This past month, we embarked on a European adventure alongside Daniel’s parents, a chance to prioritize the gift of quality time together after his mother’s recent retirement. Traveling through the EF Go Ahead Tours, with an extra adventure day on our own before the tour, we explored stunning landscapes and historic cities, from the towering Swiss Alps to the cultural richness of Prague, with a stop in fairytale Bavaria and musical Saltzburg along the way. Each country welcomed us with its unique blend of history, architecture, and unforgettable sights while bringing us closer as a family.
Switzerland: Lakes, Mountains, and Chocolate
Our journey began with an early morning arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, and while we had just one full day in this vibrant city before meeting the rest of our tour group in Lucerne, we made the most of it. After landing at 9 a.m., we headed straight to the Townhouse Boutique Hotel, ideally located in the heart of Zurich near the train station. While we waited for our rooms to be ready, we dropped our bags and set out on an audio-guided VoiceMap tour to explore Zurich’s Old Town.
The walking tour began on Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s world-famous shopping street, and led us through cobblestone streets beside the Limmat River. Along the way, we learned about Zurich’s 2,000-year-old history of wealth, from Roman toll stations to modern private banking, and heard intriguing stories about medieval guild houses, the Craftsman Revolution, and local legends like King Ludwig’s daughters and a glowing-antlered stag. We even stopped at Sprüngli, one of the most renowned confectioneries in Europe, and Bachmann to admire its chocolate staircase.
To reward ourselves after a long walk, we stopped in a local Italian restaurant, Osteria Borgo, where we were greeted with a welcoming atmosphere and fluent english. The food warmed our souls and empowered us for the brief walk back to the hotel and our well earned beds.
The next morning after struggling with some sleep and jet lag, we packed up and headed out to Lucerne via train, enjoying the breathtaking views of mountains, lakes and the countryside on our ride. We arrived at our homebase for the next two nights about an hour before check-in. We dropped our bags at the front desk of Hirschen Oberkirch and set out to explore the quaint town of Sursee, including the Witches’ Tower, before our welcome drinks and dinner with the tour group.
Our first day of touring with the group began early, taking the bus to the heart of downtown Lucerne to meet with our local guide. Lucerne’s Old Town, with its cobbled streets and hand-painted facades, transported us back in time. Walking across the Kapellbrücke, the city’s iconic wooden bridge, and standing in awe before the Lion Monument were highlights, but the real magic was in the town’s atmosphere. In the afternoon, we again met with our larger group to make the journey to Mount Pilatus that offered sweeping views of the Swiss countryside and the Alps.
Liechtenstein: The Tiny Alpine Kingdom
The next morning we headed out to venture to Germany with a quick stop in Liechtenstein. As we crossed into one of the world’s smallest nations, we couldn’t help but marvel at its mountain landscapes and fairy-tale feel. In Vaduz, the capital, we gazed up at the royal family’s castle, perched high on a hill and still serving as the monarchy’s residence. Liechtenstein may be small, but its charm is vast.
We even got a unique souvenir here—a passport stamp from a country that often flies under the radar!
Germany: Castles, Beer, and Bavarian Charm
Our journey continued into Germany, where Bavaria greeted us with postcard-perfect scenery and grand castles. First up was a stop at the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for many a Disney fairytale. Nestled among the mountains, the castle’s unique Gothic and Romanesque design made it feel like stepping into a dream. After a quick beer and a brawt, we were loaded up on the bus again to make the rest of the trip to Munich.
Our next morning with a local Irish guide took us on a tour of the city going past Nymphenburg Palace and into the heart of Munich at Marienplatz. Watching the Glockenspiel chime in the square was a quintessential Munich experience, but the city offered so much more, especially so close to the ending date of the famed Oktoberfest.
With time to explore the city of our own, we opted to do another VoiceMap tour. Highlights from our own town were finding the pretzel in a church fesco, having a beer at Hofbrauhaus, learning about the White Rose, a World War II era Nazi resistance group of university students, and looking upon the devil’s footprint in one of the city’s towering churches. We ended our day in a local biergarten, sipping local brews, exploring the arts in crafts of the nearby shopping vendors and toasting to Bavarian hospitality.
Austria: Salzburg’s Music and Vienna’s Imperial Grandeur
Crossing into Austria on a rainy day, we arrived in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and a city rich in both musical and architectural history. Walking through Salzburg’s Old Town felt like stepping into a Baroque painting, with its towering cathedral and English gardens drawing our eyes at every turn. Salzburg’s history is deeply intertwined with the arts, and it was easy to imagine the city’s narrow streets filled with music centuries ago.
With our free time in Salzburg, allowing for the rain to clear, we set out on another VoiceMap tour in the evening following the trail of the Von Trapps, both in the Sound of Music and their actual lives. We got to splash our hands in Maria’s fountain, see the hotel Julia Andrews stayed in while filming on location and visit the famous Mirabell Dwarf Garden, from the iconic “Do-Re-Mi” scene.
Next, we made our way to Vienna—Austria’s imperial capital and the heart of European culture. On our way, we paused at Melk Abbey, overlooking the serene Wachau Valley. Its ornate design and historical significance made it a must-see stop on our journey to Vienna. Benedictine monks have resided at the abbey since 1089AD, and today it also serves as a public school for the local province (since it has plenty of room–nearly 500 in total!).
Once in Vienna, we explored the city’s imperial legacy with visits to Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace to see The Kiss by Gustav Klimt and the grand Hofburg Palace. Vienna’s streets, lined with coffeehouses and architectural marvels, gave us a taste of a city that has shaped European culture for centuries, with highlights like savoring a Sacher-Torte at Café Sacher Wien—on the recommendation of my friend Allie, who spent time studying in Vienna—and unexpectedly stumbling upon a local artisan market in the Burggarten.
Czech Republic: Prague, A City of Hundred Spires
Our time in Prague included visits to Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with stained glass from the famed Alfons Mucha, and the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, where we watched the famous “Walk of the Apostles” in action. Crossing the iconic Charles Bridge felt like walking through history, with statues of saints lining the path and the majestic Prague Castle looming in the background. Our free time ended with an intimate lunch with our tour guide, Indera, at U Špirků where Daniel and I sample a surprisingly affordable local beer and split a delicious pork knuckle.
An evening river cruise on the Vltava capped off our tour, offering spectacular views of the city from a new perspective in the moonlight. Prague, with its mix of history, culture, and undeniable charm, left a lasting impression and was the perfect final chapter of our European adventure.
Conclusion
As our journey through Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic came to an end, we couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible memories we created together. From the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps to the ornate palaces of Vienna, every moment was filled with wonder, history, and unforgettable experiences. Sharing this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with family made it all the more special—each sight we marveled at and every story we uncovered became a shared memory, a treasure we’ll always hold dear. This trip was more than just a travel itinerary; it was a celebration of quality time with the people we love, creating bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.