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Germany, Switzerland & Italy

Group Information

Departing From:
Chicago (CHI)
Departing:
June 15, 2026
Returning:
June 24, 2026
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"Don't listen to what they say. Go see!" As a history teacher, I love to see history come alive through travel. I've done tours in London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Greece, Madrid, & Toledo.
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Tour Itinerary (Detailed)

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Day 1 Overnight flight to Germany (Frankfurt)
Day 2 Guten Tag Frankfurt
Meet your tour director and travel to your hotel in the Rothenburg area
Rothenburg tour director-led sightseeing
Marktplatz, Rathaus
Details: Rothenburg tour director-led sightseeing
Christmas reigns all year round in Rothenburg, a jewel of a town on Germany’s picturesque Romantic Road. Beyond the year-round Christmas markets, the town boasts one of the most intact medieval city walls in Europe and a fairly unique clock. During the Thirty Years’ War, a former Rothenburg mayor was offered the chance to save the city by chugging close to a gallon of wine; he succeeded (and then slept for three days straight), and his accomplishment is reenacted seven times daily by mechanical figures on the clock in the Marktplatz -- adding a new twist to the concept of “cuckoo clock.” The enormous Gothic St. Jacob’s Church watches over the exploits from across the square.
Day 3 Rothenburg area--Munich
Travel to Munich
Hohenschwangau excursion
Hohenschwangau Castle visit, Neuschwanstein Castle and Queen Mary's Bridge photo stop
Bavarian bratwurst dinner
Details: Hohenschwangau excursion
Travel to the picturesque Bavarian village of Hohenschwangau which is located between two famous castles: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Visit Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood residence of King Ludwig II, and enjoy a hike up towards Neuschwanstein Castle for breathtaking views of the castle and the surrounding Bavarian Alps.
Details: Hohenschwangau Castle visit
Learn about the castle’s history and its significance as the childhood home of King Ludwig II. The views from the castle are breathtaking, with the serene Lake Alpsee and the surrounding Bavarian Alps providing a picturesque backdrop.
Details: Neuschwanstein Castle and Queen Mary's Bridge photo stop
Enjoy a scenic walk up the hill to Neuschwanstein Castle and over to Queen Mary's Bridge (known locally as Marienbrücke) for unbeatable views of King Ludwig II's fairytale castle and the surrounding Bavarian Alps.
Details: Bavarian bratwurst dinner
Enjoy Bavarian- or Berlin-style sausage with traditional sides, made from veal and pork back bacon (Bavarian-style), or fried pork (Berlin style).
Day 4 Munich
Munich guided sightseeing tour
Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Residenz, BMW Welt showroom visit, 1972 Olympia Park
Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit
Details: Munich guided sightseeing tour
Join a professional licensed tour guide for a whirlwind look at Munich. Founded in the 12th century by Henry the Lion, Munich now roars with the hustle and bustle of modern German life. As you pass by Marienplatz (named after the square’s gilded Virgin Mary and Child statue), mechanical knights joust and coopers dance to the folk-music chimes of the Neues Rathaus’s Glockenspiel. The twin onion-bulb towers of the Frauenkirche Cathedral frame this whimsical display, while the scents, sounds and colors of the nearby food market attempt to draw your attention elsewhere. Resist temptation and continue on to Olympiapark, a new suburb built for the 1972 Olympic Games. Pass by several museums, such as the BMW Museum, Alte Pinakothek (home to Munich’s most precious art collections), and the Deutsches Museum of science and technology.
Details: Marienplatz
Discover the area of Munich around Marienplatz, which is dedicated to the patron of the city. See the Neues Rathaus and observe the Glockenspiel on its facade. This is the fourth largest chiming clock in Europe, and stages an elaborate performance twice a day.
Details: BMW Welt showroom visit
Visiting the BMW Welt showroom is an immersive experience where you can explore the latest BMW models, learn about cutting-edge automotive technology, and enjoy the sleek, modern design of the venue.
Details: 1972 Olympia Park
See Olympia Park, the site of the 1972 Olympics. Buildings include the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Hall, and the Aquatic Center. Many cultural events are still held at Olympia Park.
Details: Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit
A grim glimpse into the past, Dachau was the first of Nazi Germany’s camps and a model for the 3,000 work and concentration camps to come. A chilling memorial to the 206,000 prisoners who were interned in the camp from 1933 to 1945, the museum examines pre-1930 anti-Semitism, the rise of the Nazi party, and the documented lives of prisoners.
Day 5 Munich--Venice
Travel to Venice via Innsbruck
Innsbruck city walk
Old Town Square, Golden Roof
Details: Innsbruck city walk
Explore Innsbruck’s Old Town (Altstadt), where clusters of rustic white-stuccoed homes trimmed in brown blend into the Alpine backdrop. At the heart of the cobbled streets stands the glittering Golden Roof, its 2,657 copper shingles gleaming above the balcony where Emperor Maximilian I and his love Bianca once vowed to stay together forever.
Day 6 Venice
Venice guided sightseeing tour
St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace guided visit, Glass-blowing demonstration
Details: Venice guided sightseeing tour
