An Inspiring Educational Europe Tour for students with a combination of visiting fascinating sights and learning about the different cultures, history and experiences of Europe. Student life is one of the most precious periods of mental growth, through this tour students have a great chance to get new ideas and inspirations for their future, the life ahead with their dreams to fulfill. Therefore our tour designers carefully crafted this itinerary considering the resources of History, Architecture, Music, Geology and Technology. The centrally located heart of Europe has a cluster of amazing cities with interesting routes to connect them, but they are also connected by a wealth in these resources. Beyond that, especially for adventure lovers we have plenty to choose from, around the European Alpine region of Bavaria and Salzburg. Paragliding, river rafting, horse riding and skiing are only examples of the adventure sports available in this tour. For music lovers, the chance to visit “The Sound of Music” film locations in and around Salzburg, walking in the footsteps of Mozart, Wagner, Strauss, Dvorak and more. Through this tour there is also the opportunity for the teachers, parents and students to practice German and English languages, both widely spoken in the tourism sector of these countries. This tour should be not only interesting and fun, but educational, giving a chance to grow spiritually.
On arrival at Munich Airport your chauffeur-guide will meet you in the arrivals hall. A short drive to your hotel with a chance to check-in and freshen up , then we must explore the city. Munich is the capital city of the Free State of Bavaria, a title it is allowed to use due to its history, one of the Federal States of Germany. It used to be an independent country with its own kings. The old town area around Marienplatz is very nice to take a walk, a drink or a meal. Nearby are beer halls such as the Hofbrauhaus, which are always busy, but most renowned for the Oktoberfest. Other points of interest may include the Residence Museum, the Nymphenburg Palace, the Technical Museum, the Bavarian Film Studios, the Allianz Soccer Stadium and BMW. For those with an interest in BMW, there is the Exhibition, the Museum and the Factory Tour. The factory tour needs booking far in advance. It is also possible to arrange a brewery tour. Most educational!
From Munich we head south into the Alps. Our first stop is at Schwangau to visit the castle of King Ludwig, Neuschwanstein – sometimes referred to as the Cinderella or Disney castle. This is very much the land of the composer Wagner. KIng Ludwig was a big admirer and commissioned works from him. Passing the town of Fussen we see its castle, and we cross into Austria … for a few minutes. After the town of Reutte, we pass by the lake Plainsee back into Germany, a short visit to Linderhof, another folly of King Ludwig. The Linderhof is a very nice little palace. Next is the village of Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play, but we are not planning to watch the play, we want to see the beautiful wall paintings on the houses. Then passing Garmisch we cross through the mountain pass to Innsbruck in Austria. Imperial Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol. At times it was the seat of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In addition to the Imperial Palace and Imperial Chapel, it is a short walk to see the Golden Roof, in the very attractive Old Town area. We could arrange ticket to a Tyrolean Folk Music Show.
From Innsbruck it is a short drive north down the river Inn to the Swarovsky factory and visitor centre, Swarovsky Crystal Worlds. Next we leave Tyrol by the Gerlos Pass to cross into Salzburg State and visit the spectacular Krimml Waterfalls. From Krimml we go to Kaprun to visit the Kitzsteinhorn mountain before settling down for the night at Zell-am-See, the regional capital of Pinzgau. Beside the Zeller lake it is rather idyllic as an old lakeside town with mountains all around. A famous resort all the year round.
We leave Pinzgau, driving through Pongau we pass the capital St.Johan then soon we see the distinctive castle of Werfen. This 11th century castle sits on a hill, and is open for visitors except in winter. Around the castle sheer rock faces are soaring up into the sky.High in the cliffs is the famous Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves. The castle is seen in the 1969 movie Where Eagles Dare and briefly in the 1965 movie “The Sound of Music”. From Werfen we follow the Salzach river through Tennengau to Salzburg. As we come into Salzburg perhaps a visit to Red Bull’s Hanger 7. It is an architectural wonder offering an exhibition of aircraft and vehicles, classic and modern. Salzburg City is the capital of Salzburg State, previously a independent principality, nowadays part of Austria. The old town between the castle and the river is idyllic for taking a stroll, through the old streets, open squares and interconnecting arches and alleys, in among which you may stumble across the birth house of the 18th century composer Mozart. For the evening beyond the choice of or Concert or Dinner Concert, Marrionette puppet shows are sometimes performing.
