12-Day Frankfurt to Vienna & Swiss Alps Rail Tour (12R01)

Start your Frankfurt to Vienna & Swiss Alps Rail Tour with a rail connection from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Heidelberg Central Station. Heidelberg is a beautiful historic town located along the banks of the Neckar River and the most significant sight is certainly the ruin of Heidelberg Castle, which is towering above the city. Since your hotel is located right inside of the Old Town of Heidelberg it is easy to explore historic Heidelberg by foot. Your tour package will include walking tour suggestions for the Old Town. Along the walking tour you will see the Old Bridge from where you have a nice view of the Old Town and the Castle ruins above. You will also pass by the “Marktplatz” (market place) which is the main square of Heidelberg, the “Peterskirche” (St. Peter´s Church) and the historic University of Heidelberg. Heidelberg´s University was founded 1386 and it is the oldest University in Germany and with more than 30.000 students it is still one of the most important universities in Germany today. If you want to enjoy a view over Heidelberg and the Neckar River you may want to walk up to the grounds of the castle ruins or – for a small fee, take  the historic funicular up and down Heidelberg Castle.

By taxi transfer you will get from your hotel to Heidelberg Central Station from where you take the Speed train to Bern. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote about Bern: “It is the most beautiful that we have ever seen”. Albert Einstein lived here from 1903 until 1905. Don´t miss to visit the Cathedral of Bern. It is Switzerland’s largest ecclesiastical building. Construction started in 1421, the spire was finally completed in 1893. At its portal you can see a depiction of the Last Judgment. Climb up Switzerland´s highest church to have a marvelous view cross the city and into the Bernese Mittelland and the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland. The Old Town ob Bern is very scenic and it has a unique medieval character. The historic center, almost completely surrounded by the Aare River, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Very unique are the numerous arcades you will find in Bern.

After a long day you may want to have something to eat at the Schwellenmätteli, a famous restaurant in Bern. Located on the banks of the River Aare you’ll feel like you’re on an island vacation.

In less than one hour the Speed Rail will take you from Bern to Interlaken. Interlaken (Latin for “between the lakes”) is nestled between two lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It also affords a view of the worlds famous Icy Icons: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The Jungfrau – Top of Europe – can be reached by train. The tour does not include the tickets for the train journey up to the mountain since it will not be worth going up there if you have bad weather. Even in the summer time there can be days with snowfall and fog. However, if the weather is nice we recommend to go – this wonder-world of eternal snow and iceis absolutely stunning. Tickets can be bought right at the Interlaken West Station (where you arrived). Visit the Ice Palaceand its sculptures or enjoy the breathtaking views from the Sphinx look-out terrace over theAletsch Glacier, the longest ice stream in Europe, to the surrounding mountain peaks of the neighboring countries.

In the morning take the Scenic-Panorama “Golden-Pass”-train ride thru the Swiss Alps from Interlaken to Lucerne. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and an important tourist destination due to its location on the shore of Lake Lucerne – within sight of Mount Pilatus and Rigi. The train ride will be an absolute highlight of your tour, the Swiss Alps Mountain Scenery is just beautiful! Visit the Chapel Bridge: It is a 14th century wooden bridge crossing the Reuss River in the Old Town. The Chapel Bridge with the octagonal water tower is a famous landmark of Lucerne.

You will come across 17th century triangular painted roof panels lining the ceiling of this covered bridge, recounting important events from Swiss history and mythology. it is the most photographed monument in Switzerland. Don´t forget to visit one of the world’s most famous monuments: The Dying Lion of Lucerne. It was carved out of natural rock a renowned Danish/Icelandic sculptor, commemorates the hundreds of Swiss guards who were massacred during the French Revolution in 1792. Mark Twain says about the Lion of Lucerne that it is the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.

