| 12 Days ~
Switzerland ~ Germany ~ Austria ~ Italy
Tour Pace
An evenly paced tour with two
night stays in both Vienna and Lucerne. The driving days are all of a
reasonable length and the majority are scenic drives with frequent stops for
both refreshment and for the spectacular photo opportunities!
DAY 1 – SAT – ZURICH AT
LEISURE
Welcome to Switzerland! There
are complimentary transfers to your hotel upon arrival at Zurich Airport.
Later, an orientation tour of the city shows you the Bahnhofstrasse,
Grossmünster, River Limmat and Frauenmunster, famous for its stained
glass windows by Marc Chagall. In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink with
your Tour Director. Hotel: Swissotel.
DAY 2 – SUN – ZURICH –
MUNICH
First stop is at the thundering
Rhine Falls before crossing the German border and following the shores of
Lake Constance to the fortified island town of Lindau with its historic
streets. Move on to fun-loving Munich to see the Olympic stadium,
University, Frauenkirche and Victory Arch. Visit the Marienplatz where
crowds gather at the Town Hall to watch the Glockenspiel. After night falls,
why not enjoy a Bavarian dinner at a typical ‘Bier Keller’? Hotel:
Arabella Sheraton Grand. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – MON – MUNICH –
OBERAMMERGAU
Travel into the Bavarian Alps
for a guided visit of King Ludwig’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.
Admire the exuberantly decorated Throne Room and Lohengrin Grotto, before
continuing to Oberammergau, the setting for the Passion Play. Hotel: Alte
Post. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – TUE –
OBERAMMERGAU – INNSBRUCK
Drive south across the
spectacular Bavarian Alps into Austria and the winter sports resort town of
Innsbruck. Admire the Rococo interior of the Wilten Basilica before seeing
the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace in the Old Town. Later, consider taking
a horse-drawn carriage ride in a nearby mountain village. Hotel: Hilton.(Buffet breakfast,
dinner)
DAY 5 – WED – INNSBRUCK
– VIENNA
Depart for the beautiful
baroque city of Salzburg, the venue for one of the world’s most important
music festivals. With a local guide, visit the Mirabell Gardens and the
great cathedral, and see Mozart’s birthplace. Drive past picturesque
Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley, seeing the impressive Melk Abbey
en route to imperial Vienna, where you will stay for two nights. Enjoy
Viennese specialties at a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel:
Hilton. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality
Highlight Dinner)
DAY 6 – THU – VIENNA
SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide for a tour
of the glorious State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace – although not into
all of its 1400 rooms! The furniture, fixtures and fittings impressively
reflect the lifestyle of the Palace residents and are of major significance
in terms of cultural history. See its elegant formal gardens before going on
to view the great St Charles’ Church, the imperial Hofburg Palace,
the Parliament and the great State Opera House. Later, if you feel hungry,
pop into one of the celebrated Viennese cafes for coffee and pastries. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – FRI – VIENNA –
VILLACH
Take a delightful drive through
‘undiscovered’ Austria – the pine forests and sleepy towns and
villages of Styria and Carinthia. Climb the dramatic Semmering Pass and stop
in picturesque Kindberg with its colourful maypole. Continue alongside
streams and through farmlands to the Austrian Lake District, passing
Klagenfurt and Lake Worth. Arrive in the celebrated spa town of Villach for
an overnight stay. Hotel: Romantik Post. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 8 – SAT – VILLACH –
BOLZANO
View spectacular scenery as you
cross the Italian border, taking in the distinctive formations of the
Dolomites, where rugged peaks take the form of towers, belfries or domes.
Travel via the ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, host of the 1956 Winter
Olympics and, as the mountain colours change to soft pinks, reach Bolzano,
capital of the Alto Adige region. Hotel: Alpi.
(Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 9 – SUN – BOLZANO –
ST MORITZ
Drive through the Swiss
National Park, and along the beautiful Engadine Valley to the fashionable
ski resort of St Moritz. There’s time to browse in the elegant boutiques
or take a ride on the famous Bernina Express. Hotel: Monopol. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 10 – MON – ST
MORITZ – LUCERNE
Follow part of the Glacier
Express route. Sit spellbound as white stone houses, lush meadows and
snow-capped mountains slip past. Journey into Liechtenstein and pause in
Vaduz below the capital’s 700-year-old castle. Then it’s on to Lucerne
to embark on a spectacular Highlight – ascending Mount Pilatus by
cog-wheel train and cable-car. From the summit, enjoy some of the best views
of the Alps. Hotel: Astoria. ( (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 11 – TUE – LUCERNE
SIGHTSEEING
See the sorrowful sculpture of
the dying lion, hewn out of a limestone cliff to commemorate those Swiss
Guards who died at the Battle of the Tuileries. Then a stroll across the
Chapel Bridge to the Jesuit Church, before using your free time to shop. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – WED – LUCERNE
– ZURICH AIRPORT
The tour ends after
breakfast, with transfers to Zurich Airport
(Buffet breakfast) |
