Overall Trip Highlights

• Stroll through three countries in one trip – Explore the elegance of Switzerland, the charm of Alsace France, and the romance of Germany’s Rhine region in one unforgettable adventure.

• Step inside Strasbourg Cathedral to witness a 16th-century astronomical clock show – A Gothic masterpiece where time comes alive in one of Europe’s most fascinating cathedrals.

• Sail through the Middle Rhine Valley past 20+ hilltop castles – Cruise Europe’s most legendary river surrounded by vineyards, cliffs, and storybook villages.

• Wander pastel villages on the Alsace Wine Route – Visit Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg—straight out of a fairytale—and enjoy a private vineyard tasting.

• Visit Schloss Drachenburg—Germany’s dreamiest castle – This fairytale palace perched above the Rhine is pure magic, with gardens, turrets, and panoramic vistas.

• Soar over the Rhine by cable car – Ride the Seilbahn in Koblenz for panoramic views and a visit to the historic Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

• Unwind in luxury at top boutique hotels (4 and 5 Star Hotels)

• Wander cobbled towns that inspired generations of fairytales
  Explore medieval centers in Heidelberg, Koblenz, and Strasbourg, complete with timbered houses, castle ruins, and winding alleyways.

Trip Snapshot: A Storybook Journey – Switzerland, France & Germany

A curated, small-group adventure across three countries filled with fairytale villages, grand cathedrals, riverside towns, and unforgettable wine country charm.

12 Days, 3 Countries, 4 Hotels
All Inclusive Small Group Travel

Day 1 – Basel, Switzerland
• Check into boutique Hotel Märthof in Basel’s Old Town
• Begin your journey with a warm, Swiss-style Welcome Apéro

Day 2 – Basel, Switzerland
• Discover Basel’s cobbled streets, fountains, and 1,000-year-old cathedral on a guided walking tour
• Conquer jet lag with time to relax, stroll, or visit a museum

Day 3 – Travel to Strasbourg, France
• Coach or train transfer through scenic countryside (1.5 hours)
• Check in at a boutique hotel in La Petite France district

Day 4 – Strasbourg, France
• Tour the majestic Strasbourg Cathedral and watch the 300-year-old astronomical clock show
• Cruise beneath timbered houses on a canal boat through medieval locks and historic bridges

Day 5 – Alsace Wine Trail (France)
• Explore the villages of Riquewihr, Eguisheim & Kaysersberg
• Vineyard tasting in the Alsatian countryside

Day 6 – Transfer to Heidelberg, Germany via the Black Forest
• Visit Germany’s tallest waterfall and the world’s largest cuckoo clock in Triberg
• Taste authentic Black Forest cake before arriving in Heidelberg’s castle-topped Old Town

Day 7 – Heidelberg, Germany
• Take a guided tour of the hilltop Heidelberg Castle and view the Great Tun wine barrel
• Walk the Philosopher’s Way for panoramic views over the river and red-roofed town

Day 8 – Travel to Rhine River Valley (Koblenz, Germany)
• Stop in Mainz to see Gutenberg Museum and Cathedral and its original 15th-century printing press
• Check in at a riverside hotel in Koblenz

Day 9 – Rhine River Valley (Koblenz Germany)
• Cruise past castles, vineyards, and Loreley Rock on Europe’s most legendary river
• Take the iconic cable car over the Rhine River, up to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Day 10 – Transfer to Cologne via Konigswinter, Germany
• Explore the breathtaking Schloss Drachenburg, a privately built fairytale castle overlooking the Rhine
• Arrive in Cologne and take a sunset walk to the stunning twin-spired cathedral

Day 11 – Cologne, Germany
• Guided tour of Cologne Cathedral and the Shrine of the Three Kings
• Walk the Love Lock Bridge and visit the Museum Ludwig

Day 12 – Departure from Cologne
• Group breakfast and private airport transfers to CGN

Note: This itinerary serves as a general guide to what we will be doing, seeing, and eating, with the final version provided approximately two weeks prior. The published itinerary is an example and may be adjusted to include accommodations, tours, or restaurants of comparable quality to ensure the best experience.

Day 1: Touch Down in Tradition – Old World Charm in Basel

Your European story begins at the Basel-Mulhouse Airport—technically in France, yet just minutes from the heart of Switzerland. After clearing customs, you’ll meet your Beatrice Bradley hostess and fellow travelers before heading into Basel, Switzerland, a city where cobblestone streets, medieval towers, and colorful fountains blend seamlessly with Swiss sophistication.

