Europe rewards curiosity. In Bavaria, centuries-old beer traditions meet cutting-edge craft taps; in Salzburg, Baroque spires give way to glassy lakes and cog railways; and in Slovenia, fairytale castles sit above turquoise rivers that beg for a paddle or a raft. This 14-day itinerary stitches those worlds together with efficient train routes, mountain air, and long tables of good food.

We focus on three hubs for logical travel flow and time outdoors: Munich (Bavaria’s capital of beer and culture), Salzburg (gateway to the Salzkammergut lake district), and Ljubljana (Slovenia’s soulful, green-minded capital with easy access to Bled and Bohinj). You’ll hike panoramic ridgelines, ride electric boats across fjord-like waters, and sample wheat beers where they were perfected.

Practical notes: Book flights into Munich and out of Ljubljana, and reserve popular experiences (Neuschwanstein, SchafbergBahn, Bled boat rentals in peak summer) ahead of time. Expect walkable old towns, reliable train and bus links, and hearty regional cuisine—think schnitzel, dumplings, pretzels, Carniolan sausage, and Bled cream cake—paired with excellent Central European beers.

Munich

Days 1–5: Bavaria’s Capital, Beer Culture, and Alpine Day Trips

Munich balances royal history with an outdoorsy heartbeat. Start in the Old Town—Marienplatz and the neo-Gothic Rathaus with its Glockenspiel—then wander to the Residenz and Viktualienmarkt. Don’t miss the English Garden, where locals surf the Eisbach wave and row across Kleinhesseloher See.

Bavaria equals beer. Experience classic halls and modern craft: clink steins under chestnut trees at Augustiner-Keller (Munich’s oldest brewery, beloved for its malty Helles), sip wheat beer and roast pork at Schneider Bräuhaus, and try small-batch IPAs and sours at Giesinger Bräu, True Brew Taproom, or Tap House near Ostbahnhof.

• Top sights and unique activities: Watch river surfers at the Eisbach; admire the jewel-box Asamkirche; stroll Nymphenburg Palace gardens; climb the Olympiastadion roof walk (guided, from ~€40–60) for skyline views; BMW fans can browse BMW Welt (free) and the museum next door.
• Coffee & breakfast: Man vs Machine Coffee Roasters (precision pour-overs), Standl 20 at Elisabethmarkt (espresso and seasonal bakes), Café Frischhut (iconic schmalznudel doughnuts), and Rosi Kaffeehaus (modern Bavarian breakfast).
• Lunch: Graze at Viktualienmarkt—try Caspar Plautz (inventive potato dishes), Fisch Witte (oyster bar and fish plates), and the central Biergarten am Viktualienmarkt. For a sit-down feast, go to Wirtshaus in der Au (semelknödel dumplings, duck) or Haxnbauer (crispy pork knuckle).
• Dinner: Schneider Bräuhaus for Bavarian classics; Augustiner-Keller for beer garden vibes; Prinz Myshkin for vegetarian fare; finish with whimsical scoops at Der Verrückte Eismacher.

Alpine day trips: Ride the train (~1h20) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the Partnachklamm gorge and the Zugspitze cable car (RT ~€65–75; dazzling views and an easy plateau walk). Or head to Neuschwanstein (train to Füssen ~2h, bus 78 to Hohenschwangau) to hike up to Marienbrücke and rent a rowboat on Alpsee. Each makes a big day with unforgettable scenery.

Where to stay (Munich): Compare apartments and hotels on VRBO Munich or Hotels.com Munich. Neighborhoods: Altstadt-Lehel (walkable), Glockenbach/Isarvorstadt (nightlife), or Maxvorstadt (museums).

Getting in and around: Fly into Munich (MUC) and compare fares on Omio Flights (to/from Europe). From the airport, S-Bahn S1/S8 to the center (~40 min). For day trips, use regional trains via Omio Trains (Europe)—the Bayern Ticket (from ~€27–32 for one, more for groups) keeps costs mid-range.

Next move: Train from Munich Hbf to Salzburg Hbf takes ~1h30–1h50; fares often €20–35 if booked ahead on Omio Trains. Morning departure recommended; enjoy lunch in Salzburg.

