Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head south to Dover for your ferry crossing to France. Continue through France for your overnight hotel stop just over the border in Germany at the 3
* Mercure Hotel Saarbruecken Sued. BB
Day 2 - After breakfast continue through Germany this morning via the Autobahn network with a comfort stop at the famous
Hockenheim Ring (provided there is no track event taking place at that time - TBC). The Welcome Centre has a direct view of the start and finish line and you can also visit the grandstand. There is a stylish café and fan shop. Then it's back on the road as you head to
Augsburg, one of Germany's oldest cities founded by the Romans in 15 BC. Enjoy a
tour of the old town (part walking) with a local English speaking guide for an insight into Augsburg's long and prestigious history. Highlights include the opulent Renaissance City Hall, the picturesque Fuggerei (the world's oldest social housing complex still in existence since 1521) and the impressive Maximilian Street, one of Germany's loveliest boulevards. Check into
4* Leonardo Hotel Augsburg for dinner (set menu) and overnight. DBB
Day 3 - A relaxed start today for the short drive to
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. Officially called the KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau, this was the Nazis' first concentration camp, built by Heinrich Himmler in March 1933 to house political prisoners. In total, it 'processed' more than 200,000 inmates, killing at least 43,000, and is now a haunting memorial. A local guide will take you through the site on a walking tour (approx. 2 hours) with paces to rest along the way. There is a visitor centre and café. Drive on through Bavaria for your first sight of the magnificent Alps and scenic Austrian countryside to check into your resort hotel for your 6-night stay at
3* Hotel Lohninger-Schober in the little hamlet of Hipping, just outside Sankt Georgen im Attergau. DBB
Day 4 - 8 - At leisure with four included excursions and a full day at leisure with return train ticket to Attersee and boat cruise).
The hotel is located in a rural location in the tiny hamlet of Hipping and is just a 10-minute walk to the railway halt for the regular local train services to the Attersee Lake (approx. 13 mins by train). On your free day a return train ticket is included as well as a 1 hour 10 min boat cruise on Lake Attersee. After the boat trip you may like to enjoy some free time in Attersee before taking the train back to Hipping. The hotel also offers a little tour around Hipping and the locality in its own little 'road train'
Included ExcursionsSalzburg Salzburg - one of Europe's most enchanting cities, famous as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for "The Sound of Music". A charming Baroque city in its own right, it is dominated by the magnificent Hohensalzburg Fortress, church steeples, quaint courtyards, pedestrian alleyways and magnificent buildings. Don't miss the famous Getreidegasse, the narrow lane in which Mozart was born and of course who could resist skipping and dancing through the glorious Mirabell gardens? A
walking tour (2 hours) is included for you to gain an orientation of Salzburg before enjoying time to explore at leisure
Hallstatt & Bad Ischl - Pretty as a PictureHead to Bad Ischl, the handsome spa town made famous by Emperor Franz Josef as the location of his summer residence, the
Kaiservilla, where entrance is included for a self-guided visit. Then it is off to the UNESCO World Heritage site of picturesque
Hallstatt, nestled on the banks of the Halstättersee with a backdrop of the towering Dachstein mountains - truly a photographer's delight. A return ride on the
cable railway takes you comfortably up to the Hallstatt high valley. A panoramic lift and
sky bridge takes you to a viewing platform and free-floating skywalk, 360m above the town, from where you can admire a fabulous view of the historic town centre, the lake and Salzkammergut region - breathtaking!
Lake Wolfgang & Schafberg Mountain RailwayJourney through the Salzkammergut to the traffic-free village of
St Gilgen, a place that was a source of inspiration for Mozart and home to his mother. Full of character with its frescoed houses, take a stroll past interesting shops and bustling cafes. Take a 30-minute cruise across the water to the picture-perfect resort town of
St Wolfgang where you will board the steepest cog railway in Austria, the
Schafberg Mountain Railway. In just 35 minutes, the railway rises 1190 vertical metres and on a clear day, you will be treated to a 360-degree panoramic view of the sparkling lakes of Wolfgang in Austria and Chiemsee in Germany with soaring mountains majestically framing the spectacular scenery.
Berchtesgaden & Eagle's Nest Nip over the border into Germany today to the small alpine town of
Berchtesgaden, best known for the
'Eagle's Nest', perched 1,834m high on the Obersalzburg mountain. The
'Kehlstein' lodge was infamously used by Hitler and other Nazi party members during World War II and since 1952, the building has been open to the public as a mountain top restaurant offering the most spectacular views across the region and the serene Lake Konigssee. The Eagle's Nest was originally designed by Martin Bormann and is one of the few undamaged monuments of the Hitler era. Due to its high elevation, the Eagle's Nest is only accessible by special mountain buses and then by lift. There will be a brief introduction and
tour by a local guide.
Day 9 - Today it's farewell to Austria as you return to Germany and Bavaria's second city,
Nuremberg. Nowhere in Germany gives such a powerful impression of the highs and lows of German history and despite terrible destruction during WW II, much of the city remains convincingly medieval in appearance. Together with a
local English-speaking guide explore Nuremberg (part coach / part walking) with its lanes of half-timbered houses in the city's Altstadt, still encircled by its medieval city walls. There may be an opportunity to stop at the site of the infamous Nuremberg rallies (some renovation works scheduled for 2026). Check into the
3* Park Inn by Radisson Nuremberg for overnight and dinner (set menu). DBB
Day 10 - Depart Nuremberg and travel through Germany today for your last overnight stop of the tour in the charming Dutch town of
Valkenburg, known for its historical sites, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. Your last overnight stays at the
3* Hotel Schaepkens van St Fijt on the edge of town with dinner (set menu). Just a 10-minute walk into the centre, you may like to stroll into town later this evening for a drink and some people watching from one of the many street cafes and bars. A great way to round off your epic European journey! DBB
Day 11 - After breakfast, head through Belgium and France to the port for the return to England.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION
EES
EES (European Entry & Exit System). This is the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025.
European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders.
This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026
ETIAS
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) 'Visa-waiver' programme will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.
Please note: Once implemented ETIAS will be compulsory, like a Passport. No ETIAS - No Entry. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required documentation in place.
For the latest information regarding ETIAS please visit: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias
Passport
For advice on passports when travelling into Europe please visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/