Your Man in Europe

                             

Come along with Your Man in Europe on a rollicking travel adventure in the most beautiful areas of Germany and Austria. From the festive atmosphere of Munich to the quiet serenity of Hallstatt, we’ll experience the best culture and scenery this gorgeous area has to offer. We’ll travel through breathtaking landscapes, and stay in carefully-selected boutique hotels that capture the spirit of each destination. Ride cable-cars to mountaintops, walk through rugged gorges, listen to a Mozart concert in the very room where he performed some of his most beloved music for the first time, visit fairytale castles, and glide across enchanted Alpine lakes. Savor the best of Bavarian and Austrian cuisine – and of course, incomparable brews along the way. Immerse yourself in the charms of some of the most spectacular places on earth on this unique travel opportunity. Don’t miss it!

 

                                                         Itinerary

 

August 26 – Tuesday – Flights from USA to Munich, Germany (overnight flights)

 

August 27 – Wednesday – Plan to arrive at Munich International Airport (MUC) by 12:00. After our  

group is assembled, we’ll shuttle to our centrally-located boutique hotel in the old town. This old world hotel (the oldest in Munich) has been beautifully updated with every modern convenience; but the main attraction is its fantastic location. We’ll need to drop our luggage before our rooms are ready. Then we’ll walk the very short distance from our hotel to fascinating Marienplatz - the very center of Munich, and the perfect starting point for our visit to the Bavarian capital.

 

We’ll start with the lively Viktualienmarkt, a huge open-air food court and farmers’ market just off the square. Try for an outdoor table in the Biergarten, which respectfully waits until 9 AM to open for beer service. Everyone can choose from among German specialties for a light lunch on your own (We have a big dinner planned for the evening!). The more than 140 stalls feature baked treats, meats, fruits and vegetables, and, of course, great German Beer.

Following lunch, we’ll take a stroll around Marienplatz to see the ornate city hall. If our timing is right,

(11 AM, 12 PM & 5 PM) we’ll see and hear the historic Glockenspiel, an elaborate carillon that “performs” three times a day on the city hall tower. Since 1908, the carillon with 16 figures and 43 bells has been reenacting the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renate of Lorraine in 1568, when the Bavarian knight defeated his Lorraine opponent in a jousting tournament. We’ll also stop by the famous Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain), a very popular meeting place for the people of Munich and visitors as well.

 

So we don’t overdo it on the first day, we’ll head back to our hotel to check into our rooms and take a little time to relax after our long flights. Enjoy some free time until dinnertime. Our “Welcome to Germany” dinner couldn’t be in a more fitting place: the world-renowned HOFBRÄUHAUS MÜNCHEN. There we’ll get to experience a fun “Oktoberfest” atmosphere without actually having to be in the city for the gigantic, near overwhelming beer party, which begins in late September. After a hearty meal, a litre (or so) of German beer, and plenty of Oompah music, we’ll head back to our very nearby hotel for a well-deserved night’s rest.

                                           

August 28 – Thursday – After a great breakfast at our hotel, we’ll meet with our expert tour guide for

a walking tour of the city’s most iconic sights. We’ll learn more about the Marienplatz area, as well as the churches of St. Peter, and the Frauenkirche, and much more. This two-hour tour reveals the city's character through knowledgeable commentary about Munich's history. Also, we’ll learn how to get around Munich on our own with tips from our local guide. We’ll experience Bavarian beer and food culture during our included post-tour lunch together.

 

After lunch we’ll use our MUNICH CARD, which offers discounts on many attractions AND free unlimited rides on all city public transportation. We’ll travel together to the magnificent Nymphenburg Palace. Built in 1664 as a summer residence for the Wittelsbach family, Schloss Nymphenburg is a striking, lavishly-decorated Baroque-style palace sprawling over large, elegant gardens just west of central Munich. Inside the palace, exquisite decoration and furnishings of the era have been well preserved. Visitors can admire a Rococo-style ball room, and the Queen's Bedroom complete with the sleigh bed on which Ludwig II was born.

 

The enormous garden surrounding the Palace, which spreads over 490 acres, is home to vast green lawns, water features, a lake, and a canal. Indulge yourself with a Gondola ride on the canal or lake. Stroll in the impressive gardens, and take your time feeling very “royal”. We’ll use our Munich Card for transportation back to Marienplatz, near our hotel. Dinner will be on your own today.

 

August 29 – Friday – After a tasty breakfast at our hotel, we’ll all have a Munich City Pass, an all-inclusive sightseeing pass with free travel on all public transportation and a cash-free entry to 45 top attractions - museums, castles, and other attractions and tours, such as the Hop-On, Hop-Off tour buses. Many admissions include “skip the line” access. Take advantage of the Munich Pass to enjoy the attractions of Munich that you find most appealing. We may have small clusters of our group opting to visit certain attractions together. To plan your day in advance, visit: https://www.turbopass.com/munich-card-munich-city-pass/attractions.html

Lunch and dinner will be on your own today.

 

August 30 - Saturday – After a delicious breakfast at our hotel, our private driver will pick us up at the hotel in a luxury 19-passenger mini-bus for travel to the next destination: Neuschwanstein Castle. The “fairy-tale” king, Ludwig II of Bavaria, built this dazzling palace to withdraw from public life after losing his power in the Austro-Prussian war. Its unique architecture, inspired by medieval German design, features grand turrets, towers, and spires, as well as ornate interiors and intricate woodcarvings. The castle's stunning location provides breathtaking views of the surrounding Bavarian countryside. Walt Disney was so fascinated by the castle's romantic, fairytale-like design that he wanted to recreate its sense of magic and wonder in his theme park. The result: Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland. 

 

We’ll have a very nice lunch together at a cozy restaurant within view of the castle. After lunch we’ll start our trek on up to the castle entrance for a pre-booked guided tour. When the tour finishes, there will be opportunities to explore the castle grounds and surrounding trails for grand views and great photo shots. In the early evening we’ll travel to our beautiful hotel in Garmisch- Partenkirchen, actually two smaller towns that have merged into one. After checking in, we’ll explore the charming, atmospheric village and have an Alpine dinner together at a very popular local restaurant.

 

August 31 - Sunday – After another wonderful breakfast, we’ll take off to get a much closer look at the mountains. At Zugspitzbahn station in Garmisch- Partenkirchen we’ll board the first of three mountain railways and cable cars to visit Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze.  We start with a breathtaking train ride to pristine Lake Eibsee, and then cable cars up to the Zugspitze plateau right beside the glacier. Another gondola will take us to the summit with its 360-degree views of four countries and 400 surrounding mountain peaks. We’ll visit the fantastic gravity-defying glass summit station at almost 3,000 meters above sea level.

 

For lunch enjoy a “top of the world” dining experience on your own with stunning views. What goes up must come down; so after our mountaintop experience, we’ll head back down to Garmisch- Partenkirchen in the afternoon, and return to our cozy hotel and dinner on your own in the enchanting village with mountain vistas in every direction.

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September 1 - Monday – We can’t pass on another great breakfast! Afterward our driver will pick us up at the hotel for a three-hour ride to Salzburg, Austria (via Munich). On arrival we’ll leave our luggage at our delightful, centrally-located hotel, and then take a stroll and enjoy a nice lunch together. Our hotel’s website says that the hotel building “was first mentioned in a document in 1353”. After lunch we’ll; return to our hotel to check into our rooms and maybe relax a bit. In the afternoon enjoy some free time to explore this most charming town. Salzburg (meaning "Salt Fortress") is internationally renowned for its Italian-influenced baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. Salzburg was the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; and in the mid‑20th century, the city was the setting for parts of the musical play and film The Sound of Music; so music is literally everywhere.

The first settlements at Salzburg were established by the Celts about the 5th century BC. Around 15 BC the separate settlements were merged into one city by the Roman Empire. Following  World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Salzburg became part of the new German Austria, and emerged as the First Austrian Republic in 1919, after the Treaty of Versailles. Surviving the annexation of Austria by the Nazis during World War II and the resulting Allied bombing raids (most of the Baroque architecture remained intact), Salzburg has enjoyed a significant revitalization.

In the evening we’ll get back together for a very memorable event: a Mozart concert and dinner up on the imposing cliff at the Hohensalzburg Castle. Beginning when he was still a teenager, Mozart performed many of his beloved works for his patron, Archbishop von Colloredo, in the very room where our concert will be presented.

 

September 2 - Tuesday – We’ll have a lovely breakfast at our hotel before launching into our morning event. Yes, it’s a must…we’ll start the day with a Sound of Music Tour. Even for those who aren’t all that into the movie itself, everyone will enjoy visiting the gorgeous locations featured in the film. As an added treat, we’ll all get a cooking class with tastings in a picturesque Alpine setting. Learn how to prepare an original Austrian apple strudel. Our expert chef will ask everyone to participate in all the stages of the preparation. The activity also includes traditional goulash for lunch, which will be served while our own creations are baking. For dessert we’ll have the strudels we made!

After our return to central Salzburg, everyone will have the afternoon and evening free to enjoy the town, and later, have dinner on your own.

 

September 3 - Wednesday – After another fine breakfast everyone can enjoy an entirely free day in Salzburg. For those who request it, a Salzburg Card will be provided. See: https://www.salzburg.info/en/hotels-offers/salzburg-card/free-admission?page=2    Take time to have a look, and plan your day before the trip if you want to be sure to see specific attractions. Note: some tours sell out well in advance; so booking favorites on the card before our Alpine Odyssey Tour begins may be a good idea.

With the Salzburg Card you’ll have a great way to discover the City of Mozart easily and conveniently. It includes free admission to many attractions and museums, and free use of public transportation. Included (among many goodies): The Untersberg Cable Car up to the top of the mountain for breathtaking views, a boat cruise on the Salzach River with exceptional city views, Mozart’s birthplace, the marionette museum, art museums, the Stiegl-Brauwelt Brewery - an interactive world of beer, and much more!

Or you may decide to take a breather, and just enjoy a relaxing day in the old town, It’s fun to just stroll and savor the ambience of old Salzburg, stopping to appreciate the many street musicians along the way, or just take time for shopping and sightseeing on Getreidegasse, which is one of the oldest streets in Salzburg. Find a sidewalk café table for a lunch so you can appreciate life in this most charming town. The music enthusiasts can choose from among many live concerts.

 

Near our hotel is Mozart’s birthplace, at Getreidegasse No. 9. It’s the house in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756. Mozart spent his childhood and much of his youth there. Enjoy a walking tour through Mozart's times as the museum invites you to take a tour lasting about an hour through original rooms. Also amble through a middle-class apartment reconstructed as authentically as possible. You may feel as if you have personally been transported back to the days of Mozart!

Dinner tonight will be on your own, so keep an eye out for just the right restaurant. Afterward we can savor a good night’s sleep in our comfy hotel.

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September 4 - Thursday – After an early breakfast, we’ll leave Salzburg with our private driver to  our next destination:  Berchtesgaden, Germany. The Alpine setting is gorgeous, and the history is fascinating. Berchtesgaden is a village of 7,000, tucked against the sheer walls of the Bavarian Alps. The town sits in an area called the Berchtesgadener Land, a pocket of Alpine terrain surrounded on three sides by Austria. We’ll drop our baggage at our charming hotel before starting our next expedition. Our driver takes us to The Königssee, a crystal-clear Alpine lake. There we’ll board our quiet electric boat, and glide along the length of the lake past vertical mountain walls to the much-photographed Baroque church of Sankt Bartholomä, next to which we’ll have memorable lunch together at a picturesque Biergarten. Then we continue our cruise to Salet at the southern end before returning to our departure point.

After our cruise, we’ll return to the village to get checked into our hotel rooms. After our tranquil lake cruise we’ll return to Berchtesgaden in time for a leisurely afternoon in this picture-book village. The place is just about too cute. Stroll through the winding streets lined with pastel buildings decorated with "Luftmalerei" paintings and abundant window boxes of flowers. Browse the wood carvings and Bavarian clothes in the shops; and stop at one of the many cafes with outdoor seating to enjoy Bavarian specialties of beer, or Kaffee und Kuchen (pastries).

Most of the tourists seem to be concentrated within a block of the Markt – the central market place. Even at the busy times, it's easy to escape to other quiet corners of the village. If our timing is right, later in the day, some local musicians may play brass band music in the Markt, while everyone relaxes around the scenic fountain.