Salzburg

Days 6–9: Baroque Old Town, Breweries, and the Salzkammergut Lakes

Salzburg’s skyline—fortress above, spires below—frames Mozart’s birthplace and a lived-in Old Town of narrow lanes and wrought-iron signs. Start at Hohensalzburg Fortress (funicular up, forest path down), tour Getreidegasse, and wander Mirabell Gardens, a “Sound of Music” favorite. Cap an evening with a gentle Salzach River cruise (seasonal, ~40 minutes).

Beer culture runs deep here. Sip steins at monastic Augustiner Bräu Mülln—grab food from self-serve stalls and sit under vaulted ceilings or in the tree-shaded garden. Then tour Stiegl-Brauwelt (museum + tastings; plan 1.5–2 hours). For a local weisse and hearty plates, Die Weisse is a classic.

• Coffee & breakfast: 220 Grad (roastery-level espresso and brunch plates), Café Bazar (riverfront institution), and historic Café Tomaselli (since the 1700s; order a slice of Esterházy or Sacher torte).
• Lunch: Bärenwirt (crispy Backhendl chicken), Zwettler’s Wirtshaus (Austrian staples), and street classic Balkan Grill Walter (Bosna sausage).
• Dinner: Splurge on St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (claims to be Europe’s oldest restaurant), enjoy cellar coziness at Johanneskeller, or go vegetarian at The Green Garden.

Lake adventures (Salzkammergut): Dedicate two days to the lakes. One day, visit Hallstatt: ride the train/bus (~2.5 hours each way) and cross the lake by ferry to the village; take the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car to the dramatic 5 Fingers viewpoint and stroll the lakeside lanes. Another day, focus on Wolfgangsee: hop bus 150 to St. Gilgen, cruise the lake by boat (day passes ~€24–28), and ride the SchafbergBahn cog railway (round trip ~€46–58) for sweeping views; lunch on the terrace at Hotel Weißes Rössl in St. Wolfgang if the weather is kind.

Königssee (Germany) option: From Salzburg, bus 840 to Berchtesgaden, then the short link to Königssee. Quiet electric boats glide between sheer cliffs to St. Bartholomä (round trips ~€25–30). Hike lakeside paths or ride the Jennerbahn for an easy panorama trail.

Where to stay (Salzburg): Browse VRBO Salzburg and Hotels.com Salzburg. The Right Bank (Neustadt) offers easy access to Mirabell and cafes; the Old Town (Altstadt) is atmospheric if you don’t mind occasional crowds.

Getting around: Walk or use local buses. For the lake district and Hallstatt, compare regional trains and buses on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Budget around €10–30 each way depending on route and timing.

Next move: Salzburg to Ljubljana takes ~4–5.5 hours. The fastest is often a direct or one-change bus (from ~€20–35) or a train with a change in Villach (similar pricing). Check Omio Trains and Omio Buses for morning departures.

Ljubljana

Days 10–14: Slovenia’s Green Capital, Lake Bled & Bohinj, and the Soča Valley

Ljubljana charms with car-free streets, café-lined riverbanks, and graceful bridges by architect Jože Plečnik. Take the funicular to Ljubljana Castle, browse the lively Central Market, and detour to the street-art enclave of Metelkova after sunset. A mellow Ljubljanica River boat cruise (~€12–18) or SUP session (summer) shows the city from a new angle.

Slovenia’s craft-beer scene is small but punchy. Start at Lajbah Craft Beer Bar (well-curated taps, friendly staff), sample styles at Sir William’s Pub, and tour the Union Experience to learn how Slovenia’s biggest brewery grew with the city. Pair pints with local bites—think Karst prosciutto, Tolminc cheese, and a bowl of jota (sauerkraut and bean stew) in cooler months.

• Coffee & breakfast: Stow Coffee Roasters (inside the City Museum; meticulous brews), Café Čokl (micro-roastery espresso), Le Petit Café (French-Slovene brunch), and EK Bistro (eggs Benedict, fluffy pancakes).
• Lunch: Druga Violina (traditional dishes employing people with disabilities—book ahead), Klobasarna (quick Carniolan sausage with horseradish), and Fridays in season, the open-air food market Odprta kuhna (March–Oct, weather permitting).
• Dinner: Strelec (Slovene fine dining in the castle’s Archer’s Tower), Atelje (creative tasting menus), Manna (slow food approach), or rustic Gostilna Sokol for game and dumplings. For craft beer and burgers, POP’s Place hits the spot.

