Switzerland & Austria
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Zurich.
Day 2 - Arrive Zurich On your arrival at Zurich airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, late this afternoon our Tour Director will take us on an orientation tour of Switzerland's financial capital. Early this evening, we will enjoy a Welcome Drink and tour briefing with our Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day 3 - Zurich — Liechtenstein — Salzburg Today we enjoy a morning drive along Lake Zurich to Liechtenstein. We stop at its capital Vaduz, before following the Arlberg route into the Tyrol, then into the pretty skiing area around St. Johann in Tyrol and the Wilder Kaiser mountains to Salzburg dominated by the fortress of Hohensalzburg. This evening why not enjoy a walk around the old town" (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Salzburg — Vienna (2 nights) Our guided walking tour explores the city of Mozart's birth and "The Sound of Music" fame. We'll see Mozart's family house and the Domplatz. Later, enjoy breathtaking scenery on our drive past the Mondsee Lake to the Danube Valley. From the Monastery of Melk, vineyards line the river to Dürnstein en route to Imperial Vienna. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5 - Vienna sightseeing & at leisure Our guided sightseeing tour includes views of the State Opera, the Hofburg and St. Stephen's Cathedral, plus Parliament and the Imperial Boulevards. We also enjoy a walking tour taking us to the oldest part of the city in the area known as "Am Hof". Tonight, why not head for the Prater Amusement Park or visit one of the nearby wine villages for dinner at a lively 'heurige' inn" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6 - Vienna — Piber Stud Farm — Villach We're off to Graz to admire its galleried courtyards and Renaissance squares. Then we visit the Lippizaner Stud Farm at Piber, breeding place of the athletic white stallions of the Spanish Riding School. Next a scenic drive brings us to our hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Villach — Innsbruck Today we enjoy striking Alpine scenery as we drive into Italy via Carbonin and Lake Misurina to the Tre Croci Pass. From here, we descend to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Olympic skiing resort, in the heart of the Dolomites. Then through spectacular mountain passes into Austria again and the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck, encircled by the spectacular Alps. On our arrival we enjoy an orientation which shows us the Golden Roof, Wilten Basilica and Hofburg Palace and views the Olympic ski-jump. Tonight, we enjoy a dinner of Tyrolean specialities in a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 8 - Innsbruck — St. Moritz First we travel via Landeck and over the border back into Switzerland and across the Engadine. On through incomparable scenery as we approach the fashionable winter sports resort of St. Moritz. The rest of the day is free. Perhaps visit some of the nearby glaciers. Tonight dinner is served at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - St. Moritz — Stresa — Zermatt (2 nights) We drive across to Thusis and via San Bernadino route to Bellinzona, with its three imposing castles. From here our journey takes us via Locarno to scenic Stresa, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Here we can see the beautiful Borromean Islands before we ascend towards the Simplon Pass, and travel up to our Zermatt hotel by electric mini-buses and taxis, where we spend the next two relaxing nights. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Zermatt at leisure Our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure in this mountain haven, and we have time to relax and admire the wooden chalets bedecked with window boxes in this stunning setting beneath the Matterhorn. Time maybe to take a mountain trip for fantastic views of all the surrounding peaks" (Buffet Breakfast )
Day 11 - Zermatt — Chamonix — Geneva — Lausanne This morning we drive into France and to the skiing resort of Chamonix in the shadow of Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc! After free time it's back into Switzerland and to Geneva where an orientation shows us the Jet d'Eau, Flower Clock, United Nations' Building and includes a walking tour taking us to the Old Town and the Reformation monument. Then we check into our Lausanne hotel. This evening why not enjoy a stroll along the shores of Lake Geneva"(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Geneva — Berne — Interlaken — Lucerne (2 nights) We drive via Berne where we view the famous Bear Pit, then on to Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland, with time to admire the mighty Jungfrau. Then over the Brünig Pass we will arrive in charming lakeside Lucerne for our two-night stay.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Lucerne orientation & at leisure Today's morning orientation tour takes us past the Musegg Towers and walls of the Old Town to the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument. Later, perhaps enjoy an excursion up a mountain, join in the fun of a Swiss folklore show and explore the old city. Shopping is plentiful, from Swiss watches to jewellery and delicious chocolates. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and travelling companions. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 14 - Lucerne — Zurich — USA Time to bid farewell to your Tour Director and new-found friends as we transfer you to Zurich Airport for your return flight to America. Please do not schedule any flights before 10.00am. (Buffet Breakfast).
Please note: This tour will visit Germany, France and Italy for a short period.
Day 15 - Please Note This tour will visit Germany, France and Italy for a short period.
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