Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Germany, Italy & Switzerland Oktoberfest
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Partake in the world’s biggest party: Oktoberfest
- Test your yodeling skills in the pristine Swiss Alps
- Visit Neuschwanstein, the majestic hilltop castle that inspired a familiar Disney icon
- Wash down hearty Bavarian food with a stein. Or three.
- Raise your glass in Munich’s lively beer halls
- Cover six cities and five countries in 10 days
- Float through the Venetian canals aboard a traditional gondola
Short Description
Drift through the Venetian canals with a gondolier, explore the fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle, then wash it down with a stein at the world’s biggest party: Oktoberfest. Whether an Alpine summit or a countryside drive, each breathtaking view is like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Attractions & Cities Visited
Alps Bavaria Frankfurt Heidelberg Innsbruck Lucerne Munich Neuschwanstein Castle VeniceAge Requirement
18-28Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Board your overnight flight, bound for Europe.
Day 2: Arrive in Venice
Welcome to Venice! You’ll start by staying on the mainland, with easy access to venture into the island of Venice, the renowned former naval power of Italy. The one-of-a-kind canals have to be seen to be appreciated. Watch the gondolas, browse the shops and eat the gelato until you can't eat anymore. Then eat more.
Welcome Mixer
Get to know your fellow travelers at an authentic local spot over some drinks and light appetizers.
Day 3: 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 and go inside the breathtaking Basilica. From there, you’ll see the top sites in Venice like the famous Grand Canal (and the Rialto bridge that crosses it), the spiraling Bovolo Staircase, and the 324-foot Campanile bell tower.
Day 4: Travel to Munich via Innsbruck
En route to Germany, 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).
Introduction to Munich
Your tour director will take you on a quick walk so you can get to know the area. Munich is the capital of Germany’s Bavaria region. It still has strong ties to its folkloric traditions, so you’ll definitely see some lederhosen. This is quintessential Germany, including beer halls, art, music, beer, and beer.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Munich (local guide)
Get an in-depth tour of Munich. You’ll see the Frauenkirche, a gothic-style church and one of Munich’s most identifiable landmarks. Wander through Marienplatz, Munich’s central square and transportation hub. No trip to Germany would be complete without a trip to Hofbrauhaus, the most famous beer hall in the world.
Oktoberfest
You’re invited to the world's biggest party, featuring Bavarian food, beer and a guaranteed seat in a prime tent. Experience Oktoberfest like a VIP and take part in 500-year-old traditions with your group and others from all around the globe.
Day 6: 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.
Day 6
Travel to Lucerne Region
Behold the majestic Swiss Alps, where it’s all about the scenery and the chocolate. With Lake Lucerne, the surrounding mountains and a famous covered bridge, this is classic Switzerland at its best.
Day 7
Excursion:
Trip up the Swiss Alps (extra cost)
Take an amazing trip to the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps, the majestic mountains dominating the Lucerne skyline. Travel to the foot of the mountain by boat across Lake Lucerne, and then ride a cable car to the top. Take in the incredible panoramic views—see the city of Lucerne, its pristine lake, and the snow-capped Alps.
Highlights of Lucerne
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.
Day 8: Travel to Frankfurt via Alsace, France
Board your coach to Frankfurt, where you’ll spend the rest of your trip. En route, stop in the Alsace Region of France for the chance to cross another country off your list and to catch more stunning views of the European countryside.
Introduction to Frankfurt
Your tour director will take you on a quick walk so you can get to know the area.
Day 9: Sightseeing Tour of Heidelberg (local guide)
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 Dinner
Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.
Day 10: Fly Home
It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home.
Availability
- Deposit Price: $ 150
93 EF College Break (EF Ultimate Break) Travel Reviews & Ratings
Germany, Italy & Switzerland Oktoberfest
Company Reviews
Terrible Service and Outright Theft
I'm posting on here because EF doesn't…
But be warned, EF will give you terrible and cheap meals, accommodations, and flights. Starting with the meals, EF plans trips in some amazing cities, and the food is probably the most exciting part of these cities and a huge part of what makes it fantastic. Eating good quality food with good people is what makes any trip or event memorable. But the places EF led us to to eat, was so awful. It was so upsetting, and a waste of money. For flights, from where I live there are plenty of nonstop flights going to where I was going to for this trip. EF gave me long, grueling, inconvenient layovers in some random cities - and this was obviously to cut corners on the flights to keep more of my money. All of the hotels were dirty, outdated, and cheap.
If I'm paying so much money for a trip, EF must be pocketing a lot of it. Because it definitely did not go towards a good trip.
You can do as you will, but if I could go back in time and tell myself to not do the trip with EF...I would do it in a heartbeat. Don't say I didn't warn you.Just don't let them rob you.