Lake Bled day: Train to Lesce-Bled (~50 min) plus a short bus/taxi, or direct bus (~1h15). Row to Bled Island (rowboat rentals ~€20–25/hour) or ride a traditional pletna boat (about €18 pp). Hike to Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica for that iconic mirror-lake photo; walk the Vintgar Gorge boardwalks (tickets ~€10–15). Try the original Bled cream cake at Café Park.

Lake Bohinj & Vogel: Continue by bus (~30–40 min from Bled) to Slovenia’s largest lake. Kayak or SUP on glassy water (rentals ~€12–15/hour), hike the Mostnica Gorge, and ride the Vogel cable car for ridge walks and Alps views. A short detour reaches Savica Waterfall (entry ~€4–5).

Soča River rafting (adventurous highlight): Base from Ljubljana or Bled and join a guided trip in Bovec (summer best; total day ~10–12 hours including transport). Expect class III rapids in electric-blue water; reputable outfitters run ~€60–75 pp including gear. If you prefer to keep it closer, try canyoning near Bled or e-biking around Radovljica.

Where to stay (Ljubljana): Search VRBO Ljubljana and Hotels.com Ljubljana. Stay near the river (Old Town or Trnovo) for easy café access and evening strolls.

Optional overnight at Lake Bled: If you’d like a slower pace, consider 1–2 nights by the lake. Compare stays on VRBO Lake Bled or Hotels.com Lake Bled.

Getting around: Ljubljana’s center is walkable; buses and regional trains/buses to Bled/Bohinj run frequently. Check routes and fares (~€6–12 each way) on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Fly home from Ljubljana (LJU); compare tickets on Omio Flights.

Suggested 14-Day Flow (by blocks)

• Days 1–2 (Munich): Old Town, Residenz, Viktualienmarkt lunch, English Garden rowboats; evening at Augustiner-Keller or Schneider Bräuhaus.
• Day 3 (Munich day trip): Neuschwanstein, Alpsee rowboats; hearty Bavarian dinner back in the city.
• Day 4 (Munich day trip): Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Partnachklamm, Zugspitze cable car.
• Day 5 (Munich): Nymphenburg + Olympiapark roof walk or BMW Welt; craft beers at Giesinger or True Brew.
• Days 6–7 (Salzburg): Fortress, Old Town, Stiegl-Brauwelt, Augustiner Bräu Mülln; optional Salzach cruise.
• Day 8 (Lakes): Hallstatt + Dachstein Krippenstein (5 Fingers) and lakeside stroll.
• Day 9 (Lakes): Wolfgangsee boats + SchafbergBahn; back to Salzburg.
• Days 10–11 (Ljubljana): Old Town, castle, markets, Metelkova; Lajbah and Union for beer.
• Day 12 (Bled): Row to the island, Ojstrica viewpoint, Vintgar Gorge; kremšnita at Café Park.
• Day 13 (Bohinj): Kayak the lake, Vogel cable car, Savica Waterfall.
• Day 14 (Ljubljana): Slow morning cafés, river cruise or cycling; depart.

Transit Snapshot and Costs

• Flights: Into Munich (MUC), home from Ljubljana (LJU). Search multi-city options on Omio Flights.
• Munich → Salzburg: Train ~1h30–1h50, from ~€20–35 on Omio Trains.
• Salzburg → Ljubljana: Bus or train ~4–5.5h, typically €20–35 via Omio Trains or Omio Buses.
• Ljubljana → Bled/Bohinj (day trips): Bus/train ~50–75 min to Bled; ~1.5h to Bohinj; ~€6–12 each way. Check Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Budget tip: With a budget level of 67/100, mix hearty local taverns with one or two special-occasion meals, use regional day tickets (Bayern Ticket; Salzburg area passes), and book intercity trains early for the best fares.

Summary: Two weeks across Munich, Salzburg, and Slovenia deliver a crisp blend of culture and adrenaline—beer gardens and Baroque lanes, boat rides on mirror lakes, ridge walks, and river rapids. You’ll leave with Alpine photos, new favorite brews, and a soft spot for Europe’s green spaces and efficient trains.