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Tour Description

Tour Highlights:

• Take the funicular up to Heidelberg Castle, taste Alsace wine on the ‘route Alsace du Vin’ and enjoy coffee and cake in the Black Forest
• Stay 3 nights in the heart of the Black Forest and visit medieval Triberg, gothic Freiburg, postcard perfect Colmar, and cruise on the River Ill through charming Strasbourg
• Wander around the glorious gardens of the ‘Flower Island’ of Mainau and cross Lake Constance to Meersburg and visit the old harbour of Lindau
• Spend 3 nights in the mountains of Bavaria under the shadow of Ludwig’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, visit Linderhof Palace, Oberammergau, Fussen, the glorious Weiskirche, and enjoy a cable car ride to Tegelberg
• Explore Innsbruck, visit Swarovski Crystal World and Rattenberg.
• Relax over 5 nights in the beautiful Austrian Tyrol visiting baroque Salzburg, Hitler’s Eagles Nest and Dokumentation Centre and the chic ski resort of Mayrhofen
• Drive over the magnificent Fern and Gerlos Alpine Passes, admire the highest waterfalls in Austria – Krimmler Wasserfälle
• Cruise along the world famous Lake Konigsee and ride a steam train along the Ziller Valley

Tour Inclusions

• All the sightseeing, scenic drives and excursions (as per the itinerary)
• Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
• First class air-conditioned touring coach
• End of tour tips to Tour Manager, driver and local guides
• 13 nights selected accommodation as described
• Hotel porterage (1 bag per person)
• Welcome drink in Frankfurt
• Buffet breakfasts daily and all (13) dinners
• Local guides - Mainau Botanical Gardens, Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg, Hitler’s Eagles Nest
• Entrances: Heidelberg Castle, Mainau Botanical Gardens, Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, Swarovski Crystal World, Hitler's Eagles Nest, Obersalzberg Dokumentation Centre, Krimml Waterfalls
• Funicular ride Heidelberg Castle, Black Forest cake, coffee and cuckoo clock demonstration, Strasbourg river cruise, Alsace wine tasting, Lake Constance ferry ride, horse and buggy ride to Neuschwanstein, Tegelberg cable car ride, Ziller Valley steam train ride, Lake Konigsee cruise
• Personal audio system whilst on tour

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Frankfurt
Your tour commences this evening with a welcome drink before dinner in your hotel. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers. Stay: Hilton Frankfurt or Holiday Inn Frankfurt Airport North (D)

Hornberg in the Black Forest (3 Nights)
We spend the morning in the nearby ancient university town of Heidelberg. Set in the wooded Neckar Valley, it is noted for its twin-towered bridge and red sandstone castle. We have included a funicular ride up to the castle and entrance to the castle courtyard and terrace to enjoy the magnificent views of the city and Nekkar River below, and to see the world’s largest wine barrel and the German Apothecary Museum. Later, we drive deep into the Black Forest to the village of Hornberg, near Triberg, where we spend the next three nights. Stay: Hotel Schloss Hornberg (B/D)

Hornberg in the Black Forest
Crossing the Rhine in France, we spend the morning in postcard perfect Colmar. Brightly painted, half-timbered houses on narrow, twisting lanes make a perfect backdrop. The River Lauch winds its way through the centre, known as the Little Venice district. Your afternoon will be spent in the capital of the Black Forest – the gothic city of Freiburg. Sensitively restored, Freiburg is one of the most charming of German cities, located where the Black Forest meets the Rhine Plain. Arcaded shopping streets and little streams lead through the old town to its great gothic cathedral. The Black forest is famous for its cake and wood carved cuckoo clocks. Later this afternoon, on our way back to our hotel, we will make a stop for a cuckoo clock demonstration and to enjoy a coffee and some Black Forest cake. (B/D)

Hornberg in the Black Forest
Our morning will be spent in Strasbourg, the seat of the European Parliament. On arrival we board a glass topped boat to enjoy a river cruise around the heart of this beautiful city. Retaining its old world charm there are three bridges spanning the River Ill, massive fortified towers and the pedestrian streets around the Place de la Cathédrale and Place Broglie are a delight. Take time to enjoy one of the numerous cosy bistros and cafes. Later we visit Marlenheim, one of the oldest wine villages at the head of the Route Alsace du Vin (Alsace Wine Route) to enjoy a wine tasting of various different local wines. (B/D)

Hohenschwangau in Bavaria (3 Nights)
Heading south-east we soon arrive on the western shore of Lake Constance. Crossing a short causeway we visit the Flower Island of Mainau where a local guide leads us through the 111 acres of beautiful gardens and landscaped grounds. Originally created nearly 200 years ago by Prince Nikolaus these magnificent botanical gardens also boast an arboretum and an Italian rose garden complete with pergolas, sculptures, fountains and 500 varieties of roses. In summer it is splendid with its Rhododendrons along with huge displays of over 350,000 flowers. After catching a ferry across Lake Constance to Meersburg, we follow the northern lakeshore to enjoy an afternoon break in the old harbour town of Lindau. Later we continue to the mountains of Bavaria. Here, in the tiny village of Hohenschwangau, you will stay the next three nights in a wonderful setting. On one hill overlooking the village you have the neo-gothic castle of Hohenschwangau and on the other side above the village is a wooded mountain spur and Neuschwanstein - the fairytale castle of ‘mad’ King Ludwig. The remainder of the afternoon is free to settle into your hotel, enjoy a drink on the sun terrace or take a walk around the beautiful ‘Swan Lake’ nearby. Stay: Hotel Muller (B/D)

