Best of Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 14 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, we did a LOT more things than we possibly could have done on our own. Being part of a group works extremely well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one. Michael's tour of Munich, Gerard's tour and the 3rd Man Museum in Vienna, Piz Gloria, Schwarz Monch beer, Lake Hallstatt in the moon light all make the list."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great! We enjoyed our guide, Thomas Kreiseler, and all the places we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several “wow” moments; some were the hotels we stayed in, and more the places we visited. Top wow moments were the Black Forest visit and luge ride, the beautiful Baden Baden, seeing the three top peaks of the Schilthrorn, and Lake Hallstatt in the fall!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was magical and exceeded our expectations. Thomas was an extraordinary host/guide. What an ambassador you have in him. He was so genuine and his ability to develop relationships and influence experiences on an individual level was such a gift. The knowledge/history that he shared, throughout the tour, was insightful and presented with energy and enthusiasm. Henry, the bus driver, was fantastic and he and Thomas had great chemistry.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments. Hiking in the Alps was an incredible experience and our stay in Murren proved to provide a gateway to adventure and so many memories. Spending time in Hallstatt was awe inspiring and peaceful. The walking tour in Munich and the art museum tour in Vienna were fantastic. I could go on and on."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

History, culture, amazing food, beautiful hotels with an exceptionaly prepared guide and bus driver to weave us in and out of big cities and the smallest of villages has been the most wonderful relaxing trip of a lifetime. Our guide Thomas, with his contagious smile and positive attitude gave us the courage to ask questions and try new experiences throughout our trip. We learned so much and were given the gift of beauty in the cities and mountains with sights of fall in motion.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Riding the gondola to our hotel in Murren was a breathtaking experience. The fall colors had just begun and the colors of orange, red and yellow were peaking out of the green rolling hills. Our guide Thomas was pointing out small farms and animals as we went up, up, up to the beautiful village."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized. Well-informed and entertaining local guides. Tour leader and driver were both outstanding. Fellow travelers were delightful, fun companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I mainly booked this tour to see Vienna and Salzburg but our time in the Swiss Alps was an unexpected treat. The mountains, the waterfalls even the cows. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had high expectations and those were met. Thomas was very responsive and helpful. He was excited to see us all happy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip up to the Schilthorn. The stay in Mürren. Trümmelbach Falls. Our walking tour of Munich especially Michael. Burg Eltz. The beautiful Neuschwanstein. Salzburg. The Third Man Museum and Gerhard. Okay. I could not pick ‘one’. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first time going on a tour, I was nervous at first but Thomas and Henri made me feel comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the gondola ride up to the hotel in Switzerland and Baden Baden with the hike up to the abandoned castle. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 6th RS tour and what really stood out was the phenomenal beauty- Bavaria, Austria and the Lauterbrunnen valley were the most beautiful places I’d ever seen. The itinerary included a good mix of big city museums, castles, and smaller stops that are typical of Rick Steve’s. Our group was amazing and our guide Thomas was phenomenal, full of historical knowledge and context; I feel like I came away with an appreciation of different European perspectives, historically and culturally.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Waking up to the cow bells in Mürren! Turning a corner on a little hike and seeing Burg Eltz rising through the fog! Lunching in a beer hall in Munich with the band playing, singing and drinking beer! Seeing picturesque Lake Hallstatt from the boat! Listening to Mozart chamber music in the Salzburg fortress! Hearing eccentric Gerard’s description of post war Vienna at the Third Man Museum! There were so many WOWS for me!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour included a wonderful balance of splendid city experiences in Cologne, Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna; awe-inspiring scenic beauty in the Swiss Alps and Lake Hallstat; plus visits to 2 castles, an open-air museum of 17th century Black Forest homes and barns, and a contemporary organic dairy farm. Our tour guide, Michael, and the local city tour guides provided excellent historical context which gave us a deeper appreciation of the places we visited. The tour exceeded expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"During our free time in the Swiss Alps, we hiked the North Face trail with another couple on the tour. The trail wound through an alpine valley with cows, cowbells, majestic vistas, and a pension for a lunch stop. After lunch we took the 'more challenging' (per RS guidebook) branch of the trail because 'why not?' Switchbacks through a forest to a waterfall; then the trail led BEHIND the waterfall! Standing behind waterfall spray surrounded by the Alps - Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I booked this tour particularly for seeing the area of Germany where my ancestors came from, including the Black Forest area and wanting to see Austria as well. Switzerland is a beautiful country and I wish there was a second location there instead of 3 days in Murren. More time at the outdoor museum in the Black Forest would have been welcomed and time to explore Beilstein which was absoluting stunning! I was pleased to hear that changes are coming to the itinerary for this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not one in particular for this tour. Many of the vistas were truly stunning!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great Tour Guide; very knowledgeable and attentive to my tour needs. Michael was helpful with change in train reservations from Vienna to Frankfurt although trainn service was complicated and uncomfortable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"traveling to the top of Schlittenhorn and seeing the Eiger, Matterhorn, and the Jungfrau. And spending time in Murren. Also my Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg (Bob's Tour)"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well organized. The tour guide was very good. Lots todo with right amount of free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Munich,and Salzburg."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful, the group we traveled with, the tour director, the bus and driver were all excellent. I loved the locations that we visited and the view of the countrysides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Schilthorn and hiking in the Alps at Murren in Switzerland was spectacular! I loved the setting, the mountains, and the hotel. It was a wonderful place to visit and stay in."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. It started with our guide Michael. He was fantastic and just a wonderful guide. He was very helpful in everything we did. The cities we visited were all very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were 2. Lake Hallstatt and Murren. They are both beautiful. The alps in Murren are just awesome. Everywhere you look is a photo opp. Lake Hallstatt was a great little town. So scenic and the leaves were turning. The boat ride across the lake was great. Only issue was the rain but even with that we still explored around the town. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was outstanding including our tour guide Michael. We saw so many things and learned so much of the history of each area We visited. Our group couldn't have been nicer and we all became friends very quickly. Couldn't have been more pleased.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching a concert in Salzburg and Vienna and realizing that we were watching some of the top musicians in the world at that moment. Also standing on the summit of the Schilthorn in Switzerland on a sunny cold morning. Beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed exploring the region along with learning the history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Muürren and the Swiss Alps. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was excellent and went above and beyond to help us have a wonderful trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and the Swiss Alps. And the art museum in Vienna was also a big wow."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had an excellent time on our tour of Germany, Switzerland & Austria. Our tour guide Michael was extremely knowledgeable, kept us all in line & enhanced our travels with music & humor. Our tour group was fantastic with everyone staying engaged and adventurous. I just can’t believe how many interesting sites we visited. Certainly, a trip of a lifetime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely taking the Gondola to the top of the Schlithorn @ 10,000 ft & the breathtaking views of the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau peaks."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great group and fantastic guide. The tour was ideally planned for getting the most out of our travels. I could not have been happier with The Rick Steve's tour of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but I would have to pick both Switzerland and Hallstatt as my personal favorites. I loved every minute spent in these locations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great first trip, a lot to see, guide was helpful explaining history of each area

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mountains in Switzerland were best part of the trip "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I'm a "repeat" Rick Steves tour member---this was my ninth tour since 2007. Each trip has been unique and provided new awareness of just how little we non-travelers had been missing. As promised, the exposure to each country's unique history, geography, cultures and the people living there---amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Trummelbach Falls were amazing, powerful, NOISY and obviously impressive!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I feel that our tour guide, Michael, made this trip so enjoyable. He is so knowledgeable, witty, and caring. He made sure we were all safe and tended to. Our food at each hotel was delicious , and the overall experience was mind-opening. The trip was much more than I had expected and will not take another tour other than Rick Steves. (Will also check to see if Michael is the Guide!)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Swiss Alps for the first time!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Michael did an awesome job preparing us for each new adventure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't just pick one! Enjoyed the entire trip and just wish we had more time!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Traveling through Southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria was fascinating by itself; but, our travels were expertly tied together (historically, musically, art & architecture and current events) by our guide, Michael. Describing himself as a British, German European he was able to tie events from the distant past to the relevance they evoke in today's central Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting The Third Man museum in Vienna was my "wow" moment. I'm wowed by the fact that Gerhard Strassgschwandtner and Karin Hofler have established a privately funded museum to expose and tell the story of aspects of WWII that were previously not exposed or were untold. A visit to this museum is a hallmark example of what sets a Rick Steves tour apart from the format used by other tours. I always learn more about history and its relevance to today's world with Rick Steves. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide and a wonderful "survey" across three countries. The tour participants meshed well and all were prompt and there were no "grumps." The itinerary was physical (as described) but we enjoyed the days where we had time on our own to explore at our own pace. The local guides were excellent, and we enjoyed the added "extras" such as musicians in Mürren and a coffee shop stop in Vienna. Group meals were excellent. Bus driver was also great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the top of the Schilthorn in the Alps; we caught a break in weather and could see other mountain ranges. The Piz Gloria was a great experience, and the 007/James Bond museum was lots of fun!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely incredible time from start to finish

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Top of the Schilthorn"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Jutta was excellent! We always like how our guides and location guides are so knowledgeable and helpful. We also like that our itineraries are planned -- this save us a lot of effort. The hotels we also excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We LOVED the bobsled ride. We enjoyed the quaint village restaurant on the Mossell. We were astonished to see the waterfall in the mountains in Switzerland. We loved the story-book lake towne Fallstaff "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, nice hotels, interesting sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really like the city Guide in Munich"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide and tour group. Great to experience Octoberfest in Munich

