
Exploring on a Budget:
Tour of Switzerland and Germany
Tours / Exploring on a Budget: Tour of Switzerland and Germany
Celebrate the end of school by exploring Switzerland and Germany! Marvel at the mountain valleys, lakes, castles, cathedrals and villages of this enchanting region.
DATE
June 2022
GROUP SIZE
12 People
TRANSPORT
Cars, Boats
ACTIVITY
Adventure
BOARD
Holiday Parks / Hotels
DURATION
13 Days
Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: TRAVEL DAY

To begin our Explore on a Budget: Tour of Switzerland and Germany, we will meet at the Salt Lake International Airport. We will travel overnight to Europe, arriving the following morning.
DAY 2: ARRIVAL

Arrival at Frankfurt International Airport. From Frankfurt, we will visit Heidelberg where you can wander the cobblestone streets, explore the castle perched on the hillside or watch barges floating by from the historic bridge spanning the river. Overnight in Herbolzheim.
DAY 3: ALSACE REGION OF FRANCE

We will spend the day in the Alsace, which boasts colorful half-timbered houses, sprawling vineyards and hilltop castles. At Haut-Koenigsburg, you will have time to roam through its impressive medieval castle. Then, we will travel to Strasbourg to see its beautiful gothic cathedral. Overnight in Herbolzheim.
DAY 4: GERMAN BLACK FOREST

We will start the day visiting the Black Forest Open Air Museum, which depicts the traditional house styles, cultural habits, and way of living in the Black Forest during the last 400 years. The tour will continue with a visit to Triberg, famous for its cuckoo clocks and waterfalls. Overnight in Herbolzheim.
DAY 5: SWISS ALPS

As we travel to Switzerland, we will visit picturesque Colmar, and the capital city of Switzerland, Bern. Colmar’s labyrinth of cobbled lanes and flower-lined canals make for an enchanting visit. Bern is known for its medieval architecture and pretty riverside location. Overnight in Interlaken.
DAY 6: INTERLAKEN

Built on a narrow stretch of valley, between the emerald-colored waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, Interlaken is a town encircled by stunning natural beauty. Its surrounding mountains, forests, alpine meadows, and glaciers will give us plenty of options for the day’s activities. Overnight in Interlaken.
DAY 7: LAUTERBRUNNEN

We will spend the day in Lauterbrunnen soaking in the beautiful scenery of this small alpine village. The roaring 300-meter high Staubbach Falls and nearby glacial waters of Trümmelbach Falls, and the gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks surrounding the valley are simply stunning. Overnight in Interlaken.
DAY 8: LUCERNE

Our journey takes us next to Lucerne, sitting aside a lake with an impressive mountainous panorama and known for its well-preserved medieval center and elegant historic buildings. The centerpiece of the town is Chapel Bridge, one of the oldest, covered wooden bridges in Europe. Overnight in Lindau.
DAY 9: LAKE CONSTANCE

At Lake Constance, we will visit the island of Mainau, and the village of Stein am Rhein. Mainau offers year-round beauty with its impressive flower gardens, butterfly house, and lake views. Stein am Rhein boasts mural-painted buildings, a swan-ornamented river, and a hilltop castle. Overnight in Lindau.
DAY 10: BAVARIAN CASTLES

Nestled at the edge of the Bavarian Alps lies Neuschwanstein Castle. Made famous as the model for the Disney Castle, this 19th century palace looks like it was plucked from a fairy tale. We will visit the castle, and the nearby village of Hohenschwangau. Overnight in Lindau.
DAY 11: ESSLINGEN AND LUISENPARK

Stretch your legs as we travel back into Germany, with a stop at the medieval city of Esslingen. For an extra burn, climb the 300+ steps to view the panorama from the old city walls. We will continue north, stopping at Luisenpark, a sprawling urban park filled with wonders. Overnight in Rüdesheim.
DAY 12: RHINE RIVER CRUISE

Spend the day cruising the Rhine River, passing charming towns, historic German castles, and lush vineyards. At St. Goar, we will disembark to tour Rheinfels Castle. At the end of our day, we will wander through Rüdesheim and pick-up last-minute souvenirs. Overnight in Rüdesheim.
DAY 13: RETURN HOME

Travel back to Salt Lake City from Frankfurt, Germany. Because of the difference in time zones when traveling from Europe to the United States, we will leave Europe in the morning and return to the Salt Lake International airport on the evening of the same day.
Tour Map

Housing
Reservations have been made in three holiday parks (Herbolzheim, Interlaken, and Lindau) and at one 3-star hotel (Rüdesheim). Holiday Park stays will be in 3 bedroom, 2 bath double wide caravans, set within each of the holiday park grounds. The park grounds have pools, restaurants, organized activities, and laundry facilities. Four individuals will share each caravan, which has a full kitchen, living room area and private outdoor decking with table and chairs. Food for breakfast will be purchased at grocery stores and can be prepared in the fully equipped caravans.
Pictures, floor plans and video of the caravans can be found here.
Tour Pricing & Payment Schedule
The Explore on a Budget: Tour of Germany and Switzerland scheduled for June 2022 will be $2,500 per person, based on quad occupancy. A $50 discount is given for payment in full at initial deposit; otherwise, the following payment schedule applies, per person:
- Initial deposit of $500 reserves spot
- Payment of $500 due on Aug 1st, 2021
- Payment of $500 due on Nov 1st, 2021
- Payment of $500 due on Feb 1st, 2022
- Final payment of $500 due on May 1st, 2022
If signing up after any deposit deadline, payment for any previous deposits will be due upon sign-up. Prompt payment is appreciated. Late payments are assessed a $25 late fee.
Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
Included in the tour cost:
Pre-tour information, such as what to pack and how to exchange currency
Round-trip airfare and taxes, basic economy class and non-refundable
Expertise of a tour guide throughout the tour
All sight-seeing and visits, as noted in the itinerary (unless otherwise specified)
All on-tour transportation, including trains, local flights, rental vehicles, and buses
One carry-on suitcase and one personal item which fits under airplane seat
Accommodations, based on quad occupancy in furnished 3-bed, 2-bath double-wide caravans
Not included in the tour cost:
Travel insurance
Expenses due to flight delays, strikes, inclement weather or other irregularities
Passport fees, visas and visa photos as required
Personal items such as souvenirs, laundry services, beverages, snacks, and healthcare/personal needs
Optional excursions as indicated in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in the tour itinerary
Checked baggage fees and excess baggage charges
Seat requests and seat upgrades
Single traveler supplement
Refunds for tour services not utilized
Other items not specifically mentioned as included
Tour Information
Terms and Conditions
Please thoroughly review the Terms and Conditions on our website. Submitting a deposit for services constitutes a contractual agreement with Aticus Travel and represents your acceptance of the Aticus Travel, LLC Terms & Conditions.
Liability Waiver and Release Form
Please sign and return the Liability Waiver and Release Form for each tour participant. A parent or guardian must sign the form for any minor participants. A tour request is officially submitted when both the tour deposit and the Waiver and Release form are received by Aticus Travel, LLC for each tour participant.
Travel Insurance
Due to the strict cancellation policy, in order to protect your investment, and to provide you with peace of mind, we strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance. Many reputable companies exist and you can look into any of them, but here are a few recommendations to consider: Allianz Global Assistance, TravelEx, World Nomads and Travel Guard.
Packing Checklist and Tips
Please review the packing list for suggestions and tips on what to pack, how much you can take and what to leave at home.
View / Download Packing Checklist and Tips >