Our Alpine Countries Adventure
Welcome to our travel journal — a heartfelt documentation of an unforgettable 14-day journey through the heart of the Alpine region in the three German-speaking countries: Germany (Day 1-4, 7-9), Switzerland (Day 5, 6) and Austria (Day 10-14).
This trip was a dream realized: traversing snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes, fairy-tale castles, charming villages, and vibrant cities where German is the common thread tying together incredible landscapes, rich history, hearty cuisine, and warm hospitality.
From the romantic Bavarian Alps of southern Germany, with their iconic castles and beer gardens, to Switzerland's breathtaking Bernese Oberland, and finally into the majestic Austrian heartland of Mozart's Salzburg and dramatic Tyrolean mountains — every day brought new wonders.
We chased panoramic views from mountain trains and cable cars, wandered medieval streets, savored schnitzel and fondue, and soaked in the serenity of alpine meadows dotted with cowbells and wildflowers.
This website captures it all: our detailed day-by-day itinerary, practical tips for trains, and packing for variable mountain weather, stunning photos of highlights like Neuschwanstein Castle, the Sound of Music landscapes, Jungfrau region adventures, and cozy evenings in alpine chalets.
OUR PROFESSIONAL GUIDE
​Why We Choose Rick Steves' Tours:
A Family Adventure Tailored Just Right
Picture this: You're stepping off a train in the heart of a historic European city—no long taxi rides from some distant airport hotel, no fumbling with maps at rush hour. Instead, your cozy, character-filled lodging is literally steps from medieval streets, buzzing piazzas, and that perfect gelato spot your kids have been eyeing.
That's the magic of Rick Steves tours, and it's exactly why they clicked so perfectly for our family.
We love how the hotels strike that sweet spot: comfortable and clean, never flashy or over-the-top luxurious, but always smack in the center of the action. You wake up, stroll out the door, and boom—you're already immersed in the real Europe. No wasted time commuting; more time exploring, laughing, and making memories. For busy parents and energetic teens, that's pure gold.
Brilliantly balanced. Mornings often bring guided walks or must-see highlights led by knowledgeable locals who bring history to life (skipping those endless lines—huge win!). Then come afternoons and evenings of free time to wander at your own pace: grab a coffee, hunt for street art, shop for souvenirs, or just chill in a park watching locals go about their day. No rigid schedule that leaves everyone exhausted; plenty of breathing room for spontaneous fun.
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Three countries are covered : We visited Koblenz, Burg Eltz, Beilstein, Baden Baden and Black Forest of Germany during the first 4 days. We then travelled to Murren and visited Schilthorn, Berner Oberland of the Swiss Alps on the following 2 days, and returned to Bavaria, Munich and Neuschwanstein of Germany on Day 7, 8 & 9. We then left for Austria and spent our last 5 days to visit Salzburg, Danube River Valley, Wa Chau Valley and Vienna.
Since we travelled a long distance from our home country, we took the opportunity to make a brief visit to Frankfurt before the 2-week tour commenced, and stayed behind in Vienna for two more days. We then travelled by train to Lucerne, and toured around the city. We also went up to Mount Rigi, and visited the nearby cities (Zurich, Basel & Interlaken) of Switzerland, before returning to Frankfurt to get on board the return flight to Hong Kong.
Our Experienced Driver
How about Transport ?
One more thing that sealed the deal for us on Rick Steves tours: the transport is genuinely enjoyable — no small feat when you're covering scenic distances across countries!
Forget the daily scramble for "good seats" on crowded trains or cramped vans. Our group rolled in a spacious, comfortable coach designed for real travel comfort: plush reclining seats, plenty of legroom, wide aisles, and big windows that frame those jaw-dropping Alpine views like a private movie theater on wheels. Every morning, we simply hopped on, claimed our favorite spot (no fighting required), and let the scenery unfold while we chatted, napped, snacked, or just soaked it all in.
For families like ours—with two lively 13-year-olds who love stretching out and making friends on the move—this setup was a game-changer. The twins could spread out, play games, share earbuds for music, or strike up conversations with other tourmates in the group without anyone feeling squished. Parents? We got to relax, knowing the drive was smooth, reliable, and stress-free.
It's one of those thoughtful details Rick Steves gets right: the journey between destinations shouldn't feel like a chore—it should feel like part of the adventure. And on those winding mountain roads or long scenic stretches, that spacious coach turned "getting there" into one of our favorite parts of the day.