New Year's in Munich: Germany, Italy & Switzerland

Itinerary

• Day 1: Overnight Flight

  Board your overnight flight, bound for Italy. Get ready to eat spaghetti on penne on linguine on fettuccine on gnocchi on ravioli on chocolate gelato (not literally, but maybe literally).

• Day 2: Arrive in Venice + Welcome Dinner

  Welcome to Venice, the renowned former naval power of Italy. Grab your walking shoes, a good map (like a really good map) and hit the narrow, winding, organized, yet maddeningly confusing streets. The one-of-a-kind canals have to be seen to be appreciated. Watch the gondolas, browse the shops, and eat the gelato until you can't eat anymore. (Let’s be real, you can always have more gelato).

  In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

  Today's highlights:

  • Meet an EF representative at the airport.
  • Transfer to your accommodations and check in.
  • Receive the latest schedule from your Tour Director.
  • Get oriented to the city with an introductory walk with your Tour Director.
  • In the evening, it’s time for our Welcome Dinner!
• Day 3: Sightseeing Tour of Venice (Local Guide)

  Get ready to see Venice through the eyes of a local Italian. Your guide will show you canals, an extraordinary basilica, and a staircase shaped like a snail. Have you had enough pasta yet? No. The answer is no. Eat more pasta.

  Today's highlights:

  • Enter St. Mark’s Basilica and bask in the mosaics inlaid in the golden ceiling (Crowds and schedule permitting the group will enter the basilica. If not, you’ll have the option to enter in your free time)
  • Follow the winding Grand Canal through the heart of Venice.
  • Play Marco Polo from across the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge in the city that connects San Marco and San Polo.
  • See several historic churches and amble through picture-perfect piazzas.
  • Take a water taxi back to the island, and discover what Venice has to offer once the sun goes down.

  Free time suggestions

  300 Years Old: Opened in 1720, Caffè Florian is the oldest café in the world. And while the venue may be old, their beliefs have always been ahead of their time. They were the only café to serve women during the 18th century. Nicely done, Florian.
  Jazz it Up: Looking for an intimate, authentic music experience? Venice Jazz Club hosts talented, local musicians in a low-lit, artsy atmosphere. Grab dinner, drinks, and some smooth, sexy jazz at a club where you’ll feel as though you’ve stumbled upon a magical, hidden gem. That’s because you have.

• Day 4: Travel to Salzburg via Innsbruck

  You’re off to Salzburg! This city is known for Mozart, The Sound of Music, and a big ‘ol fortress that sits high above. On your way, stop in Innsbruck, Austria, and gape at the colorful buildings juxtaposed with the jagged mountains that tower over the city below.

  Today's highlights:

  • Travel by bus from Venice to Salzburg, with a quick stop in Innsbruck.
  • Take in the fresh alpine air and mountain town hospitality Innsbruck has to offer.
  • Arrive in Salzburg and stretch your legs along the meandering Salzach River.
  • Give a salute to Hohensalzburg Castle, a must-see medieval fortress; there will be plenty of time to play knight tomorrow.
• Day 5: Walking Tour of Salzburg

  A full day in Salzburg, and so much to look at. Castles and music, and restaurants for chitchat. These are a few of my favorite things. Now go back, and read it the way Julie Andrews would want you to read it.

  Today's highlights:

  • Harness your inner Ron Weasley as you move giant chess pieces around in Kapitelplatz (Chapter Square).
  • Dip your head into the fountain at Resedenzplatz Square to find out if it's a fountain of youth. Never hurts to check, right?
  • Head to the Alter Markt, but not too fast, or you may miss Salzburg's smallest house, barely over 4 feet wide.

  Free time suggestions

  Medieval Times: Hohensalzburg Castle, which stands high on a cliff, is Central Europe’s biggest fully preserved castle and one of Salzburg’s finest attractions. It’s enormous, beautiful inside and out, and packed with history that dates back to the 11th century. Hike up or take the funicular, and immerse yourself in pure castleness.
  Compose Yourself: Salzburg is the birthplace of one of history’s most influential classical composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Visit the Mozart Residence and discover what made this guy the Elvis Presley of his time (and beyond).

• Day 6: Travel to Munich + sightseeing + New Year’s Eve celebration

  Make your way to Munich, a major center of German art, music, and innovation. It’s rated as the world’s most livable city, and tonight Munich is home to a big ole party. Head to the Tollwood Winter Festival to ring in the new year with your group.

  Today's highlights:

  • Follow a local guide on a tour of Munich’s main attractions including Frauenkirche and Marienplatz.
  • Stop by the world-famous Hofbräuhaus for a stein and a gute Zeit.
  • Party the night away at the Tollwood Festival, counting down to the new year with food, drinks, and entertainment.
• Day 7: Free Day in Munich + Dachau (Optional)

  Pull out your lederhosen and get ready for a free day in Munich. The city is yours to explore, and the pretzels are yours to devour.

  Free time suggestions

  BMW FTW: Stop at the BMW Museum for a look into BMW's past. See iconic cars, motorcycles, and other modes of transportation. The building itself is as cool as the stuff inside.
  Smell the Hops: Roam the English Garden. As you walk the 900-acre greenway (the first of its kind) grab a drink and sit in the second-largest beer garden in Munich.

  Dachau memorial site (extra cost)

  Once a typical German town, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp during World War II.

• Day 8: Travel to Lucerne via Neuschwanstein Castle

  All aboard for a scenic bus ride through the European countryside! Watch as rolling hills give way to majestic, snow-capped Alps. You're headed to Switzerland. On the way, make a photo stop outside Neuschwanstein Castle (AKA Sleeping Beauty’s Castle).

  Today's highlights:

  • Jump on the bus to Switzerland.
  • Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and snap some epic photos.
  • Grab lunch, breathe in the fresh German countryside air, and pretend this castle is yours (everything’s for sale, right?).
• Day 9: Tour Lucerne + Optional Trip up the Swiss Alps

  Today you’ll experience why people are flocking to Switzerland (and it’s not just for the chocolate and cheese). Walk the streets of historic Lucerne, and marvel at the snow-capped Swiss Alps in the distance.

  Farewell Dinner
  Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.

  Today's highlights:

  • Walk the narrow streets and take in the incredible mountain scenery with your Tour Director.
  • See the one-of-a-kind Löwendenkmal, a surprisingly impressive and massive rock carving of a dying lion, carved to commemorate the Swiss Guards who were killed during the French Revolution.
  • Walk across the Kapellbrücke—this mural-lined covered bridge was originally built back in medieval times.
  • Wander the maze-like, cobblestone streets of Old Town Lucerne.

  Trip up the Swiss Alps (extra cost)

  Take an amazing trip to the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps and soak in the incredible panoramic views.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 10: Fly Home

  Auf Wiedersehen, Freunde!
  Translation: Goodbye, friends. Your next destination awaits—home. Before you head to the airport, enjoy your last few moments together. Take one more group photo. Grab that final drink. (Fine, maybe a couple of drinks.) But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?

  –OR–

  EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

  1. Double the fun
  A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

  2. Go ahead or stay behind
  Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

  Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.