Exclusive Austria, Germany & Switzerland

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Baden-Baden & Colmar, Lucerne, Lausanne

This is the ultimate private luxury tour of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Enjoy flexible private touring of the most interesting cultural attractions and scenic destinations, including the magnificent Austrian and Bavarian Alps; charming villages along the Romantic Road, in the Black Forest and along the Danube; historic castles and palaces; fantastic museums and art galleries in Vienna, Basel and Zurich; the Baroque splendor of Salzburg’s old town; visits to luxury car factories and museums in Munich and Stuttgart; the best local shops and restaurants; and time in Germany’s finest spa town. Visits to breweries and wineries will also be arranged if desired. Accommodation is at the most luxurious hotels in the region.

Begin in Vienna. During private touring, your expert local guide will take you to the most interesting neighborhoods, upscale shops and food markets, and help you navigate the overwhelming wealth of spectacular art, architecture and history in this former imperial capital. Visit the Spanish Riding School to see the Lipizzaner Stallions during a training session or performance. See the highlights of world-renowned palaces and museums such as the MuseumsQuartier, Kunsthistorisches, Albertina, Schönbrunn (including the Bergl Rooms), the Jewish Museum and the Freud Museum. Tour architectural monuments that exemplify the best in Vienna's Gothic, Baroque and Secessionist styles including St. Stephen's Cathedral and Otto Wagner-designed buildings. Visit our favorite shops selling exquisite linens, crystal, chocolates, gourmet foods and antiques. Visit up-and-coming neighborhoods known for their designers and chefs. Taste local culinary specialties at our favorite stalls in the enormous Naschmarkt food market. We'll also ensure you have daily opportunities to visit Vienna's leading coffee houses and patisseries.

Transfer to Salzburg, opting to visit the Hallein salt mine or the wine-growing region of Wachau en route. In Salzburg, tour major cultural highlights such as the Cathedral, Mozart's birthplace, and sites related to The Sound of Music, such as the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Walk down Getreidegasse, Salzburg's most famous shopping street, and visit select boutiques specializing in local products such as trachten fabric, loden coats, pewterware, Christmas decorations, gilded glass (verre eglomise), and of course Mozartkugel chocolate pralines. Tour markets, art museums, Sound of Music sites and other historic highlights. One day, enjoy a private excursion through the Salzkammergut, a stunning region of mountains and lakes in the Austrian Alps.

Next, you'll be driven into Germany, through the beautiful Bavarian countryside, to visit Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle built in the 19th century for King Ludwig II. The model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, Neuschwanstein is a romantic vision of towers and turrets that rises out of a rocky hilltop and offers panoramic views of surrounding mountains, lakes and farmland.

Spend three nights in Munich, the dynamic capital of Bavaria. During private touring, explore the highlights of the Old Town. Visit Marienplatz to see the neo-Gothic city hall and its famed Glockenspiel. Stroll interesting shopping streets, see local gardens and browse the Viktualienmarkt outdoor food market. Visit the Frauenkirche—the symbol of the city—and the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum, if desired. Other touring options include the Residenz (the former royal palace) or the Alte Pinakothek art museum. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange a private tour of the BMW factory and museum or of the Nymphenburg porcelain factory.

Continue to Baden-Baden, an elegant spa town in the Black Forest, and stay at an elegant hotel with extensive grounds in the center of town. One day, enjoy a private excursion into nearby Alsace (in France) to visit the picture-perfect town of Colmar. During free time in Baden-Baden, enjoy the hotel’s many facilities, including a swimming pool, renowned spa and excellent restaurants. Also explore the town’s beautiful parks, quaint shops, excellent museums such as the Museum Frieder Burda, and beautiful walking paths.

Continue to Switzerland and Lucerne, a picture-perfect Swiss town on the shore of Lake Lucerne. Stay at one of Switzerland’s most impressive contemporary hotels in a room offering expansive views of the lake and nearby mountains. During private touring with your own guide, explore the highlights of the Old Town, including the Chapel Bridge, a landmark covered wooden bridge containing paintings of the city history. If desired, also visit museums such as the Kunstmuseum, Rosengart Collection or the Swiss Museum of Transport. One day, enjoy a privately guided scenic excursion in the region. Cruise across beautiful Lake Lucerne, passing lakeside farmhouses and small villages clustered below high peaks. Also, ride a cog railway up iconic Mount Pilatus for panoramic views over the lake and mountains. Perhaps opt for a lunch of Swiss cuisine at a restaurant on the mountain or go for a hike in the fresh mountain air.
                                  
Next, transfer with your private driver to Bern, the capital of Switzerland, for a private tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. Explore the historic architecture and backstreets, and take in views over the rooftops of the historic center from a scenic spot in the hills.

Continue with your private driver to Lausanne and the beautiful Lake Geneva region for a stay at the elegant Beau-Rivage Palace—one of the best luxury hotels in Switzerland—among lush parkland on the lakeshore. One day, take a private excursion in the surrounding region to visit Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland’s most interesting castle, and the Lavaux wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 800-year-old terraced vineyards that skirt the edge of Lake Geneva and offer dramatic views of the Alps. Artisans of Leisure will arrange for you to enjoy exclusive activities such as private wine tasting and a private chocolate making experience at a local confectioner.

Another day, enjoy a private excursion to Gruyeres, an atmospheric medieval hill town. Artisans of Leisure will arrange activities such as a tour of a cheese-making workshop and tasting of local cheeses, including the region’s renowned Gruyere cheese. Also, enjoy reservations for a fondue or raclette lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants. Other options include touring a renowned chocolate factory; visiting Chaplin’s World, the former house and estate of Charlie Chaplin; exploring the Olympic Museum or the historic center of Lausanne; or spending time at the hotel’s excellent spa, restaurants and leisure facilities.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world