Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Set out on an immersive adventure alongside your students, journeying from Zurich to Vienna. Your class will explore various periods in European history through stops at landmarks including Fraumünster Church, Hohenschwangau Castle, and the site of the 1972 Olympics. Students will also discover the heart of classical music in Vienna and reflect on the lasting impact of WWII during a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Switzerland (Zurich)
Day 2
Arrive in Zurich
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Zurich city walk
Explore Zurich with your Tour Director, beginning in the charming Old Town, a medieval district along the Limmat River. Stroll the Quays of Zurich for views of the lake and city skyline, then take in the stained-glass beauty of the Fraumünster and the twin towers of the Grossmünster. Conclude with a walk down Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most famous shopping streets.
Travel to Lucerne
Day 3
Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing
Explore Lucerne with your Tour Director, set against the Alps and green pastures. Walk the Old Town’s cobblestones to Chapel Bridge, a 14th-century wooden bridge decorated with murals, and see the Lion Monument, a sandstone tribute to Swiss Guards lost in 1792. Visit the ornate Jesuit Church and take in the charm of Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt Squares.
LEAP
LEAP Swiss Life and Legends
Experience the legends of William Tell, the Lion Monument, and the story of Swiss independence as history comes to life through vivid reenactments.
Optional
Mt. Pilatus excursion (optional)
Scale snow-capped Mount Pilatus for sweeping views of Lucerne and the Alps. From May to mid-November, cruise Lake Alpnach before riding the world’s steepest cog railway; the rest of the year, ascend by cable car. At the summit, capture frame-worthy photos, and on clear days, enjoy vistas stretching up to 200 miles.
Day 4
Travel to Lucerne via Liechtenstein
Innsbruck city walk
Walk through Innsbruck’s Old Town beneath Alpine peaks and rustic stuccoed homes. See the Golden Roof, a balcony glittering with 2,657 copper tiles built for Emperor Maximilian I. Pass through the Triumphbogen, honoring Habsburg marriages, and visit Bergisel, the Olympic ski jump site from 1964 and 1976.
Day 5
Travel to Munich
Hohenschwangau excursion
Visit the Bavarian village of Hohenschwangau and learn about Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood home of King Ludwig II, with views of Lake Alpsee and the surrounding Alps. Then enjoy a scenic hike toward Neuschwanstein Castle and pause at Queen Mary’s Bridge for an unforgettable photo stop of the fairytale fortress and mountain landscape.
Bavarian bratwurst dinner
Enjoy Bavarian- or Berlin-style sausage with traditional sides. Bavarian sausage is made from veal and pork back bacon, while the Berlin style features fried pork.
Day 6
Munich guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide for a whirlwind look at Munich, from its medieval heart to modern landmarks. Stroll through Marienplatz to see the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel, framed by the twin towers of the Frauenkirche. Visit the Residenz, then explore Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Games, and step into BMW Welt to experience innovation and sleek design.
Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit
Dachau, the first of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps, became the model for thousands that followed. Now a memorial and museum, it honors the 206,000 prisoners held here from 1933 to 1945 and traces the rise of the Nazi party, pre-1930s anti-Semitism, and the lives of those imprisoned.
Day 7
Travel to Vienna via Salzburg
He is the pride of Vienna, and on your way there to learn more about the prodigal composer, stop in Salzburg to visit Mozart’s birthplace. Touring No. 9 Getreidegasse, get a glimpse of the violin he mastered as a boy. And as you walk the gardens of Mirabell Palace, “Do-Re-Mi” (from The Sound of Music) may come to mind as you soak up the ambiance of the famous movie scene.
Mozart’s birthplace visit
Feel the rhythm of Salzburg’s Old Town Square as you enter the unassuming yellow home at Getreidegasse 9, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Inside, view an impressive collection of the young composer’s first instruments and immerse yourself in the captivating story of his early life.
Day 8
Vienna guided sightseeing tour
Explore Vienna’s imperial past with a guided visit to the Hofburg, the historic seat of the Habsburgs. Continue to the elegant Belvedere Palace before viewing the famed Vienna Opera House. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of the city, then end your tour at Schönbrunn Palace, where young Mozart once performed for Marie Antoinette.
Optional
Danube cruise (optional)
See the opulent sights of Vienna, “City of Music,” from the beautiful blue Danube, or Donau River, as the locals may call it. As Europe's second largest river and only major European river to flow from west to east, learn how it was a vital means of transportation for 2,000 years.
Mozart concert
Experience the best of classical music composed by Salzburg’s child prodigy, the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Get lost in the uplifting, complex melodies as you imagine the musical master crafting ingenious violin and piano concertos at the unripe age of 17. With spiritual undertones to the youthful carefree finales, this live concert is a cultural treat for your ears and spirit.
Wiener Schnitzel dinner
Day 9
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Budapest
Begin with your arrival in Budapest and a guided city walk through its vibrant streets. The next day, enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour featuring Castle Hill, the Royal Palace, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and the Hungarian Parliament. Unwind with a visit to the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths before heading home from Budapest.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Switzerland, Bavaria & Austria
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.