In less than one hour you will be in Zurich. As a lifestyle capital located on the water, Zurich offers the unique mix of discovery, pleasure, nature and culture. The finest culinary highlights, unlimited shopping pleasure, over 50 museums and more than 100 galleries, Switzerland’s liveliest nightlife, numerous events and countless green oases in the center of the city tempt guests to linger and enjoy. If you want to have a glorious view of the Old Town, Grossmunster Church, City Hall, the Limmat river, the University and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Visit Lindenhof, a haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of the city. At the church “Fraumunster” you can find glass windows that has been created by Marc Chagall. If you want to do some shopping a visit of the “Bahnhofstrasse” is a must. The street runs from the Main Station right down to the lake. It is said to be among the most beautiful shopping areas in Europe and with its boutiques and stores it is also known to be one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping streets in the world. In Zürich you might want to look for a new Swiss made watch but you definitely have to try a piece of the Swiss Chocolate (Frey or Lindt).

Day 6 

The direct train/coach ride from Zurich to Munich Central Station, where your hotel is located, takes a little over four hours so you will have some time for sightseeing in Munich that day as well as admission to many sights in Munich (Munich Residence and Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain) and with your tour package you will also receive walking suggestions for a self-guided walking tour through Munich City Center. Along this walking tour you will visit the Marienplatz with the New Town Hall (with the “Glockenspiel”), the Konigsplatz (King´s Square), cultural center in the 19th century and later, during the “Third Reich”, site of Nazi Party mass rallies and location of the Nazi Party headquarters in Germany, the English Garden as well as the the State Opera House. You will be able to visit famous churches like Munich Frauenkirche, “Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), with a height of 325 ft. a Munich landmark, St. Peters Church, built in the 14th century and the Asam Church, which was built as a private chapel and integrated into an apartment building. The tour will pass by the most famous Munich shopping streets (Kaufinger street and Neuhauser street) as well as by the “Viktualienmarkt”, a traditional farmers market (open every day except on Sundays). The tour will take you by the famous “Alois Dallmayr” luxury delicatessen and coffee store as well as to the Hofbrauhaus of course, probably the world’s most popular beer hall. This may be a great place to enjoy a hearty dinner and a fresh Mass of beer (one mug holds 33.8 US fl oz)!

Day 7 Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles

Another highlight of your tour will be a visit of the world famous Neuschwanstein Castle. You will be on an all-day escorted coach tourwhich will first take you to Oberammergau for a photo stop (you may want take a look at the Festival Hall where the Passion Play takes place every ten years.) The coach will then take you to Linderhof Palace, the Royal Villa of King Ludwig II. The Palace and Park were inspired by Versailles and the rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished. After a short drive through Austria and back into Germany you will get to Neuschwanstein Castle. The picture of Neuschwanstein is probably present in everybody’s mind and Neuschwanstein really

seems to be taken out of a fairy tale. You will join an English-speaking guided tour through the Castle. The tour of the interior, the Throne Hall, the Hall of the Singers, the Grotto and all of the private rooms which were built for King Ludwig II, will make the picture perfect! After the tour of the inside make sure to take some time to explore the castle grounds. The view of Neuschwanstein from the bridge behind the castle is like no other! Your luxury coach will take you back to Munich where you will arrive in time for dinner.

Day 8 Day trip (by rail) to Nuremberg

By High-speed Rail it takes more than 1 hour from Munich to Nuremberg. Nuremberg’s history reaches back to the year 1050, its name “nourenberc” translates into “rocky hill”. Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the “Kaiserburg” (Imperial Castle), towers above the Old town, which is protected by the five kilometers long city wall, many towers and gates can still be visited. The medieval Castle is one of the most important imperial palaces dating from the middle ages from the 11th century (admission included). In the Third Reich Adolf Hitlers´Nazi Party had chosen Nuremberg for their Nazi Rallies and if you are interested in that part of history you may want to visit the Documenation Center Nazi Rally Grounds which are located just south of the Old Town.