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending our time in Mürren. Hiking the trails in the Swiss alps and visiting Piste Gloria."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was strenuous but manageable with viable options for everyone. A great group of travelers, a super driver, and an excellent tour guide made the trip all we had hoped for. This was our 12th RS Tour lived up to our high expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The time spent in Mürren was the biggest Wow among several. The ability to do easy hikes in a beautiful setting with sunny skies was a highlight. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Matthias, was phenomenal! He educated us on the history of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, provided guidance when we needed it, encouraged great group discussions as well as arranging knowledgeable tour guides in the Black Forest, Cologne, and Munich.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When Matthias sang O Sole Mio for a fellow traveler on her birthday!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the other travelers on the bus. Everyone was upbeat and I was so impressed with the people we met. Wouldn't change a thing. Loved the hotels and the ability to open the windows. Our host did a great job picking the best restaurants and surprising us with treats now and then.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going in the salt mine in Hallstat. (spelling?) I loved the use of the "whisper" especially on this walk. I love history and found this to be very informative. Going in the mine and down the slides was scary, but exhilarating."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fabulous first Rick Steves Tour experience. While the pace was fast we were never hurried and our group of fellow pilgrims were awesome. Yes, it was a vacation and yes it was so so much more. Our guide, Mattias is so knowledgeable and kind. His life experiences plus his love of history in addition to his exceptional story telling truly set the stage as we went on from adventure to adventure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Prior to embarking on this vacation I was so very excited about experiencing Hallstatt and while this beautiful little hamlet was a highlight there were more. Our adventure in the Swiss Alps was magnificent. From beautiful Murren to the breathtaking view at the Schilthorn was every bit a highlight. We sat on the bench outside of Walters Hotel in Gimmelwald WOW and drink a dark beer in the local Biergarten. All I can say is WOW Baby! Mauthausen was so real. Yes there is so much more! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a tremendous time. Well organized. accommodations were, overall, very good. Both our primary guide, Matthias, and the site specific guides were great. Both our bus driver and the bus itself were fantastic. This was our third tour and, like others, we found it very educational. We were often worn out by the end of the day and by the end of the tour, but this was expected. Part of the experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While there were plenty of WOW moments, I would probably rank the visit to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp at the top of the list. This was not a feel-good experience, obviously, but brought great depth to the trip and helped us to better understand the suffering that transpired during World War II."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall it was a great tour. The places we visited were beautiful and also thought provoking, and every day I wished we had more time to spend there. It did seem like we were more rushed on this trip than on previous trips. I think because we traveled to three countries, we spent more time on the bus going from one place to another. That meant we had less free time. We also started our days very early - on the bus by 8 am every day. It was not a relaxing vacation!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps were amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide. Matti was knowledgeable, passionate, and considerate of all of our group members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and the Swiss Alps. Absolutely the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was an example of the value of continually refining tours; it was our 3rd GAS tour in 14 years. All the small tweaks made a big difference in our experience, the hotels, the group activities and meals, and local guides. The many options for each destination weren't overwhelming, just provided reasons to return. As always, the logistic of the tour seemed to run smoothly, very few surprises.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I love watching the sun come over the peaks from Murren! As a bonus, a few cows were still in the high pastures adding the magic of cowbell. Sharing the view from the top of the Shilthorn with dear friends from the flatlands was great fun! Stunning, in another way, was Mauthausen; so prescient at this particular moment in history. Finally, walking 55 miles aided by walking sticks on a messy knee (since surgically replaced), including Neuschwanstein and Burg Eltz, was a huge personal "wow." "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and we had never actually planned to take one. But our friends, who had taken two other Rick Steves tours, invited us to tag along. We accepted their invite and am so glad we did. Loved our experience traveling through Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, Switzerland, and its epic peaks and breathtaking gondola rides. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third RS tour and this exceeded the expectations (AGAIN) of my wife and I. The sights we saw were exceptional (you can not take a bad picture in Switzerland even if you tried). The tour had the right amount of personal time, education, history, and experience, making it a solid RS tour. We took a Viking tour early in the year and while the excursions were good, we realized that we are spoiled from RS tours. We will be booking another RS tour soon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can narrow it down to three - Experiencing German Oktoberfest in person can not be adequately described! Baths in Baden-Baden a total nude and refreshing experience. 3rd Man exhibit with Gerhard was totally unexpected. That's what I like about RS tours - you always manage something special just around the corner when least expected. Also the guides make it really special with their knowledge and experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Awesome tour/itinerary and excellent guide (Ruby). If I were to rewrite the tindery and be particular, I'd say it would be great to skip Cologne and spend more time in Baden-Baden, Switz, and or Vienna

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great, fantastic

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oktoberfest in Munich, town of Salzburg"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was Amazing from start to finish! We saw and did so many things throughout Germany, Switzerland & Austria. I was really looking forward to hiking in the Swiss Alps and that did not disappoint! We had the perfect weather throughout our whole trip. And our tour guide, Thomas, I felt went above and beyond.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Murren was my WOW moment! We also ate lunch together in Beilstein, Germany along the Mosel River, after touring Burg Eltz castle. Such a cute quaint little town. Hallstatt, Austria was just charming too."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary with great tour guide, bus driver and fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, Switzerland area."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Knowledgeable guide, good group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and the alps"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A fantastic 14 days!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, The Schilthorn and Hiking in the Swiss Alps!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was wonderful. I loved having both a mixture of cities and nature in the tour. I did think some places we went were too rushed but we would not have seen so much in two weeks if it was slower paced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Mürren and Hallstatt. But was surprised by how beautiful the Moselle Valley was. I would have loved to have had more time there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, Thomas was a highlight. Hotels were nice, cities were great but the travel time from Cologne to Burg Eliz and then travel back the next day was too much. Murren is a great stop, glad we had 3 days there but could use more time in Hallstatt and Baden-Baden.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schilthorn, and the beauty of the Alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved this format of having a guide for 1/2 the day and then time on our own to explore. A mini history lesson on the longer tour bus days was also appreciated. Thomas should be commended for his knowledge of the area, good sense of humor and unfailing good humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cologne Cathedral was incredibly beautiful and historic."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thomas was a wonderful guide, keeping us well informed and a fun anticipation for what was upcoming , lots of Oh Wow monents

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Murren in the Swiss apls"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great. Everything was so well organized and it all went very smooth.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen valley. Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Rick Steve's tour to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland was an unforgettable journey! It perfectly combined rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures. From the start, our guide Bryan and Martin had us on a well-organized itinerary that maximized our experience in each destination with plenty of free-time to explore on our own. I really enjoyed the many conversations with Bryan and Martin that helped educate me on Germany and the surrounding countries. Highly recommend!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Raising a stein at Oktoberfest - Prost! Hiking in the breath-taking Switzerland Alps! Hearing the melody of the cow bells! Thought provoking conversations with Bryan on Germany and the surrounding countries. Tips over coffee with Martin about my Rick Steve's tour to Scotland next year! But BEST OF ALL... creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences and lasting memories with my friends!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was fantastic. I gave us a taste of all three countries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While staying in Mürren, after a light, unexpected snowfall, riding the tram to Schilthorn and seeing the snow-capped mountains was my "wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was fantastic. We got a taste of the history and cultures of the countries, and enjoyed it all with our great guide and tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren, Schilthorn and the fortuitous snow-capped Swiss Alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th RS tour and as always it was great. A nice mix of urban tour spots in Munich and Vienna and jaw dropping beauty in the Swiss Alps and Lake Halstatt. Great hotels close to all attractions and meals at local restaurants to sample local cuisine. Comfortable bus transportation and plenty of free time to enjoy sites on your own (or recover from seeing all the others). And the usual small group of avid and entertaining fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Always the toughest question on these surveys since there are so many great moments. But the "wow" moment would have to be the awe inspiring view from the Schilthorn, adorned with a fresh layer of snow, on a clear and sunny day, including a distant Mont Blanc on the France-Italy border. Or walking on the high-wire suspended 1000 feet over the Alps in Birg. Or flying down the mountain on a summer luge run. Or Berg Eltz and Neuschwanstein castles. Or, or...."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour is extremely well run.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moments were in Murren, Switzerland and walking to the nearby villages. It helped that it snowed."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First of all, our tour guide Andrea was fantastic! Her knowledge of every area we visited was outstanding, and her descriptions really brought everything to life. The tour itself is packed with such a wide range of activities, from cities to countryside - we even got to experience an outdoor luge sled course. So fun! The tour is described as “very active”, and be prepared if you go - it is!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren! The beauty of the Swiss Alps and Lauterbrunnen Valley was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The primary variable of any tour is the guide. I found our guide to be highly informative and knowledgeable about our tour destinations and life in Germany. Jim has lived in Germany for about 20 years. I always like to understand the differences between the USA and the country we are touring. I was surprised that Cologne was included in the tour. I expected more of this city but it was a bit of a letdown. I also understand it is being removed from the itinerary. Great local guides.😊

