Austria, Switzerland & a Bit of Italy: A Scenic Adventure

‘You have to live the life you were born to live!’ (The Sound of Music, go ahead and picture yourself singing all the songs in that field above)

October 4-14, 2025 

(*Note our Pre Trip to Oktoberfest and Post Trip to Venice options at the bottom of this post)

Embark on a mesmerizing 10-night journey through Austria, Switzerland, and a corner of Italy, with stops at picturesque towns, alpine villages, and serene lakes. This itinerary is ideal if you want to experience the natural beauty, historical charm, and alpine splendor of these three countries, making memories along the way. From the cultural heart of Vienna to the iconic Matterhorn in Zermatt to the fashionable streets of Milan, with stays in palaces and even the home where the Von Trapp children spent their time, this trip promises to be unforgettable, offering the perfect combination of urban exploration and outdoor adventure. We quoted one line from the movie above. Here’s another one we plan to embrace on this journey: “Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, ’til you find your dream.”

Come find your dream with us! The details are below.

Days 1 and 2: Vienna, Austria (plan to arrive by 3pm on Oct 4)

Arrive in Vienna, Austria’s imperial capital, known for its elegant architecture, rich history, and classical music heritage. We’ll have dinner together (schnitzel and apple strudel, anyone?) and begin our exploration of the city’s famous sights, with options including:

    • Schönbrunn Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage site, explore the stunning palace and its gardens.
    • St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Visit this Gothic masterpiece and climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.
    • Take a leisurely walk along the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard lined with impressive buildings.
    • Belvedere Palace
    • Enjoy a classical concert at the Vienna State Opera or at one of the city’s historic concert halls
    • Kunsthistorisches Museum,  home to masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer.

(Yes, we’ll be sleeping in this historic house where The Sound of Music family called home.)

Days 3 and 4: Salzburg, Austria

Start your morning with a scenic 2.5-hour train ride to Salzburg. Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is a city brimming with baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and breathtaking Alpine views. Even more fun: We’ll be staying at the Von Trapp House. If you’re a fan of The Sound of Music, you’re going to love this. Located in the scenic area of Fuschlsee, this charming, historic property is a perfect base for exploring Salzburg’s musical history. We won’t just be staying there; we’re also taking the Sound of Music Tour for a mix of movie locations and scenic views. Other sightseeing options include:

  • Hohensalzburg Fortress: This 11th-century fortress offers incredible views of the city and surrounding mountains.
  • Mozart’s Birthplace: Visit the house where Mozart was born, now a museum dedicated to his life and work.
  • Visit the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, take a stroll through the Altstadt (Old Town), and enjoy lunch in one of the cozy cafés along the Getreidegasse. You can also take a Sound of Music tour, exploring iconic filming locations.
  • Hellbrunn Palace for its famous trick fountains.
  • Enjoy a traditional Salzburg dinner, such as Schnitzel or Tafelspitz, in one of the cozy restaurants by the river. We’ll also go in search of a Mozart-inspired dessert, like a Mozartkugel chocolate.

Day 5: Salzburg to Innsbruck

Depart Salzburg in the morning and head towards Innsbruck, a 2-hour train ride through the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, is famous for its charming medieval old town and dramatic alpine backdrop. Sightseeing options include:

  • Golden Roof: One of the most iconic landmarks in Innsbruck, the Golden Roof is an ornate balcony with a gilded roof. 
  • Imperial Palace.
  • Nordkette Cable Car: Take a cable car from the city center to the Nordkette mountain range for stunning views.
  • Try some local Tyrolean dishes, such as Kasspatzle (cheese noodles) or a hearty Alpine stew.

Day 6: Innsbruck to Lucerne, Switzerland

Ride from Innsbruck to Lucerne (approx. 3 hours). With its lakeside location and towering mountains, Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities. Sightseeing options include:

  • Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke): Walk across this iconic 14th-century wooden bridge, adorned with paintings depicting the city’s history.
  • Lion Monument: A poignant sculpture commemorating Swiss Guards who were killed during the French Revolution.
  • Ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus for panoramic views.
  • Enjoy a lakeside dinner at one of Lucerne’s elegant restaurants with views of Mount Pilatus.