Bubbling up on more than 100 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic, Venice is an absolutely unique and unquestionably beautiful city. Step into Piazza San Marco, an airy expanse of arches, sunlight, and pigeons. The multi-domed Basilica on one end, completed in 1094 but decorated for centuries afterward, is the final resting place of the apostle St. Mark, Venice’s patron saint. The mosaics beneath the basilica’s outside arches depict the arrival of St. Mark’s body, stolen from Egypt in 828 by Venetian traders. The frothy Venetian Gothic Doge’s Palace stands next door. Continue on to a glass-blowing demonstration. Venetian glass has long been considered the best in the world, and its production was such a state secret that during the Middle Ages, any Venetian glassblower who attempted to ply his trade outside the city was immediately arrested.
Details: St. Mark’s Square
Stroll through St. Mark's Square. Bordered by Venice's greatest historic buildings, St. Mark's Square is the center of both the city and its water transportation system, as well as a popular tourist attraction.
Details: Doge's Palace guided visit
Discover the Doge’s Palace, once the seat of government and justice in the Venetian Republic. Its lavish rooms, monumental artwork, and intricate architectural details reveal the wealth and influence that defined Venice at its height.
Day 7 Venice--Lucerne
Travel to Lucerne via Verona
Verona tour director-led sightseeing
Piazza delle Erbe, Romeo and Juliet balcony, Verona Arena
Details: Travel to Lucerne via Verona
Stop in Verona to see the Romeo and Juliet Balcony. Verona is known primarily for its role as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The Montagues and Capulets were based on real feuding families, but were Romeo and Juliet real? A 14th-century house claims to be Juliet's--you can decide for yourself while gazing down at a statue of her from the balcony said to have inspired Shakespeare's famous balcony scene.
Details: Verona tour director-led sightseeing
Brush up on your Shakespeare before visiting Casa di Giulietta, where you can look up at the balcony long associated with the story of Romeo and Juliet. Learn how many versions of this tragic tale existed well before Shakespeare gave it its most famous form. From this legendary setting of star‑crossed love, continue on to Verona’s Roman Arena, a remarkably preserved 1st‑century B.C. amphitheater. Still used for performances today, it is the third‑largest arena of its kind in Italy.
Day 8 Lucerne
Lucerne tour director-led sightseeing
Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Jesuit Church, Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt Squares
Optional  Mt. Pilatus excursion  $80
Details: Lucerne tour director-led sightseeing
Before a backdrop of snow-capped Alpine mountains and green, cow-filled pastures, join your Tour Director on a trip to Lucerne’s famous sights. Weave your way through a maze of narrow, winding streets until you reach the River Reuss and the Medieval Kapellbrücke Bridge. Stop to marvel at the bridge walls, decorated with murals that recreate the 14th-century originals destroyed in a fire. Journey down the cobblestone streets in the Old Town to see the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), the somber sandstone wild cat gazing down into a reflecting pool, and ponder this artfully chiseled statue created to honor the Swiss Guards who died defending the Tuileries in 1792.
Details: Chapel Bridge
One of the city's famous landmarks is Chapel Bridge, or Kapellbrücke, a wooden bridge first built in the 14th century. It has also been voted as the 5th most popular tourism destination in the world.
Details: Lion Monument
View the Lion Monument, or Löwendenkmal, created in 1820 in honor of the Swiss Guards who lost their lives in 1792 during the French Revolution.
Details: Jesuit Church
View the impressive Jesuitenkirche which was the first large baroque church built in Switzerland. The ostentatious baroque style architecture is meant to represent the power and glory of the Catholic tradition.
Details: Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt Squares
Stroll through the picturesque medieval Weinmarkt Square and the Kornmarkt Square in the historical heart of Lucerne.
Day 9 Lucerne--Heidelberg
Travel to Heidelberg via the Black Forest
Cuckoo clock demonstration
Heidelberg tour director-led sightseeing
Heidelberg Castle and wine barrel visit, Market Square
Details: Heidelberg tour director-led sightseeing
Set along the Neckar River and framed by forested hills, Heidelberg is the classic German university town. From the lively Marktplatz, you’ll spot Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386, before heading up to the hilltop Heidelberg Castle. Damaged over centuries by war and even a lightning strike, the castle remains a romantic landmark, home to the enormous Great Vat, the largest wine barrel in the world.
Details: Heidelberg Castle and wine barrel visit
Head up to Heidelberg Castle, which is still a little wobbly from its partial destruction during the Thirty Years’ War, a 17th-century attack by the French, and a major lightning hit in 1764. The castle is considered to be one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps, and the castle’s courtyard is home to the largest wine barrel in world!
Details: Market Square
Visit the town's historical Marktplatz, the Market Square.
Day 10 Flight home from Frankfurt

Tour Fee Includes:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • 8 overnight stays (10 with extension) in hotels with private bathrooms
  • Full European breakfast daily
  • Dinner daily
  • Full-time services of a professional tour director
  • Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
  • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
  • Guided sightseeing tours with high-tech headset as per itinerary
  • Tour Diary™
  • Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
  • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
  • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.