Arrive Munich airport. Private bus transfer to the hotel. Begin your visit with a guided “Mike’s Bike Tour.” See the majority of Munich’s sightseeing highlights, including the Marienplatz, the English Gardens and a nice stretch along the Isar River, one of Munich’s most popular beaches. Also, see the beautiful Peace Angel monument, the Maximilianeum (the Bavarian Parliament building), the Volksbad, the Lukas Kirche and the Deutsches Museum.  D

After breakfast, travel to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. The thought-provoking headset narration tour will recount, through prisoners’ own stories, the atrocities that occurred here during Hitler’s regime. Continue through breathtaking scenery into the Bavarian Alps, passing picture-postcard villages and beautiful quaint Baroque churches along the way. Visit the fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein, constructed during the flowering of German romanticism in the mid-19th century. The towered and battled Neuschwanstein was made famous even more by its large role in the inspiration of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland. On to Salzburg.  B, D

Travel to the Hallein Salt Mine, also known as Salzbergwerk Dürrnberg. The underground salt mine is located in the Dürrnberg plateau above Hallein, Austria. The mine has been worked for over 2,600 years since the time of the Celtic tribes and earlier. Since World War I, it has served as a mining museum, known for its long wooden slides between levels. Continue to the Eagle’s Nest, a secret mountain top base above Berchtesgaden, which served as Hilter’s retreat. Then drive to Villach.  B, D

This morning, depart to Italy, then enjoy the balance of your afternoon discovering Venice. You may decide to explore this famous city of canals by visiting St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Bridge of Sighs, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Ca’ d’Oro, Santa Maria della Salute, or the Teatro La Fenice. Spend the night in Padova.  B, D

After breakfast, depart for La Spezia, stopping at beautiful Lake Garda for a one hour high speed boat tour to view the famous peninsula of Sirmione. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and is overlooked by spectacular mountains. Spend free time in Sirmione. On to La Spezia.  B, D

Spend the day exploring the five dazzling villages perched along the Ligurian Coast of the famous Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your train pass, visit Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Each village has its own unique character and things to do. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Italy.  B, D 

Depart for Torre Pendente di Pisa, the medieval structure in Pisa, Italy, also known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is famous for the settling of its foundations, which caused it to lean 5.5 degrees (about 15 feet) from the perpendicular in the late 20th century. Extensive work has been done to straighten the tower and its lean was ultimately reduced to less than 4.0 degrees. The bell tower construction began in 1173 as the third and final structure of the city’s cathedral complex and is comprised of white marble. On to Florence. B, D

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Rome! On the way, stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial. Continue to Rome. See the best of the Eternal City on a guided city tour of Imperial Rome! Visit the majestic Colosseum, scene of gladiatorial combats and early Christian martyrdom.  B, D