Self Drive Tours

Amsterdam,
Berlin, Prague & Vienna

Discover Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna And History In Between 14 nights/ 15 days From Amsterdam to Amsterdam

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrive Amsterdam – Pick-up Rental Car , Netherlands (2 nights)

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Fall in love with this relaxed and friendly city, where everyone speaks English and are most pleasing and helpful. Amsterdam is best explored by foot or bicycle, which can be easily and cheaply rented throughout the city. From its canals to world-famous museums and historical sights, it is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. Shop at the Waterlloplein flea market and experience the aromas of the floating flower market. Wander through narrow streets and find interesting shops selling antiques and books. Throughout the day relax in one of the many cafes, and you can find great dining at the many restaurants scattered throughout the city. Service is very friendly and helpful in suggesting local specialties. Try the Indonesian rice dishes, very typical of Amsterdam, or the country’s many cheeses or smoked fish.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class A-Train Hotel or similar (2 nights)

Day 2 | Amsterdam

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Today take a canal cruise in a glass topped boat, which is a great way to see the city. Alongside the canal visit the Anne Frank House where teenage wartime diarist Ann Frank hid with her family from Nazi persecution, and is now preserved as a museum. The Rijksmuseum is the Dutch national museum with a large collection of paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters. The Van Gogh Museum has much of the great man’s life on display and is the largest collection of his paintings and drawings in the world.

Day 3 | Amsterdam – Bremen Germany

354.05 km*

Your drive from Amsterdam takes you across the border into Lower Saxony Germany, and to the port city of Bremen where we have arranged your overnight stay. Visit the Marktplatz which is dominated by the Town Hall. Today it hosts a restaurant with original décor and gigantic wine barrels and whose wine list boasts over 600 German wines. This 1,200 year old city has a unique quality with its wealth of restaurants, beer gardens, riverboats and antique markets.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Best Western Hotel Schaper-Seidenberg or similar

Day 4 | Bremen – Hamburg

125.53 km*

Germany’s biggest harbor city, Hamburg, where we have arranged your overnight stay. It is also the greenest city in Germany with its parks, tree-lined canals, protected countryside and nature reserves. Its skyline is dominated by the pale green of its copper spires and domes, though but a few houses and churches are all that is left from before the last century. The Great Fire of 1842 was the main cause of this loss, followed by the bombing during World War II. The grand building of the unique Rathaus, the city hall supported by dozens of pillars, is worth a visit. End your day as you relax in one of the many beer halls, cafes and restaurants.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Fuerst Bismarck or similar

Day 5 | Hamburg – Berlin

286.46 km*

From Hamburg your drive takes you to the fascinating city of Berlin where we have arranged a 2 night stay. Visit the Museum of Checkpoint Charlie where a section of the Berlin Wall, once the crossing point between East and West Germany, has been re-erected as a museum. Once notorious for its cabaret nightlife, Berliners now refer to their favorite cafes, restaurants or bars as Lokale. Here you can drink and mingle with Berlin’s artists, writers, students, business people and politicians and experience the warmth and chaos of these interesting places as people become embroiled in lively discussions of art or life. Try the fizzy local beer which is served with a shot of juice.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Kurfurst or similar (2 nights)

Day 6 | Berlin

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Berlin is an exciting city of contrasts and contradictions that can be seen in the many historical and modern attractions. The Jewish Museum, opened in 2001, sits on land that was both East and West Berlin before the Berlin Wall fell and covers two millennia of German Jewish history. Monuments of Prussian grandeur stand beside reminders of a divided country alongside stunning new architectural developments

Day 7 | Berlin – Dresden – Prague Czech Republic

350.84 km*

Today you drive from Berlin to Dresden which will allow you a glimpse of the varying charms of Saxony’s 1000 year”s history. Dresden’s historical center is located on the left bank of the river Elbe. The Royal Palace was built in the 15th century and having been destroyed by fire in 1701 was rebuilt but again destroyed by the bombings of 1945. It has now been reconstructed as a museum complex. The reconstruction in 2005 of the 18th century Frauenkirche church’s steeple which rises above Dresden’s skyline is an impressive symbol of international reconciliation after World War II. Leave Dresden and continue on into the Czech Republic and to its capital city of Prague, which is situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia and where we have arranged your overnight stay. As Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than other major cities in the region it contains one of the world’s most varied collections of architecture in style from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic and Neo-Classical, as well as ultra modern. Prague has a thriving nightlife with many bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Popelka or similar

Day 8 | Prague – Brno – Vienna, Austria (2 nights)

339.57 km*

Today’s journey takes you through the historical region of Moravia and to the city of Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic. Its city center is full of historical buildings, fountains, sculptures and restaurants and is very compact so it is very easy to walk around and see most of the places of interest. Continue to Austria and to romantic Vienna, a city of great diversity of art, architecture and culinary delights. The former home of the Habsburg court, the city still has the trappings of the imperial capital it once was and its downtown historic center is like an open-air museum with its many famous buildings. You will find many fine shopping streets. Visit the Danube Tower for breathtaking views of the city.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Alexander or similar (2 nights)

Day 9 | Vienna

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Today see the famous Lipizzaner horse show, an equestrian tradition that dates from the 16th century. Music has a great impact to this city, home to such famous composers as Johann Strauss. Hear great operas with world star guests, the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra and the world-famous Vienna Boys Choir. This evening dine on some of Vienna’s world famous cuisine of Wiener Schnitzel, apple strudel and Sachertorte.

Day 10 | Vienna – Linz – Salzburg

296.12 km*

From Vienna you drive to Salzburg where we have arranged your overnight stay. Noted for its beautiful Alpine setting, it is a city of spires, green hills and romantic parks and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amongst the Old Town’s famous sights is the Hohensalzburg Castle, which sits on a hill with views over Salzburg. Visit the magnificent Residenz Palace, Mozart’s birthplace and Mozart’s residence. Try the local cuisine of Flanken followed by Salzburger Chazerai.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Astoria or similar

Day 11 | Salzberg – Munich Germany

144.84 km*

From Salzberg it”s a short drive across the border back into Germany and the city of Munich, where we have arranged your overnight stay. A city of museums, romantic castles and palaces, gardens and parks, the baroque Nymphenburg Palace with Park and Pavilions was the summer residence of Bavarian monarchs and houses several outstanding art collections. Among Munich’s many museums is the Alte Pinakothek – one of the oldest and most important galleries in the world with more than 800 European art masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the Rococo period. Munich has seven Michelin-starred restaurants, and many locally owned restaurants offering regional fare and of course Germany’s famous beer gardens.

Accommodation:
Touris Class Hotel Saint Paul or similar

Day 12 | Munich – Obarammergau – Stuttgart – Heidelberg

329.91 km*

Today visit the village of Oberammergau, famous for its production of the Passion Play. First performed in 1634, as a result of a vow made by its inhabitants for God to spare them the bubonic plague then sweeping the region, it has been performed every 10th year ending with a zero. Oberammergau has a long tradition of woodcarving, and there are dozens of woodcarver shops with pieces ranging from religious subjects to toys. Many of the homes and buildings have frescoes of traditional Bavarian themes, fairy tales or religious scenes. From Stuttgart your drive takes you to Heidelberg, a jewel of German cities. Here you will find many places of interest. The best way to enjoy the old town is to simply wander around and see what you come upon, it doesn”t cover a particularly large area, so there”s no chance of you getting lost and you”ll find plenty of opportunities to pick up some souvenirs or stop for a coffee and some traditional local food.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Hollander Hof or similar

Day 13 | Heidelberg – Rhine River – Cologne

252.67 km*

Leave Heidelberg and drive through Hesse with its densely forested upland range of mountains to the main river that flows through the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, the River Rhine. Although parts of the area is industrial with high-tech industries, North Rhine-Westphalia offers much rural charm and natural beauty with densely wooded rolling hills, beautiful lakes, fields and pastures, sheltered small villages and picturesque historic towns. Further up the Rhine is Cologne, one of the oldest cities in Germany and where we have arranged your overnight stay. Cologne is north of Bonn and located on both sides of the Rhine River. At the beginning of the 18th century Italian expatriate Johann Farina created a new fragrance and named it after his hometown Cologne – hence Eau de Cologne (Water of Cologne). As a major cultural center of the Rhineland. Cologne has a vibrant arts scene with hundreds of galleries. Cologne is also famous for its Cathedral, begun in 1248 the construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in stages and was not completed until 1880. The city is proud to be the home of one of Europe’s oldest universities, the University of Cologne.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Domstern or similar

Day 14 | Cologne – The Netherlands – Arnhem – Amsterdam

263.93 km*

Your drive today is parallel to the Rhine River from Germany and across the Netherlands via Arnhem, site of a famous WWll battle to cross the river. Before arriving in Amsterdam where we have arranged your overnight stay, you can visit the Hoge Veluwe National Park, famous for its Kroller Muller Museum which houses one of the largest Van Gogh exhibitions in Europe. It also has a wonderful Sculpture Garden.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class A-Train Hotel or similar, or a Tourist Class Airport Hotel

Day 15 | Drop-off Rental Car. Depart Amsterdam

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Austria &
Switzerland Self Drive Tour

Discover Austria and Switzerland: 13 nights/14 days From Vienna to Vienna

Itinerary

Day 1 | Vienna – Pick up your rental car.