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the alpine village of Mürren in Switzerland was my favorite moment. Since you need to access the village via gondola, it separates you from the hustle and bustle of tourism. Small villages and towns are my favorite destinations in Europe in general. Plenty of hikes were available in Mürren and it was a great place to unwind or take another gondola to the Shilthorn. I would go back to this village over and over."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was really good. Seeing all the castles and cathedrals was amazing. I especially enjoyed Neuschwanstein castle and our "Sound of Music" tour in Salzburg. The only dampener was the weather. It was unexpectedly cold and rainy - very rainy. I think everyone under-packed for such weather. On the up-side, I now have a really nice German wool scarf and Swiss gloves! All said, it was an unforgettable adventure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly the "wow" moment was our tour guide, Jim. What a well-prepared, congenial, positive, and informative person he is! I was especially impressed with his selflessness; spending a lot of his free time with the tour by organizing ad-hoc adventures - even making the effort to buy (and cut-up) Swiss cheese for us on a hike to Gimmelwald. He always had an attitude of wonder and excitement that I hoped a Rick Steves' guide would have. He is so kind, especially to grumpy me. He was the WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Jim, did an excellent job of sharing the history of the places we were to visit which really increased both our enjoyment and understanding. The hotels and food felt representative of the area and were delightful. Amazing side trips too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved hiking the North Face Trail in Murren, Switzerland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good tour, James was a great guide, great recommendations not in the guide book. Good group of cooperative and friendly people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schilthorn was awow moment, also hiking in the Alps, Trammelbach falls , Luge ride "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed the variety of sights and experiences on this tour, including cathedrals, beer halls, castles, the lovely Mosel river valley, Baden-Baden spas, Swiss mountain trails, a visit to a small, working dairy farm, history lessons and sights (including the quirky and insightful 3rd Man Museum in Vienna), and art museums. Our guide, Jim, took great care of us!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many to choose from, but my favorite was probably the mountain scenery in Murren, Switzerland. Spectacular beauty. Loved staying up in the mountains in Murren, the view from the Shilthorn, hiking the trails while listening to cowbells, taking the cog rail train to the base of The Eiger."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first Rick Steve’s tour and it was AMAZING. I will be back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a different “wow” moment every single day! Coming up on the castle in Burg Eltz, stepping into every cathedral, the farmers markets in Munich, the hotel in Salzburg, Neuschwanstein castle, the picturesque Hallstatt…do you see how I can’t choose just one?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, we just loved Ruby our guide and Will our driver! They made it so much fun on and off the bus. We enjoyed everyone in our group. Everyone had an amazing attitude even when we got 5 straight days of downpour. We decided all the rain really helped to bond us. We so appreciated all the great information provided by Ruby and the local guides in all the places we visited. So worth not having to do so much planning and research on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely being in Murren and seeing the Alps. Every view was breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great Guide, Ruby, lead us on a memorable tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps and riding the cable cars around Mürren "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Bad weather affected half the tour: Austria had incessant rain and gale force winds. So unable to comment on Austria. Switzerland as awesome with it's scenery and an encounter with young family from Germany who were herding cows and making cheese for the summer in the alps. We did not spend enough time in Munich- needs at least 3 nights - felt very rushed for time as we hurried to see at least 2 of the highlighted sites. I would skip Baden Baden for more time Munich. Great tour mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery in Switzerland. Remember Austria was washout for us due to the weather"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the overall experience was positive...driven by an outstanding Rick Steve's tour guide in Ruby and excellent bus driver in Will. I learned more about Germany and Austria than I know before and was impressed with the scenery, Ruby was well informed and educated us on every stop along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps and stay in Murren. Also "wowed" in a sad way with the concentration camp visit and the horrific acts that took place there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour gave us a good taste of all three countries. If I ran the world, I’d eliminate Baden Baden and add an extra day in Munich. Only a few tour members went to the spa, but all of us felt our time in a Munich was rushed. We had a really wonderful group of people and our tour guide, Ruby, was fantastic! We unfortunately encountered “Hurricane Austria” for the last 5 days of the tour. Gale force winds and horizontal rain made for a miserable experience, but overall loved the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren and the Schilthorn! Switzerland is beautiful and we were lucky enough to have gorgeous, sunny weather in the Alps"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Doing the North Face trail in Switzerland. The vistas were spectacular. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 5th RSTour and I wouldn't do it any other way! I can guarentee that there will be nothing to worry about on a RSTour. I invited my friends to join us and they've already booked another tour for Fall 2025.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult to pick a favorite. I loved Switzerland, Piz Gloria, the Thrill Walk. I've done it before but wanted my husband to experience it. Lake Hallstatt was beautiful. It's unfortunate that we had torrential rains. I've never seen anything so wild wet and windy! This made Austria a mess."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th RickSteves tour.We have been very fortunate to have some of the best guides.Ruby ranks up there with them.Our group was so blessed to have a most exceptional, gracious, fun, & knowledgeable guide in Ruby.Ruby was generous with her time & she excelled in creating a spirit of comradery & kindness between all the travelers.Ruby prepared us to encounter the language, & the culture with openness & joy.Ruby appropriately cautioned us with regard to our safety with traffic/bicyclists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite "wow" moment was Switzerland and the stunning Schilthorn encounter! We loved hiking in the Alps above Murren. What a gift to encounter the lush green meadows and the bell-ringing cows. Again Ruby gave us all excellent individualized advice and guidance as to the challenge of each hike and the distances. (with maps!) Wow! Wow! Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour guide and wonderful group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Murren. Beautiful place. Easy to navigate. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was very pleased with the overall tour experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The natural beauty and community of the Swiss Alps in Mürren. The historical and cultural relevance of the black forest open air Museum"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is our fifth Rick Steves tour, and our traveling companions were the best group ever. RSE certainly attracts folks who are curious, congenial, and cheerful. The tour was packed — perhaps overly so — with learning opportunities, cultural experiences and European history. If I have a criticism of the tour, it's that we stayed one too few days in each location to fully experience it. The fast pace also wore us out. At the same time, we got to enjoy a wide variety of experiences and locales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything Mozart in Salzburg — from the Mozartkugel at Paul Furst to the Mozart Dinner Concert at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. There's nothing like being in the City Where it Happened."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well organized, thorough details from tour guides, wonderful people in our tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Neuschwanstein Castle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour director and wonderful traveling companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swiss Alps"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved this tour overall!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gorgeous cathedrals."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good. A lot of moving and traveling. Hotels were basically good….maybe marginal at times. Bus comfortable. Donald was outstanding our tour guide. Outstanding He explained very clearly and kept us out of trouble and informed. Local guides. very knowledgeable but…..sometimes hard to understand with the headsets provided and the their thick accents.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren. The views, a complete WOW. Austria just drive was worth it . Munich very historical "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide Donald was excellent. Overall a wonderful experience with an amazing group of travelers. I marked this trip down a notch because I thought some of the hotels were below par. While all the hotel locations were great the hotel in Baden Baden was disappointing and so too was the hotel in Salzburg. And the hotel in Murren was really basic and dated. I realize that you've adjusted the tour itinerary beginning in 2025 so some of my thoughts about our recent trip are no longer relevant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Nothing really stands out. Don't take this wrong. I loved the tour and our companions but there were too many wonderful moments. If I had to pick just one I'd chose standing with my wife, daughter and son in law on St. Mary's bridge with King Ludwig's marvelous and magical castle behind us.and while i wouldn't describe it as a "wow" moment the visit to Maunthausen Concentration Camo will stay with me forever "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall: The tour itself was well structured and well executed. It delivered on everything that was promised and then some. Unfortunately the weather was unbearably hot for the initial phase and some hotels had poor A/C (at best). We also got sick early in the tour which made it difficult to enjoy all that was offered. The tour, as offered, was great. Our personal experience - not so much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Paragliding in Murren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had an excellent experience on the tour. Our guide was immensely knowledgeable, the itinerary was thoughtful, and the accommodations were very comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walk from Murren to Gimmelwald was stunning!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well thought-out for highlights, education, and fun. Our guide Donald was wonderful and the tour members were so congenial - both added significantly to the joy of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were surprised and delighted by both Burg Eltz and Neuschwanstein Castle. Expecting medieval dark, they were so light and bright and exquisite, giving us a glimpse into the past. We thought "we could live here" except for maybe the stairs! The views from both were equally beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was a good mix of activities and it was wonderful that the Rick Steves Tour Book we were provided with was very compatible with the tour itself. It was an excellent reference during the trip as we could see what activities were available in our free time. Also, many of the maps in the book were better than the ones we found in the actual city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery in Switzerland was my definite "wow" moment. It was wonderful to have lodging in the Alps and away from the crowds of the Lauterbrunnen Valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We absolutely loved this tour. From the bustling city of Vienna, to the quaint mountain town of Lake Hallstatt, we enjoyed every day. The hotels were great - all of them centrally located, comfortable, and the breakfast included was great. Our bus was wonderful - loved Luc, our fantastic bus driver. Our guide, Andrea, is exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and she also took good care of us during the trip. What a fantastic trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking the boat to Lake Hallstatt and seeing the lovely town from the lake. Also walking the North Face Trail in Murren and wanting to burst out in "The Hills are Alive" as we traversed the Alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Starting with our guide; Andrea. She was exceptional! Kind, caring, calm, flexible,and most of all witty. We met wonderful people; we both liked the historical and educational aspect. Black Forest museum and luge were favorites. Mürren and Hallstatt were our favorite towns. The group meals were great. Perfect combination of excursions and free time. Loved all the hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the north face trail in Mürren; taking the gondola to Mürren "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Andrea, was amazing. She enhanced the tour experience with insight and knowledge of the cities, language and culture She had so many good ideas about what to do in our free time. And she provided information so we were comfortable exploring on our own. For example how to use the underground in Vienna, or hiking in the Swiss Alps.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Neuschwanstein for me, and for my wife hiking in the Lauterbrunnen valley and the Third Man Museum in Vienna. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour—a lovely mix of big cities and gorgeous quiet smaller towns served with a generous portion of history (the Habsburgs dynasty, WWI and WWII.) Our group was congenial, and Andrea, our guide, was so very organized and helpful. This was our 7th Rick Steves tour and we consider it one of our best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the North Face Trail in Mürren. We were blessed with three gorgeous days to explore around Mürren (weather not to be taken for granted.) The trail was uncrowded, just challenging enough, and the only sounds were those of cowbells from the happy grazing cows. The backdrop of snowy mountains, the alpine cabins built generations before, marked by thriving red geraniums—the sense that life lived in harmony with nature, though difficult and economically unfeasible, is, indeed, living."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wide variety of experiences to savor and remember. Great planning on your part. Very efficient! Great value.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the North Face trail and others in Murren. We had perfect weather."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had high expectations for our first trip to Europe and our first Rick Steves tour and it exceeded our expectations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps, staying in Murren. We had a short stop at another lake on the way to Lake Hallstatt and that was beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First, our guide Iris Andre was fantastic. She was so knowledgeable, articulate, funny enough to be a standup comic, kind and firm when she needed to be. The itinerary was great, except I'm not sure about Cologne. The cathedral was well worth seeing, otherwise I might skip or shorten the stay in Cologne. Otherwise great itinerary. The group size was perfect as usual.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views in Switzerland"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized with a balance of fun and free time along with education and good time management.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult to choose one. Perhaps Mürren and Lauterbrunnen Valley. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Organized, educational and fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have two. The Swiss Alps were stunning and such a memorable time staying in Mürren. I also found staying at Lake Hallstatt peacefull. Waking early in the morning before the day tripping tourists arrived was a special treat. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour and I was absolutely thrilled with how well thought out and organized it was

