Exploring the Alpine Countries
11 nights from $2,775 per person
- Included:
- Accommodation
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Selected excursions & meals
- In resort assistance & 24 hour contact center
Overview
A panoramic 13-day escorted tour through the Alpine Countries of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Through mountain passes to lake-side towns, exploring historic capital cities and quaint alpine villages, enjoying local wines and regional dishes, you will experience the best of these beautiful regions.
Spend two nights in the picturesque mountain resort of Zermatt with views of the majestic Matterhorn. Enjoy a day strolling the lovely lake-side Lucerne with its romantic old town. Immerse yourself in the story of Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play. Cruise the beautiful Danube River, immortalised in the music of Strauss. Enjoy city tours of Salzburg, Vienna and Munich. And complete your tour with a farewell of traditional cheese fondue (CL)
Highlights
- Enjoy two nights in the musical city of Salzburg, including a walking tour to take in the highlights like Mozart’s birthplace and the Mirabell Gardens as featured in “The Sound of Music”, plus a unique dinner in the oldest restaurant in Europe located in St Peter’s Abbey
- Relax with leisure time in the car-free mountain resort of Zermatt, with the mighty Matterhorn rising above the village
- Visit the fascinating village of Oberammergau, where in 1633 the villagers made a pledge to God to save them from the bubonic plague and consequently performed the Passion Play every ten years.
- Take a city tour of Innsbruck to see the historic sights such as the Golden Roof
- Explore the medieval town of Lucerne in its stunning lakeside setting with its ancient covered Chapel Bridge
- Visit two spectacular castles - Chateau de Chillon on Lake Geneva and the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria
- City tour of elegant Vienna, including a visit to the majestic Schoenbrunn Palace
Details
Day 1
Vienna, Austria
Your tour begins in the elegant Austrian capital of Vienna. Join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner with regional dishes, locally produced wine and fun entertainment in the pretty wine-making village of Grinzing.
Dinner included
Day 2
Vienna
Discover Vienna with a locally guided tour showcasing the city’s landmarks. You will visit the spectacular Schoenbrunn Palace and see the impressive St Stephen’s Cathedral. In the afternoon you have free time to explore the picturesque streets, visit one of the excellent museums or relax in a traditional café.
Breakfast included
Day 3
Vienna - Salzburg
Take a short journey through the countryside to the banks of the Danube River where you will take a lovely river cruise. Admire the quaint villages and scenic vineyards as you glide past. Later visit the splendid Melk Abbey, this breath-taking cathedral dates back to the 11th century. Continue to the musical city of Salzburg, where you will spend the evening in the oldest restaurant in Europe – St Peter’s Restaurant, which is 1200 years old.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 4
Salzburg
Take a leisurely walking talking of home town of both Mozart and “The Sound of Music”, seeing highlights such as the Mirabell Gardens and the Getredidegasse - the birthplace of Mozart. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the Old Town where you can visit ancient churches, browse traditional shops and relax in a quaint café.
Breakfast included
Day 5
Salzburg – Munich, Germany - Oberammergau
Travel to Germany and visit the fascinating city of Munich. Enjoy a city tour highlighting the Olympic Park, the famous Glockenspiel and Marienplatz – a beautiful square filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. Continue through the Bavarian region of Germany to the intriguing and picturesque village of Oberammergau where you will be staying for the next two nights. This evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and a visit from local entertainers from this village famous for its Passion Play – performed every ten years to fulfil a pledge made by the villagers to God in 1633 to save them from the plague.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 6
Oberammergau – Innsbruck, Austria - Oberammergau
Journey through the spectacular Bavarian Alps to the charming city of Innsbruck nestling in the Tyrol region of Austria. Enjoy a locally guided tour through the picturesque streets and see landmarks such as the iconic Golden Roof and the Imperial Palace (the Hofburg).
Breakfast included
Day 7
Oberammergau – Black Forest
Today you will visit the fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein, built by Kind Ludwig II in the romantic style as an homage to Wagner. Continue to the beautiful Black Forest – a region famous for artisanal cuckoo clocks and wood carvings.
Breakfast included
Day 8
Black Forest – Zermatt, Switzerland
Travel into Switzerland, and pause at the stunning Chateau de Chillon on Lake Geneva. Later enjoy a train ride on board the Matterhorn Gottard Bahn from Tasch to the alpine resort of Zermatt where you will be spending the next two nights.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 9
Zermatt
Orientate yourself with a short guided tour of Zermatt, then you have the rest of the day at leisure. The centre of this lovely village is car-free and filled with traditional wooden chalets. You may enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or hike to get a closer look at the mighty Matterhorn mountain which rises above the village. There are many delightful cafes and restaurants and you may choose to relax over a local speciality such as raclette, followed by slice of strudel.
Breakfast included
Day 10
Zermatt – Grimsel Pass - Lucerne
Travel through the spectacular scenery of the Grimsel Pass, seeing awe-inspiring vistas of rivers, glaciers and snow-capped mountains. Continue to your final destination of the tour – the picturesque lake-side city of Lucerne.
Breakfast included
Day 11
Lucerne
Enjoy a scenic walking tour of the picture-perfect old town, taking in highlights such as Chapel Bridge – the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure and explore the lovely sights of Lucerne. This evening you will come together with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner featuring a traditional cheese fondue.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 12
Lucerne
Your tour ends
Breakfast included
What's Included:
- 16 meals - 11 breakfasts and 5 dinneres
- 11 nights accommodation*: Vienna 2 nights Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier or Hotel am Konzerthaus or Renaissance Vienna; Salzburg 2 nights Castellani Parkhotel or Wyndham Grand Salzburg; Oberammergau region 2 nights Hotel Alte Post; Black Forest 1 night Maritim Hotel or Hotel Schloss Reinach; Zermatt 2 nights Hotel Alex or Hotel Pollux; Lucerne 2 nights Ameron Hotel Flora
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Sightseeing as described in the above itinerary
* On some dates alternate hotels may be used
With offices in UK and Ireland, we have the experience and resources to provide you with the very best vacation, partnering only with the most reputable coach operators to ensure you have a truly great touring experience.
