Compare Gotta-See Europe: Germany, Austria, Italy by G Adventures vs A Grand Rail Adventure: Vienna, The Alps & Milan - Westbound 2024 by Tauck

Day 1 Amsterdam

Arrive at any time, find a comfy spot in the hostel to relax or go out to explore before meeting fellow Roamies in the evening.

Day 2 Amsterdam/Berlin

Remember booking this trip months back? Now, you’re actually on it, in the places you hoped to experience. What a cool feeling! Soak it up with an included bike tour of Amsterdam. Hop on two wheels and cruise along the city's canals like the locals do. Then, travel by train from Amsterdam to Berlin where you will have a free evening to explore this fascinating city. You could also spend the evening unwinding in your hostel. Maybe play some cards as a group. Anyone ever heard of “Pitch”?

Day 3 Berlin

Let loose today, we dare you. Why? Because it will be fun, especially with your newest pals. Get your bearings with an orientation walk with your CEO around the city. Then, it's your turn to explore the tangible history and melting pot of cultures at work here. Head straight for the Berlin Wall, walk through the Brandenburg Gate, and feast those eyes on the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. Want to try something even cooler? Rent a bike and visit the now defunct Tempelhof Airport which doubles as a beautiful park space in the city. (A best-kept local secret if we do say so ourselves). At night lounge in the hostel or witness the vibrant nightlife Berlin is known for.

Day 4 Berlin/Prague

Prague is up next, with a few treats along the way! First up on your journey is Dresden, Germany. Home to a booming art scene, we think a visit there to wander around the cobblestone streets, is a must. Explore the picturesque old town, stroll through the charming streets and take in the beautiful views of the Elbe river. Step back in time and admire the stunning reconstruction of Frauenkirche, a must-see landmark in Dresden. Indulge in the art and culture scene. Lace up those boots and set out on a small hike at the Pravcicka Gate, which happens to be the largest naturally formed rock gate in all of Europe. Afterwards, hit the road and arrive in Prague by early evening. Your day doesn’t end here, gather as a group and go on a highlight walk with your cool CEO passing must-see places like, the TV Tower of Prague, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, and John Lennon's Wall.

Please note that the Pravcicka Gate hike is unfortunately closed from November through March. During this time the group will spend more time exploring Dresden. In November and December a Christmas Market will be there for us to visit.

Day 5 Prague

Soak up the atmosphere of Prague on a highlight walk of all the city has to offer. Afterwards, hit up the famous Charles Bridge with your friends, admire the clock tower in the main square, or sit and sip a thirst-quenching brew at a traditional Czech beer hall with a side of meat and potatoes. It’s guaranteed to be a loud, lively and marvellous time! Remember, it's all up to you.

Day 6 Prague/Vienna

You're in for a day of unbeatable views! Get ready for another round of those back-in-time feelings as you stroll through the Medieval town of Cesky Krumlov on the way to Vienna. Be your own Queen (or King) of the castle as you explore 13th century ramparts with the added bonus of spectacular views. Slip into your inner explorer and see the Old Town from the top of the round bell tower, people watch from a cafe in the main square while you debate as a group where to have lunch, and then toss a coin to make the decision. Finish the day in Vienna where you’ll get to know the city as a group on an evening highlights walk. Pass sites like, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Rathaus, National Library, The Hofburg and much more. Later, kick back, relax, and have some laughs at your hostel.

Day 7 Vienna

We’re excited for you today! The day is yours, but don’t let the freedom paralyze you. We have plenty of suggestions. You could seek out famous landmarks like, The Vienna State Opera House, Belvedere Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and Vienna City Hall. Remember, we all need a little downtime during our travels, so if you need a break we get it. Grab a coffee, order a slice of mouthwatering cake and settle yourself in with your pals on a café terrace as the world moves on around you. Don’t worry, you still have plenty of time to keep finding a few world-famous museums and indulge in typical Austrian desserts like strudel or Sacher Torte. Keep in mind your CEO just might know the best secret places that will really set your experience apart from the main crowd. Ask away!

Day 8 Vienna/Salzburg

If you have a soft spot for beautiful alpine lakes that border two countries, today is going to check off all of those boxes. You’ll be able to wander around the clear waters of Konigsee, smell the fresh air, and find that inner peace that comes from being in the great outdoors. Salzburg is up next, so don’t forget to save some of that wanderlust energy! You’ll go with the group on an orientation walk of the city. Wander the historic squares and quaint little side streets of Salzburg Old Town. Climb Festungsberg Hill to visit Hohensalzburg Castle, or find the birthplace of Mozart and meet up to go to the museum there.