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Baden/ Baden. I love the small quaint city. Wish we'd had more time there"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour did indeed take us to highlights of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. That's a lot to take in, in just 14 days, but it worked. I liked the "history lessons" that Iris would give us on the bus on the way to the next location, so that we were prepared to get more out of it once we arrived.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"staying in Murren...and going on a beautiful hike one day. My husband and I could have stayed longer! We're from Colorado and spend a lot of time in the Colorado Rocky Mtns, so this was like being home. And the mountains were beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a fabulous time in Germany, Austria & Switzerland. Our guide Iris was great and the local guides along the way were amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The German castles Burg Eltz and Neuschwanstein were so beautiful! Murren is such a lovely Swiss town and the cheese fondue and Rosti were delicious. The architecture in Vienna was jaw droppingly beautiful and the Third Man museum with Gerhard was especially interesting"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Where to start. Our guides, Iris and Jutta were super knowledgeable, organized plus humorous. The locations such as Lake Hallstatt were awesome in the true sense of the word. Our weather was a positive. The fellow travelers were lovely folks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, but I loved eating lakeside in Hallstatt with the swans swimming by. And Mürren with our lifts to the Alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Thomas, was very knowledgeable and prepared for each place we traveled.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The learning about overall way that the Hapsburg lived and the extent of their influence with the Catholic Church. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent! Well organized, informative and fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Switzerland and staying in Mürren. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great. Thomas was excellent. Always prepared, very very knowledgeable, looked after everyone on the trip and a very nice demeanor. He had a large impact on my experence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, Switzerland."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall it was a great experience. So many beautiful sights and historical interests. Beautiful scenery along each countryside made the time on the bus doable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not really a wow moment but just collectively one big wow! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just like our first Rick Steves tour in September of 23. This tour was exceptional. First off, Our guide Thomas was wonderful. He had such enthusiasm for each location, was full of facts, and I also felt he made an effort to get to know each of us in the group,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was riding the gondola to our hotel in Murren! The view of the landscape was outstanding. Hiking the North Face trail was also incredible."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

I am glad this was not my first Rick Steves tour, because it would have probably been my last. My previous tours set the bar very high. This one was tired, not very well guided and not a good experience. So very different than my previous RS tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My morning run in the gardens in Baden Baden. Could have spent a lot more time in Baden Baden. What a charming place. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a very nice tour (in spite of the covid that was going around). The people on the tour were very friendly and our guide Thomas was really friendly and knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" moment was Trümmelbach Falls. What a beautiful force of nature. It felt incredibly spiritual to me. Just amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Amazing sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren and Munich."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a great time overall, the experience I will not forget. Cologne was my least favorite city to visit and Munich was the best. Not being able to see the 3 peaks in the Swiss Alps was tough, but not unexpected with mountain weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the power and beauty of Trummelbach Falls."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a dream come true! The weather was amazing so we were able to do everything on the schedule. The transportation was seamless and everything was well planned out

Favorite "WOW" moment

"MÜRREN!! Hiking the Northface trail and Sprutz Falls was breathtaking. Pictures just don’t do it justice. Truly magical and I’ll remember it forever"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved having lodging and transportation taken care of. Our guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time in Murren was amazing! We also loved the tour we took in Munich; the local guide, Michael, was informative, engaging and passionate about the history of Munich. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mike was an excellent guide, working one on one with each traveler and managing difficult situations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in the Alps at Murren; outstanding guides in Munich and Vienna. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary was great, our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. He definitely enhanced the experience. Loved most of the locations with the exception of Cologne. Lake Hallstatt was beautiful but crowded. Overall greatly enjoyed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps, specifically hiking in Murren. Storybook moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

All of the locations were great, except Cologne (rough diamond). We know next year you have changed to a more beautiful location. As far as travel goes, driving from Murren to Munich then back tracking to the Neuschwanstein Castle seemed like a lot of extra driving - on the longest driving day! Perhaps driving from Murren to Neuschwanstein then Munich then Salzberg would save time. Two city tours were not very good Cologne guide and the sub in Salzburg.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sherry's favorite was the history lesson from the Munich tour guide Michael! He was so amazing, funny, informative, and included people, flags, and photos in his demo lessons. What a TRUE talent! Can you hire him as a guide when he is not teaching in the classroom? Or, convert him? Then following that with artifacts, letters, interviews, newspapers from The Third Man Museum was so well planned. Chuck's favorite was hiking Gosau Lake and its spectacular vistas."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized. Excellent tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alps. They are breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the variety of experiences in this trip, the balance between planned activities and free time was well thought out. The “bumps” that occurred were no fault of the tour company and were handled brilliantly by our excellent tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland was amazing and it was great to spend 3 days exploring Mürren. Both the local guide in Munich and Vienna were informative and a memorable experience. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was excellent. No surprises in terms of extra expenses. The value was very high.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from our hotel room in Murren."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved most of this tour. Iris was an incredible guide, taking care of all of our needs, keeping us informed and entertained. The other tour members were great and we all got along excellently. We covered a lot of ground and were always on the move. Beautiful scenery, intriguing history, plenty of historic sites... overall this tour was a success.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments - Cologne Cathedral, Swiss gondola rides, fancy cows on parade in Murren, Burg Eltz castle, Lake Hallstatt boat ride."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized and executed with precision.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of wows. Enjoyed the architecture everywhere. The steep valley coming into Murren was my favorite."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I purposely chose a Rick Steves tour because he is a big public broadcasting supporter and because he exudes integrity and comes across as so likable and honest on his programs. We were not disappointed! The tour was everything we'd hoped it would be, and our guide Iris Andre is a treasure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't choose just one--seeing the Alps; seeing lovely architecture everywhere; seeing the Rhine and (if only briefly) the Danube; consuming sinful amounts of great pastry, chocolate, coffee, and beer; and generally "feeling" history at every turn (the USA is such a young country...). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was everything we hoped it would be and more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to see and hear the 2024 Great Alphorn Meeting at Mannlichen with the view of the peaks behind them. This was a surprise and very special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was well run and provided a good background knowledge for everywhere we went. Iris, our guide, was knowledgeable, patient, and organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything in Switzerland."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed our tour through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I liked the outdoor museum in the black forest, especially the water wheel driven flour mill."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was pleased with the structure of the tour. I enjoyed the places we visited and the guides attention to history and details. The bus was a very nice piece of equipment. In general we spent the right amount of time at the locations, though sometimes felt rushed. We did sign up for a three country tour so that is hard to do at a leisurely pace. There were some small issues with hotels likely beyond Rick's control. Covid did put a wrinkle in things. I think there is some room for improvement here

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren was a great place to get to and visit, a real highlight. Cable cars, impressive trains, great hikes and magnifictic views are lasting memories. Lake Hallstatt was a close second."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed many of the locations we visited and our tour guide. Some of the local guides were fantastic and I think we were able to see a lot of this region.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lake Hallstatt was incredibly beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to Europe and I gained so much knowledge from the trips and especially the guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to the Shilthorn and seeing the Alps. There were so many great moments!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely perfect blend of free time and time together

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hearing about the personal experiences of people who love theire and their viewpoints of the world "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, I feel I will remember this tour for a very long time. I appreciate the knowledge that Bryan, our tour guide, was able to provide. He helped me understand what my ancestors may have seen and experienced when they lived in the area. I was humbled by the lack of knowledge I had about the World War II experience and I have been deep in thought since arriving home.The scenic Swiss Alps, listening to Mozart while the sun set and having a drink with new friends, WUNDERBAR! Thanks Bryan!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had several but the joy of watching clouds come and go over the Swiss Alps was magical. Just seeing those mountains surround me causing me to just sit there and the roar of the falls pounding with my heart is more than what I can capture on my camera. It is in my mind now. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great trip we kept busy with interesting sights 7 commentary from our Rick Steve's guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Swiss Alps & lake Hallstatt were our favorites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely fantastic

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was a nice mix of cities, with cathedrals and museums, and beautiful natural settings, such as Murren and Lake Hallstatt. The guides added important historical context. It was wonderful to share the tour experiences with 3 generations of my family. My trip was marred by illness of family members, but I am glad that we were all able to stay on the tour. I appreciate the experience seeing so many places with the ease that tour provided.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Murren, watching a paraglider float into a rainbow with the alps as a backdrop"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a really good time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the cologne cathedral for the first time, as well as seeing the swiss alps"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My wife and I decided to celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary early by going to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We have watched Rick Steves on PBS for many years and that is why we chose his tour. It did not disappoint in anyway. The cities, stops along the way, and hotels were all memorable…some more than others. Our favorite places were Lake Hallstatt, Austria and Murren, Switzerland. Least favorite was Baden Baden, Germany. It was a nice place but, once was enough.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “Wow” moment of the tour was when we were getting close to Interlaken, Switzerland and the Alps were coming into full view. Beautiful Views all around. Lake Hallstatt was just as spectacular! Great town square and the views were unforgettable!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the Schilthorn visit"

Oh the journeys! From Munich, where Hitler lived as an artist, to Mauthausen, his terrifying expression of humanity. From a steep lift to Murren to speeding down a Black Forest hill in a go-cart. From innumerable breakfast choices to one perfect dessert each night. From Andrea as schedule sergeant to droll cultural commentator. "If you don't ask for the check, they will be putting up chairs and you'll still be sitting there." The tour was at least a dozen journeys woven into one exhilarating WOW