Day 7: Lucerne to Interlaken and Grindelwald

In the morning, take a scenic two-hour train ride famous in Switzerland, offering views of rivers and waterfalls, lakeshores and steep rock faces, to Interlaken, a resort town nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Bernese Oberland.

From there, we’ll take a short ride to Grindelwald. If up for it, we can take the First Cliff Walk for thrilling views of the mountains. Or, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you can explore the picturesque village or take a cable car ride up to Kleine Scheidegg for views of the Eiger. Another option: Head to the Lauterbrunnen Valley (about 30 minutes) to visit the stunning Staubbach Falls and Trümmelbach Falls, impressive waterfalls hidden inside the mountain. For dinner, one option is to hop inside a gondola for a special fondue al fresco, mountain views included. 

Day 8: Grindelwald to Zermatt

This morning, we will go back down to Interlaken and then ride (about 2.5 hours) through the Swiss countryside to Zermatt, the car-free town beneath the iconic Matterhorn. Explore the charming streets of Zermatt and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of this alpine paradise. Options today include:

  • Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: This offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks.
  • Another option: Gornergrat Railway: One of the most scenic train rides in Europe, taking you to the Gornergrat for incredible views of the Matterhorn.

Day 9: Zermatt to Turin, Italy

  • Matterhorn Alpine Crossing: Buckle up, because this day is super special! We will take the new cable car connection that allows you to travel directly between Zermatt, and Breuil-Cervinia, Italy, essentially crossing the border at the Matterhorn. It’s a 90-minute ride with elevations of almost 12k feet above sea level. It was listed as one of Time magazine’s world’s greatest places in 2024. It offers breathtaking views of the landscape. During this unique crossing, numerous other highlights await you, such as the highest glacier palace in the world or the viewing platform with a view of 38 four-thousand-meter peaks and 14 glaciers in 3 different countries.
  • From Cervinia we will make our way down, eventually arriving in Turin, Italy, the cradle of Italian chocolate, especially the hazelnut and chocolate gianduja, which was invented there. It’s Nutella’s world headquarters. It’s also home to Lavazza, and the city is the birthplace of the Italian coffee culture, with the first espresso machine created there. Turin even has its own signature “must try” beverage, bicerin, a layered mix—do not stir!—of coffee, thick hot chocolate and dense cream (or vanilla gelato). Yes, we will be trying it.
  • There are many other museums and sights for us to visit if time allows, including the San Giovanni Cathedral, home to the Shroud of Turin.

Day 10: Turin to Milan

We wrap up our trip in Milan, where there’s more to do than we could possibly squeeze in, but we’ll certainly try! The options include:

  • Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper: The famous painting 
  • Duomo: The Cathedral of Milano 
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Italy’s oldest shopping center, with a glass roof and well-known brands 
  • Castello Sforzesco: A 14th-century fortress and one of Milan’s most important landmarks 
  • Teatro alla Scala: A famous performing arts venue, and you can tour the theater and museum 
  • Brera District: Milan’s chicest neighborhood, with upscale restaurants, antique stores, and fashion boutiques
  • The Fashion District: Also known as Quadrilatero della Moda, where you can window shop 
  • Poldi Pezzoli Museum: You can visit the Golden Room 
  • Urban Vertical Forest: A notable urban structure 
  • Chinatown: Milan’s Chinatown is considered Shanghai’s original twin city 

Day 11: Fly home from Milan (we will be there overnight, so you can book a flight as early as you’d like)

From here we say goodbye, or to bring it full circle, “So long, farewell…” you know the rest of the words.

Accommodations

We have arranged a variety of different stays, from the same home where the Von Trapps stayed while living in Austria, to cozy, mountainside chalets with unforgettable views, to spa and sport resorts.

Trip Cost

A deposit of $1000 secures your spot. The balance is due at least 30 days before departure.

  • Single room: $8497 (*)
  • Shared room (this may mean you’re sharing your bed with your travel partner, so pick wisely): $6497 each

Spots are limited and first-come, first-served, so grab yours today! Men and women are invited on this trip, so grab your favorite travel buddy and join us!

