The Ultimate Alps and Dolomites JUNE 2026
First time Tauck travelers. What should we know about this tour in June 2026? What not to forget to bring? What to make sure to see or experience? How to handle gratuities (can we use US currency?). Thanks!
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US Currency, for sure. Tauck recommends US$ or equivalent in local funds for TD and Bus Driver gratuities.
Pack layers - it's cool in the mountains.
In Bolzano, go see Otzi, the Iceman
We really enjoyed this trip. The Dolomites are beautiful. I second going to see Otzi in Bolzano and the layered clothing. On the top of Mt Titlis you can ride a ski lift over a glacier and walk through an ice cave. We went in the summer and needed both a hat and gloves.
The Jesuit church in Lucerne is quite beautiful as is a walk along the lakefront and a walk across the bridges over the river.
Salzburg is a walkable city. Many of the sights will remind you of the Sound of Music..the cathedral, the cemetery where the family hid before fleeing form the Nazis. While some poetic license was given in the sets for the movie, the places are real.
Cortina d'Ampezzo was one of the sites for the recent Olympics. There may be reminders of it around the city. Medals may have been awarded in the downtown area.
In Munich make sure you go the Marienplatz and see the clock with the moving figures on the tower of the Rathaus. With extra time you could take an excursion to Dachau to see a concentration camp.
We did the Alps and Dolomites tour in 2015 - there have been many changes to the tour since we went. I looked at the current itinerary and saw that you will have a hiking option in the Dolomites. That was not offered when we went - I think that would be a neat experience.
We were able to visit the Passion Play theater in Oberammergau. It looks like you will do that as well and then have some free time. The theatre was very interesting - we actually went back in 2022 (with Tauck) and saw the Passion Play. Many residents take part in some aspect of the Passion Play - you will likely encounter people who have had that experience.
We also explored Oberammergau a bit more. As you walk around the town, be sure to notice the homes and buildings with exterior paintings called “Lüftlmalerei.” The paintings are applied to fresh plaster and include scenes from fairy tales, religious scenes, and pictures of traditional Bavarian life.
If you visit any of the shops, Oberammergau is famous for its woodcarvings. In the 18th century, woodcarvers traveled around Europe carrying a rack on their back called a ‘Kraxe’, which held their carvings for sale. We found woodcarvings of peddlers carrying a rack of their wares and purchased one selling toys. Religious carvings are also very popular.
Hard shell for rain and wind. Fleece and light puffy. Make sure you can wear the shell over the puffy over the fleece. Light hat and gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Small day pack 18 to 22 liters. Have a great time.
I did this trip Sept 2025. Unless you live in FL or SoCal, I think puff jackets and any other heavy items are overkill. I never needed anything more than a long sleeve shirt and windbreaker during cool mornings, and wore shorts during a number of days. The only place you might need something warmish is Mt Titlis, which was cancelled on us due to weather. We had two days of rain in the Lucerne area.
I enjoyed the trip very much. If I had to complain about something (besides rain), it would be the location of the hotel in Lucerne. It's a large and beautiful place, but a 30 minute ferry ride from the city. I would have preferred a city location. Free ferry tickets are available at the hotel.
Edited to add - If you like outdoorsy stuff, bring hiking boots. They were useful up the mountain in Cortina during our guided hike. I was 1 of 5 in our group who did some rock climbing, and 1 of 2 who did the "challenging" (it wasn't difficult at all, but I live in Colorado) return hike, both with a guide. I had planned additional hiking near Lucerne, staying an extra day at the end, but it was rained out, and there were other opportunities to use them, too.