Taking legal action
May 9,2023 i ask to cancel my trip, I ask to be refunded to the original card that I used(credit card) they told me no that they would send me a check.Mia Kelly send me a confirmation email stating that the check at most would that 2 weeks to get to me.June 1,2023 I emailed them saying I have not received the check, Ashley Palmer responded saying that checks that 4 weeks.June 10,2023 send another email, Ashley Palmer responded saying that the check was issue on May 17,2023.June 22,2023 send an email stating that I haven’t received my check,Ashley Palmer responded asking me what is my address.June 28,2023 I send another email saying that I haven’t received the check.On june 29,2023 Siena Cashan email me asking to confirm my address again.I send an email on July 1,2023.Ashley Palmer responded July 5,2023 saying that they send a new check.July 5,2025 Lara Bone( manager) send me an email saying that a new check was issue.July 11,2023 I send an email saying that I haven’t received my check,Ashley Palmer responded that the check was issued on June 29,2023.July 11,2023 Lara Bone(manager) tells that they are going to void that check and send a new one.They told me they Can issued an refund to my card on file(credit card), that they previously told they could not do.July 14,2023 I emailed them saying that I haven’t received any refunds.July 17,2023 I got a check I send an email to Lara Bone(manager) saying that I got the check.She responded saying that the claim was close.On July 20,2023 I got a notification from my bank saying that my account was overdrawn I call my bank and they told me that the check that I deposit did not have funds.I email back to Lara Bone(manager) telling her that my bank account was overdrawn because of them and she told that they send the check so I shouldn’t have any issue.She call me staying that it was a miscommunication issue on MY part and they would send a new check I decline and told them that they need to fix it today.She told me that was impossible after I threatened to take legal action she ask me for my checking account information when I ask when I would see the money in the account she told me that they send it immediately but it takes my bank account a couple of days to approve it.Couple of hours later she send me an email saying that they send the money.I call my bank because I don’t trust them(Ef trip) and my bank tells that they haven’t received anything.I send an email to Lara Bone and she responded that it takes Ef 2- 5 days to put the money in the account so she lied again.I have screenshot if anyone wants them please DONT USE THIS COMPANY.
It be nice if they didn't discriminate…
They hide the bad reviews on their website
Terrible Customer Service, and Subpar experiences
First Trip, Iceland - was Good.. Basic, very general Itinerary, but well executed and great tour guide. EF screwed up Departure Transfers, but the tour guide got it all looked after for us.
Second most recent trip - TERRIBLE customer service, booked me on an airline that had a strike pending and did not care that I was concerned. I was brushed aside. On arrival, had to wait well over an hour for one other individual, and we had a rep take us on public transit to get to the hotel.
There is no formal Group introduction, Tour Guide was good but not great, a lot of details could have been better executed or communicated. Group dynamic is awful... They seem to encourage people to book with Friends or have "ambassadors" that book people and host a trip to get their own trip for free. so basically, they charge extra to provide free trips to people..
Terrible flights, terrible customer service - Very basic itineraries that don't do much outside of typical tourist experience, terrible effort put into the group dynamic, overpriced for what you get. Hotels are not in good locations, going for cost vs convenience and experience.
Oh and they also won't post all review on their own website, unless its a high enough rating.. so very misleading
Details
Optional Activities
Extend Your Trip 2 Ways
Add on another trip
A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call and we can help you add on another trip.
Stay ahead or stay behind
Extending your trip for a few extra days before or after your tour is really easy. You can add anywhere from between one and 90 days. It's simple to do and all of your choices and prices are readily visible during the checkout process for this trip. We will book your flights per your specifications and you will handle the hotels, local activities and ground transportation during the extra portion of your stay.
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Cancellation policy
You have 48 hours to cancel and receive a full refund. You can also switch trips up to 99 days before you leave.
The full amount paid upon enrollment is refundable if you cancel in writing within 48 hours of booking the tour. After 48 hours, the deposit is non-refundable and the following standard cancellation fees apply.
If you are booking 30 days or less prior to the scheduled departure date for your trip, you are required to pay in full at the time of booking and standard cancellation fees then apply; you are not eligible for the 48 hour risk-free period.
Based on the date EF receives written notification of your cancellation, you will be refunded for monies paid minus the cancellation fee and any non-refundable fees. (See refund and non-refundable Fee description above for more details.) In addition to notifying us of your cancellation in writing, we also recommend you call so that we can best review your options.
Days Prior to Departure and Cancellation Fee
30 days or less is all monies paid
30-60 days will be $2000
61-99 will be $1000
100-364 days is $450
365+ days will be $150
Age Notes :
Min. Age: 18
Max Age: 28
Additional Information
- Perfected stress-free travel
- Full-time Tour Director
- Round-trip flights
- Handpicked Lodging
- Guided Sightseeing
- Breakfast Daily
- Transportation Between Cities
Trip ID#:
GerSwiEfc
What's excluded
- Rooming upgrades
- Optional excursions
- Travel Protection
- Beverages, lunch, and dinner (except where specified in the itinerary)
- Transportation to free-time activities
- Customary gratuities (for your Tour Director, bus drivers and local guides)
- Porterage
- Any applicable baggage-handling fees imposed by the airlines
- Expenses caused by airline rescheduling, cancellations or delays caused by the airlines, bad weather or events beyond EF’s control (see Flight Information section for details)
- Passport, visa and reciprocity fees
- Fees associated with Special Travel Arrangements (See Special Travel Arrangements section)
Meals Included
Breakfast Daily
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