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in the middle of WW2 history, in a way so different from visiting Allied countries. In Germany and Austria, not only have entire city areas been rebuilt, but we heard facts like, "This is the building where Kristallnacht began," or "See this photograph of Hitler giving a speech? This is square where he was standing.""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved it. I didn't have time to plan a trip, so I thought this was a great alternative. It was better than I could have imagined. I might be brave enough to venture out on my own next time, it was so informative!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow was the Alps. How could it not be..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour but it certainly won’t be my last. I was happy with everything - from our wonderful guide Andrea to the hotels and all the excursions. Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views in Switzerland were unreal. I felt like I was in a fairy tale. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great overall. Iris our guide was very knowledgeable and took much care to ensure our trip was fulfilled and pleasurable. Our other tour people were kind and seemed to have a good time as well. There was a bit of drama with illness but I believe that happens sometimes. Everyone responds differently.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely the Swiss alps. The tour took me out of my comfort zone with the gondola lift but I did it and was very happy about it. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As with all our Rick Steves trips, the tour guides were attentive and hard-working.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schilthorn peak"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good group. Lot of time in bus, but understandable given the itinerary. Good locations for included meals - didn't like the dessert at Hallstatt. Hotels were good. The fans provided when rooms don't have a/c was crucial - good job. Orientation walks were well done. Bus ride was a little jerky. I'm a bus driver too. I asked how the bus was doing (didn't mention the jerkiness) and he mentioned it had a sensitive throttle and brake. So wasn't his fault.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, Switzerland"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved the new castle, Burg Eltz. Baden-Baden and Neuschwanstein was just OK. Open Air Museum very interesting. Best area is always the Lauterbrunen Valley! Enjoyed Munich, Salzburg, Vienna. Lake Hallstatt is still stunning, loved the boat ride even in the rain!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When the sun finally came out as we were walking down the path to the lift in Murren, early in the morning as we were leaving. Trummelbach Falls was stupendous because of all rain. Breakfast at the hotel lakeside in Hallstatt. Buildings in Vienna."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful group of fellow travelers and excellent guides. The tour had a “ great pace”, with both local tours and free time to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gorgeous Alps and quaint villages! Mürren was an awesome 3 night stay."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Aside from catching Covid, I was extremely happy with my first Rick Steves tour experience. The guides, accommodations, and activities were all excellent. Much better experience than we could have managed on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery in the Lauterbrunnen Valley was beyond compare."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

This was our first trip with a large tour group; it turned out not to fit our needs. We found the number of moves from place to place to be limiting and frenetic and the food not to our taste and often unhealthy The accomodations were pleasant, and the hotel staffs were always gracious and helpful, but the rooms were cramped. Our guide provided a lot of information and became particularly engaging in the second half of the trip. She did all she could to work around the unfortunate weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schildhorn despite the rain; being free to explore Munich. A negative wow: when the vegetarian option for dinner was a dumpling on top of spaetzle. Appalling from a health perspective."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

tour was above our expectations, detailed information that covered a range of topics, compatible group of 28, excellent guide, happy bunch of travellers, great food, and thoughtful sightseeing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the sincerity of our German guide was our most memorable takeaway, however Murren was breathtaking to see and wander round the mountains, so accessible, views to stare at, and plenty of walking away from the cities"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Despite some unpleasant surprises (rain almost every day, a rash of COVID outbreaks) we loved the tour. Every location we went to was wonderful. The tour guide, Iris, was a superb leader, and the people on the tour were lovely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about Germany during and after WWII from the perspective of one who was immersed in its history. Iris's lectures were wonderful and made history real. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was incredible! Organization of group activities and free time was precisely planned, as was time traveling on the bus, listening to diverse topics on the history, politics, economics, and geography, of the countries we visited. Our guide, Daniela, being a local Bavarian, added a personal perspective to current issues and customs. Time was optimized without felt rushed. Local guides were passionate scholars who engaged and energized the group with their erudition and commitment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren! The view from our window, admiring the peaks, listening to the cowbells, hiking the paths around us, going into the belly of a mountain and admiring the force of the water in those iconic waterfalls, being zipped up to the top of the Schilthorn, and walk the void down the Birg. The fairytale tiny town Hallstatt, the "Mad" king castle, the concerts in Salzburg and Vienna, the vibrant energy and friendly character of Münich. Wow from beginning to end!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour full of beautiful sights, history and great food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would have to be the alps in Switzerland. Staying in Murren and the views and trails that are there are just magical!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Organization was impeccable. All tour guides were outstanding. Hotels were comfortable and well located. I also appreciated the effort to provide dining experiences which allowed us to sample local cuisine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would love to provide something unique and different here, but I don't think anything can beat hiking in the Berner Oberland. The fact that we wound up with beautiful, sunny skies (rather than the predicted rain) was a stroke of good luck!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very comprehensive. Plus lots of options.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mureen + some unexpected accommodations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall our experience was excellent. I do think you should offer pre-planned options for the free time like other tour companies do. It would be very easy for you to arrange, for example, 3 optional tours with local guides for Vienna which tour member would pay for. The idea that they will "go explore" because they "read the book" just wastes valuable time. When you have 5 hours to "explore" Vienna, don't let them loose to just wonder around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most important was the Munchausen Concentration camp. Switzerland is always hard to beat. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the Lauterbrunnen valley with my family on a beautiful, sunny day with comfortable temperatures."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Holger was a great guide, and Eric was an excellent bus driver. Holger was very knowledgeable and personable sharing so much of the local culture and very good at keeping us moving and informed. The tour itself was well organized from the cities we visited to the hotels and meals, and also had the perfect balance of activities and free time. We Are already planning our next Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite wow moment was seeing the mountain peaks from our hotel window in Murren and the waterfalls at Trummelbach. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This amazing tour and fabulous guides (Mattie w/assistance from Jim & Mat) provided a trip of a lifetime experience! As Mattie stated everyday it's "off to the next adventure" from majestic cathedrals, interesting museums, farms, historical palaces, castles, concentration camp, awe-inspiring scenery, history, food and so much more. We thoroughly enjoyed this well organized, fun, and adventurous tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everyday had a "wow" moment! Several include: Sitting on our balcony in Murren watching the sunset while hearing the cow bells, enjoying the 360 Schilthorn panoramic '007' view, and walking across the bridge overlooking Neuschwanstein Castle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lots of interesting and fun stuff. The waterfalls, the SOM bike tour, the organic cheese farm, the concentration camp. It was all amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The waterfalls in Murren. Can't believe that you don't do this as a regular attraction to that area. That was awe inspiring. It's definitely the highlight of Switzerland."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS tour and it exceeded our expectations. The organization of the tour was excellent, the locations we visited outstanding, and tour-supplied meals amazing, and our guide Matti was simply the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were in awe of the Swiss Alps and our stay in Mürren. Great food, great location, serene scenery, and even a wonderful Schwartzbier (or two)! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent. Mattie, Jim and Matt all did a very good job of providing a good introduction and interesting historical context for each tour location. The tour also offered a good combination of experiences, ranging from the museums and attractions found in the cities, to the overwhelming beauty of the Swiss Alps. We very much enjoyed the entire tour group, the excellent guides, and each place that we visited. Thank you for a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Murren, Switzerland was a highlight, but was only one of many "wow" moments. Of equally lasting impact will be the lessons learned at the "Third Man Museum" in Vienna and at Mauthausen."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the balance of guided time and free time. Our guides, Matthias and the two apprentices, Matt and Jim, were all excellent. They were knowledgeable, communicated frequently and clearly, and provided meaningful commentary. While I glad we saw three countries, in hindsight I would have appreciated less time in Germany and more time in Switzerland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's very difficult to come up with only one so I'd have to say the top experiences and sights were Baden-Baden, our three days in Murren, and Salzburg. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was incredible! We saw so much & learned so much. Our guide Matty was absolutely fabulous! Fun, knowledgeable & interesting, bonus he is German:)Early starts..we prepared with early bedtime..worth it everytime with less crowds. Bus time was comfortable, relaxing & fun w/ nice surprises sprinkled in! Incredible views! Bus driver Henri was highly skilled & interesting fellow.We were so fortunate to have a mix of ages in our group...a fun bunch! Highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren scenery was incredible..walking thru meadows with cow bells ringing everywhere! Also Austria countryside! Neuschwanstein castle was a fairytale dream for me! The farm we visited added a personal touch . Salzburg at sunset so beautiful! Really one wow moment after another! No regrets for booking this trip! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized, experienced, entertaining and enthusiastic guides. Always anticipating the next adventure and sites along the country side and in the town s and cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The castles and cathedrals were spectacular and sites I’ve never seen before in person. The mineral pools, the numerous waterfalls. There was not just one “Wow” moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful balance of historical sites and explanations, castles, cathedrals, nature experiences, time in the Alps and Lake Halstatt, explanations and experiences re: Germany with WWI and WWII and rise of dictatorship. We loved the opportunities to hear musical performances and see the marionettes. The tour of the organic farming operation was so informative and enlightening. We were very active physically, and intrigued by the history, art, and cultural offerings of the past and the present.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alps! Having the time to really look at the mountains, feel the cold, breathe the thin air, walk in the flower filled meadows, hear the cow bells, taste the cheese, hear the music performed by citizens in costume who played the accordian and big horn. I loved seeing the huge mountains, cliffs, and waterfalls. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved that it was active (luge ride, walking, salt mine tour, etc.) and that I learned so much. Our guide Matti was a great teacher, with a great sense of humor. I was also impressed with the tour design -- the balance of group vs independent time; the use of time on the bus as learning culture and history vs. rest; the scheduling of structured activities vs. free time to explore; pre-determined meals so that we "tasted" the culture vs. doing our own thing for meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! But probably riding our fourth gondola up into the mountains to land at Schlithorn. The views were breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved it all. This was my first time out of U.S., & I was just in awe of all of the beautiful scenery. I was very glad to be on a tour, and Rick Steve's didn't disappoint. Andrea was awesome and so was Luke.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Most of this tour was a "wow" moment for me. I was very wowed by the DOM in Cologne & the other cathedrals and castles. The Swiss Alps was pretty amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an energetic, knowledgeable guide, Andrea, for our tour. She provided such insight into our stops, worked with those who needed help with things, made the tour for me. Andrea made being multilingual seem easy...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stop at Murren was the highlight. It was beautiful, sunny, amazing areas to explore. A good mix of outings together and free time to roam in all directions."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour. Guide was excellent and wouldn't move or change any of the stops. Food in region is heavy. Tour did a nice job of offering choices.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren was spectacular as was the whole Lauterbrunnen valley. Will be making another trip there soon!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great, diminished only because I was sick the first week. There was a good balance of guided tour and free time. The food was very good but got to be a little heavy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Scilthorn was breathtaking. We were fortunate to have a beautifully clear day. The skywalk was exciting! The days spent in Mürren offered hiking, beauty, fun watching the paragliders."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our trip! Everything went perfectly and as stated in the tour description.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our "wow" moment was walking along the Lauterbrunnen Valley and looking up at the Swiss Alps and amazing waterfalls."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A high density of memorable and characteristic scenes and experiences packed into two weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Waking up to the Jungfrau. (Alas, not a jungfrau.) Seeing Verdi's first hit from a box seat above the orchestra in Vienna --- for thirty Euro. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved seeing each of the places we traveled to. Local guide Michael in Munich was outstanding in his style and knowledge. It was a very expensive tour. I felt there were more "on your own" meals and excursions than I have experienced in the past. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, but not terribly flexible with varying mobility issues of the tourists. Probably could have left out the "Third Man" museum tour in Vienna. The visit to Mauthausen concentration camp was tough, but essential.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling to the top of the Schilthorn in Switzerland."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip overall was SUPER! The places we went, the people on the tour, and our guide were all terrific.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was in Murren, Switzerland looking out over the Alps from our hotel room balcony. It was my wife's birthday and I couldn't have given her a better present!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was wonderful. Our guide was personable, knowledgeable and helpful. The activities were all great. The smaller group size was appreciated. I loved everything so much and have not stopped raving about it since we returned home.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the view from the hotel balcony in Murren, Switzerland. It never got old. We had beautiful mountains peaks on one side and could hear the bells on the cows that were on the hillside. It was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first ever time in Europe and I am so glad it was with Rick Steves!! We had an amaizing tour group and an incredible guide! It was the trip of a lifetime for me!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was arriving in Switzerland and seeing the Swiss Alps from our balcony!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything, from the small group to the tour guide to the comfy bus to the locations to the luxury breakfasts, was outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Opening our balcony door in Murren and seeing the snow-capped peaks took my breath away! I took photos but looking at pictures will never replicate that thrill of seeing them in person!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, every aspect of our Rick Steves tour was thoughtfully organized and executed with excellence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I definitely loved seeing the Alps from my balcony on my birthday. Every part of being in the Mürren and Lauterbrunnen area was a highlight. Most of the local tour guides were excellent!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our overall tour experience was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many “wow” experiences and special moments to identify a single “favorite,” but my best of the best experiences included our day trip to the Mosel Valley, and our stays in Baden-Baden, Murren, Salzburg and Vienna."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent. Well run, hotels were perfect in the city centers, guides were very knowledgeable and Ruby was without a doubt fantastic in every way

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mountains and waterfalls of Murren, Switzerland"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another fabulous Rick Steves Tour! Ruby, our tour guide, was wonderful and set a positive tone for the trip with her humor, directness and kindness. The local guides were all excellent, especially Birgit in Munich and Gerhardt in Vienna. They offered encyclopedic knowledge, touching personal stories and insights, and great humor. Our tour group could not have been friendlier or more supportive, and we all remained cheerful even through a lot of rain and some health issues. It was wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The organ concert in the Salzburg Cathedral and the amazing Furstenhof Farm tour outside of Salzburg. It was so uplifting to see the efforts farmers are making to farm organically and educate the next generation on sustainable farming methods."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, my tour experience was wonderful. We had an outstanding guide and a great group! Our bus was super comfy, clean, and always on time. The schedules were always posted early so we could anticipate the next day's events. There was plenty of space on the bus, and everyone could use two seats if they wanted. The guide was always available via text. The local guides were great as well. I always felt like I knew how to find my way around because of the resources provided by the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments, but I particularly loved Neuschwanstein Castle and Salzburg."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed all the guides, particularly our own guide Ruby. We covered a lot of ground and museums, etc. Very thorough and on-pace trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Bio-Hofkäserei Fürstenhof house and tour were exceptional. It really put us in touch with a wonderful part of the Austrian community. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just so well organized and thought out. This was our 3rd tour and the 26 other "tour-ists" were just great people - we loved sharing our time with every single one of them. Our guide Thomas was a gem, we really liked to just be in his company.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting on the deck of the pub in Gimmelwald with the famous stout-like beer, staring directly across at the three towering mountains Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, having a beer in the sunshine. It took "breathtaking" to a whole new level."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip exceeded my expectations. Our tour guide Thomas was excellent, explained the history of each site visited, was upbeat and positive. I also appreciated the centrally located hotels, perfect for walking around town after scheduled activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everyday!!! I especially had fun stepping out of my comfort zone and going to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich for a beer. My friend and I are typically reserved and shy, but we struck up a conversation with two men from Switzerland and had so much fun learning about life from their perspective. Truly a highlight of the trip. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After a rocky start traveling on Condor Airlines, which I would NOT recommend, we had a great Rick Steves tour through Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Our guide Thomas was excellent and made our trip enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, Switzerland had me saying Wow all the time, what beautiful scenery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved every minute of our tour! Germany, Switzerland and Austria were our destinations. Each area had its unique characteristics and our local guides were fantastic. Thomas, our tour guide was so knowledgeable and unfailingly kind. So patient with all of our crazy questions!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many! One was seeing Neuschwanstein Castle appearing out of the mist on the mountainside. It looked just like something out of a fairy tale. Another was waking up to snow falling in Murren in the spectacular Alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time on our tour and made new friends. Thomas was an outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We each had different wow moments. Mine was sitting on my hotel balcony in Murren looking out at Jungfrau as the sun set. My husband’s moment was the 3rd Man Museum in Vienna. We both wished we had more time to spend in that amazing museum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were first timers and apprehensive about what to expect. Our nerves were quickly calmed and we had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Burg Eltz was pretty amazing and on day two already. Murrin was also great. There were many great moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best part of Rick Steves tours are they are a small group of people that you get to know everyone. Our tour had 28 people also the tour.goes to places that are not crowded.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were in a town in Switzerland overlooking the Alps and woke up to it snowing it was awesome watching the snow falling in the Alps "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved the beautiful countryside and the opportunities to learn about this region. The local white wine was wonderful. We enjoyed our tour group and appreciated the tour leader and bus driver - great guys.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Nearly every day brought one wow after another: the Alps, the meadows, the Black Forest and the villages. The most powerful moment was Mauthausen; after a lifetime of learning about the Holocaust and the rise of Hitler, to see the death camp in person, and to see that Austria now requires schoolchildren to visit and learn of facism’s horrible cost, was moving beyond words."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide made my experience exceptional plus the delightful people in our group, no grumps for sure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Experiencing the majestic Swiss alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved traveling with a small group of 28 and enjoyed friendly interaction with our guide and each other. We enjoyed active hiking, gorgeous natural beauty in the itinerary and taking excursions early in the day to avoid crowds. It's great to travel light and get room numbers on the bus so we take our own luggage to the room without delay. Well organized daily schedule posted at the desk and clear communication