Day 9 Salzburg/Munich

A whistle blows in the distance as a conductor shouts, “All Aboard!” You rush to the platform, jumping on with just moments to spare. While this may not be exactly what happens today, it will pretty much be along those lines when you hop on a train from Salzburg to Munich. A city with a big heart, as charming as it is laid back, and as buzzing as it is calm will be waiting for you upon arrival. Spend time in Marienplatz, home to the Old and New Town Halls. Find the famous glockenspiel, or one of the many great beer halls, or the green dome-crested towers of the iconic Church of Our Lady. The vibe is totally up to you, have a pint, or two, or three!

Day 10 Munich

Set your inner detective on the loose in search of the best experiences in Munich. Visit museums, art galleries, lush gardens, and main squares. Learn about the history and culture and shop, eat, drink, and walk until you drop. If you need time to recuperate, opt to stay in the hostel and relax in the common areas before the group welcomes new travellers in the evening.

Day 11 Munich/Innsbruck

Get this adventure started and road trip from Munich to Innsbruck. Bonus experience of today is a stop in the quaint Bavarian town of Oberammergau. Your CEO will regale you with facts and information on an orientation walking tour. Learn about their centuries-long tradition of woodcarving, get lost in a fairytale as you wander amidst elaborately painted buildings. Search for scenes like Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. Furthermore, what’s a proper trip without spoiling yourself? Grab a sweet treat from any one of the local bakeries and savour it on the rest of the drive to Austria. Once in Innsbruck, get your bearings with the help of your CEO and spend some free time becoming familiar with your hostel and surroundings. And remember, the fun doesn’t ever have to stop!

Day 12 Innsbruck/Venice

Pile onto the bus again and head into the epic scenery of the Dolomites. Think filling your feed with crystal clear mountain lakes and snow-capped peaks. Take a hiatus from the road and stroll around Lake Misurina in the province of Belluno. Known as the “Pearl of Cadore”, you won’t be disappointed with what you find here. The mirror-like reflection of the mountains in the lake makes it seem as if you are walking in a dream. But don’t forget, Venice is the real end goal of today, so try not to get too attached to Belluno, we bet you already did. Tonight join your CEO for a nice cold beverage and see where the night takes you.

Day 13 Venice

“Oh what a night, what a beautiful night…” This tends to be the song stuck in our heads whenever a visit to Venice is on the table. Can’t you just hear that accordion? After becoming acquainted with Venice on a guided highlights walk, the day is yours, no judgments here on what you decide to do. From canals to gondola rides, and inspiring architecture, what’s not to love? The main city is small enough that you can walk it in several hours with the added bonus of getting those steps in. Explore the canals, relax in the small squares, and go cafe-hopping for coffee, pastries, wine, or all three, because why not? See Venice from the water on a gondola ride through the canals, run through the pigeons or people watch in St. Mark’s Square, take an elevator ride up to the top of the Campanile Di San Marco for panoramic views of the city below. Your only real job today is to have a blast!

Day 14 Venice/Florence

We promise your tastebuds will thank you and rejoice with what’s on the menu for today’s adventure. All aboard the train from Venice to Florence. Being one of Italy’s most sought after food capitals, make sure you stuff your face while here. Eat the city’s signature pasta and venture out of those comfort zones to sample any specialty dishes you may stumble upon. This evening happens to be perfect if you are looking to relax, eat some more (if you can), or recover from those food comas in your hostel before a quick highlight tour of the city.

Day 15 Florence

Live your best life on this free day in Florence! Grab some pals, lace up those walking shoes, and let the good times roll. Take in famous works of art hung in the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia. “Oh and ah” at the grand architectural masterpieces of the Duomo and the Palazzo Pitti, and smell the flowers in Boboli Gardens. Looking for more chill vibes? We got you covered. Walk along the Arno and over the Ponte Vecchio before eating your way through the Firenze’s many cafes, ristorantes, and gelato shops.

Day 16 Florence/Rome

Leave Florence behind and catch the train to Rome. Upon arrival grab your travel tribe and let your appetites run wild on an included food tour; cue those Italian fantasies. Sample pizza, gelato and more as you learn about the heart and soul behind Italian cooking. Get your bearings of Rome on a quick CEO led orientation walk before the night is yours. Did someone say dance party?

Day 17 Rome

Depart at any time, or keep the adventure going across the Adriatic Sea on the next leg of this epic adventure.

