Germany, Italy & Switzerland - Student Travel Tour

Germany, Italy & Switzerland (2013)

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ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 - FLIGHT

Overnight flight

Overnight flight
Board your overnight flight, bound for Europe.

DAY 2 - MUNICH

Arrive in Munich

Arrive in Munich
Welcome to Munich! This is the capital of Germany’s Bavaria region, and it still has strong ties to its folkloric traditions (you’ll definitely see some lederhosen). There’s also plenty of modernity, including a great music scene, cool art museums, and BMW’s world headquarters. After clearing customs, you’ll meet your full-time tour director and the rest of your group.

Walking tour of Munich

Walking tour of Munich
Your tour director will show you around Munich. Pass the iconic Frauenkirche, with its onion-domed twin towers, and arrive at the Marienplatz, the central town square that always draws crowds. Then continue past the Hofbräuhaus, Munich's most famous beer hall (among many).

Free time in Munich (night)

Free time in Munich (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Zappeforster – Famous for its creamy cappuccino, ice teas and home-made waffles.
2. Nachtcafe – Hear live bands or DJs almost every night; free to enter and open all night.
3. Nationaltheater – See an opera, ballet or classical music concert at the city's most prestigious theater.
4. Leopoldstrasse – This street in the Schwabing district is lined with bars, cafés, restaurants, cinemas and pubs.
5. Atomic Café – Dance to ’70s music all night.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Munich.

DAY 3 - MUNICH

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, which was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle and also home to one of the weirdest kings in Europe’s history.

Welcome dinner at the Hofbräuhaus

Welcome dinner at the Hofbräuhaus
Get to know the other travelers in your group over dinner at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus. With its classic Bavarian setting, traditional food and drink, and long tables full of fun-loving people, the Hofbräuhaus is quintessential Munich.

DAY 4 - INNSBRUCK • VENICE

Travel via Innsbruck

Travel via Innsbruck
En route to Italy, stop in Innsbruck, a cool little city located at the intersection of several Alpine passes. Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and it’s the capital of Austria’s scenic Tyrol province. Have time to explore the town square and grab a bite to eat, maybe an Austrian sausage (a local favorite).

Arrive in Venice

Arrive in Venice
Continue on to Venice, once a huge naval power and now a major tourist spot. Venice is amazing. The one-of-a-kind canals have to be seen to be appreciated. See the gondolas, browse the shops, eat the gelato. At night you'll be hanging out in nearby Lido di Jesolo, a beachside area with lots of fun nightlife, good restaurants, and the hotel you'll be sleeping in.

DAY 5 - VENICE

Sightseeing tour of Venice (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Venice (local guide)
A local guide will lead you on foot through the narrow streets and open piazzas of Venice. Start at St. Mark's Square, whose basilica allegedly houses the saint's remains. See the famous Grand Canal and the 324-foot Campanile bell tower, and then finish your tour at a cool glass-blowing demonstration (Venetian glass is famous around the world).

Doges’ Palace

Doges’ Palace
Visit the 14th-century pink-and-white palace, and walk over the famous Bridge of Sighs that connects the palace and its prison. According to lore, prisoners would sigh with sadness as they crossed the bridge and saw their city for the last time.

Free time in Venice (day)

Free time in Venice (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Castello district – Take a walk and try to make it all the way to the San Pietro di Castello Island.
2. Rialto Market – Browse the noisiest, most colorful spot in Venice, where vendors sell an assortment of fruits, vegetables and fish.
3. le Zattere – Walk along this picturesque quay, with its great views of the Grand Canal and its popular gelato stop.
4. Glassware shopping – Take home a piece of high-quality Venetian crystal.
5. Gondola ride – You have to do it, the classic Venice experience. If you’re lucky, your gondolier will serenade you as he directs the boat along the canals.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Venice.

DAY 6 - VERONA • LUCERNE

Travel via Verona

Travel via Verona
On your way to Switzerland, stop in Verona, home of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. You can see the home of Juliet’s family, and even the balcony where she called out for Romeo in Shakespeare’s play.

Arrive in Lucerne region

Arrive in Lucerne region
Welcome to the majestic Swiss Alps. Lucerne is all about the scenery. With Lake Lucerne, the surrounding mountains, and a famous covered bridge, this is classic Switzerland.

DAY 7 - LUCERNE

Sightseeing tour of Lucerne (EFCB Tour Director)

Sightseeing tour of Lucerne (EFCB Tour Director)
Explore Lucerne with your tour director. Walk the narrow streets and take in the incredible mountain scenery. See the one-of-a-kind Löwendenkmal, a surprisingly impressive rock carving of a dying lion. Walk across the Kapellbrücke—this mural-lined covered bridge was originally built back in medieval times.

Optional trip up Mount Pilatus (extra cost)

Optional trip up Mount Pilatus ($70 until May 15, $80 after May 15; pre-booked)
Take an amazing trip to the top of Mount Pilatus, the majestic mountain dominating the Lucerne skyline. If it’s summer, you’ll travel to the foot of the mountain by boat across Lake Lucerne, and then ride the famous Pilatus cog railway—the steepest in the world—to the top. During other seasons, you’ll drive to the mountain base before going up by cable car. Forty-five minutes and 6,387 feet later, you’ll reach the summit. Take in the incredible panoramic views—see the city of Lucerne, its pristine lake, and the snow-capped Alps.

DAY 8 - HEIDELBERG

Travel via Rhine Falls and Black Forest

Travel via Rhine Falls and Black Forest
See the thundering Rhine Falls and drive by way of the Black Forest. Many familiar fairy tales—including old Brothers Grimm favorites—are set in these dark, dark woods.

Arrive in Heidelberg

Arrive in Heidelberg
Continue to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest college town. Heidelberg’s hillside castle, red-roofed townscape, and big nightlife (thanks to all the students who live here) make the city a popular stop for backpackers and others traveling through Europe.

Sightseeing tour of Heidelberg (EFCB Tour Director)

Sightseeing tour of Heidelberg (EFCB Tour Director)
Your tour director will show you the highlights of the town. See Heidelberg's 700-year-old castle, and take in the great views of the Neckar Valley. Walk the cobblestone streets to Marktplatz, where witches were burned at the stake back in the day. You’ll also see the castle’s 58,000-gallon wine cask (the world’s largest), which once kept the locals’ thirst very well-quenched.

Farewell drink

Farewell drink
Share some laughs and let the reminiscing begin over a farewell drink with the group.

DAY 9 - HEIDELBERG • FRANKFURT

Free time in Heidelberg (day)

Free time in Heidelberg (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Studentenkarzer – Check out this old detainment spot for misbehaving students back in the day.
2. Kurpfälzisches Museum – Get your fill of regional history.
3. Heidelberg University – Get a feel for local college life by wandering the campus.
4. Zoo Heidelberg – Go and see animals from five continents.
5. Explore the streets – This is a great city for getting lost and finding your way back.

Travel to Frankfurt

Travel to Frankfurt
Ride on to Frankfurt, where you'll spend your final night.

DAY 10 - FLIGHT

Fly home

Fly home
It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home.

10 DAYS STARTING AT $3,474

Restrictions Apply

Price is valid on specific departure date and standard (triple/quad) rooming. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price may apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.
Prices may be subject to change.

DEPARTURES
~~08/01/2013~~BUS 1

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EFCB PROGRAM FEE: DEPARTURE FEE:

TOTAL PRICE:

Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.

To view EF’s Booking Conditions, visit efcollegebreak.com/pdf/2013_booking_conditions.pdf.

Current departure fees include taxes and surcharges levied by governments and airlines and may be subject to change prior to final payment.

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PRICE THIS TRIP

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•Round-trip airfare
•Hotels

•Travel between cities
•Welcome dinner
•Breakfast daily
•Farewell drink
•Full-time tour director
•Walking tours
•Sightseeing tours
•Entrance to select attractions

• Mount PilatusTake an amazing trip to the top of Mount Pilatus, the majestic mountain dominating the Lucerne skyline. If it’s summer, you’ll travel to the foot of the mountain by boat across Lake Lucerne, and then ride the famous Pilatus cog railway—the steepest in the world—to the top. During other seasons, you’ll drive to the mountain base before going up by cable car. Forty-five minutes and 6,387 feet later, you’ll reach the summit. Take in the incredible panoramic views—see the city of Lucerne, its pristine lake, and the snow-capped Alps.