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Welcome to romantic Vienna, a city of great diversity of art, architecture and culinary delights. The former home of the Habsburg court, the city still has the trappings of the imperial capital it once was and its downtown historic center is like an open-air museum with its many famous buildings. You will find many fine shopping streets. Visit the Danube Tower for breathtaking views of the city.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Alexander or similar (2 nights)

Day 2 | Vienna

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Vienna is also a dynamic city, famous for its electronic music scene and, of course, its coffee culture with its many beautiful traditional coffee bars offering delicious coffee and delectable pastries. The Viennese take their food quite seriously and throughout the day you will find superb food and fine wines.

Day 3 | Vienna – Graz – Klagenfurt

376.59 km*

Your journey today takes you to the historic old town of Graz with its alleys and squares, impressive buildings, museums and galleries. A funicular will take you effortlessly to Schlossberg castle which is perched upon a hill in the middle of the city and has spectacular views. From Graz your drive to Klagenfurt, where we have arranged your overnight stay, takes you through beautiful mountainous regions with an astonishing number of small castles. Klagenfurt’s best-known landmark is in the main square and is a legendary dragon that haunted the area and was finally killed by the inhabitants. The Klagenfurt Cathedral is a spectacular baroque building.

Accommodation:
Tourist & First Class Hotel Seepark or similar

Day 4 | Klagenfurt – Cortina, Italy – Innsbruck

336.35 km*

From Klagenfurt your drive to Cortina can only be described as spectacular as you view the stark grandeur of the Dolomites of Corina-d’Ampezzo. Take the short cut to Innsbruck by crossing into Italy on the way to the Brenner Pass, and take a short diversion to Cortina, whose most fashionable street is the Corso, lined with boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. A visit to the Lagazuoi and Torri area’s open-air museum is a memorable event, a perfect combination of nature and history in one of the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites.

Located in the Inn Valley between high mountains is the beautiful city of Innsbruck, where we have arranged your overnight stay. One of the city’s greatest landmarks is the Golden Roof, a three-story balcony on a house in the heart of Innsbruck’s Old Town. Capped with 2,600 gold-plated copper tiles, it was constructed for Emperor Maximilian I to serve as a royal box where he could sit in luxury and enjoy tournaments in the square below.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Ramada Tivoli or similar

Day 5 | Innsbruck – Switzerland – St. Moritz

260.71 km*

From Innsbruck your drive will take you through the beautiful scenery of Austria and Switzerland’s mountains and lakes to St. Moritz, where we have arranged your overnight stay. You will pass alpine cattle wearing large cowbells – Swiss farmers have used such bells for centuries to locate their herd as they graze in the Alpine meadows. Arrive at the glamorous resort of St. Moritz, surrounded by the beautiful lake landscape of the Upper Engadine. In winter it is one of the best-known ski resorts in the world and in summertime it offers sailing, tennis, health spa and a golfer’s paradise with its five golf courses.

Accommodation:
Tourist & First Class Hotel Schweizerhof or similar

Day 6 | St. Moritz – Bellinzona – Lugano

136.79 km*

From Romanish speaking St. Moritz drive into Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian speaking canton. Your first stop today takes you to the beautiful old town of Bellinzona, east of the Ticino River and at the foot of the Alps it stretches along the river valley. A fortress since Roman times, Bellinzona is famous for its three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. A walk around the town is a trip back in time.

From Bellinzona continue your drive through the mountains to Lugano, where we have arranged your overnight stay. A town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings, with its Mediterranean flair it offers all the advantages of a world-class city combined with the flavor of a small town. The historic town center, with its squares and arcades, is traffic-free and home to numerous Italianate Lombardy style buildings. Numerous parks invite you to laze around and enjoy the atmosphere while the lakeside promenade of the Belvedere Gardens boasts countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art. Take a boat trip around Lugano followed by dinner of Swiss-Italian food – perhaps risotto or share a fondue – for the perfect end of the day

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Delfino or similar

Day 7 | Lugano – Stresa, Italy – Simplon Pass – Sion – Montreux

3575.95 km*

Leave Lugano and cross the border into Italy and to Stresa, a resort town on the shores of Lake Maggiore. From here your journey takes you over the Simplon Pass – a high mountain pass between the Italian Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. It follows the natural topography of some of the most scenic landscapes in Europe. Near the summit of the pass is a hospice, first mentioned in 1235 as in the charge of the Order of St. John and now occupied by Augustinians. Should the road be closed between December and early May, automobiles are diverted onto flatbed trains to be carried through one of the longest railway tunnels in the world, the Simplon Tunnel. Pass Sion as you journey through vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps to the town of Montreaux, nestled in a sheltered bay on Lake Geneva, and where we have arranged your overnight stay. Take a walk along the flower-bordered lake promenade with its restaurants and piano and jazz bars. The famous Montreux Jazz Festival takes place every June/July.