We’ll check into a boutique hotel in Basel’s Old Town.  You’ll have the afternoon to settle in, explore at your own pace, or join your hostess for a gentle walk along the Rhine promenade.

In the evening, we’ll come together for a casual Welcome Apéro—a relaxed Swiss tradition of light bites, wine, and conversation. It’s the perfect way to ease into the adventure and start forming friendships that will carry through the journey.

Overnight stay: Basel, Switzerland

Highlights:

• Airport pick-up from Basel-Mulhouse (France) and transfer to Basel

• Welcome Apéro with your hostess and fellow travelers

• Check into hotel is at 3:00 PM

• Airport transfers will be scheduled twice to best suite arrival times of the group

Day 2: Cobblestones & Clocktowers – Basel at Your Own Pace

Today is all about balance. You’ve crossed an ocean, entered a new time zone, and now it’s time to gently reset—with fresh air, movement, meaningful moments, and just enough magic to make it unforgettable. We begin with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before setting off on a private guided walk through Basel’s stunning Old Town.

Our local guide will lead us through winding lanes, past painted guild houses, sculpted fountains, and centuries-old churches. You’ll stand beneath the twin towers of the Basel Münster, a sandstone Gothic cathedral perched above the Rhine River, and gaze over the city’s rooftops just like pilgrims and scholars once did.

After our tour, we’ll enjoy a light group lunch and then offer some “conquering jet leg time”

Tonight, we’ll gather again for a cozy Swiss-style dinner, celebrating your first full day in Europe with warm plates, deeper conversation, and that familiar Beatrice Bradley camaraderie.

Overnight stay: Basel, Switzerland

Highlights:

• Slow-paced walking tour of Basel’s Old Town including the Basel Münster cathedral

• Group lunch at a charming local brasserie

• Optional afternoon experiences to suit your energy level (rest, walk, or shop)

• Dinner as a group at a traditional Swiss restaurant—unhurried and satisfying

After a restful morning in Basel, we begin the next chapter of our journey—crossing the border into France to arrive in one of the most enchanting destinations in all of Europe. Around midday, we’ll depart for a 1.5-hour scenic drive through rolling countryside, winding roads, and charming villages tucked between vineyards and fields.

By mid-afternoon, we’ll arrive in Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace region and a living fairytale of pastel facades, half-timbered houses, and cobbled canals. Your home for the next three nights is in La Petite France, the historic heart of the city, where every turn feels like a painting come to life.

Check into your elegant boutique hotel. Take time to settle in, refresh, or simply look out over the water and absorb your new surroundings.

This evening, we’ll gather for a delicious group dinner on the riverside terrace, where French flavors and warm conversation welcome you into this next part of the journey.

Overnight stay: La Petite, France

Highlights:

• Leisurely morning and breakfast in Basel

• Private group transfer to Strasbourg (1.5 hours)

• Check-in at your boutique hotel in La Petite France, Strasbourg

• Evening group dinner along the canal with beautiful historic views

Day 4: Spires, Streets & Storybook Views – Discovering Strasbourg

Today, you’ll find yourself walking through what feels like a fairytale film set, but this city is very real. Strasbourg is where French romance meets German tradition, and the result is a place of surprising beauty, deep history, and light-hearted charm. We’ll start the day with a private walking tour led by a local guide who brings the city’s past to life, from its medieval canals to its revolutionary spirit.

Our first stop is the crown jewel of Strasbourg: the Strasbourg Cathedral, a stunning Gothic cathedral that seems to stretch to the sky. Inside, we’ll marvel at the intricate stained glass, the grand rose window, and the famous astronomical clock—an ornate masterpiece that’s been tracking time since the 16th century. At 12:30 PM, you’ll watch the clock’s mechanical figures come to life in a show that defies imagination.

Afterward, we’ll enjoy a group lunch at a charming local brasserie

As the day winds down, we’ll head out on evening canal cruise. You’ll glide through Strasbourg’s historic waterways, passing locks, medieval towers, and the modern silhouette of the European Parliament

Dinner tonight is kept easy and local—just steps from the hotel, where you can savor one more view of the water and the warm glow of lantern-lit streets.

