Scenic Europe
Scenic Europe
$2165
Scenic Europe
9 Days Starting and ending in Munich
Visiting: Germany, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Innsbruck, Vaduz, Lucerne, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Italy, Italian Lakes, Italian Lake District, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany, Verona, Venice, Dolomites, Andechs Monastery
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MAL
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Want to savour it all on your European tour? This tour offers a slower pace, scenic drives and unforgettable moments. Seek out the most beautiful landscapes and destinations Europe has to offer! Visit the incredible Neuschwanstein Castle and encounter Alpine mountains, glassy lakes and verdant parks. Cruise the Venice canals and dine in an authentic German beer hall! Explore the Swiss Alps and spend a night in the Italian Lake District. This guided Europe coach tour is one of our most popular tours from Munich and is a treat for all the senses!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Munich
Location: Germany, Munich
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to the first day of this Scenic Europe tour! Arrive in Munich and meet with your tour leader at the hotel this morning. Once the group is checked in, the travel adventures begin! Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Munich - a city that combines a sense of age-old tradition, folklore and a certain cosiness with sleek, modern aesthetics and high-powered industry. Then, delve into the curiosities and cuisine of Munich! Learn about its history on a local guided tour of the top sights and taste traditional treats and local beer. Tonight, get to know your new travel companions over dinner at a traditional Bavarian beer hall!
Orientation tour of Munich: Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Munich and visit top sights including Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Residenz, Viktualienmarkt and Kaufingerstraße.
Visit a German Beer Hall: To celebrate the first night of tour, visit a traditional German Beer Hall for the quintessential German experience. Sample German beer, along with traditional German cuisine including bratwurst and sauerkraut. Prost!
Day 2: Munich - Neuschwanstein Castle - Innsbruck
Location: Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Innsbruck
Meals Included: Breakfast
Let's hit the road! Today’s first stop is Neuschwanstein Castle, a stunning 19th-century hilltop castle built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, and the inspiration for the famous Disneyland castle. Look forward to a guided tour of the castle and some free time to get plenty of beautiful pictures. Then, cross the border into Innsbruck, Austria. Home to Austria's third-largest student population, Innsbruck offers a large selection of vibrant bars and beer gardens to enjoy tonight. Alternatively, choose to join the Tyrolean Folk Evening for some authentic Austrian cuisine and traditional Tyrolean music and dance.
Tour of Neuschwanstein Castle: Enter the incredible Neuschwanstein Castle and enjoy a tour of this magical structure! This spectacular castle looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale - which incidentally isn't far from the truth. Neuschwanstein Castle served as the inspiration for the famous Disneyland castle!
Visit Innsbruck: Arrive in this charming Austrian city, and embark on an orientation tour. Innsbruck is known for its imperial and modern architecture with the town square and its famous Goldenes Dachi (Golden Roof) among its highlights. This is where the modern urban environment meets the natural outdoors.
Day 3: Innsbruck - Vaduz - Lucerne - Swiss Alps
Location: Innsbruck, Vaduz, Lucerne, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s first stop is the Alpine principality of Liechtenstein, the sixth-smallest country in the world. Stopping in the capital Vaduz, take some time to stroll around, grab lunch and enjoy the scenery. Next up, head into Switzerland and the city of Lucerne. Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader and admire this beautiful city adorned with covered bridges (including the famous Chapel Bridge), brightly-coloured houses and delightful waterfront promenades. Tonight’s accommodation is in Interlaken. Settle in for the evening and prepare for a full day of adventure tomorrow!
Visit Vaduz: Visit Liechtenstein, the smallest yet richest German-speaking country and the only one to lie entirely within the Alps. Admire the fabulous mountain views and enjoy a lunch stop in the capital Vaduz. There will be time to eat, shop and see the Vaduz Castle which overlooks the capital. The castle is a palace and official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein.
Orientation walk of Lucerne city centre: Your tour leader will walk with the group through the centre of Lucerne and point out some of the highlights, such as the Lion Monument, Church of St Leodegar and the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge).
Scenic mountain drive: Look forward to spectacular views as the tour drives through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in the Swiss Alps! Today offers the option of joining an excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! The train journey itself is unforgettable, as it winds through some of the most picturesque mountain scenery in Switzerland. The final stretch of the train ride literally travels through the mountain and the view from the top is nothing short of spectacular! At this height, there's year-round snow, so having snowball fights and building snowmen is possible even in the height of summer. This is a truly unforgettable adventure! Back on the ground, why not warm up with an optional Swiss fondue dinner tonight?
