Our Bavaria & Beyond vacation has come to a close. Enjoy a continental breakfast before saying Auf Wiedersehen to your Bavarian "home-away-from-home". Our private airport shuttle will depart punctually at 0545 for Munich International Airport. 

0515-0545 - Continental Breakfast at the Hotel Rheinischer Hof

0545 - Bus departs for Munich International Airport

Get a behind the scenes look at the site of the world famous Oberammergau Passion Play. The townspeople have been performing the play once every ten years since 1634. That year they vowed that if God spared them from the bubonic plague ravaging the region, they would perform a play thereafter depicting the life and death of Jesus. 

After the tour enjoy a traditional Bavarian lunch and explore the many quaint woodcarver shops in the village. 

As we make our way north, it's time to say goodbye to our Italian "home-away-from-home" on Lago di Garda. Contrary to our trip down the Reschen Pass at the start of our tour, we will return via the Brenner Pass located just to the east. Enjoy a day of sightseeing as we pass by castle ruins, quaint Alpine villages, and idyllic farms with cattle roaming the staggering mountain meadows. Shortly before crossing the Italian-Austrian border we will visit the commanding Franzenfestung Fortress. Finished in 1838, the fortress constructed of granite was considered to be impenetrable during WWI, forcing much of the fierce fighting to take place in the surrounding mountains. Discover the history of the fortress during a tour of its recently opened museum. Following our visit, we will make a stop at the historic Old Town in Vipitino before departing for Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

A scenic drive through the idyllic Italian countryside with its rolling vineyards extending as far as the eye can see brings us to the destination of our wine tasting seminar. For centuries, the luscious hills and temperate valleys surrounding Lake Garda have produced some of Italy's best wines. Learn more about the region's storied wine-making history while enjoying  various local wines on this relaxing day in the countryside. 

Roman ruins and a world-renowned romance make Verona one of Italy's must-see destinations. As the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, one would be hard-pressed to find a more romantic city. Indeed, a visit to the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House) overwhelms the emotions with the passion and chivalry expressed by these star-crossed lovers in what is arguably one of Western culture's most influential love stories. However, Verona, with its history and culture dating back to Roman times, has much more to offer than strictly love tales. The city is home to one of the most well-preserved Roman Amphitheaters and outdates the Colosseum in Rome by nearly a half century! Once the sight of deadly Gladiator fights and war reenactments, the arena is still used today for the city's annual opera festival.

Travel to one of the most idyllic cities in the world. Just a short drive from Lake Garda sits the romantic maritime city of Venice. Relax and have a glass of wine in the famous St. Mark's square. Explore the many side streets and enjoy the beautiful scenes around every corner. Of course no trip to Venice would be complete without a romantic Gondola ride. 

Enjoy a day of leisure as we discover Italy's largest lake and our Italian "home-away-from-home" on a pleasant boat tour. During our cruise, we will make stops at the lake's most beloved port towns. Visit the spectacular castle and fortified walls of Sirmione. Pursue the small lanes and colorful pavilions of Lazise. Enjoy a fine Italian meal and lakeside views in beautiful Bardolino. A day spent along the tranquil shores of Lago di Garda is vacation at its finest!

After two nights spent in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, it's time to head south to our Italian "home-away-from-home" located on the breathtaking shores of Lake Garda. During the journey south, we will travel along the Reschen Pass, a route originally built as part of the Via Claudia Augusta in 50 AD. As we enter mountains of Northern Italy guests will by greeted by endless rows of apple orchards and vineyards lining the moutainside during the heart of the harvest season. Along the way, we will stop at the picturesque Lake Rechen for a visit to Italy's flooded village where only the towns bell tower can be seen projecting out of the water today. Our next stop will be the historic spa town of Meran; once a popular vacation destination for Europes' bourgeoisie of the 19th century. Sit back, relax, and see the landscape change from pine trees to palm trees before your eyes.

Marvel in the breathtaking scenery on the Mittenwald & Karwendel Mountain Tour. Explore the alpine village of Mittenwald with its ornately decorated homes nestled away at the base of the Karwendel Mountains. During the Middle Ages, the town was a center of trade sitting on an old Roman trade route between Venice and Augsburg. Learn the tales depicted in the many magnificent fresco paintings which dawn the towns medieval merchant homes. Following a walking tour of the village, we will embark on a ride with the Karwendelbahn cable car offering guests stunning views of Mittenwald and the Isar river valley below. The cable car brings us to the Bergwelt Karwendel; a telescope-shaped building sitting atop the mountain summit with an intriguing nature museum.

Grüss Gott (hello in the local Bavarian dialect) and welcome to the start of your Bavaria & Beyond vacation! Upon arriving at the Munich International Airport, your Bavaria & Beyond guides will be waiting to great you. Enjoy a complementary beverage and mingle with your fellow travelers as our group assembles at the designated airport "Treffpunkt" or meeting point. Once the group is completely gathered, we will pack up and depart for beautiful Garmisch-Partenkirchen via a private coach bus. Our "express check-in" process will ensure that you quickly and comfortably settle-in to your new Bavarian "home-away-from-home". After a short break to relax and unpack, a Welcome Reception will be hosted in the hotel's wonderful main restaurant. Enjoy an all-inclusive meal with delicious local delicacies and of course, Bavarian Bier! During the reception all the necessary information will be distributed to ensure a smooth start to your Bavaria & Beyond vacation!

0730-1200 - Munich International Airport pick-up

1200 - Private coach bus departs Munich International Airport for Garmisch-Partenkirchen

1400 - Express check-in at the Hotel Rheinischer Hof

1530-1800 - Welcome Banquet