Overnight stay: La Petite, France

Highlights:

• Private guided walking tour of Strasbourg’s Old Town (approx. 2 hours)

• Visit to Strasbourg Cathedral, including its 300-year-old astronomical clock

• Optional cathedral tower climb for panoramic city views

• Group lunch at a traditional Alsatian brasserie

• Free time for shopping, strolling, or resting

• Evening canal cruise

• Dinner near the hotel, tucked inside Petite France’s most charming corner

Today we venture into a dreamscape of rolling vineyards, flower-draped balconies, and villages so perfectly preserved, they look like illustrations in a storybook. The Alsace Wine Route is one of France’s most scenic and celebrated regions. Famous for its half-timbered houses, medieval charm, and exceptional white wines like Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

• Riquewihr – Often called one of the most beautiful villages in France, this pastel-colored gem is wrapped in medieval walls and overflowing with floral balconies. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a living painting.

• Eguisheim – A circular village with narrow lanes that spiral inward like a snail shell, Eguisheim enchants with its quaint courtyards, artisan shops, and gentle pace.

• Kaysersberg – A storybook town built along a quiet river, framed by vineyards and overlooked by a ruined castle. Its name means “Emperor’s Mountain,” and its charm is nothing short of regal.

Throughout the day, you’ll have time to browse local boutiques, try handmade nougat or Alsatian pastries, and pick up keepsakes like pottery, linens, or wines you can only find here.

In the late afternoon, we’ll visit a vineyard in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. Here, you’ll tour the cellar, learn about Alsace wine traditions, and enjoy a tasting surrounded by vines and countryside views.

Overnight stay: La Petite, France

Highlights:

• Full-day guided tour along the Alsace Wine Route

• Visit three fairytale villages: Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg

• Vineyard visit with cellar tour and wine tasting

• Return to Strasbourg in time for rest and a group dinner

Day 6: Forests, Clocks & Castles – Into Germany We Go

Scenic Transfer from Strasbourg, France to Heidelberg, Germany

This morning, we say farewell to France and begin a new chapter in our journey as we travel into Germany’s Black Forest region—a land of legends, cuckoo clocks, and misty wooded hills straight from a storybook.

Our destination is Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most romantic cities, but we’ll take our time getting there with a scenic and unforgettable stop in Triberg, deep in the heart of the Schwarzwald.

• The World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock
  Located at Eble Uhren-Park, this giant working clock features a 13-foot-tall cuckoo. Built in 1997, it even allows visitors to walk inside and see the massive gears and wooden mechanisms in action. A fun photo moment and a peek into classic German engineering.

• Germany’s Tallest Waterfall
  The Triberg Waterfalls cascade 535 feet over seven dramatic drops. You’ll take a gentle trail to view this natural wonder, surrounded by pine-scented air and lush forest. It’s one of the Black Forest’s most beloved sights—and a welcome breath of fresh air.

• The House of 1000 Clocks
  This whimsical shop is a clock lover’s paradise. Whether you’re buying or just browsing, you’ll see everything from traditional hand-carved cuckoos to modern marvels. Many travelers (us included) can’t resist bringing one home as a timeless souvenir.

• Authentic Black Forest Cake at Hotel Café Adler
  No visit is complete without a stop at this beloved café. Their Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte—Black Forest cherry cake—is famous for a reason. Paired with a cozy atmosphere and a hot coffee, it’s the sweetest way to cap off your time in Triberg.

After our visit, we continue on to Heidelberg. In the evening, we’ll gather for a casual German dinner after a long day.

Overnight Stay: Heidelberg, Germany

Highlights:

• Private coach transfer from Strasbourg to Heidelberg (approx. 3.5 hours with scenic stop)

• Stop in Triberg, Germany:

  • Visit the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock

  • Walk to Triberg Waterfalls, Germany’s tallest falls

  • Explore the House of 1000 Clocks – a quirky and fun clock shop

  • Enjoy coffee and authentic Black Forest Cake at Hotel Café Adler

Heidelberg is the kind of place that makes you slow down and breathe it in. Today we explore its most iconic landmark—Heidelberg Castle—a majestic ruin perched above the city. With sweeping river views, ivy-covered walls, and a wine barrel bigger than most living rooms, the castle captures the essence of old-world Europe.

