GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND

After a good breakfast, we set out on the Rhine coach tour. At St. Goarshausen, the mighty Rhine winds through an attractive gorge, famous for the mighty Lorelei Rock. Here we enjoy a relaxing panoramic boat cruise to picturesque Rudesheim, with wine tasting and lunch at Rudesheimer Castle, then return to Frankfurt.

A coach visit to lovely Heidelberg, one of Germany’ s most beautiful cities, dominated by its historic old bridge, enchanting architecture and brooding castle on a wooded hill. Full sightseeing tour, then return to Frankfurt. (B,D,O)

Depart for Munich, the Bavarian capital. An afternoon sightseeing tour of the old heart of the city, featuring many remarkable Baroque, Neo-classical and Renaissance style buildings and grand avenues. (B,D,O

After breakfast, we set off for a half day tour to visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial and see its tragic story at first hand. The afternoon is free for further sightseeing or shopping in Munich. (B,D,O)

A day to either relax and enjoy your stay in Munich or take advantage of an optional trip to the vast, peaceful Lake Chiemsee, with a boat trip and visit to the famous Heerenchiemsee Castle and Frauenchiemsee Monastery. (B,D,O)

Leave Munich for beautiful Passau, known as the ‘Ci ty of Three Rivers’, as it’s here that the mighty Danube is joined by the Inn and the Ilz. It’s also notable for its lovely Gothic and Baroque architecture. (B,D,O)

After breakfast, departure for the some of the loveliest places in southern Germany. First we drive to Oberammergau, home of the centuries-old passion play, then on to Fussen and Neuschwanstein, one of the world’s most famous castles. (B,D,O)

After breakfast we travel through perfect Alpine scenery via Bodensee, crossing into Austria and then Switzerland, passing some of Switzerland’s most picturesque places, arriving late afternoon in wonderful Lucerne, the ‘City of Lights ’. (B,D,O)

After breakfast, a whole-day excursion to Pilatus Mountain, taking the steepest cog railway in the world to the peak - 2132m above sea level - to see the breathtaking panorama of mountain peaks, with a typical Swiss dinner in the evening. (B,D,O)

After breakfast, drive to Interlaken to enjoy the stunning views of the majestic Swiss Alps, with the pictures que Hoheweg valley, peaceful Lake Thun and the majestic Jungfrau, at 4,152m the highest peak in the area. (B,D,O

After breakfast, a full day excursion to Jungfraujoch, where a cog railway runs inside the mountain, up to a station that at 3,454m is the highest in Europe. After enjoying the unforgettable views, we have a live evening folklore show. (B,D,O)

After breakfast, our tour goes on to breathtaking Lake Lugano, whose incredible beauty cradled between tall, green mountains has a dramatic quality. Its calm mirror-like waters change in color and mood through the day and through the seasons. (B,D,O)

After breakfast, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the pretty lakeside parks, churches and villas of Lugano, where Swiss elegance meets Italian joie de vivre. In the afternoon, there is a fabulous panoramic boat tour of Lake Lugano. (B,D,O)

Day 15: Lugano

A free day in Lugano, an opportunity to pick up some gifts and souvenirs in its small shops, wander around the attractive streets, with numerous cafes and restaurants, and, of course, enjoy a nice lunch and cappuccino or glass of wine. (B,D,O)

 Day 16: Lugano – Milan

After breakfast, we drive to Milan, with a short si ghtseeing tour of the best sights, such as the Gothic masterpiece of Milan Cathedral, the lovely Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade and the grand La Scala opera house. Departur e from Milan. (B)