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.
My husband and I will be on the tour beginning 22 Jun. Very excited. I've been in the Barvarian area before, husband first time. We're arriving the day before and would be happy to meet up with any other early arrivals. Is there any opportunity to get to Neuschwanstein? Recommend Dachau if you've never been. Tours leave from the baunhoff (train station).
Mark, if you are on the tour that starts on June 11th starts in Munich we are on that trip. Will look for you at the hotel.
Our tour begins June 4
My son and I are looking forward to the June 22-July 4th tour. This trip is my son's high school graduation trip. We would love recommendations for tours and things to do in and around Munich as we are arriving a day early.
What are his interests? Google things to see and do in Munich or look on Viator for ideas. Factor in jet lag.
We would really like to visit Dachau (I have not been since I was a kid). Chase loves history and food! We have heard the BMW Museum is fun too.
I did this tour Sept 2025. A ~45 minute stop at the BMW museum was included. I did a 1/2 day guided bike tour of Munich the morning of the welcome dinner.
In Oberamergau, if you are young or young at heart and the Passion Play theater or woodcarving shops don't interest him or you, check out the nearby Kolbensattel Alpine Coaster (bobsled) for an exhilarating thrill. We saw the theater during Ultimate Alps so during our second visit to Oberamergau on Romantic Germany, we left lunch before dessert and walked (it was Sunday and couldn't get a taxi) to the bobsled which includes a ride to the top via a chairlift, which also returns the sleds to the top. There were great views of the town, valley and surrounding mountains. The sleds were very fast and blasted on rails down the mountain. The sleds are captured to the rails so there is no danger of flying off, but even I (who had flown in Navy jets) had to use the brakes once or twice due to the speed and G-force in some of the tight turns. We walked back to town and made it as everyone was boarding the bus. We wished we had skipped lunch completely and had been able to make a second run!! There are videos of the ride on YouTube.
For more Jewish history, there is the Jüdisches Museum. Walk past the very modern Ohel Jakob Synagogue. Do an internet search for more sites, especially those focusing on Nazi resistance.
Visit the Viktualienmarkt for a sampling of traditional food items. It is located in the old town area. There are several beautiful boulevards in that same area.