Back in town, we’ll take a scenic walk along the Philosopher’s Way, once favored by poets and professors. The afternoon is yours to wander the cobbled streets, shop the Hauptstrasse, or rest in a cozy café. We’ll finish with a candlelit group dinner in a wine tavern, toasting to the beauty and history that surrounds us.

Overnight Stay: Heidelberg, Germany

Highlights:

• Guided tour of Heidelberg Castle with stunning views and the Great Tun wine barrel

• Scenic stroll along the Philosopher’s Way

• Lunch in a local café in the Altstadt

• Free time to explore, shop, or unwind

• Dinner at a historic wine tavern in the Old Town

Day 8: A River of Legends – From Heidelberg to the Rhine

Depart Heidelberg by private coach, with a scenic stop in the riverside town of Mainz. Step inside the impressive Mainz Cathedral and explore the Gutenberg Museum, where you’ll see an original 15th-century printing press that changed the course of history.

We journey deeper into the Rhine River Valley, arriving in Koblenz, where the Moselle meets the Rhine. This historic city is surrounded by castles, vineyards, and river views. We’ll check into a well-located hotel near the waterfront—your base for exploring the next chapter of this storybook adventure.

Overnight Stay: Koblenz, Germany

Highlights:

• Scenic transfer from Heidelberg to the Rhine

• Visit to Mainz Cathedral and the Gutenberg Museum

• Check-in to a hotel in Koblenz

• Dinner Together

Today we slow down and soak it all in. After a peaceful breakfast overlooking the river, we set sail on a Rhine River cruise—a stretch often called the most beautiful in all of Europe. Along the way, you’ll pass vineyard-covered hills, storybook towns, and no fewer than 20 castles perched above the water. It’s a real-life fairytale brought to life.

Back in Koblenz, your afternoon includes a ride on the Seilbahn cable car, soaring across the Rhine for an unforgettable visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress—one of Europe’s largest preserved fortresses. From its ramparts, the views stretch across two rivers and centuries of history.

Overnight Stay: Koblenz, Germany

Highlights:

• Scenic Rhine River cruise past castles and vineyards

• • UNESCO World Heritage Middle Rhine Valley
  • picturesque wine villages
  • Rheinfels Castle
  • legendary Loreley in St. Goarshausen
• Ride the Seilbahn cable car over the Rhine to Visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

• Dinner Together

Today’s journey blends scenic travel with one of the most magical castles in Europe. After breakfast in Koblenz, we depart by private coach and head north to the Rhine town of Königswinter, home to the spectacular Schloss Drachenburg.

Perched on a forested hillside and looking straight out of a fairytale, Schloss Drachenburg is a 19th-century dream of turrets, stained glass, and sweeping terraces. You’ll explore its opulent rooms, dramatic staircases, and panoramic gardens that overlook the Rhine River far below.

After our castle visit, we continue to Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city and a vibrant mix of history and modern energy. We’ll check into our luxury hotel just steps from the Cologne Cathedral and enjoy a sunset stroll to this Gothic masterpiece—Germany’s most iconic landmark.

Overnight Stay: Cologne, Germany

Highlights:
• Schloss Drachenburg, one of Germany’s most romantic castles
• Scenic transfer along the Rhine to Cologne
• Sunset walk to the breathtaking Cologne Cathedral
• Group dinner

Our morning begins with a guided tour of Cologne Cathedral, including a close-up look at the Shrine of the Three Kings, a golden reliquary said to hold the remains of the biblical Magi. You’ll also learn about the cathedral’s turbulent WWII history and soaring architecture.

Next, we walk across the famous Hohenzollern Bridge, known for the thousands of “love locks” left by couples over the years. Then it’s on to the Museum Ludwig, home to one of Europe’s best modern art collections, featuring works by Picasso, Warhol, and Lichtenstein.

In the evening, we’ll gather for a lively group dinner for the final night in this vibrant city.

Highlights:

• Guided tour of Cologne Cathedral, including the Shrine of the Three Kings

• Walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge (love locks + river views)

• Visit to the Museum Ludwig featuring works by Picasso, Warhol, and Lichtenstein.

• Farewell dinner 

After a final breakfast at the hotel, transfers will take each guest to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). You’ll leave with a suitcase full of treasures and a heart full of connection, beauty, and bold new memories.

Last Transfer at 10 AM