*Also note that depending on the total number of attendees (we are capping it at 10), we may need to have shared rooms for one night at the Von Trapp house, based on availability.

Email us at des@desmillertravelmedia.com for your spot!

NOTE: At the request of attendees, we’ve created a Pre Trip to Oktoberfest in Munich and a Post Trip to Venice. See details on both below.

PRE TRIP OPTION

OKTOBERFEST in Munich, Germany

October 2-4 (plan to be in Munich by 2pm on the 2nd)

Grab your lederhosen and dirndl for two days in Munich that promise a whirlwind of Bavarian culture, beer, delicious food, and festive fun!

Description:

We’ll meet up at our hotel and change into our traditional German garb to make sure we’re dressed appropriately for the evening of fun. From there, we’ll head to the Theresienwiese, a massive fairground area that becomes the heart of Oktoberfest. We’ll hit one of the iconic beer tents where we’ll enjoy live music, grab a beer (or two, or three), and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. We’ll make all kinds of new friends, as one does, and make sure we also eat a pretzel and some of their other traditional snacks, ike Würstl (sausages), Hendl (roast chicken), and Käsespätzle (cheese noodles). Our two favorite tents are the Hofbräu-Festzelt, known for being lively and welcoming to international visitors, and the Augustiner-Festhalle, a great option if you’re looking for a more authentic Munich experience.

The next day we’ll take a quick stroll around the Marienplatz, Munich’s central square. Admire the famous New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) with its Glockenspiel, and pop into a traditional Bavarian café for a light breakfast or coffee. We’ll also explore the Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world, where you can take a peaceful stroll and maybe even catch some surfing in the river. Really. We’ll go back to Oktoberfest for a second night of fun (I promise, it’s even better than the first night now that you know what’s going on around you). We recommend two new tents tonight, including the Löwenbräu-Festzelt known for live Bavarian folk music, or the Schottenhamel-Festhalle, known as the birthplace of Oktoberfest, where the famous opening ceremony is hosted each year. The next morning we can take in a bit of history at the Deutsches Museum, packed with an impressive collection of scientific and technological exhibits, or visit the Nymphenburg Palace for a look at Bavarian history and architecture. Then we’ll board a flight to Vienna to officially start our small group tour.

PRICE:

$1497

INCLUDES:

Two-nights accommodations

One-way flight from Munich to Vienna

Transportation around Munich

Guide around Oktoberfest grounds

POST TRIP OPTION

Venice, Italy

October 14-16

As the group wraps its tour of Austria and Switzerland, our mini-group will make our way from Milan to Venice for two days of adventure strolling through its majestic squares, floating on its famous canals, embracing the charm and atmosphere of the ancient city in what feels like a fairy tale come to life.

DESCRIPTION:

We’ll go straight from the train to a private boat that winds its way through the iconic canals to deliver you to your hotel, a renovated palace. From there, you’ll venture out, making your way through the maze of streets towards Piazza San Marco. You’ll spend your time wandering through this grand square, crossing over landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs and later, the Rialto Bridge. We’ll also be taking a fully guided, skip-the-line tour of Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica. You’ll enjoy a leisurely gondola ride along the canals, the soft lapping of water adding to the city’s mystique as you take in the historic buildings. If you’re in the mood for art, you can also head to the Accademia Gallery to explore Venetian Renaissance masterpieces, or visit the Ca’ d’Oro, a beautiful palace-museum on the Grand Canal showcasing early Renaissance art and architecture. If you’re up for it and have the time, you can also take the ferry over to Murano and/or Burano. 

Your departure will be bittersweet, but as you board your boat or water taxi to head back to the airport, you’ll reflect on the unparalleled beauty and timeless elegance of Venice. From the art, the food, the canals, and the centuries-old buildings, the city of love has a way of staying in your heart long after you’ve left.


PRICE:

$1497

INCLUDED:

2.5 hour train ride from Milan to Venice

2 nights stay in historic palace hotel

Private boat ride from train station to the door of the palace

1 private gondola ride (with your small group)

1 Skip-the-Line Fully Guided Tour of Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica 

A lifetime of memories!