Best of Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 14 Days Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Germany

We'll meet at 4:30 p.m. at our hotel in Trier for a "Welcome to Germany" meeting. Then we'll take an evening walk through Deutschland's oldest city, and get acquainted over dinner together. Sleep in Trier (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: Burg Eltz Castle and Trier

We'll begin our day with a walking tour of the historic Roman and medieval core of Trier, marveling at its Porta Nigra gate, the most impressive Roman fortification in Germany. Then we'll drive along the hill-hugging vineyards and villages of the Mosel River Valley, stopping for lunch together in the über-quaint village of Beilstein. Nearby, we'll stretch our legs with a walk and tour of mighty Burg Eltz — Europe's oldest castle still in use as a residence. We'll return to Trier for a free evening to explore more of this pedestrian-friendly town. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 3: Baden-Baden Beckons

Our destination today is the old resort town of Baden-Baden, famous for its mineral baths and games of chance. Upon arrival we'll tour the elaborate casino and take an orientation stroll through the town. You'll have the rest of your day and evening free to "do the spa" (with or without your swimsuit), wander along the shaded riverside promenade, or hike into the surrounding hills. Sleep in Baden-Baden (1 night). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 4: Black Forest and Beyond

We'll start our day with a scenic drive to the Black Forest Open-Air Museum. Here we'll have a local guide walk us through the preserved farmhouses and mills, giving some free time to linger in the past and order up a bratwurst or light German snack. Then we'll drive up into Switzerland's snow-peaked Berner Oberland country. At the end of the deep Lauterbrunnen Valley, we'll take a thrilling gondola lift up to our hotel in cliff-top Mürren, where we'll enjoy amazing views, have dinner together and sleep (3 nights). Bus: 7 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 5: Hike in the Swiss Alps

The day is all yours. You may want to join your guide for a brisk mountain walk...or ride the gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hike back down to Mürren...or take a narrow-gauge railway up the other side of the valley to Kleine Scheidegg, near the majestic Eiger and Jungfrau peaks. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 6: More of the Berner Oberland

This morning we'll witness the roaring, thundering, crashing, splashing display of nature's awesome power in Trümmelbach — a series of subterranean waterfalls that plunge hundreds of feet into darkness behind the valley's cliffs. In the afternoon you can join your guide for an optional mountain walk, or explore more of the Berner Oberland on your own. Bus: 1 hr. Walking: moderate.

Day 7: Scenic Drive into Bavaria

Today's drive is a good time to catch up on your trip journal, listen to music, curl up with a good book, or just sit back and enjoy views of pristine mountains and sparkling lakes. We'll stop for lunch on our way to the heart of Bavaria — home of fairytale castles, well-worn lederhosen, sing-along beer gardens and oompah-hospitality. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner together and sleep in Munich (2 nights). Bus: 7 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 8: All Day to Explore Munich

We'll spend our morning getting a behind-the-scenes look at Munich with a walking tour through its historic Old Town and learn about the "checkered" history and traditions of Bavaria. The rest of the day is yours to stroll around Germany's most livable city, soak up some culture at its world-class museums, or rent a bike to pedal the car-free paths of the English Garden and Isar River. Bus: 1 hr. Walking: moderate.

Day 9: Neuschwanstein and the Luge

This morning we'll drive through farming country, then take an uphill hike to tour the fairytale fantasy of "Mad" King Ludwig: Neuschwanstein Castle. We'll hike back down to share a picnic lunch together. Our bus isn't our only ride today — let's barrel down a luge course (weather permitting). Later this afternoon we'll arrive in Salzburg and settle into our quaint, flower-boxed hotel. We'll end our day with an orientation walk through the historic center, and share a "Welcome to Austria" dinner together. Sleep in Salzburg (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 10: All Day to Soak-Up Salzburg

Salzburg is a perfect town for a walking tour, and that's how we'll spend our morning: strolling under the wrought-iron signs of the Getreidegasse, going Baroque at the Salzburg Cathedral, and exploring ancient cemeteries that feel more like gardens. The rest of your day is free for wandering through Salzburg's magnificent gardens, hiking up the fortress hill for a panoramic view, or pedaling a rented bike into the countryside, singing "do, re, mi." Your guide will give you a run-down of local concerts you could sneak away to this evening. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 11: Austria's Lovely Lake District

This morning we'll make our way to the postcard-pretty, lakeside village of Hallstatt. It's far too cute for our bus, so we'll carry our bags through town on the way to our quaint hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon communing with Mother Nature on foot or by boat — or hike up to one of the world's oldest salt mines before enjoying tonight's dinner together at our hotel. Sleep in Hallstatt (1 night). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 12: Lessons of History

Today we'll drive toward Vienna, stopping en route to tour the thought-provoking Mauthausen Concentration Camp and quarry, where we'll learn about the Holocaust and lessons of 1933-1945. Then we'll follow the Danube Valley to the grand finale of our tour — Vienna — once the capital of Europe's wealthiest empire. We'll cap off our day with a neighborhood walking tour, where your guide will discuss your best bets for dinner on your own and a nearby music performance. Sleep in Vienna (2 nights). Bus: 6 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 13: All Day in Classy Vienna

We'll begin our day in elegant Vienna with a walking tour of the city's rich Habsburg heritage, visiting the Treasury that houses one of the world's most opulent collections of royal regalia. Your afternoon is free to explore a world-class museum or two, or slow down to enjoy sipping a coffee in the city where Europe's café scene was born. Tonight we'll meet for our last dinner together, where we'll share travel memories and toast new friends. Prost! No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast

It's a breeze to reach Vienna's airport by shuttle, bus or taxi. You'll have easy connections to home, or on to other points in Europe. Auf Wiedersehen!