Magic of Switzerland, Germany & France

Switzerland, Germany & France

DAY 1 ARRIVE BASEL, SWITZERLAND: Upon arrival you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel situated in the heart of the Old Town. Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon are at leisure before meeting your tour director and fellow guests for cocktails followed by a Welcome Dinner. (D)

DAY 2 BASEL: This morning meet your local guide and depart on a city tour. From the Tinguely Fountain head down to Münsterplatz, to the courtyard of the City Hall, and through picturesque medieval streets to Schifflände on the banks of the Rhine, during which you will learn urban development, historical events and cultural and economic influences that forged this city, known as the Cultural Capital of Switzerland. Afterwards continue your tour by vintage tram before having lunch in a historic city restaurant. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, or you may wish to accompany your tour director on a guided visit to the Fondation Beyeler, one of the most famous private collections of contemporary art in the world. Dine this evening independently. (B)

DAY 3 BASEL / BLACK FOREST / FREIBURG, GERMANY: Depart the hotel this morning for a full-day sightseeing tour into the Black Forest en route to Freiburg. Your first stop will be in Staufen im Breisgau; one of the town’s most famous citizens was Johann Georg Faust, the legendary alchemist and magician, who probably lived in Staufen about 500 years ago. Later proceed to Todtnau to watch a demonstration of glass making using traditional methods followed by a lunch of regional specialties. Afterwards, just outside of the town, stop at the Hangloch-Wasserfall, a magnificent mountain waterfall which is one of the most beautiful in the region. Upon arrival in Gutach visit the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof (Black Forest Open Air Museum). Farmhouses and other rural buildings from all parts of the region have been transported here from their original locations and reassembled, complete with traditional furniture, to create a living museum of Black Forest building types through the centuries. At the end of the afternoon arrive in Freiburg and check in to your hotel where you dine this evening à la carte. (B/L/D)

DAY 4 FREIBURG: This morning meet your local guide and depart on a city tour beginning with a visit to the magnificent Freiburger Munster (Cathedral), the town’s most famous landmark. The cathedral took three centuries to build and towers over the medieval streets – its spire measures 380 feet and you may, if you wish, climb the tower. Afterwards, in front of the Kaufhaus you can visit the daily market where a wide range of local produce is on sale. You will explore the picturesque streets of the Old Town where you will see the “Bächle”, little streams running through gullies, which are one of the historic old town’s trademarks. They are thought to have been originally designed to supply the city with water, and for sewage – legend has it that those who accidentally step into one of the little streams will end up marrying a Freiburger. After lunch in a historic weinstube, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, perhaps taking a cable car to the top of Schauinsland Mountain (4210 ft). From here you may enjoy magnificent views over the town and the surrounding Black Forest. Alternatively accompany your tour director on an excursion to the largest silver mine in the Black Forest which lies beneath Schauinsland Mountain. Dine this evening at leisure. (B/L)

DAY 5 EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE: After breakfast, travel north and cross the Rhine into France to visit the beautiful city of Strasbourg. Here you will enjoy a walking tour of the Petite France district with its carved, half-timbered Renaissance houses and cobbled streets. Visit the soaring Gothic Cathedral, with its pink sculpted façade and 465-foot-tall spire, the Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre Dame, a fascinating collection of religious artifacts, and visit the lavish 18th century Palais Rohan, built by the prince-bishops of Rohan who once ruled the city. After a lunch of traditional Alsatian specialties, visit a wine cave situated in the medieval basements of the city hospital founded in 1395 and enjoy a tasting of some of the best quality wines in the region. Return to Freiburg at the end of the afternoon and dine this evening at leisure in Freiburg. (B/L)

DAY 6 EXCURSION TO COLMAR, FRANCE: This morning, return to France to visit the old merchants’ city of Colmar. You will visit the Musée d’ Unterlinden and admire the stunning multi-paneled Issenheim Altarpiece, a powerful 16th century painting of mysticism and realism by the master Mathias Grünewald. Afterwards enjoy the sights of Petite Venise (Little Venice) as you take a boat trip before lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Freiburg and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner in the Dattler Schlossbergrestaurant, situated on the castle hill with views over the town. (B/L/D)

DAY 7 DEPART FREIBURG / BASEL, SWITZERLAND / USA: Transfer to Basel airport this morning for your homebound flight. (B)

Customize to Suit

The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests.  You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.

Inclusions

• Private airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 7
• Twin-bedded rooms in 4- or 5-Star hotels; hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling
• 6 breakfasts
• 4 Lunches
• 3 Dinners
• Services of an English-speaking local travel expert
• Travel by private, luxury, air-conditioned coach
• Sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges
• Portfolio of travel documents
• 24-hour emergency customer service while in Europe

Private Departures