Accommodation:
Touris Class Hotel Delfino or similar

Day 8 | Montreux – Lausanne – Geneva – Bern

251.06 km*

Surrounded by vineyards with Lake Geneva at its feet, Lausanne is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities. It is a city of steep hills with vistas of blue water, glittering sunlight and the white capped Savoy Alps peeping between gaps in buildings. Here you will find parks, flowers and tree-lined lakefront promenades. At the heart of Lausanne is its Old Town with the cobbled Place de la Palud, a perfect spot for people watching with plenty of pavement cafes. Every hour on the hour mechanical figures emerge on the wall behind the fountain for a chiming display

Drive around the lake to Geneva, the worldwide center for diplomacy including the headquarters of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It has many art galleries, fine shopping and interesting cafes, bars and restaurants. One of its most famous landmarks is the magnificent Jet d’Eau whose white plume marks the city from afar. The lake itself is a memorable sight.

Leave Geneva for one of Switzerland’s most charming cities, Bern, where we have arranged your overnight stay. Its quiet cobbled lanes are lined with sandstone-arcaded buildings that have barely changed over the past five hundred years and the wide main cobbled thoroughfare of the old town features many arcaded buildings. At no.49 is the Einstein House, the apartment and workplace of the famous scientist. You can find delicious local food at many of the cozy bars in this ancient city.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Arabelle or similar

Day 9 | Bern – Interlaken – Lucerne

222.09 km*

From Berne your drive takes you to Interlaken, one of Switzerland’s oldest resorts, famed for its superb views towards the Jungfrau massif which lies perfectly framed between two hills to the south of the town. Its long main street, Hoheweg, is lined with cafes and grand hotels, and bordered on one side with lawns and flowerbeds. Drive through glorious scenery to Lucerne where we have arranged your overnight stay. With its beautiful lakeside setting, impressive mountain views and picturesque medieval town squares lined with fountains and historic houses, it is a delightful town. Walk Lucerne’s medieval battlements and explore cobbled alleys and hidden garden courtyards. End your day at one of Lucerne’s many restaurants and try the delicious typical Swiss dish of Roesti – a combination of fried grated crispy potatoes and gruyere cheese.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel De La Paix or similar

Day 10 | Lucerne – Basel – Zurich

270.37 km*

Next stop is Basel, located on the River Rhine and bordering both Germany and France. The attractive old town, with its cobbled streets and fountains, has antique and craft shops, cafes, and beautiful old buildings such as the 12th century cathedral and the Barfusserkirche, now the Historical Museum. Then continue to Zurich for your overnight stay. A popular place for nightlife is the Old Town on the left bank of the River Limmat, with many bars and cafes tucked away on the side streets. Visit a traditional beer cellar with lengthy tables that are shared as diners tuck into classic Zurich cuisine.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Montana or similar

Day 11 | Zurich – Liechtenstein – Davos

199.56 km*

Leave Switzerland’s largest city for Liechtenstein – the world’s smallest German-speaking country. Governed by a monarch who lives in a Gothic castle on a hill, the country has stunning natural beauty. Measuring only 25km x 6km it is filled with lush green forests, craggy cliffs, quaint villages and friendly locals.

From Liechtenstein continue your drive through the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps to Davos, where we have arranged your overnight stay. Davos is way up in the mountains and one of the highest cities in Europe. Famous for its annual meetings of the World Economic Forum, it is popular all year round. It is a bustling place offering fine shopping and dining, famous for its fresh mountain air and huge outdoor and indoor skating rinks, sports center and miles of picturesque walking paths.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Cresta or similar

Day 12 | Davos – Salzburg

362.1 km*

From Davos we cross the border at Martina into Austria then continue to Salzburg where we have arranged your overnight stay. Noted for its beautiful Alpine setting, it is a city of spires, green hills and romantic parks and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amongst the Old Town’s famous sights is the Hohensalzburg Castle, which sits on a hill with views over Salzburg. Visit the magnificent Residenz Palace, Mozart’s birthplace and Mozart’s residence. Try the local cuisine of Flanken followed by Salzburger Chazerai.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel De La Paix or similar

Day 13 | Salzburg – Vienna

299.34 km*

Leave the charm of Salzburg and continue on back to Austria”s romantic capital, Vienna, for your overnight stay. See the famous Lipizzaner horse show, an equestrian tradition that dates from the 16th century. Music has a great impact to this city, home to such famous composers as Johann Strauss. Hear great operas with world star guests, the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra and the world-famous Vienna Boys Choir. This evening dine on some of Vienna’s world famous cuisine of Wiener Schnitzel, apple strudel and Sachertorte.

Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Alexander or similar, or a Tourist Class Airport Hotel

Day 14 | Vienna

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Drop off your car at the airport for your return flight home.