Day 5: Swiss Alps - Lake Como - Italian Lake District
Location: Italy, Italian Lakes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, leave the Swiss Alps and travel onward to Italy's Lake District, stopping at famous Lake Como. An enormous expanse of water fringed by picturesque scattered villages, it's perhaps not surprising that one of the villages, Laglio, is where George Clooney has a luxurious villa! The afternoon is free to explore the Italian Lake District. Sample local food, go for a stroll or just find a comfortable spot to marvel at the incredible views. This is the epicentre of La Dolce Vita! Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel tonight.
Explore Lake Como: This is one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations visited on the tour! This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore this area famous for its dramatic scenery and luxury resorts.
Spend a night in the Italian Lake District: Enjoy an overnight stay in the Italian Lake District – one of Europe’s most beautiful settings. Make sure the camera batteries are fully charged!
Day 6: Italian Lake District - Pisa - Florence - Tuscany
Location: Italian Lake District, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Indulge in some serious sightseeing today! First, travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance! See top attractions on an orientation tour with your tour leader, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the replica statue of David! Then, look forward to an included lunch at a local restaurant before attending a leather and gold workshop. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore. Up next, head to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, a true icon of Italy. Be sure to snap some fun pictures of the tower! Finally, travel to tonight’s accommodation in Montecatini, a stunning Tuscan spa town. Settle in for the night or choose to see more of Montecatini with tonight’s optional excursion.
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa: This is your chance to see the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower!
Orientation tour of Florence: Learn more about Florence on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David.
Tuscan lunch in Florence: Sample authentic Tuscan cuisine with lunch at a local restaurant in Florence.
Day 7: Tuscany - Verona - Venice
Location: Tuscany, Verona, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today’s first stop is Verona, the city where Shakespeare set his immortal tragedy, Romeo and Juliet! Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader before enjoying free time to further explore. Then, it’s on to Venice! This unique city straddles 118 islands and is known for its canals, gondolas, Venetian masks, piazzas, art, and traditional glass and lace making. Tonight, don't miss the opportunity to explore Venice the traditional way - from the canals on an optional gondola ride and water taxi! Both can be enjoyed on the An Evening in Venice optional excursion which also includes dinner at a local restaurant.
Visit Verona: Embark on an orientation tour and take a walk around the city which provided the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Absorb the ambience of the city, and even seek out Juliet’s balcony where Romeo reportedly wooed his lover!
Explore Venice: Discover the magic of Venice, Italy’s unique floating city. Venice is full of iconic sights including St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco. For the ultimate Venice experience, join today’s optional excursions!
Day 8: Venice - Dolomites - Andechs Monastery - Munich
Location: Venice, Dolomites, Andechs Monastery, Munich
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Venice this morning as the tour winds its way back to Munich, taking in some epic sights on a drive through the Dolomite National Park. Enjoy a comfort stop at Lago di Landro, a shimmering lake which boasts dazzling scenery. The next stop is the monastery town of Andechs, something of an undiscovered Alpine gem, and a totally unique feature of our Scenic Europe tour! Take the chance to eat a hearty lunch in Andechs, enjoying the countryside views before returning to Munich for the final night of the tour. This evening, why not say farewell to the group with an optional three-course dinner at a local beer hall in the heart of Munich?
Scenic drive through the Dolomite National Park: During this magnificent drive through one of Europe's most beautiful Alpine landscapes, stop at Lago di Landro for a chance to really appreciate the surrounding countryside - and take a few photos!
Visit the Monastery Town of Andechs: Andechs monastery is the ideal place to stop for lunch. Here, take the opportunity to sample some hearty German fare such as eisbein (pork knuckle)!
Day 9: End Of Tour In Munich
Location: Germany
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Expat Explore hopes you've had an unforgettable time exploring some of Europe's most beautiful sights, we've certainly enjoyed sharing these amazing sights with you! Don't forget to exchange details with your fellow travellers before you make your onward journey.
What's Included
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Accommodation
8 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Experiences
Explore Munich; the capital of Bavaria
Enjoy dinner in a traditional German Beer Hall
Discover the famous Neuschwanstein Castle
Explore Innsbruck at your leisure
Visit Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein
See the city of Lucerne on an orientation tour
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive to Switzerland
Explore the glamorous Lake Como
Spend a night in the Italian Lake District
See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
Discover Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance
Enjoy a Tuscan dinner in Florence
Visit Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet
Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Dolomite National Park
Visit the Monastery Town of Andechs
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.
Travel insurance
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Click here for more information.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 8 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 76 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.