Oktoberfest Alpine

Upon landing in Munich, make your way to Brauereigasthof Lohhof in Lohhof via local train or taxi. Once you check in and drop off your luggage, take some time to settle in, stretch your legs after your flight, and enjoy your first authentic taste of local Bavarian hospitality. Use this evening to adjust to the local timezone, unwind with a quiet stroll through the neighborhood, and get a great night's sleep—an unforgettable week of rich history, culture, and travel lies just ahead!

After meeting at the hotel, we jump on the S-Bahn to Marienplatz—the heart of the city—to begin our deep dive into Munich’s past. Founded in 1158, Munich boasts a complex history spanning the First and Second Reichs, as well as its time as the birthplace of the infamous Third Reich. Our walking tour through the Old Town seamlessly weaves together medieval architecture, historical anecdotes, and rich local insights across every era. We gather right beneath the Neues and Altes Rathaus to hear the iconic chiming of the Glockenspiel before setting off on foot. We will marvel at the twin towers of the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady) and explore Munich’s vibrant open-air market, the Viktualienmarkt. Along the way, we trace the history of the 1920s by following part of the route of Hitler’s failed 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, passing the venue where he attended his first DAP (German Workers' Party) meeting, and visiting the hall where he delivered his first major public speech. Throughout the walk, we discuss the historic figures and local personalities who shaped the city’s evolving landscape. In the afternoon, we head to Munich's oldest remaining townhouse (dating back to 1340) for a guided tour of the Bier & Oktoberfest Museum. Here, you will enjoy an exclusive Wiesn Bier tasting, sampling traditional festival brews surrounded by nearly 700 years of history. We wrap up our day with a group dinner at the storied Weisses Bräuhaus, where there will be plenty of Schneider Weisse beer to go around!

Continue exploring Munich's grand avenues and hidden corners in the morning. By late afternoon, we make our way to the Theresienwiese for our evening reservation at the Augustiner Festhalle—famous for being the only tent serving its beer fresh from traditional wooden casks (Holzfass). Enjoy the brass bands, food, and unbeatable adult Oktoberfest atmosphere!

Awake to a traditional German breakfast complete with freshly baked bread, local spreads, and strong, hot coffee. Once fueled, we board our private coach and journey south toward the Alpine foothills to explore the romantic world of King Ludwig II. Our study of this enigmatic monarch begins at Hohenschwangau Castle, his childhood home. Rebuilt in neo-Gothic style by his father, King Maximilian II, this palace is where the young prince was immersed in the medieval legends that shaped his imagination. From there, we visit the main attraction: the spectacular, towering Neuschwanstein Castle—Ludwig’s iconic fairytale creation. On our return drive, we ascend "the Holy Mountain" to Kloster Andechs. Famous for its breathtaking Rococo church, this historic Benedictine monastery is where we gather for dinner to enjoy the world's best Schweinehaxe paired with their legendary Doppelbock beer.

Return to the festival grounds for a daytime look at Oktoberfest. We will begin with a guided tour of the grounds to highlight iconic, classic attractions like the Teufelsrad (Devil's Wheel) and the historic Toboggan. Next, we take our reserved seats inside the lively Augustiner Festhalle for a fantastic group lunch. Afterward, the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. I highly recommend spending your free time in the Oide Wiesn—the festive, nostalgic section of the grounds featuring traditional brass music, historic rides, Goaßlschnalzen (whip-cracking), and Schuhplattler dancers in authentic Bavarian outfit.

Today we depart Munich and head southeast through the rolling Bavarian countryside toward Austria. Our first destination is Lake Chiemsee, often referred to as the "Bavarian Sea." Upon arrival, we board a passenger boat to cross the water to Herreninsel (Gentlemen’s Island), home to the magnificent Herrenchiemsee Palace. Built by King Ludwig II as a grand, lavish tribute to his idol, King Louis XIV of France, this uncompleted palace was designed to mirror Versailles—complete with a breathtaking Hall of Mirrors, ornate stateroom, and manicured gardens. After exploring the island and palace grounds, we return to the mainland and continue our journey south, crossing the border into Austria. We arrive in Salzburg, the famed hometown of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site framed by towering Alpine peaks. After checking into our hotel and settling in, the evening is yours to begin soaking up the historic charm of Salzburg’s cobblestone streets, Baroque architecture, and vibrant local dining scene.

