Hotel Ratings: **2 star = Tourist Class Hotel / ***3 star = First Class Hotel / ****4 star = Deluxe Hotel and *****5 star = Luxury Hotel. When you see a � added to a star rating, it means the hotel is in between two ratings. For example: 3 � star rating would mean it is in better than a First Class, but not quite a Deluxe. The first rating by each hotel is what the hotel rates itself. The second rating is what we believe the hotel rating should be. Where other tours are staying in Tourist Class and First Class hotels - with your tour you have no 2 star Tourist Class hotels, only a few 3 star First Class hotels, a lot of 4 star Deluxe hotels and even one 5 star Luxury hotel.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY: Partial list - subject to change as needed to improve tour!
Day 1: August 28: (Saturday) Fly from the US to Berlin, Germany.
Day 2: August 29: Berlin
In the early morning you will arrive into Berlin, Germany. We will have a full day tour of Berlin that will include both the East and West side of the city.
Overnight Pentahotels Berlin-Kopenick
Hotel rating: **** 4 star Deluxe / Our rating: **** 4 Star Deluxe
Day 3: August 30: Berlin – Dresden - Prague
This morning we travel to Prague with a stop in Dresden. You will enjoy an exciting city walk through the old town of Dresden that used to be called the Florence of the North. Prague is considered one of the most beautiful cities on earth! Today you will enjoy a stroll through the Old Town Square, visit the Jan Hus Memorial and the Astronomical Clock.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Prague
Hotel’s rating ****½ 4½ star Deluxe Plus / Our rating: **** 4 star Deluxe
Day 4: August 31: Prague
Our local guide will show you Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace and the “Golden Lane”. We will also enjoy a short cruise on the Moldavia, which will remain in your memories forever! We will return to the old town for some free time to shop and explore.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Prague
Day 5: September 1: Prague – Telc - Vienna
This morning we drive to Vienna with a stop in Moravia. We will visit Telc, an adorable UNESCO World Heritage Site. After arriving into Vienna we will enjoy a drive around the Ring Road along with a stroll in the royal palace area, before going to Vienna Park Hotel Schonbrunn. This wonderful hotel was built in 1907 for Emperor Franz Josef and is surrounded by a park. It is within walking distance of Schonbrunn Palace.
Overnight: Vienna Park Hotel Schonbrunn
Hotel’s rating: **** 4 star Deluxe / Our rating: ***½ 3½ star First Class Plus
Day 6: September 2: Vienna
This morning we take a tour of Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs. We will then spend the afternoon visiting the old town including St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You will have time to explore and shop the beautiful old streets of Vienna. Overnight Vienna Park Hotel Schonbrunn.
Day 7: September 3: Vienna – River Danube Cruise - Salzburg
This morning early we will depart for Salzburg. We will proceed to Wachau Valley, the Danube Canyon, and visit Durnstein where you will board your 2 hour cruise on the Danube. We will disembark off the boat in Melk, where we will visit the monumental Benedictine Monastery. When we reach Salzburg you will enjoy a city tour and a stroll in the old town, along with a ride on the funicular to the High Fortress Hill overlooking the city.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel Salzburg (a Marriott hotel)
Hotel’s rating: **** 4 star Deluxe / Our rating: **** 4 star Deluxe
Day 8: September 4: Salzburg - Oberammergau
This morning we will travel into the German Alps with a stop at Neuschwanstein Castle, possibly the most beautiful Castle in the world from the outside. We will visit a spot above the castle for a breathtaking view. (The best of Mad Ludwig’s Castles and his favorite is Linderhof, where we will visit inside tomorrow).
Overnight: Oberammergau area. Note: The Passion Play tickets and accommodations are controlled by Oberammergau. Most of our groups are staying in area homes or area apartments. There are 13 categories of tickets along with accommodations in homes, apartments and hotels. From what we have learned, most of our groups are in Category11 tickets & are staying in local homes or apartments. From what we have been told, this group will be staying in upgraded accommodations and they will be in Category 3 for the Passion Play. The upgraded tickets and accommodations has increased the price over our other 11 day tours.
Day 9: September 5: Oberammergau – Linderhof Castle – Passion Play
This morning, before the play starts, we will visit King Ludwig’s favorite castle, Linderhof, located near Oberammergau. We will then return to Oberammergau to experience the Passion Play.
Overnight: Oberammergau area
Day 10: September 6: Oberammergau – Liechtenstein – Zurich
This morning we will cross the Fern Pass and the impressive Arlberg Pass and then enjoy a short stop in Vaduz, the capital of the small country of Liechtenstein. We will then drive through “Heidiland” to Rapperswil, a lovely medieval town where you will enjoy a short stroll. We will finish with a tour of Zurich’s Old Town. We will then head to our hotel near the airport to prepare for your flight home tomorrow.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel (a Marriott hotel)
Hotel rating: ***** 5 star Luxury / Our rating: ****½ 4½ star Deluxe Plus
Day 11: September 7: (Tuesday) Fly Home
Morning flight back to the US and home.