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide, Mattias, changed the schedule for our gondola ride to Schilthorn so we could enjoy a clear sunny day at the top instead of rain! We LOVED the glorious view and we appreciate his hard work to make it happen!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 4th tour, start to finish absolutely great. Matthais is a wonderful guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This will sound odd, but this group of fellow travelers was a wow. Not 1 grump, from our first guided city walk in Cologne in a driving rainstorm (all city walks included rain!) you could tell this was a special group. Each one of us was "all in". Tour wow moment for me was Trummelbach Falls. As real WOW."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed everything about the tour - the guide, the driver, and everyone else on the tour. If I hadn't gotten sick at the end it would have been perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was the whole of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It looked like a scene from a fantasy movie."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had so much fun! Our guide, Mattias, was exceptional. He was very knowledgeable, well organized and had excellent people skills. For every place we visited he had wonderful suggestions for places to visit on our free time and made sure we were clear on how to get there. He followed up by asking about our experience. He created an atmosphere of inclusivity among our group. I had been apprehensive about traveling with a group of strangers and wound up feeling emotional about saying goodbye.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps were my favorite "wow" moment. The mountains were beautiful and majestic as were the water falls! I was also super excited to see and tour the castles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In spite of rain almost every day, our guide Matty worked around it, picking the best days to do things like going to the top of the Schilthorn or the Burg-Eltz castle so we could enjoy our time. We had been trying to take this tour for 9 years, and I was worried it would be disappointing with that kind of build up, but this was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking the gondolas up to the top of the Schilthorn was glorious. After 5 or 6 days of rain and not being able to even see more than half way up the mountains, the view was spectacular. I was amazed at the mill in the outdoor museum, that something built 400 years ago could still grind flour. and separate the wheat from the chaff. Maulthaussen moved me the other way. How could humans be so cruel? Loved the Third Man Museum in Vienna, especially the post war history. I had the best Riesling evr"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed this tour very much. The scenery gets better and better as the tour moves south into Bavaria, Switzerland, and Austria. The visit to Mürren and the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Swiss Alps was just the icing on the cake of this picturesque tour. Our tour leader, Matthias Unger, is one of the best. Accommodations were very comfortable and conveniently situated. We enjoyed some exceptional meals in unlikely places, but all were good. This is a special tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick a single wow event... there were quite a few: the Trummelbach Falls followed by the walk along the Lauterbrunnen valley, past cows grazing in the meadows thick with wildflowers; cute Hallstatt in the light rain; the luge run x2, followed by time in the heritage village of Gutach; the old castle, Burg Eltz; lunch stop and the best meal in the very picturesque village of Beinstein..."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall we really enjoyed the tour. There was a good mixture of fun and interesting activities. The tour guide was great and we liked the other tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The biggest wow moment was probably the view from the Schilthorn, but I really loved all the amazing art we saw (Wallraf-Richartz, Alte Pinakothek, Kunsthistorisches, Albertina and Upper Belvedere)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a good mix of city/village and I highly recommend it. The villages were my favorite. It was a busy tour, lots of walking with your luggage, so be ready. The views on this tour were incredible. Even though it rained and was cloudy in Mürren, the Swiss Alps still take your breath away.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren and Grimmelwald were by far my favorite. We took the long hike down to Grimmelwald and ate lunch, listening to the bells on the cows, chickens clucking, and the peaceful sounds of the nature of the Swiss Alps. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had an absolutely incredible time on the tour! Everything was well timed out and planned ahead, and when anything came up, our guide Michael, was quick on the case to find an alternative. He did a wonderful job leading the group and felt more like a close friend than a tour guide!! Every planned event, hotel, local guide, group meal, and bus trip was great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we drove into the Lauterbrunnen valley, rode up the gondola, and stepped off into Murren, I was absolutely floored. It's the kind of landscape that people write about and you can appreciate through pictures, but when you actually see it for yourself, it still takes your breath away. Trummelbach Falls was just as incredible!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We covered a lot of ground, but more importantly our guide helped us to understand the history before hand of the place we were about to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Trummelback falls in Switzerland which was not originally part of our tour but do to one of our stops being flooded our guide (Michael Dempsey) came up with this stop. It was great. Also The inside arena of the Spanish riding school. This was not part of the tour, but something we did on our own. Also, the "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, fun fellow travelers, and beautiful locations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lake Hallstatt and Murren were just amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip to Germany, Austria, Switzerland was everything we expected and more! Our tour guide Michael was the heart of the trip-that is, he was knowledgable, energetic, and quite entertaining. His sense of humor, his British accent, his familiarity with all things German and European was incredible. He clearly did his homework, and loved what he does. Sites and activities were wonderful. Murren and the Alps views were incredible. The food on our group meals was really good!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful and abundant waterfalls throughout the mountains! The views!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a great time but as I’m an older traveler, the stairs were a challenge for me but I persevered! It was a nice tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had quite a few! The ride to Cologne was beautiful Burg Eltz was neat, the Black Forest area was nice, Baden Baden was really neat, the alps were amazing, Neuschwanstein was really nice set in a gorgeous area. My ancestor's were from the Black Forest area and the Burg Eltz area. It was nice to see where they came from! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good die to excellent tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schilthorn and Murren."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed everything. The hotels were nice, clean and comfortable; destinations were great, guide and driver were really wonderful, too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps were our favorite. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Andrea, and driver, Will, combined to create a near perfect experience. Andrea provided cultural and historical background on each destination and added walks and treats and personal service to accomodate every participant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren was spectacular. It cannot be represented with words or photographs. You need to go there and experience hiking through valleys lined with waterfalls and ascending into the calming white caps of the mountains. Beauty is everywhere. A Kodak moment is around every corner. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Germany, Austria and Switzerland delves into the history of the areas and as a traveler, I emerged with a better understanding of WW2 Europe and the aftermath.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arriving in the town of Murren, Switzerland with the mountain landscape was the biggest “wow” moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the details were covered, taking out many of the difficulties of travel allowing us to enjoy every day with no worries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming into Lake Hallstatt and seeing the magnificent beauty. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Andrea, our tour guide, is an excellent guide. She is knowledgeable, energetic, gave many suggestions for the unstructured portions of our days. Geographical coverage with this tour is good, but I felt like I spent too much time on the coach, thus the "very good" rating. For future trips, I would look for those where I could spend 3 days minimum in each location to fully appreciate the culture and area.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have 2!! Enjoyed the impromptu evening Alpine "musical" concert in Swisserland. Andrea arranged for a Swiss accordion & an alpine horn musician to play select music pieces. Informative and delightful. The second was the unschedued tour of an Austrian dairy farm [Bio Hofkaserei Furstenhof, Kuchl/Salzburg] with Maria & Nicky Rettenbacher. Though some might shrug & comment "it's just another dairy farm"; Herr Rettenbacher thoroughly described the transition to organic farming & raising family"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had never been on a Rick Steves tour and it was the best experience we could have imagined. We will never travel to Europe without being on a RS tour. Andrea Wolf was our Tour Guide and set standards and performance very high. We almost learned more on the tour bus, with her commentary, than on the actual walking tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Churches in Europe are breathtaking. Pictures simply cannot do them justice. I loved riding the bus and looking out the windows. No billboards, just small hamlets everywhere."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Germany, Austria and Switzerland tour was terrific - well designed and messaged. Messaged you ask? It was very clear that Rick wanted us (Americans) to see Western Europe through the lens of recent history (WWII), by highlighting many of the Nazi and post war sites. The overriding theme: the danger of Right wing extremism that nearly destroyed Europe and the echoes that reverberate in the US and the rest of the world today. That said, the Schilthorn and Lake Hallstatt were bucket list for me

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely the Schilthorn! Spectacular snow-capped peaks shrouded by clouds one moment and revealing their splendor the next. The "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"/James Bond exhibit was a kick! Our guide made sure that we were on the first trams up the mountain because, as she predicted, by 10:00AM, the clouds took over. Our views at 8:30/9:00 were sublime. The Neuschwanstein Castle was right out of a fairly tale and the first glance at Lake Hallstatt was incredible. Carefully designed tours."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first time I ever left North America and at age 69 it was about time. This was our first Rick Steves tour and it definitely won’t be our last. The cities we visited were great. When we weren’t on the RS walking tours or on the bus we walked everywhere and got to know the cities we visited. Our tour guide Bryan Fellbusch was absolutely fantastic. He had a wealth of knowledge, shared a wealth of information with us and was very fun to be around. I may stalk him for our next tour.😊

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many it is hard to pick. Bryan, our tour guide, did take us to an organic family farm and since that impacts my everyday life it was fun and informative to see one up close and personal. The owners gave us a tour, did a cheese tasting and I got to pet cows.🐮 To experience this unexpectedly in a foreign country was a delightful event. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An Excellent experience overall, starting with our awesome tour guide Bryan Fellbusch. The hotels, restaurants, local guides and fellow travelers made my travel to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria even better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment: Murren, Switzerland 🇨🇭 being surrounded by God's beauty in the Mountains, thr cows serenading us awake....spectacular views at the Trummelbach Falls..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour, but definitely not my last! We saw breathtaking scenery, fun and vibrant cities, and historical sites that I've read about for years. I liked the way the tour was arranged with stays in cities alternated with visits to rural/rustic areas. I also liked the mix of time spent with tour guides and free time to explore on our own. Our main tour guide, Bryan, was wonderful - welcoming, fun and knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was our day at Lake Hallstatt. It was a beautiful day spent at one of the most beautiful locations I have ever seen. The lake was sparkling clear, nestled in a mountain backdrop. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Bryan, with his thorough knowledge of history, his sense of humor and kind manner, made the tour outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing in the middle of Munich one night on our way to dinner and 4 different protests were taking place. Police were everywhere. It was uncomfortable but I understand that we were experiencing history. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Bryan shared interesting information on all of the places that we visited...he is very knowledgeable. He embellished the trip with several add on surprises and the potty stops every 2 hours were perfect. He was an excellent guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Luge Ride in the Black Forest Area was a big wow along with the whole pig that was prepared for our dinner at a restaurant in Salsburg. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first group tour and I was very skeptical about group traveling. It turned out to be great; far exceeding my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 10 waterfalls inside the mountain in the valley near Murren."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed the tour. Our guide was excellent and the people on our tour were wonderful. The hotel accommodations were great and the bus and driver were top notch. We were very lucky to have unseasonably warm and sunny weather the whole trip. There was a wide variety of destinations and activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying in Halstatt Austria. The weather was perfect, the hotel lovely. It was so beautiful, quaint and relaxing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was long. I probably should have opted for seeing less, but then when planning, I'm always excited! I want to see it all! The tour was very good. People were wonderful. Tour guide, Hans was great. He took good care of all of us. Our bus driver, Eric was wonderful. No complaints other than on my part just not getting the amount of time on the bus and what we'd see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, Switzerland. The best part of the trip!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

