in the heart of cities, villages, and towns across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Detailed Description
Private tours allow you the flexibility to explore the bustling streets of a city, linger in the charming alleys of a village, and enjoy the vibrant artwork of a museum you stumbled upon along the way. Your 14-day tour of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland allows you to follow your guide on individualized tours created with your personal tastes in mind. From stallion training at the Spanish Riding School to posing with epic operatic murals in the Neuschwanstein Castle, submerging in mineral waters of Baden-Baden to the Gothic cathedral of Lausanne, you will have the splendor of history and the beauty of landscape at your fingertips.
Your tour begins with your arrival in Vienna, Austria, home to the Hapsburg Palace and a renowned opera house. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel in the heart of the city. Spend the next day on a tour of Vienna’s cultural heritage, from museums to churches as you enjoy the delicious cuisine and inviting nightlife. Continue the next morning with a half-day tour of Vienna to discover the opulence of the Hapsburg Palace grounds, along with a performance of the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. Make your way to Salzburg by way of the Hallein Salt Mine the following day and dive deep into the caverns to see the extent of the mine and its history.
Continue as your guide will lead you on a full day grand tour of Salzburg, from Mozart’s birthplace to the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Taste a delicious marzipan and enjoy a view of the Salzach River. Travel next to the Bavarian region of Germany to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle. The fairytale ambiance emanates from the elaborate architectural design and décor. Move next to a full day tour of the famous Glockenspiel and outdoor markets of Munich. Venture through the mixture of contemporary and antique streets to enjoy the delightful music and laughter of one of the city’s famous beer halls.
Journey next to the town of Baden-Baden in the Black Forest and stroll through the streets on an introductory tour before you relax in the hot and cold baths of one of the town’s celebrated, historical spas. Cross the border into France for a unique tour of the Alsace wine region and relish the sights of medieval towns and beautiful vineyards. You will then make your way into Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich. The ambiance combines its deep heritage with a contemporary style and architecture outside of the old town. En route to Zurich you visit the museum friendly city of Basel, celebrated for its art, bridges, and culture.
Traverse the streets of Zurich to experience the pleasures of the city at your preferred pace to take in the museums, the half-timbered buildings, and the elegant shopping streets. Stop in the city of Bern en route to Lausanne; the Swiss capital has two distinct districts separated by the Aare River. Once in Lausanne, relax in your luxurious hotel that overlooks Lake Geneva. You will then have time to enjoy the charms of Lausanne before you wander along the treasures of the Lavaux wine region, filled with delicious wineries and stunning vineyards. Conclude as your private transfer meets you at your hotel in Lausanne to escort you to Geneva Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$7,600 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
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 1255 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.
See more
We had a truly fantastic and memorable trip! Zicasso's trip planner and her team planned it impeccably for us!
See more
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.
See more
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!
See more
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!!!
See more
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.
See more