VENICE TO MUNICH: Gondolas, Alps & Adventure

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Wednesday May 24: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Thursday May 25: Venice

Benvenuti in Italia! Arrive in Venice, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and enjoy a fast and fun transfer by private motor launch to your hotel on the Lido. Take the vaporetto to downtown Venice and begin exploring this magnificent city of canals and palaces. (D)

Day 3, Friday May 26: Venice

An archipelago carved by nearly 150 canals into 118 different islands, the incomparable city of Venice contains a wealth of sights. Ride the vaporetto along the Grand Canal past singing gondoliers as you cross under the Rialto Bridge. Arrive in St. Mark's Square where you can see the Basilica of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the old prisons of Venice to the interrogation rooms of the neighboring Doge's Palace. Then learn more about one of Venice's most famous exports during an authentic glassblowing demonstration before having time to explore more at your own pace. You'll feel like a local by the evening, when you'll enjoy an authentic Italian meal in the heart of Venice. (B,D)

Day 4, Saturday May 27: Salzburg

Enjoy a spectacular morning drive through pristine Alpine settings today. Stop in Villach to see the 14th century St. Jakob's Church and Renaissance town hall. Continue to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. You may want to gain a bird’s eye perspective of the Old Town by climbing Kapuzinerberg Hill for its panoramic views. (B,D)

Day 5, Sunday May 28: Salzburg

See the enchanting sights of Salzburg on a guided sightseeing tour that will highlight many of the city’s “Sound of Music” sites including the lovely, manicured gardens in front of the Mirabell Palace, the Sound of Music Churchyard and the stunning Baroque Dom Cathedral. This afternoon travel toward the mountains and descend into the Hallein Salt Mine, where you journey deep beneath the ground to learn more about how this precious mineral deeply influenced Salzburg’s (or, literally, Salt Town) history. Besides, you get to slide down the long wooden slides the miners used and traverse a dark lake deep inside the mountain mine. (B,D)

Day 6, Monday May 29: Oberammergau

Today journey to crazy King Ludwig’s fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein—literally the stuff of legends (and Disney dreams). The famous castle, with its many turrets and towers was opened to the public in 1886 and clings to the top of the surrounding cliffs. Continue to Oberammergau area for the night. (B,D)

Day 7, Tuesday May 30: Munich

Depart to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. This former prison camp was technically not one of the “death camps” but is still a vivid reminder of Nazi atrocities during World War II. Then continue to Munich for the evening. (B,D)

Day 8, Wednesday May 31: Munich

In the morning, we learn more about Munich with an expertly guided sightseeing tour of highlights like the Marienplatz with its famed Glockenspiel, the Viktualienmarkt food and flower market and the surfers on the Isar River in the Englischer Garten. This afternoon, participate in a Bavarian dance lesson (Pending Availability). This evening you may want to visit the tent-like buildings of the Olympic Park and join local residents in activities such as swimming or ice skating. (B,D)

Day 9, Thursday June 1: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)