saw a lot, learned a lot and did a lot. lots of walking....but i was disappointed when when i got less than 20k steps a day.... :) the whole trip was enlightening and very educational. loved all of our guides. Not to mention meeting some very fun folks in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The level of quality of our guides. A wealth of information and, very patient with questions."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour offered an exciting mix of both urban and rural environments, with culture, history, and adventure a daily experience. Our tour guide, Hans, was superb. I think he spoiled us a bit, and provided quirky bits of local experiences, like fresh Swiss cheese from a roadside vending machine, that we would not have uncovered on our own. Our group of fellow travelers was very compatible, offering opportunities for new friendships in addition to the European experience. Nice hotels, good food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While I love learning about culture and history, and experiencing the charm and vibe of different cities, the spectacular, natural beauty of the Alps made my heart sing. From the thrilling peak of the Schilthorn Piz Gloria, to the hike through the picturesque countryside, to the cows in the street, Murren, an exceedingly quaint Swiss village, was my favorite place. That said, I loved the whole tour!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything ran smoothly and was well organized. Hans, our guide, and Eric, the driver, worked well together. We always knew what the next stop entailed and what to expect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alps from our hotel balcony in Murren. Also, the underground waterfall was astounding. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The experience was informative, well planned, and most of all fun. Our travel buddies were all great people and enjoyable to be around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mirren and Piz Gloria. Not many places in the world as beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide Hans and all of the fellow travelers made this trip the best. Hans was always the last to eat, making sure all were taken care of first. The hotels were comfortable and in great locations, the bus driver Eric was amazing, especially in small towns and in Switzerland, and the restaurants were perfect! We stayed well fed. We were also blessed with fantastic weather the whole trip. The itinerary left plenty of open time for extra experiences or rest, and all the included sights were lovely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Almost every stop had a wow moment. Colognes cathedral and art museum, Berg eltz, Beilstein, black forest cake in the black forest, Neuschwanstein, beer and art in Munich, walking Salzburg at night, lake Hallstatt boat ride, art and palaces in Vienna. But the best wow moment was Switzerland. Everything was beautiful and serene. The lifts were fun to explore, the trails were well marked. The landscape and animals were relaxing, and the rivers and waterfalls are picturesque. Ready to go again."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the tour and would not change a thing..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the cities of Salzburg and Murren... "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour had a nice mix of urban and rural. Felt a bit rushed at times for instance would have liked more time in Baden Baden. I really like the Rick Steves format.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Muren "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The entire trip was a wonderful experience. Our guide, Ruby, was fantastic and felt like a friend from day one. Octoberfest was quite the experience and fun even for this non-beer drinker! I've finally figured out that I tend to enjoy locations with natural beauty more than busy cities, so the Alps and Hallstatt were standouts. Nothing will ever compare to paragliding over the Lauterbrunnen Valley and experiencing a quiet, peaceful, bird's eye view of one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland, and specifically, the Alps. It's my third time in the Lauterbrunnen Valley and I'm still just as awestruck as the first time. Hallstatt was a very close second. The area is absolutely beautiful and the town is charming and feels welcoming. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had free time to relax between the fast paced, "must see" events. Comfortable walking shoes made the difference! The guide book, with maps, gave a variety of options to plan out our city stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "pinch me, is this real" stop was in Murren. One day I took 19 photos and videos, just of of cows and church bells, with the Alps as a backdrop."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed the tour, our energetic and fun guide Ruby, and our merry band of fellow tour members. We were so fortunate to have beautiful weather for our entire tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My WOW moment was the gondola ride to the top of the Shilthorn as we rose above the clouds and into the clear air above! We had magnificent views of the other three nearby peaks! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was enjoyable to visit three countries with a mix of cities and rural although it was a lot to see at one time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren was wonderful. The hiking and nice town with the views. The view from shiltzhorn. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Can’t say enough our guide Thomas and bus driver henery were very well prepared it was a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland and ocktoberfest could have stayed longer "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well managed, on time, excellent tour guides. Thomas was awesome and the individual guides along the way were also great! Henry drove us safely throughout our tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Junfrau and Salzburg shared my “wow” moments. The dairy cows behind our hotel and gondolas as a mode of transportation were the best. Salzburg was easy to navigate, the hotel and staff were the best, and Mozart concert was memorable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized. The group time vs free time was perfect for us as we enjoy exploring on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views of the Swiss alps in Murren and the surrounding areas."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded my expectations! We did everything described in the itinerary and more! Our guide, Thomas K., incorporated local surprises into scheduled events: special desserts, schnapps, traditional musicians, special meals, chocolate treats, etc.! Our bus was spacious and our driver, Henry, very skilled and thoughtful. Our hotels were all top rate and centrally located. Our group dinners were fun and allowed us the opportunity to get to know our fellow tour members better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss alps were definitely awe-inspiring! We had beautiful, clear days to enjoy the rugged mountains, the green hillsides and valleys, and the spectacular gardens and flower boxes! Other wows include the castles and open-air museum, the cathedrals, the art museums, Lake Hallstatt, and Vienna."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really didn’t know what to expect….our first trip to Europe but we have followed Rick for years. This tour far surpassed our expectations. Everything was so well planned and we loved the free time built into our schedules. We learned so much about Europe and met incredible people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the beautiful breathtaking scenery of the Swiss alps from our hotel was certainly a wow moment. It was emotional ."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was all it was cracked up to be - from start to finish! We had taken the Best of Europe tour a few years back and couldn't wait to get back to some of the places we only touched upon during that tour. Switzerland is especially beautiful. Oktoberfest in Munich and Vienna was so much fun. Overall, the food, drink and scenic wonders were well worth the cost of the trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, it was something not on the formal itinerary. It was listening to the Mozart Chamber Music concert up on the top floor of the Fortress Salzburg. From the opening to the final notes, the music was amazing. The setting also contributed to the grandeur of the evening."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour exceeded all pre-tour expectations. Our tour guide Thomas K was excellent! His careful planning, smooth execution, and high level of personal commitment to each member of our group was exceptional and appreciated by all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great guide, 'Thomas' that made our tour exceptional. Meals were great, choice of local guides was excellent also. The group we were in were all friendly and helped each other whenever necessary. We really became a close-knit group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two 'wow' moments. The first day coming out of the train station at Cologne Germany and seeing the Cathedral or Dom. The second was the three days we enjoyed in Murren, Switzerland. We had absolutely clear skies (which no one can predict or control, so it was just luck) Our accommodations in both of these places were terrific also."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour combining history and cultural experiences. My guide, Thomas was fabulous! He was very knowledgeable and did a great job giving insights to the countries we visited and explaining what to expect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole country of Switzerland! I didn't want to leave! Second wow was the Mozart string quartet at the Salzburg fortress. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

On day one I knew the tour would be great. Thomas was a thoughtful guy and a great guide. All accommodations were good with excellent breakfast options. The included meals were all special. Our last meal in Vienna was spectacular!! Thomas had special surprises throughout the tour, never disappointing. The extra guides were all great and knowledgeable about their cities. Our tour group was full of fun and interesting people. Thanks for a great trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"“Wow” is hard to define. I could pick “wow” moments every day. The music we heard in Salzburg and Vienna was special. Baden-Baden and seeing Burg Eltz in the fog was nice. The scenery in Murren was beautiful and the sound of cow bells relaxing. Special music - accordion and Alp horn on the patio capped off our Murren stay. Architecture of buildings and artwork in museums amazed. Lake Hallstatt was serene. Wow” I enjoyed it all!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had the most amazing tour guide, bus driver and local guides. They were all extremely knowledgeable and provided relevant histories and insights into all the areas we visited. I can't imagine travelling to these areas and not getting the education we received along the way. What a great way to experience Europe!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stunning sights from everywhere we travelled in the Murren area were absolutely breathtaking! What a phenomenal place to stay and explore!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was everything I expected from a RS tour! Our tour guide, Thomas, was so friendly & knowledgeable! He treated us so well, i.e., we'd talk about a local candy or type of liquor & then he'd treat us to it! The local guides were also very friendly & knowledgeable! I had actually traveled to all 3 countries previously but still learned quite a new things this time, too! I appreciated the printed maps that he provided us as he'd highlight certain things of interest. I found them helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband & I attended a Mozart concert in the fortress in Salzburg. It was a beautiful night, they had the windows open, & we were able to view the city lights from where we sat! AND the music was wonderful! & the musicians excellent!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about the tour was top notch; people, meals, transportation, hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably traveling up to the Schilthorn summit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Thrill walk"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

MATTEUS AND MARY WERE OUTSTANDING GUIDES WOULD LOVE TO TOUR WITH BOTH AGAIN ANYTIME

Favorite "WOW" moment

"MURREN MT SHILTHORN"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour to Germany, Austria and Switzerland was fabulous! The tour guide Matti was amazing. He was very knowledgeable, had a great sense of humor, and was flexible which is greatly appreciated. I loved those “surprises” we often had, only adding to the already amazing trip. Loved every where we went. It was a beautiful day in the Alps and Oktoberfest did not disappoint. Mary who was in training added to the trip. She will be a great addition to the “Rick Steve’s”family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t pick one “wow” moment. My wow moments were the Alps, Oktoberfest, Lake Hallstatt, the castle - Neuschwanstein and I am sure I am missing some. Matti our tour guide was outstanding being knowledgeable and giving that knowledge at the right time, having a sense of humor, and being flexible. Also Mary who was in training added to the trip. The trip was priceless. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a magnificent tour with terrific people and two wonderful guides; Matti and Mary were both outstanding! I can’t tell you what I enjoyed the most—Matti’s depth of knowledge and sense of humor or Mary’s kindness & ability to make our visits relevant and personal. I regret losing so many folks to Covid (10), but the overall demeanor and carriage of the group was positive and fun; they were a great group of folks to travel with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t pick one; there were just too many: Mürren & the Schilthorn, Lake Hallstatt (sp), Neuschwanstein, Oktoberfest in Munich; they were all magnificent and just a few that stood out. Munich was a wonderful town that I thoroughly enjoyed, and Salzburg was great as well. I may be one of the few, but I also thoroughly enjoyed our time in Köln as well!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren was spectacular"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved it. Exactly as advertised. Had a great balance of guided tours and free time. I felt safe, and welcomed as a solo traveler.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Doing the Thrill Walk at the Birg stop on the Schilthorn! I promised my granddaughter I'd be brave. And I was!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour. Great guide. I felt the tour was a little rushed towards the end. I would've liked more time in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna and less in some of the earlier cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Neuschwanstein Castle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A well packed tour which allowed us to get the most for our buck. Our tour guide Donald White was fantastic and funny. Couldn’t have asked for anything better. I never thought I would make as many wonderful friends. Definitely a bit physical but worth every step,even though they seem to have all been up steps lol

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren by far, especially when we got to see the cows parading through the middle of the town for the annual march down from the hills, perfect timing. Didn’t expect that!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Magnificent. This is a rigorous, demanding tour, both in number of days and miles covered. However, it is exactly as advertised on the RS website. A few long bus days, but they provided welcome interludes with wonderful scenery. Lots of walking and exercise in clean mountain air. This tour has some great mid-day stops: Burg Eltz Castle, Mauthausen concentration camp, Franz Joseph’s summer villa. We had a wonderful, collegial group, led by Donald White.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Big surprise—Murren. We enjoyed running into people from Best of Europe 14 Days and My Way Alpine Europe at the top of Schilthorn. However, the GAS tour is the only one of the three that actually stays in beautiful Murren. This rare three-night stay allows lots of free time for hiking. We were fortunate to see the annual parade of cows wearing floral headdresses celebrating their coming down from the high pastures. Also saw a cow helicoptered down to the valley. Big double take on that!"