Periodically a local band plays selections of traditional and classical music on the stage in the town square. The highlight is a group of children in Bavarian costumes performing folk dances for the spectators. Who knows? We may even see Clark Griswald* there… Enjoy an authentic German dinner on your own this evening. *OK, If you haven’t seen “European Vacation”, you need to. Then you will get the reference.

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September 5 - Friday – After a tasty breakfast we’ll take a short taxi ride to Obersalzberg. More than 70 years have passed since the Nazi enclave on the Obersalzberg was destroyed. The government of Bavaria and Allied Forces removed most of the buildings associated with that period in an attempt to restore the area to its original pastoral atmosphere and, many believe, to diminish evidence of that darkest period of their history.

It was at the Obersalzberg that Adolf Hitler made his home, along with Hermann Goering and Martin Bormann. High level meetings were held here, and many decisions affecting the lives of millions were made in his mountain residence, the Berghof. We’ll begin our visit at the newly built Documentation Center. This is an extensive museum that covers the history not just of the Obersalzberg, but the Third Reich in general, with many photographs and documents from the Nazi era. Texts are in German but an English audio version is available. There is also a scale model of the mountain showing the locations of the wartime buildings.

As a bonus, visitors have access to the somewhat creepy bunker system under the former Platterhof Hotel, which was torn down in 2000.

After our exploration of Obersalzberg, we’ll take a specially-designed bus up the mountain to Hitler’s elevator leading to spectacular Eagle’s Nest. This retreat, built as a gift for Hitler, is an amazing engineering achievement, and the view is fabulous. The building was spared from Allied bombing, so it was never damaged. Now visitors can see it basically as it was during Hitler's time. Have lunch on your own at the scenic restaurant there.

After our mountaintop experience, we’ll return to Berchtesgaden to relax a while at our hotel before going out for an unforgettable dinner together

 

September 6 - Saturday – After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we’ll check out and head to the station for the next leg of our journey. This time our private driver will whisk us to the incomparable village of Hallstatt, Austria. Nestled between the edge of the pristine waters and the towering Dachstein Mountains, we find Austria’s oldest and most photographed village. Clinging to the side of a steep mountain, this fairytale Alpine village has long attracted mountain climbers, explorers, romantic poets, and painters. Hallstatt is regularly featured in books and magazines as one of the most important “bucket list” destinations in the world.

We’ll drop our luggage at our cozy, family-owned guesthouse in the center of the village before setting out to explore the village together. We’ll take a short walk around the market square to get our own pictures of one of the most photogenic spots on earth. Capture the delightful houses built into the hillsides, the glass-like lake, and the amazing mountains in the background. We’ll have a lakeside lunch together, and enjoy some free time to explore on your own before returning to our hotel to check into our rooms. After some free time we’ll go out for a wonderful dinner of Austrian specialties together.

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September 7 - Sunday – We’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast at our charming guesthouse, and then have a fascinating guided tour of Hallstatt. After the tour everyone can have a quick lunch on your own before our next adventure. We’ll be transported up to the amazing salt mine at Altaussee. The mine looks back on a long and eventful history: all beginning in the year 1147. That was also the year when the name “Austria” was used for the first time, and salt mining in Altaussee was first chronicled. Today it is the biggest active salt mine in Austria! Our tour delves deep into the mine, and reveals its impressive history.

 

Starting in 1943, the Nazis began hiding European art treasures from the Allies inside the tunnels of the mine: Michelangelo’s Madonna from the Church of Our Lady in Bruges, paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt, the Ghent Altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers, works by Dürer and Vermeer – to name but a few. Facing defeat in 1945, the Nazis intended to destroy these treasures, but they were prevented from doing so only by the courageous resistance of the miners of Altaussee. The film Monuments Men is based on the true story

 

After our salt mine tour we’ll return to Hallstatt, have some free time, and find the perfect place for a relaxing dinner on your own in the evening.

 

September 8 - Monday – We’ll have another great breakfast in our hotel dining room, and then set out to our next event: The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave! We’ll travel to this amazing venue, and take a breathtaking cable car ride up the mountain to near the cave entrance. Our guided cave tour will whisk us away into the fantastic under world of the Dachstein cave – a breathtaking expedition through rock and ice. The ice reveals its fascinating, glistening shapes and figures, immersed in light and music. We’ll cross the abyss with its 30-meter-high rope bridge (we'll need nerves of steel here). Are you up for a real adventure? Then today is your day! Cave visitors will have to dress warmly (Plan on layering!) for this epic experience. From the cable car middle station, Schönbergalm there is a 10 to 15 minute walk on a well-tended trail to the cave entrance.  At Schönbergalm there is a restaurant where everyone can have lunch on your own.

 

For those who prefer not to tour the cave, the midway point, Schönbergalm has a lovely nature park where visitors can relax, nap, or read a book - and there’s a beer garden…just saying. Also, the cable car ticket allows guests to continue up to the top of the mountain for more spectacular views and photo opportunities.

 

After our cable car decent, we’ll board our bus to take us back to serene Hallstatt, where we will enjoy a memorable “Farewell to Hallstatt Dinner” together in the evening.

 

 

September 9 - Tuesday – After a leisurely breakfast at our cozy hotel, we’ll have a free morning in the village, and a nice lunch together before we begin our private minibus journey to the Munich Airport. Our hotel is very near the Munich terminals (MUC). After our arrival and a little time to relax (or re-pack) we’ll gather one last time for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant to recap our adventures.

 

 

September 10 - Wednesday – Return flights to USA from Munich. Breakfast is included. (Serving time begins at 6:00 AM) The terminal shuttle will be available subject to flight departure times. Since departure times will vary, the cost of the shuttle service is not included.

 

 

                                                                                                What’s in store for us?

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This tour is custom-planned for a small group of no more than 11 guests. Even if you are a seasoned traveler, you have never experienced Europe like this. We’re sure the journey will captivate you. You’ll be part of a magical adventure - complete with music, and surprises that will delight you at every turn. There are no exhausting bus rides or inconveniently-located hotels.

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We do our best to set the mood, to weave a spell, and to make yours a total experience. Hotels and most restaurants on the entire tour have been selected for their very specific location or high level of “atmosphere”. The small group size allows us to personalize the experience in a way large groups simply cannot do. We make it easy, comfortable and stress-free.  No guest has to worry about the details of where we are going next. You will feel as if you are not a tourist, but a guest of your Austrian and German friends

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Your Tour Guide: Larry Ivy is the Tour Coordinator and guide for Your Man in Europe, and a long-time veteran of European travel and unique private tour-leading. Larry wants just one thing: for you to have “the best time of your life”!

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                                                                    Complete Prices for the August 26 – September 10, 2025 Tour

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                                                                                                           $ 4990.00  Per Person        

                                           

                                                                   *All prices are based on Double Occupancy. Single supplement is an additional $985.   

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A $500 deposit holds your place on the tour, and is due by May 1, 2025. The balance may be paid in increments on your own schedule, but the final payment is due by July 15, 2025. Make checks payable to “Your Man in Europe” - 2608 S University Drive - Fort Worth TX  76109   USA    -    Please inquire about other means of payment or visit our website "Tour Details" page for information about PayPal and credit card payments.

Tour Includes: Fourteen (14) nights of overnight accommodation (based on double occupancy) in exceptional, very specially selected hotels, all fourteen (14) breakfasts, seven (7) lunches, and seven (7) dinners; all ground transportation (except September 10th airport shuttle); 1st class rail travel (where available), admissions to all attractions described in the tour itinerary, knowledgeable guide services, and standard gratuities. Guests are encouraged to offer gratuities for outstanding service. There will be no additional charges for the tours and events specifically included by Your Man in Europe. There may be extra charges for optional tours not included in the detailed itinerary.

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Not Included: Airfare to Munich and returning from Munich; strongly recommended travel insurance; extra beverages (meals will include one beverage and will be budgeted accordingly); a la cart or premium menu selections beyond the established meal allowances; between meal snacks; gratuities for extra services such as baggage porters, or for superior service (normal gratuities are included in the trip cost); souvenirs; and privately arranged activities. The airport terminal shuttle on September 10th is not included, as flight arrangements may all differ. Also: All overnight accommodations, as well as railroad and minibus travel will be NO-SMOKING.

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                                                                        This tour is strictly limited to a maximum of 12 guests travelling together 

 

  www.yourmanineurope.com                                                                                                                ymietours@gmail.com