When exploring the beauty of Nuremberg’s medieval Old Town you may want to start right at the Koenigstor (“Kingsgate”) which is the gate right across from Nuremberg Central Station. From where the timber framed buildings, the Gothic Church of St.Lawrence and the Church of St.Sebaldus can be easily reached by foot. Right next to the Koenigstor is the Handwerkerhof (craft center), here you will feel like you are back in the medieval times, there are craft workshops like they used to have a long time ago as well as a gingerbread bakery. Make sure to enjoy a Nuremberg Bratwurst along with a beer or a glass of “Frankenwein” (franconian wine). In the evening take the High-speed Train back to Munich.

In about 1 hours and 50 minutes the high-speed “Rail Jet” (RJ) will take you from Munich to Salzburg. Salzburg, beautiful town close to the Alps, birthplace of Mozart is also the site of the popular movie “The Sound of Music”. Your hotel is located in walking distance of Salzburg Central Station and in the early afternoon – after you have checked in – you will join the English-speaking most unique 4-hour Sound of Music tour!
This tour is an ideal opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp while taking in local historical sights both from the city of Salzburg and also the picturesque lakes and mountains surrounding the city. After the tour you may want to walk across the Salzach River to take a look at Mozart’s birth house and the small shopping streets in the area. Here you also find a wide choice of restaurants for dinner.

Day 10 Vienna

In about 2 hours and 40 minutes the high-speed “Rail Jet” (RJ) will take you throughout Austria, from Salzburg to Vienna located in the east of Austria, close to the borders to Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The price of your tour package already includes the 48 hour Vienna Card. With this card you enjoy more than 200 discounts in Vienna, at museums and sights, theaters and concerts, in shops, cafes, restaurants and also the “Heurige” wine taverns. But most importantly with this card you also enjoy unlimited free public transportation within Vienna. Even though your hotel is located in the City Center it is great to have the option to take the subway, a street-car or a public bus. On your first day in Vienna you may want to visit the Imperial Palace, for example, the “Hofburg Vienna”, the center of the former Habsburg Empire.  The Palace was Sisi´s Imperial home and household, and the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection can be visited here. At the Vienna Hofburg you also find the Spanish Riding School where you may want to watch a performance or join a practice session and also the Old Town Hall which is close by. In immediate walking distance of the Hofburg you will find the State Opera House, definitely one of the world’s most famous Opera Houses where the Vienna Opera Ball takes place every year. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna and it is a “must see” as well as smaller churches like the “Universitatskirche” (Jesuits Church) and the “Peterskirche” (St. Peter’s Church).

Day 11 Vienna

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Vienna with your 48 hour Vienna Card. Maybe you want to visit the “Ringstrasse”, a circular road around the inner city districts of Vienna. In the 19th century the road was replacing the Old City Wall which had been built in the 13th century.  Many of the buildings you find along this road, the Austrian Parliament Building or the University of Vienna the for example, were built around the 1850´s. You may want to visit Schonbrunn Palace and its beautiful Garden. Your Vienna Card covers the fare to get there; the subway station “Schonbrunn” (subway line U4) is very close to the entrance of Schonbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the Habsburg family and home of Maria Theresa. The Rococo palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria and nowadays is one of the most visited sights in Vienna. It all started with the building of a mansion on hunting grounds in 1548 just outside of Vienna. The impressive Palace in its present form (it has 1,441 rooms!) was built and remodeled around the 1750s by Maria Theresa. Make sure to plan in some time for a visit of Schonbrunn Garden. There you also find the Neptune Fountain and Gloriette, which was designed to symbolize the glory of the Habsburg power.

Day 12 Vienna/ Vienna Int. Airport

Depending on your departure time from Vienna Int. Airport you may have some additional time for sightseeing in Vienna. By a Private Airport Transfer you will get from your hotel in Vienna to Vienna International Airport, where your Frankfurt to Vienna & Swiss Alps Rail Tour ends.