Scenic Europe
Scenic Europe
Scenic Europe
9 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Munich
Visiting: Germany, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Innsbruck, Vaduz, Lucerne, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Italy, Italian Lakes, Italian Lake District, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany, Verona, Venice, Dolomites, Andechs Monastery
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MAL
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience the essence of Europe on this Scenic Europe Tour. Immerse yourself in Munich's vibrant capital, toast in a traditional beer hall, and be captivated by the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Be whisked through breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and iconic sights. Capture the Leaning Tower of Pisa and be inspired by Florence's art. Enjoy free time to explore the snowy Swiss Alps, explore Innsbruck and its famous Goldenes Dachl, and glide through Venice's canals. Get ready to experience the slow life on this tour and soak it all in!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Munich
Location: Germany, Munich
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Munich! This morning, meet your travel group and tour leader at the hotel. After check-in, delve into the city's charm on an orientation tour. Munich harmoniously combines historic landmarks with contemporary elegance, showcasing its rich heritage and modern allure. Alternatively, discover the city on today’s optional excursion, which includes a local guided tour of Munich’s top sights and a taste of Bavarian cuisine! Tonight, forge connections with your new companions over a hearty dinner at a traditional Bavarian beer hall and raise a glass to the adventure that lies before you!
Explore Munich; the capital of Bavaria
Enjoy dinner in a traditional German Beer Hall
Day 2: Munich - Neuschwanstein Castle - Innsbruck
Location: Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Innsbruck
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to hit the road! Today’s first stop is a breathtaking 19th-century hilltop fortress that is the inspiration for Disneyland’s castle. Prepare to be awestruck by Neuschwanstein Castle's fairytale beauty on a guided tour and enjoy free time afterward to capture picture-perfect moments before crossing into Innsbruck, Austria. Set off on an orientation tour upon arrival. Then, explore on your own or join the optional excursion to experience the sparkling Swarovski Crystal Worlds! With its vibrant student community, Innsbruck boasts an array of lively bars and beer gardens for an enjoyable evening. Alternatively, immerse yourself in Austrian culture by opting for the Tyrol Folk Evening, featuring authentic cuisine and traditional music and dance from the region.
Discover the famous Neuschwanstein Castle
Explore Innsbruck at your leisure
Day 3: Innsbruck - Vaduz - Lucerne - Swiss Alps
Location: Innsbruck, Vaduz, Lucerne, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's journey kicks off with a visit to Liechtenstein, the sixth-smallest country in the world, which is nestled in the Alps. Spend some free time in its capital, Vaduz, soaking in the ambiance and enjoying free time for lunch amidst picturesque surroundings. Then, venture into Switzerland and the city Lucerne. Set out on an orientation tour with your tour leader and explore the city's enchanting beauty, characterised by iconic covered bridges like the renowned Chapel Bridge, brightly-coloured houses, and scenic waterfront promenades. Tonight, rest in the Swiss Alps, gearing up for an action-packed day ahead!
Visit Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein
See the city of Lucerne on an orientation tour
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive to Switzerland
Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a leisurely day amidst the stunning Swiss Alps, or opt for an excursion to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, for an unforgettable journey through breathtaking mountain landscapes. Marvel at the picturesque scenery as the train winds its way to the top, offering unparalleled views. Experience the thrill as the train passes through the mountain itself, culminating in a spectacular vista at the summit. Embrace the year-round snow by starting or joining in snowball fights or building snowmen, even in summer! It's an adventure you'll cherish forever. Upon returning, consider indulging in a cosy Swiss fondue dinner to warm up after a day of exploration.
Day 5: Swiss Alps - Lake Como - Italian Lake District
Location: Italy, Italian Lakes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bid farewell to the majestic Swiss Alps and travel onward to Italy's enchanting Lake District, making a stop at the renowned Lake Como. Admire the vast expanse of water bordered by charming villages, including Laglio, home to George Clooney's lavish villa. Spend the afternoon exploring the beauty of the Italian Lake District on your own accord. Indulge in local cuisine, take a leisurely stroll, or simply relax and soak in the breathtaking vistas. Experience the essence of La Dolce Vita as you immerse yourself in the tranquillity of this picturesque region. End the day with a delightful included dinner at the hotel.Buon appetito!
Explore the glamorous Lake Como
Spend a night in the Italian Lake District
Day 6: Italian Lake District - Pisa - Florence - Tuscany
Location: Italian Lake District, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Get ready for a day packed with sightseeing adventures! First, Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, awaits. Witness the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the iconic David replica on a guided tour. Enjoy a delicious lunch before delving into Florentine craftsmanship at a leather and gold workshop. Later, continue exploring at your own pace. Up next is a trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a symbol of Italy, to capture those unforgettable leaning photographs! Finally, settle in for the night in Montecatini, a picturesque Tuscan spa town. Want to see more of Montecatini? Join the optional evening excursion for further exploration.
See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
Discover Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance
Enjoy a Tuscan dinner in Florence
Day 7: Tuscany - Verona - Venice
Location: Tuscany, Verona, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's first stop is Verona, the romantic city immortalised by Shakespeare'sRomeo and Juliet. Join your tour leader for an orientation tour, followed by free time to delve deeper into its charm. Next, head to Venice, a mesmerising city spread across 118 islands, renowned for its canals, gondolas, and exquisite craftsmanship as well as a rich history and culture. Tonight, immerse yourself in the timeless allure of Venice with the optional An Evening in Venice excursion which includes a water taxi and gondola ride through its enchanting canals. Get ready to create unforgettable memories in this magical city!
Visit Verona, home ofRomeo and Juliet
Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
Day 8: Venice - Dolomites - Andechs Monastery - Munich
Location: Venice, Dolomites, Andechs Monastery, Munich
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departing from Venice, the journey back to Munich offers a scenic drive through the Dolomite National Park, treating you to breathtaking vistas along the way. Pause for a relaxing break at Lago di Landro, a stunning lake surrounded by dazzling scenery. Next, visit Andechs, a quaint monastery town nestled in the Alpine region, offering a unique feature on our Scenic Europe tour. Indulge in a hearty lunch while soaking in the countryside views, making the most of this hidden gem. Finally, return to Munich for the last night of the tour. Why not join tonight’s optional farewell dinner to say goodbye to the group over a delicious meal?
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Dolomite National Park
Visit the Monastery Town of Andechs
Day 9: End Of Tour In Munich
Location: Germany
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour wraps up this morning after breakfast. Expat Explore sincerely hopes you've had an unforgettable experience discovering some of Europe's most stunning sights. Before you embark on your journey onward, be sure to exchange contact details with your fellow travellers. Safe travels, and may your memories of this adventure last a lifetime!
What's Included
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Accommodation
8 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
8 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Health and Fitness
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
Experiences
Explore Munich; the capital of Bavaria
Enjoy dinner in a traditional German Beer Hall
Discover the famous Neuschwanstein Castle
Explore Innsbruck at your leisure
Visit Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein
See the city of Lucerne on an orientation tour
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive to Switzerland
Explore the glamorous Lake Como
Spend a night in the Italian Lake District
See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
Discover Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance
Enjoy a Tuscan dinner in Florence
Visit Verona, home ofRomeo and Juliet
Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Dolomite National Park
Visit the Monastery Town of Andechs
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination on the first day of your tour. When booking flights, keep departure times and possible delays in mind.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.