Today we take an unforgettable excursion into the heart of the Salzkammergut region to visit Hallstatt, a fairytale village nestled dramatically between steep Alpine slopes and a crystal-clear lake. Often celebrated as one of the most picturesque towns in the world, Hallstatt’s idyllic waterfront and pastel alpine houses are so famous that a full-scale replica of the entire village was constructed in Guangdong, China! After taking in the lakeside views, we head to the active subterranean tunnels of Salzbergwerk Altaussee. Entering the salt mine requires a bit of brisk walking, but the subterranean world inside is extraordinary. Beyond its ancient salt chambers, the mine houses a captivating exhibit detailing its dramatic 20th-century history: during World War II, Nazi leaders hid thousands of stolen, invaluable art treasures deep inside these mountain tunnels. We will trace the real-life story of how the Allied "Monuments Men" raced against time to locate and rescue masterpieces by Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Vermeer before they could be destroyed. We wrap up our regional excursion on the shores of Lake Attersee at Bierschmiede. Here, we will relax with an authentic Bavarian-Austrian Brotzeit paired with exceptional, freshly brewed craft beers—the perfect end to a day rich in history, scenery, and local flavor before we return to Salzburg.

Spend the day discovering Salzburg’s rich history and vibrant food culture. We will explore the city's iconic landmarks, from the manicured lawns of Mirabell Gardens to the hilltop views at Hohensalzburg Fortress. Along the way, we will sample the very best local specialties that most tourists miss: grab a famous spicy Bosna sausage at the original Bürgermachers/Bosna Grill, taste authentic hand-rolled Mozartkugeln from Café Fürst (the original creators), enjoy a slice of traditional Sachertorte at a classic Salzburg café, and stop by Sporer for a quick sample of their legendary house-made schnapps. If the weather permits, I will lead the group on a scenic 3 km hike along the Mönchsberg ridge, offering breathtaking panoramic views over the old town spires and surrounding Alpine peaks. In the evening, we gather at the legendary Augustiner Bräustübl Mülln—Austria's largest beer hall. Experience the tradition firsthand as you pick out your own Steinkrug (stone mug), rinse it to temperature at the wooden fountain, and present it for filling straight from the wooden cask. Afterward, grab regional specialties from the indoor vendor stalls and enjoy the unforgettable atmosphere of this historic monastery brewery!

We make our way back toward Munich with two fantastic brewery stops that perfectly showcase the duality of modern and historic brewing in Bavaria. Our first stop is Camba Bavaria in Truchtlaching. This impressive site is not only a hub for innovative modern craft brewing, but also serves as the international showroom and testing facility for BrauKon—one of the world's premier brewing equipment manufacturers. Here, we will explore cutting-edge brewing systems and sample some of their highly acclaimed, forward-thinking beer styles. Next, we shift gears to absolute tradition at Unertl in Haag in Oberbayern. A true cult classic among wheat beer aficionados, this legendary brewery is run by the 4th generation of the Unertl family. They specialize in traditional, unfiltered Weißbier brewed using open fermentation and old-world techniques that deliver unmatched depth of flavor. After enjoying the best of both brewing worlds, we complete our loop and check back into Brauereigasthof Lohhof for our final evening. We'll share a farewell toast, reflect on a remarkable week across Bavaria and Austria, and enjoy one last restful night before departures tomorrow.

All good things come to an end, and now it's time to head home! Fortunately, Brauereigasthof Lohhof is ideally situated just 12 miles west of Munich Airport (MUC), making your morning departure stress-free. Depending on your personal flight schedule, you can make your way to the airport in roughly 15 to 20 minutes—a private taxi or rideshare can easily be arranged right through the front desk, or you can take the quick local S-Bahn connection directly to the terminal building. safe travels, and auf Wiedersehen!