Scenic Europe

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. Tonight, get to know your new travel companions over dinner at a traditional Bavarian beer hall!

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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.