Hohenschwangau in Bavaria
A very relaxing day as we visit perhaps the most famous castle in the world – the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. A horse and buggy will pick you up outside your hotel and take you up the wooded road to enjoy a guided tour through the state rooms, king’s apartments, halls and throne room; all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Lunchtime will be spent in nearby Fussen and later in the afternoon we will take a cable car ride up to Tegelberg to take in the excellent views down onto the fairytale castles far below. Please note: The guided tour through Neuschwanstein Castle incorporates climbing up and down a number of staircases and, as there are no elevators, the inside visit to the castle this morning may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties or limitations. (B/D)

Hohenschwangau in Bavaria
There is nothing quite like a day in the mountains! Our first stop will be a visit to Linderhof, an extravagant French Rococo Palace - yet another of King Ludwig's amazing creations. The Venus Grotto reproduces a set from Wagner's Tannhäuser, and the Moorish Pavilion shelters the Peacock Throne. Lunchtime will be in the nearby village of Oberammergau with its ornately painted buildings where the famous Passion Play is performed every ten years. In the afternoon we drive through Bavarian farmlands and forests to make a stop in arguably the most beautiful church in Europe – Weiskirche (the ‘Church in the Meadows’). Surrounded by green fields, the interior of this World Heritage Listed church is an astounding Rococo creation. (B/D)

Kirchberg in the Austrian Tyrol (5 Nights)
Taking the beautiful Fern Pass across the Bavarian Alps we descend into the Inn Valley to visit the nearby winter resort city of Innsbruck. There will be time at leisure to explore the sights of the Alstadt (old town) such as the Hofburg Imperial Palace, cobbled stoned streets and the renowned Golden Roof. In the afternoon we go to the nearby town of Wattens to visit the Swarovski 'Kristallwelten' (Crystal World), a weird and wonderful crystal experience. Built into a small hill, the entrance is through the mouth of a Goblin with huge crystal eyes. Later we follow the dramatic Inn Valley through the rolling Tyrolean hills and villages, to enjoy a short afternoon stop in the pretty village of Rattenberg. We then continue to Kirchberg where we stay for the next five wonderful nights. Stay: Sunny Hotel Sonne (B/D)

Kirchberg
We have included a full day excursion today to Salzburg – the Baroque city of Mozart. A local guide will take us on a walking tour of this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film 'Sound of Music'. Your afternoon will be at leisure to explore the myriad of narrow, cobbled stone streets, ornate squares and churches, fascinating shops and traditional coffee houses. The views from the enormous Festung (Fortress), sitting high above the city, are magnificent. (B/D)

Kirchberg
A fascinating day ahead as we visit Berchtesgaden. A local guide joins us as we take a breathtaking bus journey up the winding Kehlstein road and then, in Hitler’s personal luxurious brass elevator, we ascend inside the mountain for a guided tour of the Kehlsteinhaus. This alpine retreat is better known as Hitler’s Eagles Nest and the mountain views are spectacular. We also visit the Dokumentation Centre of Obersalzberg (Hitler’s former Nazi Southern Headquarters) and descend into the elaborate system of bunkers connecting with the Berghof. We also enjoy an afternoon stop in the charming village beside perhaps the most beautiful lake of all, Konigsee - famous the world over for its steep cliffs and fjord like lake. To fully appreciate the dramatic landscape we have included a relaxing cruise along the lake to see the romantic pilgrimage church on St Bartholomew Island. (B/D)

Kirchberg
Your day is entirely free to explore the old town of Kirchberg and maybe the nearby town of Kitzbuhel. Why not take a cable car up one of the surrounding peaks and enjoy lunch in one of the mountain top restaurants. Alternatively relax on a sun terrace and soak up the glorious surroundings. (B/D)

Kirchberg
An exciting day in the mountains. Driving to Jenbach we board the old wooden carriages of the historical Zillertalbahn steam train. Sit back and relax as the train puffs its way up the full length of the Ziller Valley, through conifer forests and rich green meadows, to reach the chic ski resort of Mayrhofen. This is a perfect place to enjoy lunchtime amongst the numerous shops, cafes and restaurants surrounded by the soaring Alps. Meeting up with our coach we enter the Hohe Tauern National Park and drive over the spectacular 1,630 metre high, 12 km long Gerlos Pass. Stopping at Krimml we visit the Krimmler Wasserfälle (Waterfalls) - the highest in Austria – where we enjoy a walk along the valley pathway to a number of spectacular viewpoints. (B/D)

Munich
Bidding Austria farewell, we drive to Munich. On arrival we have included a panoramic city tour, which will orientate you with the main sights, such as the neo-gothic town hall, and the wonderful church known as the Frauenkirche, whose twin onion-topped towers are the symbol of the city. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore this cosmopolitan city. This evening we have included a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Stay: Maritim Hotel (B/D)

Munich
Sadly your tour has come to an end after breakfast. (B)

Tour Operator: Albatross Tours

Albatross Travel was established in 1995 and offers European escorted coach tours designed specifically for Australians and New Zealanders. With smaller group sizes and a more sensible pace with 2, 3, 4 and even 5 night stays in most places, you will enjoy much more genuine sightseeing time and less time sitting on coaches. All Albatross tours are genuinely inclusive and already includes all excursions, special visits, sightseeing tours, feature dinners and even your end of tour tips!

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Airport Transfer Information

You will be required to make your own way to and from the hotel at the beginning and end of the tour. Albatross are unable to include individual transfers. Global Journeys can book extra pre and post tour accommodation to fit in with your flight arrival and departure dates.

Terms & Conditions:

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