Day 1 Arrive Vienna

Tour begins 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Vienna International Airport to the Hotel Bristol, an elegant Art Deco landmark in the heart of the city, opposite the Vienna State Opera House. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Hotel Bristol

PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria

Day 2 Vienna Sights & After-hours at Schönbrunn Palace

City sightseeing includes a tour of Belvedere Palace, a museum housing works by Impressionists including Monet and Van Gogh, Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present, and the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings. Later, get a guided look at the immense Hofburg, formerly the Imperial Palace, now the residence and offices of the Austrian President; and St. Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and iconic landmark. Spend free time exploring the city on your own, then join us this evening for a private after-hours tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent Habsburg summer residence inspired by Versailles. Start with a typical Viennese dinner at the Café Residenz; inside the palace, your guided tour includes the dazzling hall of mirrors and the magnificent apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth. Dinner tonight is at the Cafe Residenz, a classic Viennese cafe in the eastern wing of the palace.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Hotel Bristol

PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria

Day 3 Vienna & The Danube Express

Depart your historic Vienna hotel and travel to Vienna Central Station, where you'll board Golden Eagle Luxury Trains' Danube Express, your elegant hotel on wheels for the next three nights, and enjoy lunch aboard the train. After settling in, you'll attend an exclusive private concert with sparkling wine (or soft drinks) in an intimate historic setting in Vienna. Dine onboard the train tonight as you head across central Austria to Innsbruck via the Semmering Pass.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express

PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria

Day 4 Semmering Pass to Innsbruck

Travel the scenic alpine landscapes of central Austria to the Semmering Pass, the border between Lower Austria and Styria; a journey along viaducts and tunnels brings you to Jenbach, where you'll travel up to Lake Achen, a mountain lake also known as the Fjord of the Alps. Enjoy a boat cruise on the turquoise water, over a sunken valley that wanders fjord-like for miles amid limestone peaks and forested islands. Resume your train journey to Innsbruck, the resort capital of Tyrol, nestled beside the striking Nordkette mountain range; the city was a favorite retreat of the Habsburgs, who kept a lavish residence here. Take a walking tour of the medieval old town with a local guide before dinner aboard the Danube Express.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express

PORTOFCALL : Innsbruck, Austria

Day 5 Zurich & Vaduz

Watch the enchanting landscapes of Austria's Vorarlberg province – mountain lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, villages, castles and deep valleys – unfold as the Danube Express crosses into Liechtenstein. Vaduz, the nation's capital, is a fascinating city of art, eclectic architecture, and vantage points for panoramic views. View the clifftop medieval castle that is still the residence of Liechtenstein's royal family; trails and overlooks on the grounds offer stunning birds-eye views of the city, the Rhine River, and the imposing mountain range. Ride the Danube Express to Zurich, where a walking tour includes the Kunsthaus Museum of Art; the museum's collections of 4,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations include paintings by Monet, Munch, Picasso, and Van Gogh, as well as works dating back to the Middle Ages, with an emphasis on Swiss masters. Stroll through Zurich's captivating Old Town with a local guide.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express

Day 6 St. Gotthard Pass to Lake Como

Dramatic landscapes of granite peaks, plunging valleys, tunnels, and dramatic turns fill your view as the Danube Express winds through the rugged Gotthard Pass to Italy. Arrive in Chiasso, Switzerland and depart the train, traveling the short distance to Como, Italy. A walking tour reveals charming narrow streets and pastel houses beside enchanting Lake Como, lined with stately villas, terraces and promenades against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Visit the 14th-century marble cathedral for an exclusive organ concert, and spend free time in town, then ride the train to Milan, your final destination. A walking tour of the city's historic center introduces you to the awe-inspiring Duomo, which took 600 years to build, and a no-less impressive commercial cathedral, the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II, a 19th-century shopping arcade under a monumental glass and ironwork ceiling. Or take a walking tour of the Brera District, a romantic bohemian neighborhood of narrow cobbled streets, galleries, and artisans' shops known as the Milanese Montmartre. Check into your prestigious hotel opposite the Central Station, and dine a la carte this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Excelsior Hotel Gallia

PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy

Day 7 Milan and a cascina

Drive outside the city to a working farm, or cascina, where you'll learn about sustainable farming methods and the growth of agritourismo – opening family farms to visitors and school children for recreation and education; you'll also get a hands-on cooking lesson in authentic local cuisine, followed by lunch. Return to the city for free time on your own, then join us for a farewell dinner with entertainment at a local enoteca (wine bar) and restaurant, with insights on wine-pairing and wines from a sommelier.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Excelsior Hotel Gallia

PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy

Day 8 Journey Home

Tour ends: Milan. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan to Milan Malpensa Airport. Allow at least three hours for flight check-in. 

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy