Peaks to Palaces: 10 Days in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria

Arriving in Munich, you would be forgiven for thinking you were on the set of a movie about old Bavaria. At the Old Town beer halls, barmaids laced in dirndl dresses serve up frosty Helles lager, as oom-pah music drifts across the Marienplatz square. Men in lederhosen and checked shirts merrily give toasts as they knock glasses, or steins, as they’re known here. They sit at tables laden with wurst sausage and giant pretzels oozing with herby butter. This is Germany’s Germany, a place where folk traditions never stopped, and the revelry doesn’t either. Even when it isn’t Oktoberfest, the town’s notorious beer-drinking celebration, Munich is always happy to show you a good time. Simply cast your eyes around the lavish, gilded banquet hall at the Munich Residenz, the 13th-century Wittelsbach palace. You’ll see Munich has been impressing guests for centuries. Or, swing by the BMW Museum and check out the classic German cars. They even let you sit inside to test out the new models. At the city’s English Gardens, surfers ride waves on one of the park’s rivers. Munich is filled to the brim with this kind of pure-hearted German fun.

Located between two bodies of water — Lake Brienz and Lake Thun — Interlaken is the perfect place to explore the serene natural beauty at Switzerland’s heart. Interlaken is a place for those who seek adventure amid spectacular natural surrounds. Rock climbing, canyoning, bungee jumping, and paragliding are just some of the ways to fill a day here, and countless backpackers descend on the town every summer to do all of these and more. Less intense, but no less rewarding, are the many opportunities for hiking, sailing, and swimming. Or, take to the rails. At the nearby Kleine Scheidegg pass, a train runs through the snowy Swiss Alps to the highest train station on the continent. The fun here doesn’t stop at night. After a hard day of adventure, backpackers flock to the town’s many pubs and bars to soothe their aches and pains with steins of beer. Interlaken is a place where fun and excitement reign supreme and somewhere to experience Switzerland’s striking nature in the most thrilling way.

Switzerland’s second-most populous city, Geneva is a place where languages, cultures, and institutions have converged for hundreds of years. Here, diplomacy and sophistication play a central role. Formerly home to the headquarters of the UN, Geneva still hosts the International Red Cross, World Trade Organization, and World Health Organization. Lake Geneva, the largest body of water in Switzerland, dominates the surrounding landscape with its calm waters and brooding presence. By the lakeside, the imposing Jet d’Eau blasts water 140 meters into the air for most of every day. As you stroll through the city’s enchanting old town, you'll find its winding streets dusted with antique shops, ancient architecture, galleries, and world-class restaurants.   Centuries of influence from countless cultures have given Geneva a special, complex identity. Travelers here can spend hours sampling food and drink from across the world. Or, simply sit by the water, and sip an Espresso while you soak up Geneva's unique and cosmopolitan vibe.

Zurich is Switzerland’s biggest city, located in the center of the country’s German-speaking region. It’s this location, superbly connected to almost everywhere else by train and close to an international airport, that makes Zurich an obvious destination for tourists. Well, that’s one of the reasons. There’s also the city’s bevy of bars and restaurants, the lakeside views, and stunning architecture around every corner.Take a stroll down the Bahnhofstrasse, a street known around the world for its unrivaled shopping. Weave through crowds of shoppers as you pass rows of world-famous and exclusive brands. Zurich is a small city, but that just makes it easier to get around. Lindenhof Hill, a slight rise of land in the center, offers views across all of the town. Among the city’s most striking features are the Grossmünster towers, which can also be climbed. This is a proud, sophisticated, and elegant city.

Lucerne’s international name may be French, but this spellbinding little city is actually situated in the heart of Switzerland’s German area. Lucerne was one of the first cities to join the Swiss Confederation and is a microcosm of all the typical Swiss quirks and charm that draw visitors to the country from all over the world. The city’s old town is beautifully preserved and also extremely compact. This is a place that is perfect for walking and looking. You’ll soon start to get an in-depth feel for the Old Town after just a few hours. Stroll across the famous Kapellbrücke bridge or the smaller Spreuerbrücke, or wander to the Löwendenkmal, the wounded lion memorial carved from a rock face. Stunning nature surrounds Lucerne, and the landmark Mount Pilatus towers over the city. It’s possible to climb the mountain, where hikers (and cable-car riders) will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the town below and the Alps beyond. Back at ground level, Lake Lucerne calls out for boat trips, which stop at the many villages and parks around the shores.

You've probably heard this before— the city of Salzburg is straight out of a fairytale. Nestled in the mountains, this romantic city's Baroque architecture with colorful domes and spires is especially striking against the ancient fortress and Austrian Alpine backdrop. If you're looking for an amazing view, climb up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, Central Europe's largest intact fortress, for a jaw-dropping panorama of the city backed by misty mountains. Perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the filming location for the classic The Sound of Music, this city has much to offer. Salzburg has become an important artistic and cultural center, featuring magnificent concert halls that uphold the city's tradition of classical music every day of the year, as well as acclaimed art exhibitions and museums. If you do it right, your visit to Salzburg will immerse you in the city's unforgettable atmosphere and keep you coming back for more.