Having just returned from China as individual travellers we again realise the advantages of an Insight tour.

We are thinking of doing the Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria tour (or possibly Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily)next year. The Tour Tales regarding the Bavaria trip are reasonably old (and Phil's tour was obviously affected by a sub-standard TD) and I would like to hear from someone who has done the tour recently. I would especially like to hear from someone who has also done the Country Roads of Switzerland, which we have done. I know there is some duplication, and I am ok with it, but is the type of tour and scenery sufficiently different to warrant doning both tours?

If you do a search of the BB you will find lots of information on this tour.

Pam

I have read most of the info regarding the tour on the BB. What I am particularly looking for, is someone who has done both this tour and the Country Roads of Switzerland to find out whether it is worthwhile doning both tours.

Hi Koot, I did the Country Roads of Bavaria 2 years ago but I have not done the Country Roads of Switzerland so unfortunately I cannot give you a comparison.

I am happy to give you my thoughts on the Country Roads of Bavaria tour if this helps. The only difference is the change of stay from Villach to St Veit An Der Glan but other wise the tour is still the same.

I have done 3 tours since then and it remains one of the most scenic tours I have done. Bavaria remains and I think always will be the most beautiful places I have visited and Neuschwanstein is simply awesome. I loved charming Oberammergau and Innsbruck. And the drive through the Dolomites is so amazingly stunning.

The hotels are all first class and the itinerary is excellent, even though there are a number of 1 night stays the driving days are not long, except to Vienna, but you have two nights there. Austria is beautiful and I loved Salzburg and Innsbruck.

The Berninia express has awesome views and St. Moritz is very nice. Lucerne is very pretty and I enjoyed going up Mt Pilatus but there is so much more of the high scenic mountainous areas of Switzerland that this tour does not visit.

I have been to Lugano, it is nice but I have not been to Zermatt or any other of the places in the Switzerland tour. I think Switzerland is beautiful and if you wanted to do both I do not think you would be doubling up too much. I went back to Lucerne recently and this time I did an independent tour to Mount Titlis near Engelberg (10,000 feet)and it was awesome (I had a clear day which helped!!).

Hope this has helped, if you have anymore questions please ask. I would definitely recommend the Bavaria tour

Thanks Langers for the info. We have done the Country Roads of Switzerland tour and enjoyed it very much, as a result we are also considering this tour. I know there are some duplications, such as St Moritz and the Bernina Express, which I would not mind doing again. It was also very cloudy when we went up Mount Pilatus, so I would like to redo that portion as well. (We fortunately had good wheather for the rest of the tour)

My concern is that having seen places such as the Matterhorn and the Jungfrau, that the scenery on the Country Roads of Bavaria trip might not be as impressive. One of the other reasons why we originally decided on the Switzerland tour rather than Bavaria is the fact that there are few 2 night stays on the Bavaria tour. Was this ok, or are there places where you thought you should have stayed two nights?

This is the second time I have replied as my first attempt did not upload!!

The mountains of Bavaria are different to those of Switzerland mainly because they are covered in trees, but those of Austria are similar and very pretty. The Dolomites are also really spectacular. I cannot say if you would be disappointed but I thought they were really beautiful. Switzerland is of course famous for the high mountains which are stunning.

The Bavaria tour also takes you to visit a number of cities that are really lovely such as Vienna, where you see a beautiful palace and to to a classical concert if you want to. Munich is also a beautiful city. The driving days are not long,except to Vienna as I have said. I do not think there is anywhere I would have two nights except for Oberammergau as it is really beautiful and peaceful there.

If you do go back to Lucerne I would recommend a visit to Mount Titlis, where you can walk inside a glacier and there is snow on all year round. It is better than Pilatus IMO becuase the snow covered mountains are so close you do not need to use the zoom on your camera.

I have posted photos from my Bavaria tour, which may give you an idea of the places you will visit and the scenery on the tour.

Thanks.
I looked at your photos, especially Oberammergau looks beautiful, and obviously Mt Pilatus. When we were there we could not see the restaurant from where we got off the train. If you are interested, my photos of Switzerland are on my website (which is in need of updating, especially with my China photos) at www.photovibes.com

Thanks Koot for the link to your photos, I had checked them out already when I was deciding which tour to do, they are excellent.

I must also say that one of the highlights of the Bavaria tour is the visit to Slovenia and Lake Bled which will always be the most beautiful place I have ever seen and worth going on this tour just to go there, IMO of course !!!