Exploring The Alpine Countries, Austria, Germany, Switzerland

From regal Austrian palaces to handcrafted German clocks and snowcapped Swiss Alps, set out to experience three Alpine cultures set amid postcard-worthy landscapes.

Welcome to Vienna, Austria's stately capital city. Built by the Habsburg Empire and amplified by classical composers, Vienna exudes an old-world charm that can be found in its cobblestone streets and elegant architecture. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner in the city. Following your meal, enjoy a performance by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and more.

Come to know Vienna this morning during a locally guided tour that showcases its architectural marvels. Visit the 17th-century Schönbrunn Palace, containing more than 1,440 rooms, and see the impressive St. Stephen's Cathedral. The afternoon is yours. Enjoy free time to explore the avenues of Vienna or perhaps visit one of its many museums. Today breakfast will be included.

Journey through the countryside before taking a cruise along the Danube,* one of Europe's most renowned waterways. Continue to Salzburg, the "City of Music," and find lush gardens and old-world charm. Step into another time with dinner at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter's Restaurant. Home to aged stone walls and sleek wooden ceilings, St. Peter's is the oldest restaurant in Austria and is still owned by monks. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

*Danube River Cruise is available mid-April to mid-October.

Choose how you spend your morning because it's your choice! Discover Salzburg on a leisurely paced walking tour of the Old Town -OR- feel like you've joined the Von Trapp family on a city tour featuring iconic film locations from The Sound of Music. No matter how you choose to spend the morning, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the beloved town on your own. Today breakfast will be included.

Look out upon the Bavarian Alps en route to the most popular Bavaria city, Munich. Upon arrival, it's your choice! Take a panoramic tour of Munich, highlighting the National Theater of Bavaria and much more -OR- visit the lavish Treasury of the Munich Residence. Both choices end with a viewing of the Rathaus – Glockenspiel chiming at Marienplatz. Continue on to Oberammergau, renowned for its 380-year tradition of producing a Passion Play every 10 years, and your home for the next two nights. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Tour Linderhof Palace, the only palace - out of three - that King Ludwig II lived to see completed. Walk the extraordinary halls that were modeled after Versailles with an expert guide and bask in the luxury of past royals. Later, fairytales become reality during a picture stop of Bavaria's most famous castle, King Ludwig's third palace, Neuschwanstein. Regarded as the most photographed castle in Germany it was the inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty. Return to Oberammergau for an evening at leisure. Today breakfast will be included.

**If Neuschwanstein tickets are unavailable on this day, guests will instead visit the nearby castle Schloss Hohenschwangau.

You're off to the heart of the Black Forest, a region famous for artisans who create authentic cuckoo clocks and Hummels. On your way, get a taste of local flavors at a German winery. Enjoy a tour before sampling the vintages and looking out over the rows of vines and nearby Lake Constance. End your day amongst the tree-studded mountains of the Black Forest. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

This morning, hop on the train and journey to Freiburg, a vibrant city in southwest Germany's Black Forest region. With a local guide by your side, explore Freiburg, a vibrant city with a rich medieval flair including its Gothic cathedral at the center of town and Bächle -- narrow channels with flowing water alongside the roads that once acted as a water supply for the town. Before returning to your hotel, stop at Lake Titisee and enjoy a short boat ride to take in the Black Forest scenery from a different perspective. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest region before arriving to Zurich, Switzerland's luxurious cultural hotspot, also known as a global leader in banking and finance. Join a local guide for a tour of the city on foot, and then enjoy some free time to have lunch on your own in Zurich. After, head to Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake." Upon arrival, set out on a scenic walking tour of the city, including a stroll through its romantic Old Town. Today breakfast will be included.

The day is yours to relax or independently explore the best of Lucerne. Perhaps you will embark on an optional excursion to Mount Pilatus, ascending the world's steepest railway on a panoramic gondola to the summit. Tonight, come together with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner featuring local specialties and toast the end of a wonderful trip. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Wish the Alps goodbye as your tour comes to a close today. Today breakfast will be included.