Salzburg is small but there is so much we want to show you. It is the home of Edelweiss Tours. It was the setting of the movie “The Sound of Music”. It is well known for its Festival of Music dating from 1920. Its wealth came from salt and the taxes raised from the salt. A salt mine visit can be arranged. Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest is nearby with visits possible from May to October. Museums of note in Salzburg are the Mozart Birthplace and the Mozart Residence, two distinct and separate but complimentary museums, and the Natural History Museum, one of the most visited in all Austria. Salzburg’s castle is most visit worthy but does need a few hours.
Our trip to Vienna could be direct with the motorway, or take the first section through the Lake District passing the lakes Fuschl, Wolfgang and Traunsee, or the last section from Melk Abbey through the Wachau. The Wachau valley runs along the banks of the Blue Danube, with its Apricots, Grapes and Wine, and the legend of Richard the Lion Heart. For archeological enthusiasts it was near Willendorf that the 30 000 year old “Venus” was found. It is now kept in the Natural History Museum in Vienna.
Depending on our arrival time in Imperial Vienna we may be able to see some of the sights today. A good way to start is with an orientation tour around the central district, especially on or within the ring road, the line of the old city wall. Even the museums look like palaces but the special buildings more likely to catch your attention are the Parliament, Town Hall, the Opera House, and the Imperial Palace. The Cathedral is inside the ring in the heart of the old town, a great place to stroll and window shop. There are many traditional cafes and restaurants, but there is also the Naschmarkt snack market with a huge variety of diverse goodies to try whether traditional or local, foreign or exotic.
This is the city of Mozart’s latter years and of Strauss of the Blue Danube Waltz fame. For the evening tickets for a concert or opera could be arranged.
If a visit to Schonbrunn Palace is to be made then best first thing in the morning, before heading east following the Danube on to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. Hungary has a long history, often connected to its neighbours, especially Austria. It was a part of the Holy Roman Empire, then the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and latterly the Soviet Union. There is much to see in Budapest so better not to delay but if temptation can not be resisted, there is the Designer Outlet Shopping Centre at Parndorf .
Budapest is divided by the river Danube into Buda and Pest. We can start with Buda, up on the castle hill with views over the river, its bridges and the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion, a lovely area for sightseeing and strolling, and with a chance to have lunch before descending upon the river with its Chain Bridge and the Parliament building, and we take the classic old street Andrassy Avenue out to Heroes Square.
For the evening beyond the choice of Dinner or Concert there could be a Danube River Boat Cruise.
Today we are going from the Hungarian capital to the Czech capital via the Slovakian capital. Slovakia has not often experienced independance, often dominated by its neighbours the Holy Roman Empire, then the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary, and latterly the Soviet Union and the Czech Republic. Under the umbrella of the European Union it has been independent since the Velvet Divorce of 1993. Bratislava is another Danube river city, previously known as Pressburg or Poszony. We will make an orientation tour of Bratislava. Highlights include palaces and castles, churches, parks and squares.
Arriving in Prague we find it is another city split by a river, but this time the river is the Vltava. Again the castle is up on a hill, with the city on both sides of the river, and its nickname: the City of a Hundred Spires. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia. Though more often Innsbruck or Vienna, Prague was sometimes the seat of the Holy Roman Emperor. The castle on the hill, the Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock are special sights to see.
A famous Czech composer was Dvorak, so looking for an evening entertainment, including some Dvorak would be most apt, whether on a River Boat Cruise or not.
We are leaving the Czech Republic to enter Bavaria of Germany. We will pass the city of Pilsen which gives its name to the beer, brewing since the 13th century, should we stop to sample the brew? Then over the border into Germany. We could make a short visit into Regensburg, another Danube River City, especially to see the 12th century stone bridge – 310m long!
On arrival in Munich priorities should be considered: what is left to do? Munich is where we began, is something left undone? For the evening options may include a traditional beer hall or beer garden.
Depending on your departure time we can build a plan of action. Should we take time for souvenir hunting? A last minute sightseeing spot or just a little free time at leisure? Then your chauffeur-guide will escort you to the airport and send you off home laden with pictures, souvenirs and memories, and inspiration for the future. Think back over these days, are your thoughts concentrated in your mind? Have you developed a new road map for the life ahead? These things take time but we hope we have created clarity. We look forward to your next visit.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Please LOGIN to write a review about our service