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The Castle Roads of Germany, Switzerland, Austria — 10D/9N
A self drive program which is a real medieval masterpiece! Fabled castles, charming villages, incredible vistas, there’s a magnificent atmosphere about this ten day foray back in history in the heart of Europe from the Rhone to the Danube through the Alpine scenery of Germany, Switzerland and Austria!
The Black Forest, or “Schwarzwald”, is well known for its scenery and woods that seem to stretch away to the horizon. The area is characterized by its traditional cuckoo clocks, the native costumes with big red or black pom-poms on the hat and the typical Black Forest Cake famously based on the local cherry schnapps. The forest itself is an area of heavily wooded mountains and verdant valleys with scattered villages that look relatively unchanged providing an insight into what ancient Germany might have been like over three hundred years old.
Lucerne is the gateway to the Lake of the Four Cantons Region surrounded by the Alps. Mt. Rigi as the “Queen of the Mountains”, the revolving aerial cable car up to the perpetual snow on Mt. Titlis and the world’s steepest cogwheel train on Mt. Pilatus all set the stage for highlights par excellence. A boat ride on the beautiful Lake Lucerne – with a large fleet of steamboats – is simply a must. The famous places along Lucerne’s Riviera can be reached in a short time.
Bavaria is the largest federal-state of Germany, extending from the North German Plain down into the Alps. Bavaria is also what visitors probably have in mind when they think about Germany yet, ironically, Bavaria has more in common culturally with neighboring Austria than the rest of Germany. Bavaria has an incredible variety of sights, from splendid castles and gorgeous monasteries to beautiful lakes and the towering summits of the Alps. One of the most spectacular sights in Germany is the fairytale-style Neuschwanstein Castle, perched high atop a mountain range. Bavaria is famous for beer and the lively city of Munich, home of the “Oktoberfest”. Beer is not merely a beverage in Bavaria, it is a cultural heritage, with various local breweries where beer is still brewed according to the purity regulations of 1516.
Salzburg, the city of glorious architecture, splendid churches and palaces and mansions, has a so spectacular setting, with the northern part of Salzburg composed of softly sloped hills and the southern part of the province definitely Alpine in character, that an all too short visit usually overwhelms the visitor with Salzburg’s abundance of architectural and cultural attractions and leaves him with a fervent wish to return and explore the numerous sights in more detail.
Driving along the Danube from Salzburg to Vienna, you enter the Wachau region rich in history and with an extraordinary wealth of cultural heritage. The picturesque landscapes with wide expanses of vineyards and orchards have been fascinating visitors and epicureans. The Wachau wine growing area begins just where the magnificent baroque Abbey Melk arises on the southern bank and is also one of the most beautiful river valleys. In 2000, the Wachau was declared part of the UNESCO World heritage. This unique work of art, in its entirety, extends up to the city of Krems 40 km downstream. The charming old town of Krems with its mediaeval alleyways and historical buildings is at the heart of the local winegrowing area of Krems, Senftenberg, Rohrenberg, Furth bei Göttweig and Gedersdorf, where grapes have been cultivated for centuries, in particular the Green Veltliner variety.
SELF DRIVE PROGRAMS - Probably, the best way to independently travel in Europe is by self-drive car as it allows you to be mobile at all times, to stop whenever you want, to visit to your heart’s content! A limitless number of itineraries are possible, as you can combine any of the different regions and cities to create “your own” program. All our self drive example itineraries will be customized with your choice of car and with accommodation at selected hotels, villas, boutique properties, manor houses or castles as per your preference. Take them as they are, lengthen, shorten, combine them as you desires or just use them for ideas in creating “your itinerary” to discover Europe “as you want”! If you like the tour and decide to further customize it, just let us know of your needs and desires, we will prepare the exact itinerary you are looking for.
Sketch Itinerary
- Day 1 — Frankfurt, The Rhine - Begin your first day heading from the airport to the majestic Rhine River with its storied castles overlooking the banks at nearly every turn. Prepare yourself for the spectacular views along this extraordinary waterway.
- Day 2 — The Rhine - Full day to explore the castles and vineyards along the Rhine. The villages of the Rheingau read like a wine list; Rudesheim, Johannisberg and Eltville. Then its off to the legendary Loreley Rock where sailors were lured to their doom by the song of the sirens. A wondrous day of medieval discovery.
- Day 3 — The Black Forest - Your day begins with a drive via the Pfalz area into the Black Forest and the Roman spa town of Baden Baden. Still deeper into the “Schwarawald” via the unique Gutach Falls which plunges down the mountain side in seven wild and spectacular stages.
- Day 4 — Lucerne - The drive today continues through the “Forest” via the famous Rhinefalls into the Swiss countryside and to the shores of the beautiful Lake of Lucerne.
- Day 5 — Lucerne - A day exploring the lakeside villages of Brunnen and Weggis as well as a trip up to the Rigi-Kulm on the rack railway for an unforgettable view over the surrounding lakes and mountains. Finish in Lucerne with its 15th and 16th century houses and medieval covered bridges.
- Day 6 — Bavaria - Today’s route takes you via the scenic German Alps Road to the very heart of the Bavarian Highlands and the gateway to the Royal Castles.
- Day 7 — Bavaria - Full day to explore the Bavarian villages, and three of the most astonishing castles to be found anywhere. The legacy of Mad King Ludwig and his glorification of Richard Wagner and the “Sun King”, Louis XIV, are to be seen in the outlandish castles of Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and Linderhof.
- Day 8 — Salzburg - Continue via Garmisch and the famed “Deutsche Alpenstrasse” to the city of Mozart. Here is a storybook town overlooked by a fortress with ivy covered walls, towers and turrets dating from the middle of the 14th century.
- Day 9 — Salzburg - With its beginning as a Celtic and then a Roman settlement, Salzburg has a long and fascinating history. Mozart was born here in 1756, and you can visit his house with mementos of his life and times. Musical tradition has been kept alive in Salzburg with the filming of the “Sound of Music” and sites where specific songs were performed can be visited.
- Day 10 — Vienna - Follow the Danube today as its winds its way past the great Abbey of Melk to Durnstein where Richard the Lion-hearted was imprisoned as he tried to make his way home from the Third Crusade. Arrive Vienna where your Castle Road ends and the wonderful memories begin.
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
US Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Canadian Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
